Finding Harmony Podcast

Fracking Yoga

In this episode we catch up with dedicated Ashtangi, mother of two, and highly acclaimed jouranlist, Bethany McLean. She is also an author and contributing editor to Vanity Fair, who lives in Chicago.
Bethany’s gift is understanding where the bullshit is, and uncovering it. As Russell said “To put Bethany McLean in context, imagine if in Die Hard Jon McClane takes down Hans Gruber in a cowboy no due process kind of way, then its Bethany who uncovers the rampant embezzlement at Nakatomi Plaza!”
Many of you might remember her from the 2012 Vanity Fair article entitled: Who’s Yoga Is It Anyway? where she explored how the global Ashtanga yoga community grapples with the death of Guru, Pattabhi Jois, and the complicated response to Sonia Jones launching a chain of yoga studios under the “Jois” name. A name copyrighted and paid for, but a purchase that rankled the prickly egos of senior students who preferred their status just where it was: On Top.
She co-author with Peter Elkind, the bestselling book: The Smartest Guys in the Room: The Amazing Rise and Scandalous Fall of Enron .
Her second book, which she co-authored with Joe Nocera, is called: All the Devils are Here: The Hidden History of the Financial Crisis. And her third book also co-authored with Joe Nocera, is Shaky Ground: The Strange Saga of the U.S. Mortgage Giants.
Bethany has a particular talent for following the numbers, exposing illusions, and popping bubbles to reveal where the truth lays hidden. This notion is of particular interest to Harmony and Russell as the Alberta economy is on the brink of collapse as Covid-19 exposes the pitfalls of cheap money in a dead service: Fracking. Alberta prides itself as the Saudi Arabia of North America, but as Bethany says, its not just a dollar spent and a dollar earned: “It’s much worse than that.”
In her most recent book titled, Saudi America: The Truth About Fracking and How It’s Changing the World, journalist Bethany McLean digs deep into the cycles of boom and bust that have plagued the American oil industry for the past decade, and turns an eye to the mysterious death of fracking pioneer Aubrey McClendon.
Find out more about Bethany McLean and listen to her podcast Making A Killing on iTunes.
As always, keep exploring my website and all my online offerings.
Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Simply Click Here.
To purchase your own copy - Click Here.
Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review ❤ and give us a 5★ rating.
FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

Ashtanga Yoga Tiger Training

Larry Hobbs is an Italian American who grew up in North Carolina. He is an Army Veteran who considers himself a late bloomer, coming to the practice of yoga after turning 50.
We walk through Larry’s chaotic childhood — his mother doesn’t speak English and he doesn’t speak Italian, a tour in Vietnam, (his discovery that he didn’t have PTSD from the war, he had it from home), and his practice of martial arts. After his discovery of Ashtanga Yoga he learned from many senior teachers, notably the legendary Annie Pace, and ultimately found himself in Mysore, India, the bedrock of Ashtanga yoga, in 2008.
Now, nearing 70, Larry has learned about how to maintain his practice through a spinal surgery, a hip replacement, and has adjusted his practice to accommodate an aging body.
You’ll love listening to Harmony, Russell and Larry colloquially reminisce their memories from Mysore and about some of the idiosyncratic Senior Ashtanga teachers they’ve met along the way. As Larry was just in Mysore earlier this year, you will hear about his impressions of the New Sharath Yoga Shala and the younger community that continues to flourish there.
Learn more about Larry and his yoga shala: Hanuman Ashtanga Yoga
Find Larry on Facebook
As always, keep exploring my website harmonyslater.com and book your private yoga lessons with me online.
Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Simply Click Here.
To purchase your own copy - Click Here.
Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! ❤
Give us a 5★ rating!
FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

Rediscovering Joy

In this episode we interview Russell’s mother, Michael Carol Case, an exquisite and passionate woman who has lived a fabulous life, in every sense of the word. Michael’s journey to founder and CEO of the largest Urology Niche Recruitment company in the States was a convoluted one. Frustrated by a lack of opportunity for women she entered nursing school in 1965, but quickly dropped out, promoted the Woodstock rock bands at Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom, and raised two children by herself moving from place to place across the midwest, working at first as a reporter and then an economic developer. However, we want to warn you… This particular episode explores the darkest chapter in her life.
She shares with us her courage and grit in retelling her story of being raped in her own home while her young children were asleep. Over the next thirty years she went through a process of crisis and self care, experimenting with different healing modalities including MDMA and EMDR Therapy, to help overcome severe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Her exploration teaches us the value of learning to give up fear and rediscover our capacity for love and joy.
*Content warnings for this episode are listed here:
Please note that this episode comes with a trigger warning for some listeners. Michael’s personal story contains depictions of violence, drug use, adult themed topics and language. Some listeners may find the events described here particularly disturbing. We encourage our listeners to practice self-care, and seek out appropriate resources to support you if needed. Also, if there happens to be other listeners around with sensitive ears, please use your headphones, as this episode is not intended for children.
Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Simply Click Here.
To purchase your own copy - Click Here.
For more incredible information on yoga check out my website harmonyslater.com
Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! ❤ Please give us a 5★ rating on iTunes.
FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

The Only Way Out Is Through...

In this episode we interview Julie Choi Trepkau.
We dig into what it was like growing up in a traditional Korean family transplanted in America when she was four years old, and how becoming a parent herself has given her a fresh perspective on generational karma, trauma, and a newfound compassion in understanding her own parents and their struggles.
Julie’s love of movement began with dance lessons at age 4. Her first encounter with yoga was in 1992 as a student of art history at Columbia University in New York City. After completing an MSc at The London School of Economics and Political Science, she moved to Hong Kong to put her degrees to use.
There she became one of the pioneering students practicing in a newly formed grassroots Ashtanga yoga community guided by Michel Besnard.
In 2007, Julie began making trips to Mysore before moving to Germany and having two babies. These babies – who are now 11 and 8 years old – are both the backbone and fruit of her Ashtanga Yoga practice.
Find out how this high-powered high achieving business lady at the Wall St. Journal pivoted to teaching Ashtanga yoga, actively working as a doula, and now enrolled in midwifery school in Encinitas, California.
You can follow Julie on Instagram and find out about her upcoming classes and events at Jois Yoga.
Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Simply Click Here.
To purchase your own copy - Click Here.
Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! ❤
FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

Ashtanga Yoga, The Human Reclamation Project

Aimee Echo began her career not as a Yoga teacher but a punk rock lead singer, recording several albums and touring the world with her band theSTART and performing guest vocals for Red Hot Chili Peppers, Garbage, Teddybears and so many more. Seeking refuge from some toxic elements in rock, she took her first step into an Ashtanga Yoga class in 1999.
(As square as Russell is, he was very interested in Aimee’s career and asked a lot of inappropriate questions about what actually is punk. What is Authentic? Is Miley Cyrus Punk? Does she regret marrying Billy Ray Cyrus' drummer? What is Bad Religion? And, is Yoga the answer?)
Guided by teachers Noah Williams and Kiki Flynn, she developed a daily Mysore-style practice and became devoted to the Ashtanga Yoga method. After practicing with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and his family in L.A. In 2002, she was inspired to make her first journey to Mysore, India in 2007 to study at the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute.
Aimee is the owner, director and primary teacher at Ashtanga Yoga Long Beach. She is the only KPJAYI Authorized Ashtanga Yoga teacher in Long Beach, CA.
She still sings in her dance rock band, theSTART.
You can follow her on Instagram Aimee Echo and Ashtanga Yoga Long Beach.
Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Simply Click Here.
To purchase your own copy - Click Here.
FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

From Dusk To Dawn

Welcome to our anniversary episode! We are looking back at 2020 and the year so far, now half over, and taking stock in what our Podcast Finding Harmony is all about. For us, Yoga is about bringing union and balance to the opposite forces within each moment of pleasure and pain. Many of our episodes seem to deal with examining the point of crises and the resolution in the lives of our yogi friends. Buried within these moments of crisis though is the seed of liberation and from the darkness we find the light.
In this episode, we (Harmony and Russell) explore mind-altering states of consciousness and how sometimes these lost weekends deeply influence our past perceptions and also our future experiences of consciousness. Some drug use is mentioned in this episode - parental advisory is recommended.
"Push far enough towards the Void,
Hold fast enough to Quietness,
And of the ten thousand things none but can be worked on by you.
I have beheld them, whither they go back.
See, all things howsoever they flourish
Return to the root from which they grew." - Tao Te Ching (chapter 16)
Russell mentioned just now the autobiography of Malcolm X. In that book, Mr. Shabazz remonstrates his audience not to be titillated by the stories of his wild youth.
Remember that spiritual evolution is what is important. The Spirit is what is real.
To find out more about Russell Case, check out his website and instagram and from his art studio.
Follow Harmony Slater on instagram and for her health coaching on her website.
Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Simply Click Here. To purchase your own copy - Click Here.
Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! ❤
FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

Everyday Ayurveda with Kate O’Donnell

What exactly is the yogic diet? What should we eat to align ourselves with the principles of yoga? Learn the answers to these questions and so many more on this episode of Finding Harmony!
From her first trip to India, to living on Nancy Gilgoff’s front porch, to becoming a published author three times over and ending up on Fox News as an expert on Ayurveda, Kate O’Donnell has had a fascinating journey combining the Ashtanga yoga practice with a deep wisdom from the ancient science of Ayurveda.
Kate offers some simple and easy ways for you to integrate the ancient principles of Ayurveda into your diet and daily life, which can help to increase your energy and enrich your yoga practice!
Kate O’Donnell is the author of three fabulous Ayurvedic Cookbooks. She is a nationally certified Ayurvedic Practitioner and Authorized Ashtanga yoga teacher based in Portland, Maine. Kate began practicing yoga by accident in South India at age 20. With more than a dozen extended trips to India and over twenty years of study in these two ancient traditions, Kate teaches how to incorporate Ayurveda with a busy schedule and the practice of yoga. Kate specializes in Ayurvedic education, cooking skills, and cleansing programs, offering on-line programs, residential immersions, trainings, and individual consultations. Her Ayurveda and yoga offerings aim to help others come closer to their true nature.
Follow Kate on Instagram and find out more on here website.
Kate’s newest book, The Everyday Ayurveda Guide to Self-Care, will be released on July 28, 2020 from Shambhala Publications - PRE-ORDER your copy today!
Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify - simply click Here. To purchase your own copy - click Here.
FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

What’s it gonna take? From Adiction to Ashtanga

“True balance for me is always about being able to translate my inner energy, moment to moment. If I don’t balance myself from moment to moment, then I have an emotional hangover.” — Santina Giardina-Chard
In this episode we interview the wild woman herself, Santina Giardina-Chard.
Santina shares with us with her incredible journey. She experienced extraordinary childhood wounds, had a tumultuous early adulthood struggling with an addiction to heroine, lawlessness and eating disorders. Love had a way of finding her though, and a transformation started to happen through the connection with her (now) husband, Shane, the practice of Ashtanga yoga, and digging deep with Gestalt therapy. We’re lucky to know her and she's lucky to be alive!
We think you will really enjoy her incredible insights into the practice, life and also her Australian vernacular. (No one has ever used this many cuss words to describe German Psychoanalysis before... We think.)
Please use headphones if your kids or other sensitive ears are around. And if colorful language isn’t your cup of tea, you might want to skip this one.
You can find out more about Santina on her website and follow her on Instagram.
Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify - simply click Here. To purchase your own copy - click Here.
FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

Certifiably Organic with Jessica Walden

Whether it’s her life, her way with her family, her practice, or the work she has invested herself in, Jessica Walden is Certifiably Organic in every way.
In this episode we interview Jessica Walden who is a long time practitioner of Ashtanga yoga, mother of two boys, and has a robust career working for over 20 years in the organic food certification industry.
Listen to how Jessica learned to continue practicing when faced with a debilitating back injury that would forever alter her approach to Ashtanga yoga.
Jessica also spoke to how our yoga practice is about taking personal responsibility for our actions. This naturally extends to our food choices and therefore our environment.
Jessica shares years of wisdom around integrating the full practice of yoga into every area of life and she’s got a great sense of humor too!
You can find her on Instagram here and check out her website for more detailed information on how to connect with her directly.
Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! ❤
Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify - simply click Here. To purchase your own copy - click Here.
FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

Yoga as Sovereignty and Civil Disobedience

I invited Professor Shyam Ranganathan to talk with Russell and I about some of the integral concepts found in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra. In this conversation, you’ll learn how these essential practices are vital for us to actively participate in and how through our participation we can reshape not only ourselves but the world.
Dr. Shyam is an incredibly insightful authority on both South Asian and Western Philosophy. He is able to weave together classical thoughts about Logos or Logic, Linguistic Theory with Civil Disobedience, Cultural Appropriation, and the teaching of Patanjali. We discuss the essential practices of Ahimsa and Isvara Pranidhana and how they relate to the idea of non-violent resistance, Satyagraha.
This episode is so funny and so good… Ontologically speaking! We know you’re going to have as much fun listening to it as we had recording it. It was a treat and an honour to host Shyam on our podcast.
You can find more information about Shyam Ranganathan on his website and hear more of his insights on his Instagram Account.
Dr. Shyam Ranganathan is a professional moral philosopher, translation expert, scholar of South Asia studies, a translator of the Yoga Sūtra (Penguin 2008), and a yoga practitioner. Dr. Shyam Ranganathan holds an MA in South Asian Studies, an MA and PhD in philosophy. He teaches at York University and The York Center for Asian Research. With over 50 peer reviewed publications, he is a wonderful resource for expanding your yoga education.
Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify - simply click Here. To purchase your own copy - click Here.
FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation