Spirit Sisters - the podcast

This month on the Spirit Sisters podcast, Carlos Vivas joins us to share the compelling story of his near-death experience and the life changes that followed. Swimming at Panama City Beach in 2015, Carlos was caught in a rip current, before eventually praying for help.What happened next was nothing short of a miracle … We also hear about the spiritually transformative experience that followed the rescue, and how Carlos connects this with his earlier healing from cancer as a teenager. Carlos also reflects on prayer, gratitude, and asking for help in daily life, and he shares other moments where he believes prayer helped him. He emphasises that love, gratitude, and service are central to living well on earth. This is a story to lose yourself in – make sure you grab a tea or coffee and settle in! Resources mentioned in the episode: Elian Gonzalez rescued by dolphins: https://iol.co.za/news/world/2000-03-27-elian-says-dolphins-saved-his-life/ Carlos’s interview with Anthony Chene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWgh8bRLCRk Watch Every Soul Knows: https://www.everysoulknows.com/watch Connect with Carlos Vivas: www.carlosvivas.org Buy Carlos’s book, Help From Heaven: www.helpfromheaven.org Connect with me: Discover Karina's app, Reconnect & Create: https://studio.com/karina Join Karina on Substack: https://kmachado.substack.com/ Email Karina at karina.machado.author@gmail.com Learn more about Karina at https://karinamachado.com/ Connect with Karina on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarinaMachadoauthor Connect with Karina on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karinamachadoauthor/ Find the audio versions of my three books — Spirit Sisters, Where Spirits Dwell and Love Never Dies – (all narrated by me) at Audible: https://www.audible.com.au/author/Karina-Machado/B004O93T9C Show theme music: Mysterious by MusicPond, from Audio Jungle Acknowledgment of Country:I acknowledge the Dharawal people, Traditional Custodians of the lands where I live and record Spirit Sisters, and I recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters and community. I pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past, present and emerging.

Welcome to the Spirit Sisters Podcast, where we gather around the virtual hearth to share our life journeys and the spiritual encounters that shape us. My guest today is Dr. Adam Rizvi—a critical care physician whose personal journey with grief opened the door to experiences his scientific training couldn’t explain. Adam shares many of these astounding moments at the bedside of patients in his beautiful book, Love Does Not Know Death. He recounts some of these in our conversation, which I hope you’ll love. Adam has come to see death as “an initiation” that can open us to love, to forgiveness, and to eternal connection. Some of the highlights of our conversation include the transformative power of afterlife encounters, about what it means to face death, and about how love doesn’t end when someone dies. At the end, he shared insights about how love continues and communication continues, that I found extraordinarily beautiful and supportive. If you’re listening while missing someone you love, you’re especially in my heart, and I hope there’s something nourishing here for you. Connect with Adam and learn more about his book here: https://lovedoesnotknowdeath.com/ Read more of Adam’s writing on Substack: https://adamrizvi.substack.com/ Connect with me: Discover Karina's app, Reconnect & Create: https://studio.com/karina Join Karina on Substack: https://kmachado.substack.com/ Email Karina at karina.machado.author@gmail.com Connect with Karina on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarinaMachadoauthor Connect with Karina on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karinamachadoauthor/ Find the audio versions of my three books — Spirit Sisters, Where Spirits Dwell and Love Never Dies – (all narrated by me) at Audible: https://www.audible.com.au/author/Karina-Machado/B004O93T9C Show theme music: Mysterious by MusicPond, from Audio Jungle Acknowledgment of Country:I acknowledge the Dharawal people, Traditional Custodians of the lands in NSW, Australia, where I live and record Spirit Sisters, and I recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters and community. I pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past, present and emerging.

In this episode, I’m honoured to speak with Whitney, a Spirit Sisters listener from Colorado who shares her heart-wrenching journey of grief following the loss of her son, Sam, 23, to cannabis-induced psychosis. She reflects on the emotional complexities of grief and her experiences of spirit communication that provide comfort (to Whitney, each sign is “like a hug”). Whitney discusses her advocacy with "One Chance to Grow Up," focusing on educating others about the risks of cannabis use. Through her story, she conveys the enduring nature of love and the importance of finding purpose in pain. I walked away from my conversation with Whitney feeling in awe of her strength and grateful for the wisdom she shared. Whitney offers us all a powerful reminder to live with love and joy amidst heartache. Please note that this episode includes references to mental-health breakdown and suicide. If you need support and you’re in Australia, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. If you are elsewhere in the world, please seek resources in your community. Resources mentioned in this episode: The documentary about cannabis-induced psychosis (CIP) featuring Sam.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cCSy2eYIWQ The Sammy Project:https://www.thesammyproject.com/ NAMI – National Alliance on Mental Illness (US-based)https://www.nami.org/support-groups/ Helping Parents Healhttps://www.helpingparentsheal.org/ The nonprofit organisation Whitney works for, whose aim is to develop educational campaigns and spread awareness about Cannabis-induced Psychosis (CIP). https://onechancetogrowup.org/ Psychic-medium David Gammal:https://yourmessagesfrombeyond.com/ Listen to my Spirit Sisters interview with David Gammal: https://spiritsistersthepodcast.podbean.com/e/we-don-t-die-the-only-thing-that-ends-is-our-body-%E2%80%93-meet-psychic-medium-david-gammal/ Contact Whitney:Whitneyyeager@icloud.com Connect with me: Discover Karina's app, Reconnect & Create: https://studio.com/karina Join Karina on Substack: https://kmachado.substack.com/ Email Karina at karina.machado.author@gmail.com Learn more about Karina at https://karinamachado.com/ Connect with Karina on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarinaMachadoauthor Connect with Karina on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karinamachadoauthor/ Find the audio versions of my three books — Spirit Sisters, Where Spirits Dwell and Love Never Dies – (all narrated by me) at Audible: https://www.audible.com.au/author/Karina-Machado/B004O93T9C Show theme music: Mysterious by MusicPond, from Audio Jungle Acknowledgment of Country:I acknowledge the Dharawal people, Traditional Custodians of the lands in NSW, Australia, where I live and record Spirit Sisters, and I recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters and community. I pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past, present and emerging.

Welcome back to Spirit Sisters! If you’re new to the channel, thank you for joining the family. In this bonus episode of the Spirit Sisters podcast, I interview Noela McBlane, a seasoned Australian psychic medium with 60 years of experience in helping others connect with lost loved ones and navigate their grief. We discuss Noela's early encounters with the spirit world, including her childhood visions and the comforting presence of spirits during difficult times. With the support of her dear friend Kate, Noela has published a memoir called The Unexpected Clairvoyant (learn more about it here: https://www.amazon.com.au/Unexpected-Clairvoyant-Stories-Noela-McBlane/dp/B0CGG2NQ2T). It’s full of eye-opening stories about her experiences with the spirit world. Noela shares lots of her stories in our conversation. She reflects on her journey to acceptance of her clairvoyance, detailing her transition to reading tarot and her ongoing commitment to providing holistic support as a medium. Throughout, she shares transformative stories of healing and emphasises the enduring love of our guides and departed loved ones. I hope you’ll be inspired by Noela's insights and compassionate approach to her work. Enjoy this bonus December episode! At the end of the month, I’ll release the final episode for the year, and I know you’re going to LOVE IT! Coming soon... Connect with Noela on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/noela.mcblane If you missed my popular interview with Jodi Keane last month, catch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pBFvkNzt-g&t=2297s Connect with me: Discover Karina's app, Reconnect & Create: https://studio.com/karina Join Karina on Substack: https://kmachado.substack.com/ Email Karina at karina.machado.author@gmail.com Learn more about Karina at https://karinamachado.com/Connect with Karina on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarinaMachadoauthor Connect with Karina on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karinamachadoauthor/ Find the audio versions of my three books — Spirit Sisters, Where Spirits Dwell and Love Never Dies – (all narrated by me) at Audible: https://www.audible.com.au/author/Karina-Machado/B004O93T9C Show theme music: Mysterious by MusicPond, from Audio Jungle I acknowledge the Dharawal people who are the Traditional Custodians of the land of Sutherland Shire, in NSW, Australia, where I live and record Spirit Sisters, and I recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters and community. I pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past, present and emerging.

Thank you for joining me around the virtual hearth today for a special Halloween episode. The veil is thin this week, friends, in the lead up to All Hallow's Eve, or Halloween. Perhaps you know that what we call Halloween has its roots in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which celebrates the end of summer on November 1 and the Celtic New Year. In the Celtic tradition, departed loved ones were expected and welcomed with offerings of their favourite foods. The Day of the Dead, famously celebrated in Mexico on November 1 and 2, picks up on this idea. In Spain on November 2, there is a tradition for families to visit the cemetery to honour their late loved ones and attend to their grave sites. Yet the story I am about to tell today is not a story about a gentle partnership between the living and the dead. It’s about the myriad ways a house can be haunted, and about how those who dwell in a house may themselves be a haunted house made of flesh and bones. I’m grateful to Sarah, the dear member of the Spirit Sisters community who meticulously documented her story, and so graciously shared it with me. I’m in awe of her courage and generosity in doing so. I only received Sarah’s ok to use her name after I’d recorded the episode, which is why you won’t hear me use it in the episode. Please note that this episode references sexual abuse. If you need support, contact 1800 Respect. You can call them on 1800 737 732 in Australia. If you’re elsewhere, please seek out support services in your area. At the end of the story, Sarah invites me to share my thoughts, so I’ll offer a reflection at the close of the reading. For now, I hope you have a cup of your favourite tea nestled warm between your palms as you settle in for a story which reminds us that even in the depths of the darkest, longest night, strength of spirit and bonds of love and sisterhood shine through. Episode resources Read more haunted-house stories in my books Spirit Sisters and Where Spirits Dwell. Connect with me: Join Karina on Substack: https://kmachado.substack.com/ Email Karina at karina.machado.author@gmail.com Learn more about Karina at karinamachado.com Connect with Karina on Facebook. Connect with Karina on Instagram. Listen to Soul2Soul Conversations – my podcast collaboration with my soul sister Sara Jayne: https://soul2soulconversations.podbean.com/ Buy the 10th anniversary edition of Spirit Sisters as a paperback at Booktopia. Buy the e-book of the 10th anniversary edition of Spirit Sisters on Amazon or Kobo. Find the audio versions of my three books — Spirit Sisters, Where Spirits Dwell and Love Never Dies – (all narrated by me) at Audible. Show theme music: Mysterious by MusicPond, from Audio Jungle I acknowledge the Dharawal people who are the Traditional Custodians of the land of Sutherland Shire, in NSW, Australia, where I live and record Spirit Sisters, and I recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters and community. I pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past, present and emerging.

Welcome to Spirit Sisters! This month, I explore personal transformation and mystical experiences with astrologer Luke Bayley, a Certified Practicing Astrologer and CEO of Astrocollege/International Academy of Astrology. We dive into his journey from skepticism to self-discovery in astrology, enriched by his encounters with spirit guides and psychic phenomena. Luke is a wonderful storyteller. He shares profound experiences, including memories of being in utero and a past life in Nazi Germany, shedding light on how these experiences shape present-day lessons about trust and spiritual growth. (Please note, the past-life recollection contains graphic details, audience discretion advised). We discuss the intertwining of astrology with personal guidance systems and the importance of understanding cosmic patterns as we navigate the big shifts of 2025. I especially loved Luke’s insights into the energetic connection between the planets and our spiritual selves. There’s something for everyone in this multi-layered conversation. Enjoy! Episode resources: Luke’s online Astrology college: https://astrocollege.com/ Luke’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LukeBayley-astrologer Connect with me: Join Karina on Substack: https://kmachado.substack.com/ Email Karina at karina.machado.author@gmail.com Learn more about Karina at karinamachado.com Connect with Karina on Facebook. Connect with Karina on Instagram. Listen to Soul2Soul Conversations – my podcast collaboration with my soul sister Sara Jayne: https://soul2soulconversations.podbean.com/ Buy the 10th anniversary edition of Spirit Sisters as a paperback at Booktopia. Buy the e-book of the 10th anniversary edition of Spirit Sisters on Amazon or Kobo. Find the audio versions of my three books — Spirit Sisters, Where Spirits Dwell and Love Never Dies – (all narrated by me) at Audible. Show theme music: Mysterious by MusicPond, from Audio Jungle. I acknowledge the Dharawal people who are the Traditional Custodians of the land of Sutherland Shire, in NSW, Australia, where I live and record Spirit Sisters, and I recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters and community. I pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past, present and emerging.

Welcome to Spirit Sisters! This month, my guest is Elli Milan, an artist based in Florida. Elli shares her harrowing near-death experience at age 15, which ignited her calling as an artist, and eventually her mission to inspire other artists. Today, Elli paints sublime artworks often set underwater and imbued with an otherworldly light. As the founder of the Milan Art Institute, Elli empowers artists to illuminate and impact the world through art. In our conversation, Elli shares how her NDE shifted her perspective on life, faith, and creativity, and we take a deep dive into the connection between artistic expression and healing. Elli passionately believes that each of us is here with a purpose and a destiny, which we can access if we harness the courage to explore possibilities beyond the comfort zone of our “one track” life. Elli's journey from the brink of death to becoming a visionary artist and mentor highlights the power of surrender, divine intervention, and the gift of art to not only move and inspire others emotionally and spiritually, but also as a vehicle to express our divine purpose. I LOVED this conversation, hope you do, too. Resources mentioned in the episode: Learn more about Elli Milan at her website (and find links to all her social media): https://www.ellimilan.com/ Elli’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ElliMilan Elli’s video on YouTube describing her NDE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02eLHsn3uYk Elli’s blog where she writes about her NDE: https://www.ellimilan.com/blogs/artist-odyssey/the-dream-that-changed-my-life-eternity The Milan Art Institute: https://www.milanartinstitute.com/ The book Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, by Betty Edwards: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/310367/drawing-on-the-right-side-of-the-brain-by-betty-edwards/ Spirit Sisters is on YouTube! Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/@karinamachado1312 Join Karina on Substack: https://kmachado.substack.com/ Email Karina at karina.machado.author@gmail.com Learn more about Karina at karinamachado.com Connect with Karina on Facebook. Connect with Karina on Instagram. Listen to Soul2Soul Conversations – my podcast collaboration with my soul sister Sara Jayne: https://soul2soulconversations.podbean.com/ Buy the 10th anniversary edition of Spirit Sisters as a paperback at Booktopia. Buy the e-book of the 10th anniversary edition of Spirit Sisters on Amazon or Kobo. Find the audio versions of my three books — Spirit Sisters, Where Spirits Dwell and Love Never Dies – (all narrated by me) at Audible. Show theme music: Mysterious by MusicPond, from Audio Jungle I acknowledge the Dharawal people who are the Traditional Custodians of the land of Sutherland Shire, in NSW, Australia, where I live and record Spirit Sisters, and I recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters and community. I pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past, present and emerging.

I’m so happy you can join me around the virtual hearth today for an insight into the astonishing gifts of one of the 20th century’s greatest psychic mediums. I'm reading from Sunrise: A Book of Knowledge and Comfort for the Bereaved by White Eagle, first published in 1958. It’s the introduction by psychic-medium Grace Cooke, who from the 1930s onward channelled the spiritual teacher known as White Eagle. Online, you can find a long list of the many books they published together. (My gratitude to the copyright holder White Eagle Lodge for their kind permission to read this excerpt). Before I launch into today’s story, I want to share an exciting announcement with you. I’ve launched a new offering on Substack. Inspired by Ram Dass’ quote that, “We’re all just walking each other home,” Words Along the Way is my love song to words that heal as we journey down the path together, a space to share reflections on my life as a pilgrim of the soul. For the first time, I’m opening up my journals to share private writings and poetry, in the hope that these words may meet and support you wherever you are, especially if you’re navigating the transformative crossing into midlife. In newsletters delivered to your inbox, I’ll explore all of that, and share how I learnt to heal with my pen, my passion for celebrating Gentle Voices in a screeching world and I’ll delve into how astrology and tarot became friends to lean on when my crossing hit rough seas. Paid subscribers will receive my gift of a bespoke poem handwritten for you about a loved one who’s crossed over (or a subject of your choice). There’ll also be online gatherings with a special guest around ‘the virtual hearth,’ to exchange sacred stories to hold our hearts in these turbulent times. It would be my honour if you’d join me on Substack, the link is below in the show notes. Excerpt from Sunrise, published by the White Eagle Lodge: https://whiteeaglelodge.org.au/ Join Karina on Substack: https://substack.com/@karinamachado1 Email Karina at karina.machado.author@gmail.com Connect with Karina at karinamachado.com Connect with Karina on Facebook. Connect with Karina on Instagram. Find Karina on YouTube. Listen to Soul2Soul Conversations – my podcast collaboration with my soul friend Sara Jayne: https://soul2soulconversations.podbean.com/ Buy the 10th anniversary edition of Spirit Sisters as a paperback at Booktopia. Buy the e-book of the 10th anniversary edition of Spirit Sisters on Amazon or Kobo. Find the audio versions of my three books — Spirit Sisters, Where Spirits Dwell and Love Never Dies – (all narrated by me) at Audible. Show theme music: Mysterious by MusicPond, from Audio Jungle I acknowledge the Dharawal people who are the Traditional Custodians of the land of Sutherland Shire, in NSW, Australia, where I live and record Spirit Sisters, and I recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters and community. I pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past, present and emerging.

Happy Halloween, friends! Welcome to the first episode of the new storytelling format of the Spirit Sisters podcast that I recently announced. In honour of Halloween, or Samhain, as it’s known in the Celtic tradition, we’re gathering around the virtual hearth today to listen to four true-life spooky-season stories listeners have sent in. Do you have a story about the unexplained, or a spiritual experience that’s transformed your life that you’d like to share? If you’d like me to read it out on your show email me at karina.machado.author@gmail.com. Settle in, grab a mug of something warm and let me tell you a story… Happy Halloween, friends, Samhain blessings to you all. Email Karina at karina.machado.author@gmail.com Connect with Karina at karinamachado.com Connect with Karina on Facebook. Connect with Karina on Instagram. Find Karina on YouTube. Listen to Soul2Soul Conversations – my podcast collaboration with my soul friend Sara Jayne: https://soul2soulconversations.podbean.com/ Buy the 10th anniversary edition of Spirit Sisters as a paperback at Booktopia. Buy the e-book of the 10th anniversary edition of Spirit Sisters on Amazon or Kobo. Find the audio versions of my three books — Spirit Sisters, Where Spirits Dwell and Love Never Dies – (all narrated by me) at Audible. Show theme music: Mysterious by MusicPond, from Audio Jungle I acknowledge the Dharawal people who are the Traditional Custodians of the land of Sutherland Shire, in NSW, Australia, where I live and record Spirit Sisters, and I recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters and community. I pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past, present and emerging.

Hi friends, it’s lovely to be back with you after such a long time, thanks for joining us around the virtual hearth today to warm yourself with a story. I’ve been working on my novel, integrating my 2023 Camino, and completing a second, shorter Camino in May this year. This time we started from the beautiful Spanish city of Leon. I’ll share more in an upcoming episode about the return to the Camino and how that journey continues to so deeply move me in an upcoming episode, but for now, I want to introduce a shining star of a return guest. Michelle Clare is a psychic-medium and near-death experiencer who I welcomed onto the podcast in an episode that aired on the 15th of November, 2021 (I’ll link to it in the description). This time, Michelle is back to primarily share about her journey of grief following the recent passing of her partner, Gary. This is a good time to let you know that today’s episode deals with suicide – if you find this challenging, please reach out for support. In Australia you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 but please do seek out services appropriate for where you are. I know that many of you have gone through the shock and grief of the kind of loss Michelle describes, so it’s my sincere hope that her story supports you as you navigate your grief in your own way. I love Michelle’s generosity of spirit in sharing her very personal experience of loss, which as she poignantly states, is not bypassed by her calling as a psychic-medium. However, there are aspects of her vocation and experience of multiple NDEs which do offer a perspective that invites in the light and may hopefully support you today if you are grieving the loss of a loved one to suicide. On that note of offering healing and support, I send you my love and gratitude from a sunshiney Sydney winter’s day, as well as “un abrazo infinito” – a never-ending hug. Enjoy my conversation with Michelle Clare. Learn more about Michelle and contact her here: https://www.michelleclare.net/ Listen to our previous conversation on the Spirit Sisters podcast: https://spiritsistersthepodcast.podbean.com/e/would-youliketo-stay-or-would-you-like-togo%E2%80%93-thechoice-that-propelled-michelle-clare-back-tolifefromherthirdndeandintoan-acceptance-of-hermedi/ Connect with Karina Machado at karinamachado.com Find Karina on YouTube. Listen to Soul2Soul Conversations – my podcast collaboration with my soul friend Sara Jayne: https://soul2soulconversations.podbean.com/ Buy the 10th anniversary edition of Spirit Sisters as a paperback at Booktopia. Buy the e-book of the 10th anniversary edition of Spirit Sisters on Amazon or Kobo. Find the audio versions of my three books — Spirit Sisters, Where Spirits Dwell and Love Never Dies – (all narrated by me) at Audible. Connect with Karina on Facebook. Connect with Karina on Instagram. Show theme music: Mysterious by MusicPond, from Audio Jungle I acknowledge the Dharawal people who are the Traditional Custodians of the land of Sutherland Shire, in NSW, Australia, where I live and record Spirit Sisters, and I recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters and community. I pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past, present and emerging.

Tune in for my conversation with Queensland-based artist Lynda Deans, whose profound spiritual experience at Uluru three years ago inspired her to begin creating unique and extraordinary art. Lynda, who describes the experience at Uluru as “a birthing”, has always been in touch with the mystical dimension of life. In our conversation, Lynda shares about many spiritual encounters and moments of synchronicity she’s experienced, including seeing “a fully-fledged angel”, the mysterious meeting in a bookstore on the day of her husband’s sudden passing, her memories of a past life in Jesus’s time, and much more. Enjoy! Referenced in our interview: The Isle of Erraid in Scotland: https://www.erraid.com/ Author Robert Louis Stevenson and his connection to Erraid: https://www.erraid.com/history/ The Grandmothers’ “Water Song” which Lynda sings to the water: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDGWuPUH5_A Connect with Lynda and view her beautiful art on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/recordecor/?hl=en Connect with Karina Machado at karinamachado.com Buy the 10th anniversary edition of Spirit Sisters as a paperback at Booktopia. Buy the e-book of the 10th anniversary edition of Spirit Sisters on Amazon or Kobo. Find the audio versions of my three books — Spirit Sisters, Where Spirits Dwell and Love Never Dies – (all narrated by me) at Audible. Connect with Karina on Facebook. Connect with Karina on Instagram. Show theme music: Mysterious by MusicPond, from Audio Jungle I acknowledge the Dharawal people who are the Traditional Custodians of the land of Sutherland Shire, in NSW, Australia, where I live and record Spirit Sisters, and I recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters and community. I pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past, present and emerging.

You’re listening to Spirit Sisters. I’m your host, Karina Machado. As always, I’m delighted that you’re joining me around the virtual fireside today. And we have quite the story for you to warm yourself by tonight. I was on the train this morning, Spanish guitar playing softly in my earbuds, thinking about what to say in the introduction to this very special episode. This week, I welcome my dear friend Sara back to the podcast. I first interviewed Sara in the early days of the show, in 2019. We recorded a double episode, which I published in September and October of that year, and I’ve included those links below. Sara has a riveting story to tell. Hers is one of the most profound NDEs I’ve ever encountered, not just because of the beauty and richness of the experience itself, but also because of the profound repercussions it had on her life, the way it transformed every aspect of her being. Suffice to say that today, she considers herself Sara 2.0, as she shares in our conversation. From a cardiac diagnostic imaging specialist who gave her all to her patients – a rewarding and very demanding career that she adored, though it ran her ragged – to the survivor of a rare auto-immune condition who, post NDE, is driven to heal hearts in a new way. Today, Sara is devoted to sharing the message of her NDE – that love is the essence of who we are and that living true to our soul’s purpose is how we ultimately heal. She talks about the Soul Seed planted within each of us and of finding the courage to let it flourish. She also shares her life review in great detail and you’ll hear why this was a highlight of her NDE, and how it’s still rippling out powerfully in her life today. Keep listening to hear about the Healing Chamber, seeing her beloved father and mentor and other loved ones forming part of a jubilant gathering Sara calls the Welcoming Party, and all about the extraordinary downloads she received about the time and space continuum. This is the story of a woman who’s had to find a fresh way to honour her training in medicine as she navigates a new path that’s aligned, at last, to her soul purpose. Speaking of taking new paths, tomorrow Sara and I are flying to Spain to walk El Camino de Santiago, the Way of St James. As we head out together with open hearts and faith that the Camino delivers, I will also be cherishing the opportunity to walk towards and through Galicia, mystical land of my great-grandparents. I’m finally walking towards my story, and I have the deep honour of doing that with a soul friend by my side. At the end of the show, we have some exciting news to share about a collaboration that we trust will water the little Soul Seeds within us. You’ll find links below to our new venture, as well as links to Sara’s charity The Autoimmune Project. We hope you’ll come and walk with us. Until then, Buen Camino. Follow Soul2Soul Conversations on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soul2soulconversations/ The Autoimmune Project on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/autoimmuneproject/ The Autoimmune Project website: https://www.theautoimmuneproject.org.au/ Our earlier conversations on Spirit Sisters in 2019: Part One: https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-t8kdb-bf8c2b Part Two: https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-xdxkr-c236a0 Connect with Karina Machado at karinamachado.com Buy the 10th anniversary edition of Spirit Sisters as a paperback at Booktopia. Buy the e-book of the 10th anniversary edition of Spirit Sisters at Kobo. Buy the audio book of the original Spirit Sisters (narrated by me) at Audible. Connect with Karina on Facebook. Connect with Karina on Instagram. Theme music: Mysterious by MusicPond, from Audio Jungle I acknowledge the Dharawal people who are the Traditional Custodians of the land of Sutherland Shire, in NSW, Australia, where I live and record Spirit Sisters, and I recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters and community. I pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultur

Karina Machado speaks with Jacob King, who’s 33 and lives in Melbourne. In October 2021, Jacob had a near-death experience that profoundly transformed his world. Up until that point, Jacob was doing his best to cope with the effects of a traumatic childhood and subsequent drug addiction. “I couldn't understand how all these things could exist side by side,” he says. “Was I a depressed, violent addict, or a spiritual and loving person? Could I ever heal from my trauma, or was I always going to be damaged and dysfunctional? Am I just a victim of circumstances, or something else? Who am I? These questions baffled me until the age of 32, where I had my NDE and met God in person. I took the opportunity to ask these questions to his face. His answers changed my life.” Jacob is still integrating his recent NDE but is now committed to a life of service through sharing his story. In our conversation, we talk about moments when he realised how his story had a healing effect on others. “I feel as though my life plan is to help a lot of people through speaking about what I've learned, and the things I continue to learn. But this plan isn't mine. I've surrendered my life to a higher power, so I just want to be an open vessel to be used as needed. So far, the results have been better than anything I could have planned on my own.” Please note, Jacob’s story references suicidal thoughts. If this brings up anything for you, please contact Lifeline in Australia on 13 11 14, or seek local support outside Australia. Enjoy my conversation with Jacob King. Subscribe to Jacob’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@jacobking369 Connect with Karina Machado at karinamachado.com Buy the 10th anniversary edition of Spirit Sisters as a paperback at Booktopia. Buy the e-book of the 10th anniversary edition of Spirit Sisters at Kobo. Buy the audio book of the original Spirit Sisters (narrated by me) at Audible. Connect with Karina on Facebook. Connect with Karina on Instagram. Theme music: Mysterious by MusicPond, from Audio Jungle I acknowledge the Dharawal people who are the Traditional Custodians of the land of Sutherland Shire, in NSW, Australia, where I live and record Spirit Sisters, and I recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters and community. I pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past, present and emerging.