Thought Experiment Called Life - Mindset, Resilience, Creativity, and Intentional Living

What does it really mean to live a  soul-based life  in a world that’s loud, overstimulating, and constantly pulling us away from ourselves? In this episode of  Thought Experiment , I sit down with  Sally Marie Young , Reiki Master, teacher, and founder of  BeSoul , for a grounding and expansive conversation about  energetic healing ,  nervous system regulation ,...

As we close out 2025, I’m sharing why I’ve never really resonated with New Year’s resolutions and what I do instead. In this episode, we explore intention setting through cycles, seasons, and a more human rhythm that actually supports your nervous system. This is a grounded, practical, and slightly magical way to approach the new year without pressure, rebranding, or forcing change. ✨  I’ve...

In this episode, I sit down with Rachel Honeyman, founder of Honeybee Bold, to talk about building a business that actually feels like you. We explore authenticity vs virality, using AI without losing your voice, nonlinear paths, intuition, and the surprising ways martial arts prepares you for entrepreneurship. This is a conversation about staying human, trusting your gut, and creating meaningful...

Holiday Support for Sensitive Souls | Plant Allies & Nutrients The holidays can be beautiful and overwhelming.. especially for sensitive nervous systems. In this episode, I share gentle plant allies and nutrients that have helped me navigate stress, sleep, and emotional overload during the holidays and beyond. 🌿 All studies, research links, and product recommendations discussed are listed on...

I sat down with Danny Neudecker... clinical therapist  and  pairs skater training for the 2030 Olympic Trials. I met Danny through Thrive Health Systems and was so moved by the way he navigated intense vertigo after a fall on the ice... and how he talked about healing, presence, and purpose. When he told me he was also a therapist, that sealed the deal. We talk about... ✨ sitting with d...

The holidays bring up everything... nostalgia, grief, joy, overwhelm, and the inner child expecting “the most magical Christmas ever.” I’ve had my own complicated history with this season (yes, I once wrote a very choice word Christmas song for those who are not loving the holiday season 😅 https://youtu.be/90FdyjmTkSg?si=fipB8K5ZBXej3D8U). So I’m sharing the tools and mindsets that have helped me...

In this episode, I sit down with mindfulness meditation teacher  Nick Shopa  of  Tibet House NYC  to explore how meditation can genuinely change your life. We dive into the real benefits of mindfulness—less stress, more clarity, emotional balance, and a deeper sense of presence. If this conversation resonates, you can read the full write-up and join my community on Substack her...

A Bonus Episode for the Multi‑Passionate Soul Who Won’t Quit Today’s episode is a soft reminder for the multi‑passionate, the brave, the discouraged, and the stubborn-hearted.  The ones who keep choosing the path that chooses them back. We explore the joy of learning, what the mats can teach us about becoming, why “sucking at something” is not a verdict but a doorway, and how consistency quie...

“Joy feels like a wink from the universe that says, ‘You’re on the right path.’” I don’t know about you, but I wrestle with feeling my joy when I know others in the world are living lives that are anything but joyful. I reflect on this often and recently spent an entire therapy appointment delving into this topic. When I got down the heart of the matter I realized I was feeling that the louder the...

Hello friends! First thing, a little announcement: I’ve decided  not   to continue  with a tier-based membership at this time. When I have more capacity…when I can create courses, custom offerings or deep-dives…we’ll see what resonates and I may offer something special. But for now, all my podcast content and everything else I will share on here is  free for everyone . Your pre...

Hi friends, This is my first solo episode in a minute, and I wanted to share some things that have been on my heart when it comes to  love and relationships . My whole adult life, I found myself in very toxic cycles when it came to relationships. I adored red flags. I chose everyone else over myself. I believed that love required (very) hard work and that tears were normal. Loneliness was nor...

Eight months of this little podcast. And…I’m getting married this weekend (!!). So I thought, what better way to celebrate than by sharing a collection of my favorite moments from past interviews? Over the last eight months, I’ve talked with musicians, psychologists, fighters, mystics, and herbalists. Each conversation has left me amazed at how much wisdom and heart people are willing to share. It...

Every day, we’re inundated with negative news, but this conversation with my friend and music collaborator, Gallo Locknez, is a bright spot. It’s a burst of inspiration and positivity that I know I needed…and I think many of us could use. Gallo isn’t just an incredibly successful musician…he’s a beacon of light, a loving father, and a source of encouragement for everyone around him. He reminds us...

New Conversation with Greta Hotmer & Jacque Maldonado of The Prana House I’m beyond excited to bring you this week’s podcast episode with my dear friend and spirit sister,  Jacque Maldonado . For over a decade, Jacque and I have been walking parallel paths, weaving in and out of each other’s lives as we both follow the visions of our hearts. I first met Jacque when she opened her apotheca...

I’m super excited to share my interview with one of my old friends, training partners, and author of several incredible books, Ryan Hoover of  ⁨@FitToFightRepublic⁩  . If you know me, you know my passion for martial arts runs deep. But beyond that, my bigger mission is encouraging women and anyone who feels vulnerable to embrace what I believe is the ultimate form of self-care: self-prot...

SUPER excited to share my interview with my friend, psychotherapist + shadow worker, Danielle Massi @iamdaniellemassi 💫 If shadow work has been on your radar (or calling your name), this one’s for you. Danielle has a gift for making something that often feels heavy or confusing (like facing the parts of ourselves we’d rather ignore) feel approachable, empowering, and even exciting. In our convers...

If you’ve ever felt like a weirdo from another planet… but also had big dreams and a deep desire to live with purpose — this episode is for you.  I’m joined by my sister, Dr. Alexandria Hotmer, a clinical psychologist with powerful insight on what it means to be neurodivergent, highly sensitive, and human in today’s world.  We explore topics like:  - How to navigate life as a sensit...

In this episode, I sit down with my dear friend and incredibly talented musician, singer, producer, guitarist, and songwriter Fred Mascherino—formerly of Taking Back Sunday, currently playing with Say Anything, and now with his own label, Heading East Records. Fred drops some powerful, heartfelt wisdom in this conversation—especially for anyone feeling stuck, frustrated, or uncertain about their p...

Welcome to Thought Experiment Called Life — a podcast for the curious, the multi-passionate, and the creatively courageous. I’m Greta, and in this episode, I’m diving deep into a mindset shift that changed everything for me: 👉 Why I stopped “matching energy” and started transforming it instead. As someone who's navigated chronic illness (hi, Lyme disease), burnout, and big emotional energy, I use...

Hi friends— With another trip around the sun complete, I thought it’d be the perfect time to reflect on some of the things I’ve learned over the past four decades—lessons I’d pass along to my younger self, and reminders I still lean on today. Growth doesn’t always arrive gently—but even through the messiest moments, there’s meaning to be found. Over time, I’ve collected a handful of reminders that...

Hi, I’m Greta, and this is my podcast, Thought Experiment Called Life. I created this space as a little love note to anyone who might stumble across it. It’s not neatly niched, and that’s intentional — because I’m not either. I’m endlessly curious and multi-passionate, and if you are too, welcome. You're in good company. You’ll find episodes on mindset, personal development, self-defense and jiu j...

This week, I’m diving into a topic that’s incredibly close to my heart: self defense and self protection, especially for women and those at a disadvantage. I’ve been training in martial arts since I was 15—I'm a brown belt in jiu jitsu and hold black belts in both krav maga and tae kwon do—but this episode isn’t about fighting. It’s about the part of self defense that matters most: paying attentio...

In this episode, I explore a wide range of approaches to managing chronic pain—from nutritional strategies and supplements to bodywork, therapy, and more. This is not medical advice, but rather a collection of resources and out-of-the-box ideas for those who feel like they’ve tried everything and are still searching for relief. I understand that feeling deeply. I’ve been there myself while recover...

Hi, I’m Greta—and welcome to Thought Experiment Called Life, a cozy corner of the internet for the misfits, the multi-passionate, the creatives, and the beautifully unconventional. If you've never quite felt like you belonged, you're in good company here. In today’s mini episode, we explore the idea of frequency—not just as a musical or scientific concept, but as a metaphor for how we live, what w...

Over 20 years ago, I met Eric Mitchell when he came to train myself and my fellow Krav Maga instructors in speed and agility. From the very start, Eric’s uplifting spirit, contagious energy, and inspiring outlook left a lasting impact. Since then, Eric has dedicated his life to coaching aspiring young athletes to not only become faster, but to live fuller, more meaningful lives. Now, he's entering...