Between Two Worlds: Integrating Transformative Spiritual Experiences

In this episode of 'Between Two Worlds', we delve into the concept of thwarted creativity - what happens when the creative urge is repressed - and explore how early experiences of pain and vulnerability can stifle creative expression. We discuss the importance of nurturing creative energy as a life force, and what it has felt like for both of us when we fail to do this. We also touch on th...

In this episode, we explore the concept of creative energy, discussing its manifestations in our lives and what the heck we think it wants with us humans. We delve into the "naturalness" of the creative process, and the concept of humans being vessels for creative energy to make itself manifest in the world. We touch on what it might mean when we receive a spark of inspiration, and how w...

In this episode, I relaunch the podcast after a year, sharing my journey into parenthood and the transformative experiences that have shaped my writing and personal growth. Joined by my husband Max, we explore the challenges and revelations of motherhood. I reflect on my struggles with mental health, coming to understand myself as autistic, the impact of sleep deprivation, and the profound moments...

Simone Surgeoner grew up in Melbourne, Australia in the Jehovah's Witness religious community. After having children of her own, Simone began to question the religion's teachings, and eventually left secular religious life behind in her early thirties. What followed was a complete re-build of life on her own terms, leading to a twenty year journey of self-discovery. Simone explored differe...

Ali Heppell grew up in rural Victoria, Australia. Pursuing a career in speech pathology, she moved to the city in her twenties and enjoyed a few carefree years of dining out, dancing, and career building. At twenty-four, her world was turned upside down when her mum called to tell her she had cancer. What followed was a deep immersion in grief, death, and transformation. Ali speaks candidly in thi...

Melissa Lambour is a vibrant, trail-blazing Guatemalan-American woman currently living and loving in Bali, Indonesia. She grew up watching her migrant parents work incredibly hard for the "American Dream", and found herself amassing degrees and credentials to make their sacrifice seem worthwhile. But there was something missing for Melissa, and her search for identity and meaning took he...

Danielle Rateau is a radiant American beauty, currently living and working in a small fishing town near Seattle. She landed in the misty far north of the U.S. after years of global travels where she lived and worked among spiritual communities - from the ashrams of Australia to an ayahuasca retreat in Peru. After struggling with an eating disorder and the breakdown of a relationship and career in...

Michelle Gardiner is an Australian social impact entrepreneur currently exploring the concept of home in multiple locations around the world including Bali, Indonesia and the Mediterranean. After marrying young and throwing herself into her social work career and life in the suburbs, Michelle started to have those uncomfortable nagging questions. Is this enough? Do I want more? Could I start all o...

Danielle Rateau is a radiant American beauty, currently living and working in Washington state, in a small fishing town near Seattle. She landed in the misty far north of the U.S. after years of global travels where she lived and worked among spiritual communities - from the ashrams of Australia to an ayahuasca retreat in Peru. After struggling with an eating disorder and the breakdown of a relati...

Nathalie Sage is a Swedish native currently living among the beautiful, foresty outer suburbs of Melbourne, Australia. She grew up surrounded by the lush greenery around Stockholm and felt deeply connected to nature at an early age, having her first notable spiritual experience at just six years old. A challenging adolescence led to one of the most beautiful spiritual experiences of her life, cata...

Karen Garton is a Melbourne woman who lived a self-proclaimed "vanilla" life right up until her forties when she started to dig into some of the childhood trauma she had experienced. After an initial spiritual awakening experience catalysed by the powerful touch of a Reiki master (who also happened to be Karen's boss at an accounting firm!), Karen has since explored many spiritual mo...

Karen Garton is a Melbourne woman who lived a self-proclaimed "vanilla" life right up until her forties when she started to dig into some of the childhood trauma she had experienced. After an initial spiritual awakening experience catalysed by the powerful touch of a Reiki master (who also happened to be Karen's boss at an accounting firm!), Karen has since explored many spiritual modalities and h...