The Spiritual Forum
Welcome to The Spiritual Forum, a space curated by Rev Carol Saunders for extraordinary conversations that explore the realms of spiritual living. Join us weekly for heart-to-heart dialogues with captivating individuals, delving into themes like love, faith, awakening, forgiveness, healing, spiritual practices, and divine encounters. These transformative narratives aim to inspire, fostering a deep connection to the profound experiences that shape our lives. Rev Carol’s guests include authors, filmmakers, experts, and everyday individuals who authentically share their journeys toward wholeness. These discussions transcend the ordinary, offering insights into navigating the complexities of our current world with authenticity and grace.
Episodes

Sunday Dec 05, 2021
Episode 152 - Spirituality and Medicine: A Holistic Approach
Sunday Dec 05, 2021
Sunday Dec 05, 2021
In this episode, Rev. Carol speaks with retired pediatric surgeon and spiritual author, Dr. Ivan Figueroa Otero. At age 61, Dr. Figueroa Otero made a significant career change and is now certified nationally in medical acupuncture. With his current patients, he takes a holistic approach to disease emphasizing prevention and modification of lifestyles. We traverse a lot of ground in this conversation including the contrast between western and eastern medicine, holistic healing, forgiveness, the current state of health in the world, and Dr. Otero’s School of Life trilogy. His recently published fourth book, Reflections in My Magical Mirror (Spirituality 104), encourages readers to remember that every difficult experience is a lesson of love.
https://thespiritualforum.org/podcast/spiritualityandmedicine
For more information:
The Holographic Origin of Disease
https://www.ivanfigueroaoteromd.com/
https://ifigueroa.allauthor.com/.
Social Media Links:
https://www.facebook.com/ivan.figueroaotero
https://twitter.com/figueroaOteroMD
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivan-figueroa-otero-0a518026/

Monday Nov 22, 2021
Episode 151: A Soldier’s Journey from War to Peace
Monday Nov 22, 2021
Monday Nov 22, 2021
The transformation from trained killer to Zen teacher, monk, and peace activist is the story of Claude Ashin Thomas's life, which he rawly tells in his memoir, "At Hell's Gate: A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace". In this episode, Rev. Carol converses with Claude Anshin about war, suffering, awakening, and his road to peace. We learn about breaking the cycle of ancestral karma, the spiritual practice of living with suffering without being controlled by it, and how we are all responsible for the perpetuation of war. Claude Anshin Thomas's recently published second book, Bringing Meditation to Life, is a collection of 108 short Zen teachings.
https://thespiritualforum.org/podcast/asoldiersjourneyfromwartopeace
Learn more at Zaltho Foundation: https://zaltho.org/

Friday Nov 05, 2021
Episode 150 - Two Months, a Gringo, and a Third-world Country
Friday Nov 05, 2021
Friday Nov 05, 2021
It's rare to hear the kind of raw and vulnerable sharing expressed in this episode. Eric Reed made a trip to Guatemala to visit a friend, but it turned into an experience of the mystical and magical. Away from the constantly broadcast fears and narratives of the world and the chattering obligation of his mind, he found himself - led by Spirit - to a metaphysical school where he spent "two months going inward, digging in the shadows of my psyche, sending probes into my emotional body and finding the space and time to let free what has long been cast in shame and buried in busyness." There is a lot to ponder about life in this episode.

Friday Oct 22, 2021
Episode 149 - A Conversation on Relationships: The Labyrinth of Love Part 2
Friday Oct 22, 2021
Friday Oct 22, 2021
In this episode, Rev. Carol goes deeper with Dr. Chelsea Wakefield. We learn about the six love capacities - Commitment, Courage, Curiosity, Communication, Compassion, and Creativity. This is the 'how to' core of creating empowering relationships, centered on honesty and real love. We are divinely designed to 'see' each other and grow with our partners. And every relationship can become a soul-mate partnership (assuming there is no abuse, pathology, or addiction present). This is good news! Of note, what Dr. Wakefield presents can be applied to our family and work relationships as well.
https://thespiritualforum.org/podcast/labyrinthoflove2
https://www.chelseawakefield.com/

Wednesday Oct 06, 2021
Episode 148 - A Conversation on Relationships: The Labyrinth of Love Part 1
Wednesday Oct 06, 2021
Wednesday Oct 06, 2021
In this episode, Rev. Carol engages with Dr. Chelsea Wakefield, Ph.D., LCSW, therapist, author, and relationship expert. Dr. Wakefield's most recent book, The Labyrinth of Love, supports people in growing and healing through their relationships. The spiritual path is the journey to wholeness. Through our relationships, if we are aware, we can see our projections and then do the inner work of growth and healing. Alternatively, we can stay mired in interlocking complexes and dissatisfaction. When we remove our projections from other people, we begin to see them for who they are, rather than for who we wish they were or want them to be. This is the process of creating a soul mate relationship. Dr. Wakefield discusses all this and more in this episode.
https://thespiritualforum.org/podcast/labyrinthoflove
https://www.chelseawakefield.com/

Friday Sep 10, 2021
Episode 147 - Animals and World Religions
Friday Sep 10, 2021
Friday Sep 10, 2021
In this episode, Rev. Carol has an engaging conversation with Dr. Lisa Kemmerer, professor of philosophy and religions. Dr. Kemmerer is also an award-winning author of nine books, including Eating Earth, Animals, and World Religions, and Sister Species, and she is known internationally for her work across overlapping concerns of justice. Her advocacy includes nonhuman animals, the environment, and disempowered human beings. Our conversation traverses the fundamental tenet of all world religions, what it means to be an activist (many of us already are), how to invite your spiritual community to engage in more compassionate practices, what intersectionality is all about, and the upcoming Spiritual Forum hosted Vegan Spirituality Forum and Retreat at Unity Village, Missouri.

Friday Aug 27, 2021
Episode 146 - Mayan Wisdom
Friday Aug 27, 2021
Friday Aug 27, 2021
In this episode Rev Carol engages with Solveig Barrios, founder of the Mayan Wisdom Project. From Guatemala and born in a line of Mayan spiritual leaders, Solveig's whole life has been a journey of discovering the deep knowledge and wisdom of one of the most ancient and enlightened civilizations in the world. She founded the Mayan Wisdom Project to allow universal access to the incredible healing technologies known to the Mayans. Solveig shares with us an overview of Mayan Wisdom, its healing potential and how it fits into the events of the world today.
Website: https://www.mayanwisdomproject.com/

Friday Aug 13, 2021
Episode 145 - Miracle Collectors Part 2
Friday Aug 13, 2021
Friday Aug 13, 2021
In this episode, Rev. Carol dives deeper with Katie Mahon and Joan Luise Hill on miracles. We go more deeply into the contents of their book, The Miracle Collectors - Uncovering Stories of Wonder, Joy and Mystery, and share favorite miracle stories. Many people think they don't experience miracles or that miracles have to be huge supernatural events. But life itself is a miracle when you open yourself to it, and miracles are available to all of us. This is hopeful news as we all do our best to navigate through challenging times.

Rev Carol Saunders
Experienced Minister, Spiritual Leader, Speaker, Blogger and Podcast Host, with a demonstrated history working in spiritual organizations. Skilled in Nonprofit Organizations, Public Speaking, Dialogue Facilitation, Spiritual Coaching, Writing, Pastoral Counseling, Premarital/Marriage coaching, Sacred Ceremonies and Conflict Resolution. Strong media and communication professional in the spiritual awakening business. For more information, Visit the about Rev Carol Saunders in the menu above