The Sacred Gut Punch

Dr. Tomi Bryan is wrapping up the Sacred Gut Punch Podcast. It has been so much fun! Thank you for listening to these stories of resilience and for making this journey with me.

In this episode, Krista Meinert shares the devastating story of losing her son Jake, a U.S. Marine killed in action in Afghanistan in January 2010. She describes her long journey through grief — from burying her emotions in "task mode" to eventually finding healing through yoga, nature, climbing mountain high points across the country, and participating in a psilocybin study for long-term grief. I...

Ken Wortley shares his journey from Baptist preacher to authentic self-acceptance after decades of suppressing his sexual orientation to please God and meet religious expectations. Married with two children and serving multiple churches, his carefully constructed life unraveled when his wife confronted him with the question: "How long have you known you were gay?" Through therapy, journaling, and...

This podcast episode features Ben and Megan Russell sharing their journey through multiple devastating challenges in their early marriage. Three weeks after their 2019 wedding, Megan's sister died suddenly from a brain aneurysm, followed by a pregnancy during COVID isolation, where Megan hemorrhaged after delivery and nearly died. Their greatest challenge came when their daughter, Brooklyn, was di...

Alicia Rodriguez's sacred gut punch came in waves. First: an electrical charge when she met Napo, a sixth-generation shaman in Ecuador, recognizing him as the figure from a dream decades earlier. She uprooted everything to build a healing retreat center with him. Second punch: he turned dark, aggressive, and dangerous. Third: fleeing with only a backpack and her dog, her life on the line. The fina...

Calvin Klein shares three sacred gut punches that have shaped his life's path — from an 11-year-old's mystical calling on a farm, to walking away from corporate success, to the heartbreaking loss of his granddaughter, Edyn Ray. The conversation explores complexity science, the "ecology of needs," and how nature's own language of complementary opposites can guide personal and organizational transfo...

In this episode, we chat with Dan Holden, author of The Accidental Horse Guy, who went from knowing nothing about horses to helping people change their lives with them. Dan shares how working with horses taught him what it really means to be honest and present — and how a special horse named Regalo showed him that you don't need words to build trust. Through the lens of Rainer Maria Rilke's poetry...

In this episode, Marijo Puelo shares how getting fired from her corporate job in 2004 — initially devastating — became the catalyst for profound transformation. Struggling in an abusive culture that triggered undiagnosed PTSD, she faced a choice each morning for six months between two metaphorical batons: "this will define you" or "make this a defining moment." Her arduous journey through the gut...

In this special episode of the Sacred Gut Punch podcast, host Dr. Tomi White Bryan becomes the guest as Shonna Tsacoumangos explores Tomi's own transformative journey. Tomi shares the profound impact of losing her father when she was 33 ― a loss that sparked a 20-year quest to understand purpose and identity that ultimately led to her Emotional Intelligence 3.0 framework. Through intimate stories...

In this profoundly moving episode, Lara Stone, mother and memoirist, shares her journey of grief and healing following the loss of her 21-year-old son, Max, to lymphoma. Through her writing process — from CaringBridge blog to memoir — Lara explores the central question: "Do you have to put grief down to experience joy?" She reveals how she learned to carry both grief and joy simultaneously, findin...

In this deeply moving episode, executive coach and psychedelic minister Jeff Stone shares his journey through the loss of his 21-year-old son Max, who died after a nine-month battle with aggressive lymphoma. Jeff discusses the treatment rollercoaster, Max's final days surrounded by loved ones, and how psychedelic therapy helped him find unexpected contentment amid devastating grief. He offers prof...

What happens when a third-generation family business heir realizes he's living someone else's life? In this powerful conversation, Jim Anderson shares how walking away from a career in a family business, financial security, and family expectations led him through the darkest period of his life — and ultimately to his true calling. This is the story of a man who bravely chose his family over his fa...

At 84, Jerry was biking 80 miles a week and creating films celebrating thriving communities. Then a bike accident left him paralyzed from the navel down. In this moving episode, Jerry shares how his "sacred gut punch" became a gateway to discovering angels everywhere—from hospital staff to fellow survivors appearing at perfect moments. He speaks of how reframing "bad" as "challenging" transforms e...

In this meaningful episode, Shonna shares her journey through two pivotal betrayals that shaped her resilience. Drawing on the metaphor of a bumblebee that flies despite scientific impossibility, Shonna explains how she refuses to let the world dictate her limitations. Her philosophy centers on self-determination, leaning into discomfort, extending grace to yourself even when others won't, and cel...

At just 6 years old, Grace experienced a profound moment of luminous unity, understanding that pure goodness is the essence of all life. But how do you reconcile that boundless reality with our messy, limited human experience? Grace shares her journey of carrying this mystical knowing through complex family relationships, learning that healing isn't about fixing others but taking radical responsib...

In this powerful episode, cancer survivor Margaret Burnham shares her journey through stage 4 colon cancer that had metastasized to her liver — a diagnosis that upended her world. She reveals how the kindness of others became her lifeline, the power of "bullet prayers" that sustained her spirit, and how a miraculous medal became her symbol of hope. Her story shows that our most painful disruptions...

Join us for an intimate conversation with Joe, who shares his remarkable journey from addiction to spiritual awakening. After a profound moment of surrender in 1994, Joe discovered that "losing his mind" led to finding his heart. In this powerful episode, Joe reveals how confronting his deepest pain, releasing rage, working with his inner child, and developing faith created an authentic connection...

In this episode, we sit down with Cassie Coon for a heartfelt conversation, as she shares her dual journey through life-altering medical experiences. Cassie opens up about the unexpected challenges of her back surgery and the even more profound experience of becoming her mother's caregiver during cancer. With authenticity and compassion, she shares the unexpected moments that emerged during her mo...

This episode features a candid conversation between Dr. Tomi and her coach and friend Blaze, a personal trainer and recovery advocate. They explore the theme of personal growth gained from facing emotional struggles, particularly those linked to addiction and childhood trauma. Blaze shares reflections on his journey through addiction, recovery, and the challenges that have shaped his life. He emph...

In this heartfelt discussion, Dr. Tomi talks with Jim Luck, a friend and wine enthusiast, who shares his profound journey of grief following the suicide of his brother. Jim reflects on the emotional turbulence that enveloped him during this period. He emphasizes the importance of creating space for personal healing and emotional exploration rather than becoming entangled in the responsibilities of...

In this first episode of The Sacred Gut Punch podcast with Dr. Tomi Bryan, Carolyn Leisure shares her personal journey through chronic illness, motherhood, and the challenges of entrepreneurship. Carolyn describes the transformative experience she labels a sacred gut punch, which catalyzed her decision to reimagine her life and its direction. In their discussion, Carolyn reflects on resilience, th...

Join host Dr. Tomi White Bryan for new episodes on the second and fourth Fridays of each month, with inspiring stories of challenge, resilience, and renewal. "Sometimes life delivers a blow that shatters who we thought we were, forcing us into an emotional opening that demands we become someone new.  The Sacred Gut Punch podcast features intimate conversations with everyday wisdom keepers who shar...