In this thoughtful and expansive episode, Susanna talks with John P. Schuster about what it truly means to answer your deepest calling and the inner work required to live it. Drawing from decades of experience as a coach, teacher, and author, John shares how his work has evolved from traditional coaching into what he calls “coaching from the mystic core,” a practice rooted in spirituality, presence, and deep inner awareness.

Together, Susanna and John explore the connection between inner mastery and outer impact, and why lasting change in the world must begin within. They discuss the role of meditation, intuition, and spiritual practice in helping us quiet the noise of everyday life so we can hear what is calling us forward. This conversation is a powerful reminder that we are not separate from the wisdom we seek. It already lives within us, waiting for us to listen.

00:47 – Introducing John P. Schuster
04:22 – John shares his journey from traditional coaching into spiritually informed “mystic core” work.
15:58 – John and Susanna explore the concept of inner mastery and outer impact, and the five core energies of purpose, wisdom, love, growth, and self-realization.
31:49 – John shares what he hopes listeners will remember from this conversation.

John P. Schuster is a leadership coach, teacher, and author with more than 25 years of experience helping individuals and organizations connect with purpose and create meaningful impact. He has taught at Columbia University and the Hudson Institute, where he has guided leaders and coaches in deepening their work. John is the author of Answering Your Call: A Guide to Living Your Deepest Purpose and continues to explore the intersection of spirituality and coaching through his work with the Mentora Institute. His approach invites people to look within, cultivate presence, and trust the wisdom that emerges from their own inner life.

Mentora Institute

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In this insightful episode, Susanna sits down with conflict resolution educator and content creator Shannon Thompson, who shares her transformative journey from education to facilitating meaningful conversations around conflict. Shannon discusses her passion for making complex conflict dynamics accessible through practical communication tools and her experience in mediating high-stakes discussions.

Throughout the episode, Shannon articulates the importance of emotional regulation in conflict situations and the necessity of empathy in communication. She reflects on her career transition, addressing the fears and challenges that accompany stepping out of one’s comfort zone. Together, Susanna and Shannon explore how personal growth can emerge from navigating conflict and the courage it takes to continue on one’s journey, no matter how daunting it may seem.

01:14 – Introducing Shannon Thompson
18:21 – Susanna and Shannon explore the dynamic of conflict resolution in educational settings, particularly IEP meetings.
25:10 – Shannon discusses the importance of empathy and understanding in conflict situations, managing impostor syndrome, and staying persistent through challenging transitions.
35:47 - Shannon shares what she hopes listeners will take away from her conversation with Susanna about the relationship between emotional regulation and effective communication.

Shannon Thompson is a conflict resolution educator dedicated to helping individuals navigate challenging conversations with clarity and confidence. Through her work as a mediator and content creator, she translates complex conflict dynamics into digestible lessons, focusing on practical communication skills that foster understanding and resolution.

With a passion for bridging knowledge gaps in conflict resolution, Shannon’s efforts are aimed at empowering everyday people to engage more meaningfully in their personal and professional lives.

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In this thoughtful and expansive episode, Susanna talks with interdisciplinary artist and embodied listening practitioner Wenlin Tan about the deeper meaning of listening and how it can transform the way we relate to one another and to the natural world. Wenlin shares how her path has woven together psychology, behavioral health, participatory art, and ecological awareness, leading her to develop practices that invite people to listen beyond language through movement, rhythm, and sensory attention.

Together, Susanna and Wenlin explore the idea that listening is not simply hearing another person speak. It is a relational act that requires presence, curiosity, and humility. Wenlin describes her work along the River Po in Italy and explains how her creative process is guided by the five elements and the cycles found in nature. This conversation opens a doorway into a different way of being in the world, one where listening becomes a practice of connection with ourselves, with others, and with the places we inhabit.

01:02 – Introducing Wenlin Tan
14:47 – Susanna and Wenlin discuss what it means to listen beyond words and why listening is fundamentally a relational practice.
34:45 – Wenlin describes the difference between “listening to” someone and “listening with” them, using the metaphor of musicians accompanying one another.
55:40 – Wenlin reflects on what she hopes listeners will remember about the power of attention, presence, and listening.

Wenlin Tan is an interdisciplinary artist and embodied listening practitioner whose work explores the intersection of participatory art, ecology, and relational awareness. Drawing from a background in behavioral health and psychology, she has spent more than fifteen years facilitating workshops and group experiences across Asia, Europe, and the United States.

Her practice invites people to listen beyond language through movement, rhythm, and sensory attention, cultivating deeper relationships with one another and with the natural world. Based in Turin, Italy, Wenlin’s current research unfolds along the River Po, where she continues to explore creative ways of listening to place and community.

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