Send us a text to let us know how this episode impacted you.

The journey back to wholeness begins with understanding our deepest longings. davidji opens this profound conversation by proposing longing as our earliest post-womb memory – that immediate yearning to return to a place where everything was perfect, where our mother's heartbeat was our constant companion.

Elizabeth Winkler shares how longing manifested in her life after losing her mother, revealing a universal truth: "The longing out is actually a call to go within." This simple yet revolutionary perspective transforms how we understand our cravings for connection, wholeness, and unconditional love.

As the conversation unfolds, we discover that what appears to be longing for future experiences often masks our desire to recreate that primal state of being completely held and cared for. Whether it's craving a specific food that reminds us of childhood or fantasizing about an idealized family life, these yearnings point to something deeper – our search for the "four A's": attention, affection, appreciation, and acceptance.

The hosts introduce a powerful reframe through the acronym WOMB: Wisdom Of My Becoming. Rather than seeing the womb as merely a physical space we've left behind, they suggest we can access this "womb wisdom" within ourselves through present-moment awareness. This shift allows us to transform longing from a painful experience of lack into a doorway to self-discovery.

Elizabeth shares insights from her therapy practice, illustrating how holding onto fantasies of how things "should be" prevents us from embracing the beautiful messiness of what actually is. Meanwhile, David offers practical wisdom about communication patterns that poison our relationships when we make assumptions rather than asking clarifying questions.

The conversation culminates in a powerful reminder from the Bhagavad Gita: "Yogasta kuru Karmani" – "establish yourself in the present moment and then perform action". For when we're truly present, there is no fear and no longing – only the infinite possibility of becoming.

Next time you feel that familiar ache of yearning, pause and ask: What wisdom is this longing trying to reveal? What am I being called to embody or create? The answer might just lead you home to yourself.

Longing is embedded in humankind's DNA, stemming from our first experience of separation when we leave the womb and instantly begin craving that safe, connected state where all our needs were met.

• Longing often manifests as looking outward but is actually a call to go within
• Our first memories after birth may be of longing to return to the safety of the womb
• Whether longing for past or future, we're seeking the memory of our wholeness
• WOMB: Wisdom Of My Becoming - a way to understand the present moment's power
• Fantasies of how things "should be" prevent us from embracing what actually is
• Asking questions rather than making assumptions helps navigate feeling disrespected
• We poison ourselves with assumptions about others' intentions toward us
• Longing isn't a problem but rather shows us what we truly value and desire
• The present moment is where we access unconditional love and conscious choice

Remember that longing is natural - there's no shame in it. Instead of wishing for the past or future, recognize these feelings as signpos

We transform the world by transforming ourselves.
Share this podcast with your friends, loved ones, and workmates.
Visit davidji.com & elizabethwinkler.com for additional healing resources.

Big shoutout to the amazing Jamar Rogers for creating such powerful music and lyrics for the official song of The Shadow & The Light Podcast!

Send us a text to let us know how this episode impacted you.

What happens when we face our deepest betrayals—whether they're inflicted by others or emerge from our own self-betrayal? This raw, heartfelt conversation between Elizabeth and davidji explores the transformative journey from betrayal to healing, offering profound insights on reclaiming our power through pain.

Elizabeth reveals how self-betrayal lies at the core of our suffering: "The ego really is just a self-betrayal. When we go into our ego, we are not being true to ourself." From perfectionism that masks deep self-loathing to ignoring our inner knowing, we betray ourselves in countless ways before we ever betray others. This perspective doesn't absolve responsibility for hurting others, but reveals the deeper healing needed.

The hosts delve into why we avoid difficult truths, fearing that honesty will "change the fabric of the universe forever." This fear keeps us trapped in patterns of deception that only grow more painful with time. As Elizabeth eloquently summarizes with her powerful acronym: "Secrets hold all my energy/evolution/empathy"—S.H.A.M.E.

Perhaps most moving is their exploration of lost innocence through Billy Collins' poem "On Turning Ten," capturing the universal moment when we realize "there was nothing under my skin but light" gives way to "I skin my knees. I bleed." This loss happens repeatedly throughout life with each betrayal or disappointment we face.

Yet within this pain lies profound opportunity. "The wound is the way," Elizabeth reminds us. By walking through our suffering rather than around it, we can transform our deepest pains into compassion, power, and purpose. What once felt agonizing becomes, with a different understanding, the very catalyst for our healing and elevation.

Ready to transform your own wounds into wisdom? Listen now and discover how the alchemy of pain can become your greatest teacher.

We explore how betrayal—especially self-betrayal—can become the foundation for our greatest healing and personal growth when we're brave enough to face it directly.

• Self-betrayal lies at the root of many relationship problems and forms of suffering
• Perfectionism often masks deep self-loathing and becomes a form of self-betrayal
• People-pleasing is self-betrayal because we're not being authentic with ourselves or others
• We avoid difficult conversations because we fear shattering illusions or changing relationships forever
• "Secrets hold all my energy/evolution/empathy" – an acronym for SHAME that keeps us stuck
• The fear of being changed by truth-telling prevents us from healing and growing
• Loss of innocence happens repeatedly throughout life with each betrayal or disappointment
• Billy Collins' poem "On Turning Ten" captures the universal experience of lost innocence
• We connect not through perfection but through our shared brokenness and vulnerability
• "The wound is the way" – only by walking through pain can we reclaim our power and true self
• Life's most painful moments can become quantum leap opportunities for transformation

We transform the world by transforming ourselves.
Share this podcast with your friends, loved ones, and workmates.
Visit davidji.com & elizabethwinkler.com for additional healing resources.

Big shoutout to the amazing Jamar Rogers for creating such powerful music and lyrics for the official song of The Shadow & The Light Podcast!

Send us a text to let us know how this episode impacted you.

The quest for a soulmate sits at the heart of many spiritual journeys, but what are we really seeking when we say we want someone who "gets us" completely? davidji and Elizabeth Winkler dive deep into the soulmate concept, challenging our preconceptions and expanding our understanding of what true soul connections actually look like.

We unpack the different types of soul connections that might enter our lives: the electrifying Awakener who stirs transformation, the Mirror who reflects our thoughts and feelings, and the Anchor who provides that sense of homecoming. Yet beneath these archetypes lies a profound truth—soulmates don't complete us; they awaken us to aspects of ourselves we haven't fully recognized or expressed.

Perhaps most revolutionary is the idea that our rigid criteria and checklists might be blocking us from recognizing beautiful connections that don't fit our preconceived notions. When we fixate on finding that one perfect spiritual partner who meets every requirement, we develop tunnel vision that blinds us to magnificent people sitting right next to us.

The conversation takes a powerful turn when we explore vulnerability as the foundation for genuine connection. Through the touching story of two grocery store workers—where one had the courage to say, "That hurt my feelings. Can you say it in another way?"—we witness how true soul connections form in moments of authentic communication and repair. These connections can happen anywhere, not just in romantic relationships.

At its heart, the journey toward finding your soulmate is actually a journey toward yourself. We attract what we believe we're worthy of, and the deeper you fall in love with yourself, the more you attract aligned people into your life. By releasing the fantasy and trusting divine timing, you create space for connections that truly serve your highest good—even when they come in unexpected packages.

Ready to transform your perspective on soulmates and open yourself to deeper connections? Listen now, and discover that the most special person in your life might have been with you all along.

We explore the concept of soulmates and why our search for the perfect spiritual partner might actually be limiting our ability to recognize profound connections right in front of us.

• Different types of soulmates: the Awakener who electrifies our soul, the Mirror who reflects ourselves back to us, and the Anchor who feels like home
• The importance of vulnerability in building deep connections rather than focusing on a checklist of qualities
• Why seeking someone to "complete you" limits your potential for genuine connection
• How temporary relationships can still be sacred and meaningful if we extract their purpose
• The power of making repairs in relationships, regardless of how much time has passed
• Journaling exercises to uncover what qualities you truly seek in a partner and where you've experienced those qualities within yourself
• We attract what we believe we're worthy of—when we feel whole, we attract people who resonate with that energy
• Soul connections can happen anywhere, not just in romantic relationships

To attract aligned love, embody the love you desire to receive, heal spaces where you feel unworthy, release the fantasy of the perfect soulmate, and trust divine timi

We transform the world by transforming ourselves.
Share this podcast with your friends, loved ones, and workmates.
Visit davidji.com & elizabethwinkler.com for additional healing resources.

Big shoutout to the amazing Jamar Rogers for creating such powerful music and lyrics for the official song of The Shadow & The Light Podcast!

Send us a text to let us know how this episode impacted you.

The spiritual journey is fraught with an unexpected obstacle—the spiritual ego. That sneaky voice convincing us we're "enlightened" while separating us from our humanity. davidji and Elizabeth dive into this profound paradox, revealing how spiritual language and concepts can become a sophisticated mask rather than a path to authentic awakening.

What happens when we exchange our old ego patterns for spiritual jargon that isn't truly embodied? We explore the dangerous territory of spiritual bypassing—using teachings to avoid pain rather than transform it. Through vivid metaphors, we distinguish between intellectual understanding and the messy, beautiful work of integration through the heart.

The most powerful revelation? Universal connection happens through our brokenness, not our perfection. "People don't fall in love with perfection," Elizabeth notes, "they fall in love with imperfection because they can relate to it." This insight turns spiritual achievement on its head, suggesting that our humanity isn't something to transcend but the very doorway to our awakening.

Drawing from Buddhist wisdom, the Bhagavad Gita, and modern teachers like Eckhart Tolle, we examine the bodhisattva path and the practice of non-duality—holding both shadow and light simultaneously. Our invitation is simple yet profound: meet each moment with acceptance, embracing the paradox of being both divine and flawed. The spiritual journey isn't about reaching a destination but continually unfolding in the precious present moment.

Subscribe to Shadow and Light for more conversations that honor both your humanity and your divinity. How might you recognize spiritual ego in your own practice? We'd love to hear your thoughts.

davidji and Elizabeth explore the concept of spiritual ego and how it can blindside even the most dedicated practitioners by replacing old egoic tendencies with spiritual language that isn't truly embodied.

• Spiritual ego arises when we recycle spiritual concepts intellectually without integrating them through lived experience
• True spirituality requires balancing awareness with the full rainbow of human experience, including emotions and fears
• Embodiment is crucial for authentic spiritual growth rather than bypassing difficult feelings
• Connection to universal truth happens through our brokenness and vulnerability, not through claims of perfection
• Non-duality exists beyond the mind's tendency to categorize everything as good/bad, worthy/unworthy
• The present moment is where transformation happens, not in concepts about the past or future
• Meeting each moment with acceptance helps unravel the knots of ego that create limiting identities

Visit our previous seasons for more insights that might resonate differently now that you're at a new point in your journey.

We transform the world by transforming ourselves.
Share this podcast with your friends, loved ones, and workmates.
Visit davidji.com & elizabethwinkler.com for additional healing resources.

Big shoutout to the amazing Jamar Rogers for creating such powerful music and lyrics for the official song of The Shadow & The Light Podcast!

Send us a text to let us know how this episode impacted you.

What secrets are you keeping that are holding back your evolution? In this illuminating conversation, Elizabeth introduces a powerful new framework for understanding shame through her acronym SHAME: Secrets Hold All My Evolution. With remarkable vulnerability, she shares her personal journey of avoiding medical care due to fears connected to her mother's death at a similar age—and how the simple act of admitting this "embarrassing" truth to her partner created immediate liberation.

davidji responds with his own story of survivor's guilt after having worked in the World Trade Center before 9/11, illustrating how finding deeper meaning helped transform his shame into purpose. Together, they explore how shame grows exponentially in silence, creating an echo chamber where our secrets become increasingly loud and constricting. The moment we give voice to these hidden parts—whether to a trusted friend, therapist, journal, or even a pet—we begin to dissolve shame's power over us.

The conversation delves into various manifestations of shame—body, sexual, cultural, identity, familial, and achievement-related—all stemming from the core belief "I am not enough." Elizabeth offers the profound insight that what disgusts us in others often points directly to our own shadow material, while David shares his practice of transforming his inner critic into an "inner guardian," giving that critical voice a new, supportive role.

What makes this discussion so powerful is its practical approach to healing. From journaling with the prompt "I'm embarrassed to admit..." to transforming your relationship with your inner critic, these tools honor the delicate nature of shame work. The hosts remind us that we always have a choice—to remain imprisoned in shame or to step into freedom through conscious awareness and self-compassion.

Ready to reclaim the energy your secrets have been holding hostage? Listen now, and discover how speaking your truth can become the doorway to your most profound healing and evolution.

Shame keeps us trapped in silence, but when we find the courage to voice our embarrassing truths, we discover freedom, connection, and evolution. Elizabeth introduces her powerful acronym SHAME (Secrets Hold All My Evolution) while sharing a personal story about avoiding medical care due to fears connected with her mother's death.

• Elizabeth shares how admitting her "embarrassing" avoidance of doctors transformed her relationship with fear
• davidji discusses his experience with survivor's guilt after having worked in the World Trade Center before 9/11
• Shame grows louder in silence, creating an echo chamber of self-judgment that constricts our energy
• Different types of shame include body, sexual, cultural, identity, and achievement-related shame
• What disgusts us in others often points directly to our own shadow material
• Journaling with "I'm embarrassed to admit..." can be a first step toward healing
• Transforming your inner critic into an "inner guardian" changes your relationship with shame
• Speaking our truth, even if only to ourselves initially, releases trapped energy
• We always have a choice to move from judgment to compassion

With each breath, I am reborn. Today I begin again. I am not my shame, I am my healing.

We transform the world by transforming ourselves.
Share this podcast with your friends, loved ones, and workmates.
Visit davidji.com & elizabethwinkler.com for additional healing resources.

Big shoutout to the amazing Jamar Rogers for creating such powerful music and lyrics for the official song of The Shadow & The Light Podcast!

Send us a text to let us know how this episode impacted you.

Soul contracts shape our journey in mysterious yet purposeful ways. Whether you believe in reincarnation or not, you've likely encountered people who entered your life for clear reasons—to teach, challenge, heal, or transform you. These connections aren't random coincidences but carefully orchestrated encounters designed to catalyze growth.

davidji and Elizabeth share a profound exploration of these sacred agreements we make before birth. "There are no random connections," davidji explains. "We're all energetically moving together and moving apart and then bumping into each other." From heart-shattering losses to beautiful synchronicities, our soul's curriculum unfolds through relationships.

Elizabeth vulnerably shares how losing her mother at age 19 initially felt like punishment, until years later during meditation when she recognized it as a profound soul agreement. "Had she not died, I would not be living the life I'm living now," she reflects. This shift in perspective transformed her grief into purpose, enabling her to work with dying patients and bring healing to others facing similar pain.

We explore how people enter our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Some arrive to meet a specific need or teach a particular lesson. Others accompany us through a growth period. And those rare souls who walk alongside us for our entire journey. Understanding which category your relationships fall into helps you honor their purpose without clinging to connections that have fulfilled their contract.

The transformative question becomes: "What did my soul learn from this?" Rather than viewing difficult circumstances as punishment, recognize them as critical components of your evolution. Every person who triggers you holds up a mirror reflecting aspects of yourself that need healing or integration.

Take a moment now to consider one person who has changed you, positively or painfully. What did your soul learn from them? What sacred agreement might be at play? Remember that you always have a choice in how you respond to life's circumstances. There's a teacher in every tension and a gem inside every conflict—waiting for you to discover its wisdom.

• Soul contracts are spiritual blueprints encoded with intentions and growth opportunities
• People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime
• Pain isn't punishment but preparation for soul growth and awakening
• When a relationship ends, it may indicate a completed soul contract
• Free will coexists with soul agreements—they're opportunities, not obligations
• Abandonment and loss can become powerful teachers when we shift perspective
• The WEAK mantra (Welcome Energy, Allow Kindness) helps transform resistance
• Every person who triggers us holds up a mirror reflecting what needs healing
• Working with "low-hanging fruit" irritations builds capacity for handling bigger challenges
• There's a teacher in every tension and a gem inside every conflict

Remember that you always have a choice in how you respond to life's circumstances. Recognize the sacred role people play in your awakening and look for the teacher in every tension.

We transform the world by transforming ourselves.
Share this podcast with your friends, loved ones, and workmates.
Visit davidji.com & elizabethwinkler.com for additional healing resources.

Big shoutout to the amazing Jamar Rogers for creating such powerful music and lyrics for the official song of The Shadow & The Light Podcast!

Send us a text to let us know how this episode impacted you.

Discovering the cosmic blueprint that shapes our lives can be transformative once we understand how to read the signals. In this riveting exploration of astrology, Elizabeth Winkler shares her deep knowledge of celestial influences and how they manifest in our daily experiences.

We begin by examining Saturn Returns—those powerful transitional periods occurring roughly every 27-30 years that strip away our pretenses and force us to confront our authentic selves. Elizabeth vividly describes her own first Saturn Return as feeling "like a chicken being plucked feather by feather," a profound dismantling of identity that ultimately leads to rebirth.

The episode breaks down the core elements of astrological understanding—from the four elements (fire, earth, air, water) to the three modalities (cardinal, fixed, mutable) that create the twelve zodiac signs. You'll learn why knowing your sun, moon, and rising signs offers a more complete picture of your astrological makeup than just your birth sign alone.

Particularly significant is our discussion of Pluto's recent shift into Aquarius after 20 years in Capricorn—a transition with far-reaching implications for technology, human connection, and revolutionary thinking. This powerful planetary movement coincides with the rise of AI, potential advances in space exploration, and a growing awareness of our interconnectedness despite surface divisions.

davidji shares a remarkable personal story about his encounter with a Nadi palm leaf reader in India—an ancient tradition that claims to hold written records of individuals' past, present, and future lives created thousands of years ago. This extraordinary experience raises profound questions about fate, free will, and how we navigate our destined paths.

Whether you're an astrology enthusiast or skeptic, this episode offers practical ways to work with cosmic energies through lunar cycles and planetary awareness. Remember: we are literally made of stardust, spinning through space on this blue planet. Understanding these celestial patterns reminds us of our connection to something far greater than ourselves.

Ready to discover how the stars might be influencing your life's journey? Create your personal birth chart at astro.com and download our houses of astrology handout at elizabethwinkler.com to begin your cosmic exploration.

We transform the world by transforming ourselves.
Share this podcast with your friends, loved ones, and workmates.
Visit davidji.com & elizabethwinkler.com for additional healing resources.

Big shoutout to the amazing Jamar Rogers for creating such powerful music and lyrics for the official song of The Shadow & The Light Podcast!

Send us a text to let us know how this episode impacted you.

Welcome to our Season 3 Finale, where davidji and Elizabeth Winkler explore the magical fusion of passion, purpose & trust. What happens when a burned-out radio presenter discovers meditation and decides to blend it with comedy? In this captivating season finale, we're joined by the incomparable Dermot Whelan, who takes us on his remarkable journey from sleeping in his car between commitments to becoming Ireland's leading voice in mindful living.

With refreshing vulnerability and his trademark humor, Dermot reveals the moment his body literally closed his throat while reading the news—an early warning sign his conscious mind couldn't yet recognize. "I was always very driven...but at the same time there was that feeling like I had one foot on the accelerator driving with passion towards my goals, and another foot on the brake." This powerful metaphor captures the struggle many of us experience when pursuing our dreams while battling self-limiting beliefs.

The conversation delves into misconceptions about meditation, particularly among men who fear it might make them "soft" or less effective. Dermot flips this notion on its head, sharing how mindfulness actually clears away mental clutter, enhancing performance rather than diminishing it. We explore the unique power of humor as "a beautiful lubricant for easing people into places where maybe they wouldn't have naturally gravitated to"—a gift Dermot brings to his sold-out "Busy and Wrecked" tour across Ireland.

Perhaps most profound is our discussion of identity and transition. After leaving a successful radio career at its peak, Dermot faced the disorienting question: "What do you do?" His advice for navigating such changes isn't about dramatic reinvention but rather "loosening your grip" on who you think you are. "That's enough. That's a place to be for a while where you haven't totally reinvented yourself...You're just letting go enough."

The episode concludes with Dermot sharing his discovery of "Akasha"—space—and how creating moments of presence amidst our distracted world unlocks insights impossible to find while constantly busy. "The more we step into that space and make ourselves OK with uncertainty...the more we can just settle into our little cube of calm."

Want to transform your relationship with busyness and find more meaning? Listen now, and discover how humor and mindfulness can work together to open your heart to what matters most.

We transform the world by transforming ourselves.
Share this podcast with your friends, loved ones, and workmates.
Visit davidji.com & elizabethwinkler.com for additional healing resources.

Big shoutout to the amazing Jamar Rogers for creating such powerful music and lyrics for the official song of The Shadow & The Light Podcast!