The Connected Community: Exploring Possibility

In this episode of The Connected Community Podcast, host Nicky Yazbeck chats with transformational coach Ben Milston for a deeply honest conversation about breaking free from conditioning, healing emotional wounds, and reconnecting with your authentic self.

Ben shares his powerful journey from childhood struggles and depression into a path of self-discovery, emotional healing, and persona...

Dr. Joel Schwartz is a licensed clinical psychologist based in San Luis Obispo, California, with a private practice focused on complex and often misunderstood cases. He has worked across a wide range of settings, including colleges, clinics, a federal prison, and residential treatment centers, bringing depth and real-world experience to his work with diverse populations.

Joel is a thou...

In this special episode of The Connected Community Podcast: Exploring Possibility, the microphone turns toward host Nicky Yazbeck as she is interviewed by Bethany Shipley. The conversation offers listeners a deeper look into Nicky’s personal and professional journey, from her decades of work as a licensed clinical social worker and yoga teacher to her exploration of holistic and alternative healing practices. This episode invites l...

In this episode of The Connected Community Podcast, Nicky Yazbeck sits down with Human Design analyst and guide Ellen M. Laura for a conversation about the future of humanity, the significance of the year 2027, and how to stay centered in times of collective uncertainty. Trained directly by Human Design founder Ra Uru Hu, Ellen brings decades of experience translating complex systems into practical, usable guidance fo...

In this episode of The Connected Community Podcast, host Nicky Yazbeck meets with Shaneh Woods, founder of Prosperity First, CFO, and author of the upcoming book Profit Is Protest. Together, they explore a radically reimagined relationship with money; one that blends strategy and soul, numbers and nervous systems, spreadsheets and self-trust.

Shaneh invites listeners to move beyond tradit...

Two weeks ago, I realized I was doing exactly that. I was smiling through upset, pretending I was okay. My husband gently called it out: spiritual bypassing. It’s when we wear a mask of happiness, even when we’re struggling inside. We avoid emotions like anger or sadness because we’ve been told they’re 'not spiritual enough.' But here’s the truth: real healing happens when we feel, not when we suppress or fake it. The key? Notice y...

In this episode of The Connected Community Podcast, host Nicky Yazbeck sits down with Erica Ballard, women’s wellness coach, intuitive eating guide, and self-described lover of both science and woo, for an expansive conversation about intuitive eating, body wisdom, and the path toward true self-acceptance. With a Master of Science from Tufts University School of Medicine, certifications in integrative nutrition, NLP, ...

In this episode of The Connected Community Podcast, Nicky Yazbeck sits down with KerryAnne “Ray” Kelley for a thoughtful conversation on trauma, embodiment, and the deeper mechanics of change. Ray shares her lived and professional experience as a trauma-informed, nervous-system-informed practitioner and the creator of the Blueprint Breakthrough, which is a framework designed to reveal how early imprints, belief system...

In this episode of The Connected Community Podcast, host Nicky Yazbeck sits down with Scott Berman, founder of SkyCave Retreats, the first darkness retreat center in the United States. Scott spent nearly a decade living in solitude across the remote wilderness of Mount Shasta, California, and Southern Baja, Mexico, fasting, meditating, and immersing himself in the stillness of nature. These years of self-guided solo r...

In this episode of The Connected Community: Exploring Possibility, Nicky Yazbeck sits down with Christine Renee, founder of Moon Rising Shamanic Institute, for a deeply grounded conversation on Tantra, shamanic spirituality, energy awareness, and embodied awakening. With over two decades of experience in the spiritual and healing arts, Christine serves as a bridge between worlds, guiding seekers toward remembrance, so...

In this episode of the Connected Community Podcast, Nicky Yazbeck and Shantel Ochoa delve into the profound topic of conscious grieving. Shantel is a conscious grieving guide and the facilitator of a weekly support community dedicated to healing through loss with intention, presence, and spiritual awareness. Her work was born from the profound spiritual downloads she received following the passing of her son 12 years ...

In this episode, host Nicky Yazbeck welcomes expert guest Adam Yazbeck, a nurse practitioner with a unique background spanning pediatric emergency medicine, intensive care, trauma work, and holistic mental health. Adam breaks down the science of psychedelics, explaining their etymology, how they affect brain function, and why they can enhance neuroplasticity, support trauma processing, and expand consciousness when us...

In this episode of The Connected Community Podcast, host Nicky Yazbeck welcomes Shantel Ochoa, a Shamanic Reiki Practitioner, Reiki Master Teacher, Ceremonialist, and intuitive Oracle and Tarot Reader, for a deeply transformative conversation on archetypes, shadow work, and spiritual healing. Shantel bridges ancient shamanic wisdom with modern energy medicine, helping others awaken to their soul’s purpose and embody a...

In this episode of The Connected Community Podcast, host Nicky Yazbeck sits down with Alexandre Tsuk, founder of the BreathingCold Experience, to explore the life-changing power of breathwork, cold plunges, and emotional healing. Born in France and now rooted between Bali and India, Alexandre has guided over 7,000 people and trained nearly 600 facilitators in Breathwork, Authentic Relating, Conscious Movement, and Col...

In this episode of the Connected Community Podcast, host Nicky Yazbeck speaks with Jessica Rector, a #1 best-selling author, motivational speaker, and former TV talk show host, about her transformative “Say Yes” philosophy. Jessica shares how embracing discomfort and stepping beyond her comfort zone helped her combat burnout, rediscover joy, and live a more intentional life.

Throughout th...

In this episode of the Connected Community Podcast, host Nicky Yazbeck interviews Tracy Fance, an intuitive and hypnotherapist with over 16 years of experience, to explore the profound world of past life regression. Tracy shares her lifelong fascination with past lives and reincarnation, which began in childhood and eventually led her to train as a hypnotherapist. Her journey reveals how unresolved experiences from pr...

In this episode of The Connected Community Podcast, host Nicky Yazbeck sits down with Benedict Beaumont, founder of Breathing Space, to explore the life-changing potential of conscious breathing.

Benedict shares his inspiring journey from being a high school teacher, overwhelmed by stress and burnout, to discovering the transformative power of breathwork during a pivotal trip to Bali in 2...

In this episode of The Connected Community Podcast, host Nicky Yazbeck welcomes Amy McNally to explore the practice of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), often referred to as “tapping.” Together, they trace the origins of EFT, explain its scientific foundation, and highlight how this simple yet profound practice combines ancient Chinese acupressure with modern psychology to regulate the nervous system and reduce stre...