Toward A Better Life Podcast

Episode 171 Toward A Better Life with Kevin Pennell 0:00:00 Episode Preview 0:01:13 Prologue - Fourth Branch of the Mabinogi by Damh the Bard (Used with Permission) 0:05:56 Episode Opening: The podcast that features like-minded people sharing stories, ideas, and activities, on what we can do to generate a Better Life individually and collectively. Submissions: Be a part of the show by sharing your prose, music, poetry, or storytelling. Just send them to me kevin@towardabetterlife.com. If it's audio, please send it as an MP3 file. Subscribe Ad-Free episodes are now available of Toward A Better Life through Patreon. As a paid subscriber you can enjoy episodes without advertisements. All you need to do is visit Patreon, search for Toward A Better Life Podcast. AND Spread the word and keep following for magical insights into Earth Based Spirituality, self development, and self care. Free Discovery Call By the way, if you'd like to dive into self-care, self development, or distance shamanic work, drop me a line kevin@towardabetterlife.com for a free discovery call. 0:09:58 Chat with Damh the Bard and the Fourth Branch of the Mabinogi Damh the Bard is a modern-day Bard whose spirituality and love of folk tradition is expressed through his music, storytelling and poetry. His performances are both entertaining and educational, speaking directly to the heart, and never without a good splash of humour. With twelve outstanding albums, and singing and speaking engagements all over the world, Damh has become one of the most popular contemporary Pagan musicians – a musical storyteller who works within the world of myth: where the Elves dance on Midsummer's Eve, where the trees talk, and the Hollow Hills take you into the Otherworld, where the Goddess rides her horse, guiding you to magic, and the Horned God and Greenman of old call to you from the shadows of the Greenwood. He began his Spiritual Journey at a very young age, often found in the school library reading through books on magic and the supernatural. Damh was initiated into a Ceremonial Magic group at age 18. He then discovered Paganism, which led him to Druidry, joining the Order of Bards Ovates and Druids in 1994. On the Summer Solstice of 2010, he was installed as the Pendragon of the Order, taking over from the artist Will Worthington who had been the Order's Pendragon for the previous 19 years. Damh served the Order as Pendragon until the Summer Solstice of 2025 when he passed the role over to Matt McCabe. His Path is an Animistic Way that sees and acknowledges the connection between all life. That Spirit is within all things, from the pebble to the mountain, from the raindrop to the oceans, all alive, vibrant, conscious, and part of the Great Web. To Damh the Path of the Bard, the Skald, the Scop, is to sing of that connection and bring that magic to life through music. Along with his musical concerts, Damh has also given talks, run workshops, and participated in panel discussions at conferences and camps in the UK, Europe, Australia, Canada, and the USA, with his favourite topics including: Awen the Mead of Poetry and the Creative Quest; Animism; Magic and Seership; Tree Lore; Mythology; and Wilderness Awareness. 0:48:37 Son of the Waves - Damh the Bard (Used with Permission) 0:54:29 Continued Chat with Damh the Bard and the Fourth Branch of the Mabinogi 1:14:29 Oak Broom and Meadow Sweet - Damh the Bard (Used with Permission) 1:19:16 Episode Closing Thoughts Connections: Damh the Bard: Website: https://www.paganmusic.co.uk/ Y Mabinogi: https://www.paganmusic.co.uk/y-mabinogi/ Connect with Damh the Bard: https://www.paganmusic.co.uk/contact-2/ Order of Bards Ovates and Druids: Website: https://druidry.org/ Join the Order and Train in Druidry: https://druidry.org/our-courses/train-in-druidry Toward A Better Life Website: https://towardabetterlife.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/KevinPennell Kevin Pennell: https://towardabetterlife.com/contact/

Episode 169 Toward A Better Life with Kevin Pennell 0:00:00 Episode Preview 0:00:33 Episode Opening: The podcast that features like-minded people sharing stories, ideas, and activities, on what we can do to generate a Better Life individually and collectively. Submissions: Be a part of the show by sharing your prose, music, poetry, or storytelling. Just send them to me kevin@towardabetterlife.com. If it's audio, please send it as an MP3 file. Subscribe AND Spread the word and keep following for magical insights into Earth Based Spirituality, self development, and self care. Free Discovery Call By the way, if you'd like to dive into self-care, self development, or distance shamanic work, drop me a line kevin@towardabetterlife.com for a free discovery call. 0:04:22 Interview with Robin Clare Robin is a bestselling author and creator of the Harmony Method™ — a transformative framework that guides people to live and lead with greater ease, clarity, and alignment. Through her book, Harmony: The Frequency of True Success, Robin teaches how to align inner truth with outer life so that success flows naturally. She bring decades of experience as a spiritual teacher, life and recovery coach, and nonprofit executive, blending practical wisdom with deep spiritual insight. Robin helps audiences discover how to move from stress and striving to a state of Harmony — where inspiration becomes purposeful action and life itself becomes a living expression of authenticity and joy. 0:55:26 Episode Closing Thoughts Connections: Robin Clare Website: https://www.robinhclare.com/ Contact: https://www.robinhclare.com/contact Toward A Better Life Website: https://towardabetterlife.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/KevinPennell Kevin Pennell: https://towardabetterlife.com/contact/

Episode 167 Toward A Better Life with Kevin Pennell 0:00:00 Episode Preview 0:00:47 Episode Opening: The podcast that features like-minded people sharing stories, ideas, and activities, on what we can do to generate a Better Life individually and collectively. Submissions: Be a part of the show by sharing your prose, music, poetry, or storytelling. Just send them to me kevin@towardabetterlife.com. If it's audio, please send it as an MP3 file. Subscribe AND Spread the word and keep following for magical insights into Earth Based Spirituality, self development, and self care. Free Discovery Call By the way, if you'd like to dive into self-care, self development, or distance shamanic work, drop me a line kevin@towardabetterlife.com for a free discovery call. 0:04:05 Interview with Michelle Walters Michelle is a voracious imagination advocate, Clinical Hypnotherapist, and AI Advocate. She writes and speaks on themes associated with the subconscious, self-improvement and personal growth. Michelle has blended her passion for marketing with hypnosis and AI to create "MakeMyHypno", a first-of-its-kind custom hypnosis app that makes you a personalized audio recording delivered to you inbox in a matter of minutes. 0:55:34 Episode Closing Thoughts Connections: Michelle Walters Website: https://michellewalters.net/ Toward A Better Life Website: https://towardabetterlife.com/ Kevin Pennell: https://towardabetterlife.com/contact/

Episode 165 Toward A Better Life with Kevin Pennell 0:00:00 Episode Preview 0:01:10 The Door with Spiral Dance (Used by Permission) 0:03:58 Episode Opening: The podcast that features like-minded people sharing stories, ideas, and activities, on what we can do to generate a Better Life individually and collectively. Submissions: Be a part of the show by sharing your prose, music, poetry, or storytelling. Just send them to me kevin@towardabetterlife.com. If it's audio, please send it as an MP3 file. Subscribe AND Spread the word and keep following for magical insights into Earth Based Spirituality, self development, and self care. Free Discovery Call By the way, if you'd like to dive into self-care, self development, or distance shamanic work, drop me a line kevin@towardabetterlife.com for a free discovery call. 0:08:24 Interview with Dana O'Driscoll Dana currently serves as the Grand Archdruid of the Ancient Order of Druids in America. A lifelong student of nature spirituality and druidry she has been practicing for 18 years. Dana has authored multiple books that focus on nature spirituality and neopagan practices through the lenses of reverence, respect, and direct action on behalf of the living earth. Her writings include Ecospirituality for the 21st Century, which she co-authored withNate Summers. She also wrote Land Healing: Physical, Metaphysical, and Ritual Approaches to Healing the Earth, I have also painted and published Oracle/Tarot Deck and Books: Tarot of Trees, Plant Spirit Oracle, and TreeLore Oracle. A few years ago Dana wrote Sacred Actions: Living the Wheel of the Year through Earth-Centered Sustainable Practices and the Sacred Actions Journal. 1:10:30 - Raise The Flag of Green - Damh the Bard (Used with Permission) 1:14:26 - Episode Closing Thoughts Connections: Dana O'Driscoll Website: https://thedruidsgarden.com/ Contact Dana: https://thedruidsgarden.com/about-the-druid/contact/ Sacred Actions: https://thedruidsgarden.com/sacredactions-4/ Sacred Actions Journal: https://thedruidsgarden.com/sacred-actions-journal/ Ancient Order of Druids In America Website: https://aoda.org/ Contact: https://aoda.org/contact/ Spiral Dance Website: https://spiraldance.com.au/ Damh The Bard Website: https://www.paganmusic.co.uk/ Toward A Better Life Website: https://towardabetterlife.com/ Kevin Pennell: https://towardabetterlife.com/contact/

Episode 163 Toward A Better Life with Kevin Pennell 0:00:00 Episode Preview 0:00:41 Liminal by Nymphya (Used By Permission) 0:06:25 Episode Opening: The podcast that features like-minded people sharing stories, ideas, and activities, on what we can do to generate a Better Life individually and collectively. Submissions: Be a part of the show by sharing your prose, music, poetry, or storytelling. Just send them to me kevin@towardabetterlife.com. If it's audio, please send it as an MP3 file. Subscribe AND Spread the word and keep following for magical insights into Earth Based Spirituality, self development, and self care. Free Discovery Call By the way, if you'd like to dive into self-care, self development, or distance shamanic work, drop me a line kevin@towardabetterlife.com for a free discovery call. 0:10:08 Celebrate Spring with Kevin Pennell Kevin Pennell is the Podcast Host and Producer of Toward A Better Life a Licensed Massage Therapist, Hypnotherapist, Shamanic Practitioner, and a Bardic member of the Order of Bards Ovates and Druids. He's also an Usui Reiki Master, and Instructor for various self-help and continuing education workshops with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Spurgeon College. As a healing facilitator, he devotes his life to being a "hollow bone" or tool to bring about "Compassionate Healing". Kevin also writes, honing his love of writing through journalism. As an author, he applied his biographical and spiritual insights to complete the work Two Feathers: Spiritual Seed Planter that shares the life and spirit of Ken Two Feathers. 0:22:09 Guided Meditation for Celebrating Spring 0:36:36 Almost Through the Dark with Emrys Abner from Mac and Cheese (Used By Permission) 0:41:18 Episode Closing Thoughts Connections: Nymphya Music and More: https://nymphya.com/home-mobile/ Emrys Abner Music and More: https://cheesebrowmusic.com/ Toward A Better Life Website: https://towardabetterlife.com/ Kevin Pennell: https://towardabetterlife.com/contact/

Episode 161 Toward A Better Life with Kevin Pennell 0:00:00 Episode Preview 0:01:17 Episode Opening: The podcast that features like-minded people sharing stories, ideas, and activities, on what we can do to generate a Better Life individually and collectively. Submissions: Be a part of the show by sharing your prose, music, poetry, or storytelling. Just send them to me kevin@towardabetterlife.com. If it's audio, please send it as an MP3 file. Subscribe AND Spread the word and keep following for magical insights into Earth Based Spirituality, self development, and self care. Free Discovery Call By the way, if you'd like to dive into self-care, self development, or distance shamanic work, drop me a line kevin@towardabetterlife.com for a free discovery call. 0:04:40 Interview with William Gadea William Gadea is a Peruvian-American author, filmmaker, and Zen Buddhist practitioner. He has written ARROW: The Power and Poison of Story, which explores how storytelling shapes our minds, our sense of self, and our happiness. Drawing on neuroscience, evolutionary psychology, and personal experience, William looks at how the stories we tell can both heal and hinder us - and how awareness of this process can help us live with more clarity and compassion. He is also the creator of What Is Mind?, a YouTube channel about consciousness. 1:03:24 Episode Closing Thoughts Connections: William Gadea Website: https://www.williamgadea.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@whatismind-williamgadea Contact William: https://www.williamgadea.com/contact Toward A Better Life Website: https://towardabetterlife.com/ Kevin Pennell: https://towardabetterlife.com/contact/

Episode 159 Toward A Better Life with Kevin Pennell 0:00:00 Episode Preview 0:01:03 Episode Opening: The podcast that features like-minded people sharing stories, ideas, and activities, on what we can do to generate a Better Life individually and collectively. Submissions: Be a part of the show by sharing your prose, music, poetry, or storytelling. Just send them to me kevin@towardabetterlife.com. If it's audio, please send it as an MP3 file. Subscribe AND Spread the word and keep following for magical insights into Earth Based Spirituality, self development, and self care. Free Discovery Call By the way, if you'd like to dive into self-care, self development, or distance shamanic work, drop me a line kevin@towardabetterlife.com for a free discovery call. 0:04:32 Interview with Ashana Kaiulani Ashana is a trauma support specialist and reclamation coach whose work is rooted in helping women remember who they are after deep emotional pain or betrayal. She's the founder of Way Home Wellness and host of The Reclamation Room podcast, where she shares real, grounded conversations about self-trust, healing, and coming home to yourself. Her work, though rooted in helping women navigate toward their better life, can be applied to all when is it some to resilience. Please welcome my guest Ashana Kaiulani as we discuss Reflections on resilience. 1:01:38 Episode Closing Thoughts Connections: Ashana Kaiulani Website: https://wayhomewellness.com/ The Way Home Wellness Library: https://wayhomewellness.com/store Ashana's Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/search?term=Reclamation%20Room Toward A Better Life Website: https://towardabetterlife.com/ Kevin Pennell: https://towardabetterlife.com/contact/

Episode 157 Toward A Better Life with Kevin Pennell 0:00:00 Episode Preview 0:00:43 Episode Opening: The podcast that features like-minded people sharing stories, ideas, and activities, on what we can do to generate a Better Life individually and collectively. Submissions: Be a part of the show by sharing your prose, music, poetry, or storytelling. Just send them to me kevin@towardabetterlife.com. If it's audio, please send it as an MP3 file. Subscribe AND Spread the word and keep following for magical insights into Earth Based Spirituality, self development, and self care. Free Discovery Call By the way, if you'd like to dive into self-care, self development, or distance shamanic work, drop me a line kevin@towardabetterlife.com for a free discovery call. 0:03:19 Interview with Shilah Shilah is a Bardic member with the Order of Bards Ovates and Druids. She says that while Google may be good for some things, Shilah believes connecting, learning, and growing happen in the more "human" realm. She calls herself an artist of the Fae Folk which can be seen in her magickal creations that honor the Fae Folk and related realms. She's walking her path in Earth Based Spirituality and is sharing glimpse of her life as a Hedge Witch in this episode of Toward A Better Life. 0:51:05 Episode Closing Thoughts Connections: Shilah Contact Through Instagram: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/shilahthebard?igsh=MWZ3YXRhamlxdXQ1MA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr Order of Bards Ovates and Druids Website: https://druidry.org/ Toward A Better Life Website: https://towardabetterlife.com/ Kevin Pennell: https://towardabetterlife.com/contact/

Episode 155 Toward A Better Life with Kevin Pennell 0:00:00 Episode Preview 0:00:50 Winter Solstice by Awenfire (Used By Permission) 0:04:57 Episode Opening: The podcast that features like-minded people sharing stories, ideas, and activities, on what we can do to generate a Better Life individually and collectively. Submissions: Be a part of the show by sharing your prose, music, poetry, or storytelling. Just send them to me kevin@towardabetterlife.com. If it's audio, please send it as an MP3 file. Subscribe AND Spread the word and keep following for magical insights into Earth Based Spirituality, self development, and self care. Free Discovery Call By the way, if you'd like to dive into self-care, self development, or distance shamanic work, drop me a line kevin@towardabetterlife.com for a free discovery call. 0:08:25 Bear Facts of Introspection with Kevin Pennell Kevin Pennell is the Podcast Host and Producer of Toward A Better Life a Licensed Massage Therapist, Hypnotherapist, Shamanic Practitioner, and a Bardic member of the Order of Bards Ovates and Druids. He's also an Usui Reiki Master, and Instructor for various self-help and continuing education workshops with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Spurgeon College. As a healing facilitator, he devotes his life to being a "hollow bone" or tool to bring about "Compassionate Healing". Kevin also writes, honing his love of writing through journalism. As an author, he applied his biographical and spiritual insights to complete the work Two Feathers: Spiritual Seed Planter that shares the life and spirit of Ken Two Feathers. 0:24:46 Guided Meditation to Connect with Bear Medicine 0:42:24 Episode Closing Thoughts Connections: Awenfire https://soundcloud.com/awenfire Toward A Better Life Website: https://towardabetterlife.com/ Kevin Pennell: https://towardabetterlife.com/contact/

Episode 153 Toward A Better Life with Kevin Pennell 0:00:00 Episode Preview 0:01:18 Gunshae - By Lady Eve (Used by Permission) 0:07:09 Episode Opening: The podcast that features like-minded people sharing stories, ideas, and activities, on what we can do to generate a Better Life individually and collectively. Submissions: Be a part of the show by sharing your prose, music, poetry, or storytelling. Just send them to me kevin@towardabetterlife.com. If it's audio, please send it as an MP3 file. Subscribe AND Spread the word and keep following for magical insights into Earth Based Spirituality, self development, and self care. Free Discovery Call By the way, if you'd like to dive into self-care, self development, or distance shamanic work, drop me a line kevin@towardabetterlife.com for a free discovery call. 0:11:59 Interview with Lady Eve Lady Eve is a musician, artist, and the owner of Singing Pines. Eve grew up in Atlanta and spent summers in Appalachia basking in the aroma and nurturing her deep love and appreciation of trees and the forests while playing in mountain streams. Eve is a certified forest bathing guide by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy, and enjoys sharing her passion for soundscape and sensory/somatic experiences. As a Bardic Druid (with the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids) and an active Zazen practitioner, she incorporates meditation and subtle awareness throughout her endeavors. Her artistic advocacy focuses on the connection between music, environment, accessibility and wellness. In 2016 she began to lead an ongoing series of soundwalks, which gives the public opportunities to experience natural surroundings through listening techniques, meditative breathing, and contemplative focus. In recent years, the soundwalk program has grown into an artist residency called the ACA Soundscape Field Station at Canaveral National Seashore, and an accessibility program for blind and partially sighted youth called Young Sound Seekers, sponsored by the National Park Service. These programs highlight the growing importance of environmental sound (soundscape) on the quality of health for all living creatures. As a musician and soundscape artist, she uses field recordings, electronic music, spoken word, and classical oboe in her compositions and collaborations. She has performed at several venues throughout North America. 1:10:12 Meiji Sunbeams by Lady Eve (Used by Permission) 1:19:54 Episode Closing Thoughts Connections: Lady Eve Website: https://www.singingpines.co/ Contact: info@singingpines.co Order of Bards Ovates and Druids Website: https://druidry.org/ Toward A Better Life Website: https://towardabetterlife.com/ Kevin Pennell: https://towardabetterlife.com/contact/

Episode 151 Toward A Better Life with Kevin Pennell 0:00:00 Episode Preview 0:00:55 Episode Opening: The podcast that features like-minded people sharing stories, ideas, and activities, on what we can do to generate a Better Life individually and collectively. Submissions: Be a part of the show by sharing your prose, music, poetry, or storytelling. Just send them to me kevin@towardabetterlife.com. If it's audio, please send it as an MP3 file. Subscribe AND Spread the word and keep following for magical insights into Earth Based Spirituality, self development, and self care. Free Discovery Call By the way, if you'd like to dive into self-care, self development, or distance shamanic work, drop me a line kevin@towardabetterlife.com for a free discovery call. 0:04:07 Interview with Joanna Zhang Joanna Zhang is the award-winning founder of The Operations Genius and creator of the world's first Fractional VA Service, a revolutionary approach to operational support that gives entrepreneurs the flexibility, accountability, and expertise they need. A sought-after global speaker, Joanna brings more than strategies, she infuses her talks with soul-aligned wisdom, sharing divine messages that inspire founders to lead from their hearts. Her unique perspective comes from her own journey of soul awakening and soul ascension, guided by her spiritual mentor, which deepened her commitment to uplifting others toward personal transformation. Her story resonates with Toward A Bette Life as a reminder that a "better life" begins with inner alignment—and ripples out to touch family, community, and the world. Please welcome Joanna Zhang to Toward A Better Life as we explore Soul Awakening and Personal Transformation 0:58:34 Episode Closing Thoughts Connections: Joanna Zhang Website: https://operationsgenius.net/ Contact Joanna Through Her Website Toward A Better Life Website: https://towardabetterlife.com/ Kevin Pennell: https://towardabetterlife.com/contact/

Episode 149 Toward A Better Life with Kevin Pennell 0:00:00 Episode Preview 0:01:07 Thanksgiving Address - Michael Douglas - Used By Permission 0:06:40 Episode Opening: The podcast that features like-minded people sharing stories, ideas, and activities, on what we can do to generate a Better Life individually and collectively. Submissions: Be a part of the show by sharing your prose, music, poetry, or storytelling. Just send them to me kevin@towardabetterlife.com. If it's audio, please send it as an MP3 file. Subscribe AND Spread the word and keep following for magical insights into Earth Based Spirituality, self development, and self care. Free Discovery Call By the way, if you'd like to dive into self-care, self development, or distance shamanic work, drop me a line kevin@towardabetterlife.com for a free discovery call. 0:10:09 Interview with Cindy Caprio Woulfe Cindy Caprio Woulfe is a full time mother, certified meditation teacher and wellness advocate residing in Connecticut with her husband and two sons. A University of Colorado at Boulder graduate in Communication and an Institute of Integrative Nutrition alumna, she balances motherhood with her passion for mindfulness practices. A regular contributor to Fairfield County Mom, she offers compassionate guidance for mothers seeking balance amid life's overwhelming moments. Her first book, In the Weeds: A Guide to Saving Your Own Soul on This Crazy Journey Called Motherhood, is available for purchase. 0:57:52 Episode Closing Thoughts Connections: Cindy Capro Woulfe Website: https://cindycapriowoulfe.com/ Order Her Book: https://cindycapriowoulfe.com/buy-the-book-1 Michael Douglas Website: https://www.maineprimitive.com/ Contact: https://www.maineprimitive.com/contact Toward A Better Life Website: https://towardabetterlife.com/ Kevin Pennell: https://towardabetterlife.com/contact/

Episode 147 Toward A Better Life with Kevin Pennell 0:00:00 Episode Preview 0:01:25 Episode Opening: The podcast that features like-minded people sharing stories, ideas, and activities, on what we can do to generate a Better Life individually and collectively. Submissions: Be a part of the show by sharing your prose, music, poetry, or storytelling. Just send them to me kevin@towardabetterlife.com. If it's audio, please send it as an MP3 file. Subscribe AND Spread the word and keep following for magical insights into Earth Based Spirituality, self development, and self care. Free Discovery Call By the way, if you'd like to dive into self-care, self development, or distance shamanic work, drop me a line kevin@towardabetterlife.com for a free discovery call. 0:05:14 Interview with Craig Meriwether Craig Meriwether is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, Medical Hypnosis Specialist, and author of the Past Lives Guidebook. He's also the founder of Sacred Mystery Hypnotherapy, where he goes clients through powerful spiritual healing journeys such as past life regression, life-between-lives regression, spirit guide connection, and ancestral healing. In Craig's work, he's helped Clients uncover and heal unresolved trauma from past lives. People connect with their spirit guides for clarity and direction. Individuals release ancestral patterns and generational wounds. Seekers access the "life-between-lives" spirit world for profound insight. Clients reconnect with their soul's purpose and mission. In this magical episode, Craig shares how these techniques can help people heal emotionally, physically, and spiritually—often in ways that traditional approaches can't reach. He offers a grounded, practical explanation of how spiritual hypnotherapy works, along with inspiring real-world stories from his practice. 1:10:33 Episode Closing Thoughts Connections: Craig Meriwether Website: https://sacredmysteryhypnotherapy.com/ Publications: https://sacredmysteryhypnotherapy.com/past-lives-guidebook/ Contact: https://sacredmysteryhypnotherapy.com/contact/ Toward A Better Life Website: https://towardabetterlife.com/ Kevin Pennell: https://towardabetterlife.com/contact/