Licia Sky is co-founder and Global Ambassador of the Trauma Research Foundation. She is a Boston-based somatic educator, writer, artist, singer-songwriter, and bodyworker who works with traumatized individuals and trains mental health professionals to use mindful meditation in movement, theater exercises, writing, and voice as tools for attunement, healing, and connection. In the course of over 25 years of bodywork practice, Licia developed her methods of vocalizing for embodiment in physical and emotional healing.--More about Less Stress - https://thelessstress.com/⁠Support us on Patreon

In this episode, I sit down with meditation teacher, somatic educator, and nature mystic Annette Knopf for a conversation that felt like coming home. We talk about the feminine voice in spiritual healing, our relationships with nature and each other, grief, trauma, and the quiet beauty woven through life. Annette’s presence brings a softening, a depth, and a sense of belonging — the same qualities that shine through her new book Mystic Nomad, a soulful blend of spirit, nature, psychology, and embodied healing.Annette’s new book: Mystic Nomad → https://www.amazon.com/Mystic-Nomad-Womans-Journey-Connection/dp/1958972975Annette's website: https://www.annetteknopp.com/Blue Spirit Retreat Centre : https://bluespiritcostarica.com/--Less Stress Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/lessstresshttps://thelessstress.com/

In this episode, Gabriele, Dan Siegel, and I explore change on a quantum level—how we think, respond, and show up in personal, collective, and social realms. A central theme is the importance of relational sense—our ability to connect deeply with ourselves, others, and the natural world. This connection is essential for navigating challenges with resilience and fostering meaningful change, especially in these turbulent times. We address the context of burned-out activists, acknowledging the toll of constant striving without renewal. By nurturing our nervous system and shifting out of a threat state quickly, we can sustain our energy and purpose. Dan suggests approaching challenges as dance partners—for example, when feeling hopeless, choose to get helpful. Begin with small, local actions that can ripple outward to spark larger change. We also emphasize emotional integration, not bypassing. Allowing ourselves to fully experience our emotions while maintaining an open, curious perspective creates space for healing and ignites the energy of hope. This includes cultivating an emotional connection with nature, which can be profoundly grounding and restorative. Dan shares insights on understanding our temperament to avoid burnout from unconscious reactivity, offering tools to respond with intention and resilience. Finally, we explore the SPA framework—sensations, perception, and agency—as a practical guide for navigating challenges with greater awareness and relational grounding. More about Dan's work - https://drdansiegel.com/ About Mindsight Institute - https://mindsightinstitute.com/ Dan's newest book - More about Less Stress - https://thelessstress.com/ Support us on Patreon

In this episode one of my long time dreams came true. Thanks to Surya Ashtanga studio in Vilnius for organizing a 3 day workshop with Eddie Stern, we had a chance to record a podcast with Eddie Stern in person. Walking the streets of central Vilnius and talking about common humanity felt to simple and so secure, like practicing Yoga sequence in my living room via zoom. This conversation with Eddie feels so simple and yet so enriching. I'm fascinated by his quality to speak about deep topics while also grounding them in material understanding in such a gracious manner. Respecting all people no matter their 'level& of understanding be that in yoga, science, politics or life, feels such an embodied and compassionate way to be and live. I believe that this conversation will find you interested in a way that you can relate and take some simple practices with you. I truly feel that deepest spirituality lies in deep witnessing of oneself, others and simplicity of life. #lessstresspodcast

In this short episode, I'm sharing my own poem on grief and heartbreak, and its delicacies. I invite you to meditate on these things, and perhaps even invite your inner intimate lover. More about LESS STRESS: https://thelessstress.com/

In this episode we contemplated how psychology and spirituality can interconnect and compliment one another on our healing path. Join us in this conversation with psychologist, philosopher Gunnar Gjermundsen. Support us on Patreon @lessstress. Thank you! For any inquiries contact us at [email protected] https://thelessstress.com

In this podcast episode we bravely delve into unpacking two foundational things in brave leadership: courage and vulnerability. Join us for this conversation with Jannecke Bugge, the co-founder of Brave Leadership in Norway. Support us on Patreon @lessstress. Your support can do wonders! For any inquiries: [email protected] www.lessstress.com

In this podcast episode, we delve into the concept of interconnectedness and its implications for personal and collective growth. Join us as Gabriele engages in an insightful conversation with Sahana Sriskandarajah, a clinical psychologist who has ventured beyond traditional perspectives on psychology.S Support us on Patreon @lessstress. Your contribution can do wonders!

In this episode we talked to Eleanor Johnson and River Flows. Eleanor Johnson is a British researcher, writer and artist based in Oslo. She is founder of two companies: Flower Consults and Love Stories. Eleanor on IG: @flowerseleanorflowers Godriver, aka River Flows. 28yrs old from Tanzania, who grew up in Norway. She is a full time corporate lady, self-employed dance instructor & choreographer, who inspires to create an impact through dance and creativity. She founded Flows Agency and co-founded Playdance Tanzania for this reason, create an impact. You’re always welcome to join her pop-classes in Oslo. River on IG: @riverflows. Less Stress podcast is a place where we meet with a variety of professionals from trauma, somatic, psychology, science, spiritual and activism fields to find, sense, feel and talk about our interconnectedness as a way to find, create and integrate new ways of personal and collective living, being and connection. Hosts: Zivile Virkutyte & Gabriele Sabunaite 2023 ©Less Stress

Boundaries are a tough topic, especially when it comes to any relationship. We often crave acceptance and recognition by dismissing our authenticity for that. We think if we're are more available, always present and positive, that's the only way to be liked. As Gabor Mate says, this society praises those that self-betray or dismiss those close to them. The society normalized hyperavailability, overworking, stress, self-betrayal for the good of others, and so on. That is because we are often afraid of our authenticity and true needs, tapping into and expressing them drives us into a fear of rejection by those close to us and larger society. In fact, true needs and boundaries create health, spaciousness and real intimacy. By supporting ourselves and communicating what we need to others, we express our wants for honesty and real connection. -- Tess Jewell-Larsen empowers women professionals, entrepreneurs and high-achievers to leave burnout and stress in the ashes while they achieve balance, clarity, and creativity in their work and daily life. Tess is a certified mindfulness coach, experienced yoga teacher and a Yoga Therapist in training. Tess emphasizes breath support, mindful movement, stress management, nervous system resiliency, mindset and lifestyle shifts, and taking small steps that build up, so that her clients feel more joyful, balanced, and optimistic, and thrive no matter what obstacles come their way. Connect with Tess: website: https://tessjewelllarsen.coach/ instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tessjewelllarsen/ facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tessjewelllarsencoaching linkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessjewelllarsen/ Episode created by Živilė Virkutytė Edited by Martynas Žukauskas Music by Irmantas Kaseta