In this deeply grounding episode, host Anshu Bahanda is joined by South African sanoma and Indigenous Knowledge Consultant Gogo Khanyakude (Tiisetso Ntuthuko Makhubedu) to explore how reconnecting with animal totems, ancestral guides, and Earth wisdom can lead to profound peace and belonging.

Gogo brings us into their personal story: from the gospel music of early childhood to visions once mistaken for mental illness; from a spiritual “dark night” in Cape Town to initiation in ancestral healing. They share how ancestral identity, animal spirit guides like lions and goats, and even a long-unsprouting Marula tree were all signposts on the path home to their soul.

This episode invites you to answer the call you may have been feeling—toward an animal, a memory, a direction—toward belonging.

In this illuminating episode of Cultivating Inner Peace, host Anshu Bahanda is joined by Dr. Marian Alonzo, Medical Director at The Farm, a world-renowned wellness resort in the Philippines. Together, they explore mineral therapy, an ancient-meets-modern approach that addresses physical, emotional, and energetic imbalances at their root.

Dr. Alonzo, trained in behavioral biochemistry, shares how unrecognized deficiencies in minerals like magnesium, zinc, and iron might be fueling your panic attacks, restlessness, or brain fog—and how healing might be as simple as listening to your body and feeding it the right fuel.

Watch now to discover how peace might not be a state of mind—but a state of minerals.

In this heartwarming episode of Cultivating Inner Peace, host Anshu Bahanda is joined by Venerable Bhante Sujatha, a Buddhist monk and the founder of the Blue Lotus Temple in the U.S., to explore loving kindness not as a mood or virtue, but as a daily discipline that reshapes how we relate to others, to pain, and to ourselves.

Together, they unpack what it means to turn love into a lifestyle, and how practicing loving kindness can rewire your reactions, shift your inner dialogue, and soften even your toughest relationships, including the one you have with yourself. Through real-life stories, gentle wisdom, and unexpected truths (like why competition and kindness cannot co-exist), Bhante shows us how love becomes stronger, deeper, and freer when it is trained like a muscle.

In this episode of Cultivating Inner Peace, host Anshu Bahanda speaks with Eileen Day McKusick, a pioneering voice in sound therapy and creator of Biofield Tuning, and Dr. Puja Myles, public health specialist and Monroe Institute trainer, about how intentional sound can become a tool for self-regulation, emotional clarity, and grounded presence.

Together, they explore how sound interacts with our body’s electromagnetic field, how frequencies can be mapped to different states of consciousness, and how simple practices like humming or vocal toning can release tension, reduce anxiety, and bring the body back into harmony. You’ll hear why ancient practices like chanting and modern tools like binaural beats aren’t just spiritual fluff — they’re rooted in neuroscience and backed by research.

If you’ve ever felt the urge to hum, sing, or just sit in silence — this conversation explains why.

In this episode of Cultivating Inner Peace, host Anshu Bahanda speaks with Robert Kull, who spent a full year in intentional solitude on a remote island, and Maggie Hamilton, social researcher and author, about the benefits of solitude — and how it differs from loneliness.

Together, they explore how solitude and mental health are deeply connected, how stillness and mindfulness can ease anxiety, and how small, accessible habits — like screen-free time or quiet walks in nature — can help you reconnect with yourself. You’ll hear why being alone doesn’t have to feel lonely, and how solitude can become a simple mental health practice that leads to real clarity.

If the idea of being still feels hard, maybe that’s exactly where the healing starts.

You wake up anxious. Your mind races. The to-do list grows longer, and even when you sit to meditate, stillness feels impossible.

Sound familiar? You might not be meditating “wrong” — just not in the way your body truly needs.

In this episode of Cultivating Inner Peace, host Anshu Bahanda speaks with Yirser Ra Hotep — a master of Kemetic meditation, Tai Chi, and Qigong — as he reveals how ancient wisdom from Egypt, China, and India offers a very different take on what meditation really is.

Together, they explore how movement, breath, posture, and awareness are seamlessly integrated into daily life across these traditions — and how that can help soothe your nervous system, anchor your awareness, and bring you back to your body.

Join Anshu Bahanda as she discusses the Upadesa Saram with Michael James, who has dedicated over twenty years to studying under Sri Ramana Maharishi at his ashram. Michael’s insights reveal how self-inquiry can lead to profound happiness.

Today’s relentless quest for quick fixes often leaves us feeling empty. Upadesa Saram cuts through this noise, guiding us towards peace through the power of inner reflection and stillness. Michael illustrates how these timeless teachings help us cope with modern stresses and personal challenges.

Learn how adopting a more introspective approach can transform our lives, offering a deeper, more sustained sense of fulfillment. What if the key to a richer life lies not in external achievements, but in reconnecting with our inner selves?

Join Anshu Bahanda as she sits with Master Gu, a Taoist practitioner from the Wudang Mountains, to uncover the enduring wisdom of the Tao Te Ching. Authored by the ancient philosopher Lao Tzu, this scripture teaches profound lessons on balance and flexibility, illustrated through the powerful metaphor of water overcoming stone. Lao Tzu himself, before penning this timeless work, was implored by a gatekeeper at the edge of the city to record his wisdom, leading to the creation of these 81 verses as he prepared to retreat into a life of solitude.

Master Gu shares how these teachings can help us manage the complexities of modern life, from personal stress to leadership challenges. Learn how the principle of ‘effortless action’ and the art of finding harmony amid chaos can enhance our daily lives. Whether dealing with relationship issues or seeking inner peace, the Tao Te Ching offers timeless guidance that transcends cultural and historical boundaries.

In this episode, Rabbi Miriam Berger discusses how the Torah remains a beacon of wisdom for modern times. She recounts the profound story of Jews in a concentration camp who, amidst profound darkness, lit a single Hanukkah candle, a symbol of hope. What lessons can we draw from their unwavering faith during times of severe hardship?

Rabbi Berger also sheds light on the Torah’s rich traditions, showing how dietary laws are foundational in strengthening community ties and elaborating on Shabbat’s crucial role in disconnecting from the relentless pace of digital life. This creates space for reflection and rejuvenation with loved ones.

Join us for a conversation that connects historical scripture with urgent issues of the present day, offering a unique perspective on how to lead a purposeful life grounded in compassion and justice.

What does it mean to live with truth, righteousness, and a sense of responsibility toward the world? The Avesta, the sacred text of Zoroastrianism, offers answers that are just as meaningful today as they were thousands of years ago. But how do these ancient teachings apply to modern life?

In this episode, Dr Ramiyar Karanjia—scholar, author, and Principal of the Dadar Athornan Institute—joins us to break down the deeper messages of the Avesta. He explains what “good thoughts, good words, good deeds” truly means beyond its well-known phrase, the role of fire as a bridge between the physical and the divine, and why Zoroastrianism places such importance on protecting nature.

We also get into the hidden world, the power of the mind in spiritual practice, and the system of preserving the Avesta through memory long before it was written down.

More than 1,400 years ago, a man sat in quiet reflection in a cave in Mecca. What he experienced changed the course of history. The words revealed to him became the Quran—a book that continues to shape lives, inspire reflection, and spark debate. But how does a text from so long ago remain relevant today?

In this episode, we speak with Dr Zafarul Islam Khan—scholar, journalist, and translator—who spent over a decade working on a new English translation of the Quran. He takes us through the deeper messages of the text, its themes, and the responsibility that comes with understanding it.

What does the Quran say about justice and accountability? How does it guide personal and societal choices? And why do so many people, Muslim and non-Muslim alike, continue to turn to it for answers?

What if a deck of cards could guide you through life’s most pressing questions? In this episode of Wellness Curated, Anshu Bahanda is joined by Tarot expert Alice Mastroleo and holistic coach Manya Upadhyay to highlight the surprising ways Tarot can bring clarity and purpose.

Tarot has been a trusted tool for centuries—whether helping someone rebuild their life after a setback or offering unexpected glimpses into what lies ahead. Alice and Manya share intriguing moments from their own experiences, like how a single card gave someone the courage to launch a business they never thought possible.

Far from superstition, Tarot offers a unique way to connect with yourself and find the answers already within you. If you’ve ever been curious about how this ancient practice works, or how it continues to empower people in today’s world, this conversation will leave you looking at Tarot in a whole new way.

Can the energy in your home influence your health, relationships, or even your success? In this episode of Wellness Curated, Anshu Bahanda sits down with Master Edgar Lok Tin Yung, a 39th-generation Feng Shui master, and Marianne Gordon, a certified Feng Shui consultant, to discuss the ancient practice of Feng Shui and its relevance today.

You’ll hear fascinating insights about how the placement of a door, the direction of a bed, or even the flow of air and light can create shifts in your life. From improving well-being to helping with challenges like fertility and stress, Feng Shui reveals the surprising ways our environment impacts us.

But it’s not just about furniture or decorations—this episode goes deeper into how Feng Shui connects us with the energy of the spaces we inhabit. Along the way, you’ll hear real-life stories and practical advice, all while clearing up misconceptions about what this practice truly is.

Imagine this: ancient traditions that can read the secrets of the earth, offering glimpses into the unseen forces shaping our lives. In this episode of Wellness Curated, Anshu Bahanda sits down with Dr Ayodeji Ogunnaike, a scholar who’s spent years studying African and Afro-diasporic religions, to talk about geomancy—a mystical practice that feels like it’s straight out of another world.

Dr Ogunnaike shares stories that will leave you in awe, like diviners who can predict someone’s destiny without being told a thing, or how these age-old practices reveal cosmic patterns that guide us in ways we might never have imagined. But it’s not all ancient history—it’s deeply connected to the chaos of today. They also talk about how geomancy connects us to something greater than ourselves, offering a sense of balance and calm when life feels overwhelming.

Can a 3,000-year-old book still make sense in today’s world? In this episode of Wellness Curated, host Anshu Bahanda explores the fascinating world of the I Ching, also called the Book of Changes. Joining her are Erik Schön, author of The Art of Change, and Sandra Constantine, a Chinese metaphysics expert, who shares how this ancient text offers guidance for life’s ups and downs.

Erik explains how the I Ching’s wisdom helps us rethink the idea of change—not as something to fear but as a natural part of life. Sandra connects the dots between the I Ching and other Chinese traditions, showing how it provides both insights and direction for making decisions.

The conversation brings the I Ching to life with a story about a 19th-century Chinese artist, offering a glimpse into how its teachings can be used to make sense of life’s turning points. From starting new chapters to understanding the deeper “why” behind our choices, this episode is all about how old ideas can still feel fresh.

In this engaging episode of Wellness Curated, host Anshu Bahanda takes us on a journey into the world of Jewish mysticism, focusing on the Kabbalah. With special guests Dr Hyman Shipper, a neurologist fascinated by the link between science and ancient wisdom, and Gahl Eden Sasson, an author who combines Kabbalah, astrology, and psychology, the discussion offers an intriguing look into a tradition often shrouded in mystery.

The episode sheds light on Kabbalistic concepts that go beyond religion, touching on how they can enrich our understanding of life and well-being. Dr Shipper shares fascinating insights into the unexpected connections between Kabbalah and modern physics, while Gahl Sasson explores how the idea of oneness and interconnectedness can help us see life differently. They unpack timeless ideas like panentheism and interinclusion, leaving us with plenty to think about without getting too deep into the complexities.

In this insightful episode of Wellness Curated, host Anshu Bahanda expertly navigates the complex and often misunderstood world of astrology, drawing upon the expertise of Liz Norman and Dr. Sundeep Kochar to bridge the gap between Western and Vedic traditions.  The episode reveals astrology as a powerful tool for self-discovery and personal growth.

The conversation seamlessly flows into practical applications, exploring the impact of moon cycles and planetary transits on our well-being. Intriguingly, the discussion expands beyond pure astrology to encompass complementary healing modalities, such as homoeopathy and Bach flower remedies, highlighting astrology’s potential as a holistic guide to self-care.  This unexpected connection underscores astrology’s capacity to inform a more comprehensive approach to wellness.

In this episode of Wellness Curated, host Anshu Bahanda sits down with two remarkable shamanic practitioners, Kuauhtli Vasquez and Julie Kramer, for an insightful conversation about the ancient art of shamanic healing. Kuauhtli, a peyote shaman deeply rooted in Mexican traditions, shares his experiences using ceremonies and rituals to help people heal, move energy, and connect with the natural world. He explains how plants like peyote play a vital role in supporting mental and emotional well-being, particularly when it comes to overcoming trauma.

Julie, who has been practising shamanism since 2000, introduces the practice of soul retrieval, where a shaman helps someone recover lost parts of their spirit that may have fragmented during traumatic events. She discusses how reconnecting with these missing pieces can restore a sense of wholeness and balance. Julie also shares her thoughts on working with helping spirits and the role they play in guiding shamanic practitioners.

In this episode of Wellness Curated, Anshu Bahanda talks with Darren Rose and Jasmine Modi, two experienced Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) experts. Darren, based in the UK, and Jasmine, practising for over 27 years in India, share how TCM can help with everything from stress and fertility to pain and overall balance.

They open up about their personal experiences with TCM, explaining key concepts like Yin, Yang, and Chi. The conversation shows how these ancient practices still work today, offering natural ways to improve health without the side effects of modern treatments.

If you’re interested in exploring TCM’s natural methods, curious about acupuncture and herbal medicine, or want to learn how these traditions fit into modern life, this episode has a lot to offer. Tune in for a simple and practical look at how TCM can support your well-being.