The Stumbling Spirit

Fabio Fernandes

Welcome to The Stumbling Spirit - Contemplations on the Path of Resilience.

Whether you realize it or not, you are resilient. It’s your birthright. As you take in your next breath, know this truth.

It’s not only about your capacity to overcome difficult situations, but it’s about your courage to do the necessary work to heal, learn, grow and move forward. What you gain is invaluable wisdom. And, it’s through these hard stumbles in life that we often discover a new purpose that aligns with our spirit.

My name is Fabio da Silva Fernandes - Reiki Master, Mindfulness Coach and mystical explorer. Join me, as The Stumbling Spirit Podcast highlights the lives of extraordinary people, like you, sharing transformative stories and beneficial practices of resilience to guide you on your wellness journey.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any corporations, organizations and entities they represent. Furthermore, the opinions shared by guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host and vice versa. Our podcast content is for informational purposes alone. No guarantee is given on the accuracy of any statements or opinions made on this podcast, for both spoken and written content. Please consult your own qualified and designated professionals for any expert advice (i.e. legal, medical etc.).

Graphic design by Canva Pty Ltd.

Royalty-free music and sounds by The Mountain, UNIVERSFIELD, SergeQuadrado and Pixabay provided by Pixabay GmbH.

2024 SOCAN Licence (Tariff 22.C) gives this podcast the right to communicate to the public by telecommunication any or all of the musical works in SOCAN's repertoire by means of certain internet transmission or similar transmission facilities by a site ordinarily accessed to listen to audio-only content. SOCAN stands for Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada.

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EducationEducation

Health & FitnessHealth & Fitness

Religion & SpiritualityReligion & Spirituality

Self-ImprovementSelf-Improvement

Mental HealthMental Health

SpiritualitySpirituality

Start Here

Season 2 Retrospective

Season 2 Retrospective

This is a special retrospective of Season 2 of The Stumbling Spirit Podcast, where I explore two key themes that emerged from this year’s show:Identity being one of the facets of resilience;And, the real and metaphorical mountains we climb.Special thanks to all of my guests who shared their stories and insights on cultivating resilience. Ep 01: Merel van der Wouden (https://merelvanderwouden.com/)Ep 02: Debra Williams (churchhatthefilm.com)Ep 03: Stephen D’amico (https://www.stephendamico.com/)Ep 04: Darryl Tracy (Alpha Health Services)Ep 05: Bobby Wain (https://www.dundalkdogrescue.ie/)Ep 06: Donna Armstrong (Email: armstrong_d@rogers.com)Ep 07: Mike Power (https://mpower-strategy.com/)Ep 08: Lucille Joseph (https://lucillejoseph.ca)Ep 09: Belinda Bannerman (https://www.belindabannerman.com/)Ep 10: Jaisa Sulit (Instagram: @decolonialmamalove)Ep 11: Noel Scully (Email: scullynoel8@gmail.com)Ep 12: Sharleen Beaumont (https://bravenewending.com/)Ep 13: Nancy Horvath (Email: nancy.horvath@sickkidsfoundation.com)Ep 14: Heather Harris (https://www.harrisandwalker.com)Ep 15: Dave Bradley (Email: thebothylife@gmail.com)Ep 16: Paulo Steinberg (https://www.paulosteinberg.com)Ep 17: Jackie Dennison (https://www.jackiedennison.com)Thank you for listening and for your ongoing support. Season 3 will air in March, 2025. Stay tuned! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

Season 2 Retrospective

Season 2 Retrospective

This is a special retrospective of Season 2 of The Stumbling Spirit Podcast, where I explore two key themes that emerged from this year’s show:Identity being one of the facets of resilience;And, the real and metaphorical mountains we climb.Special thanks to all of my guests who shared their stories and insights on cultivating resilience. Ep 01: Merel van der Wouden (https://merelvanderwouden.com/)Ep 02: Debra Williams (churchhatthefilm.com)Ep 03: Stephen D’amico (https://www.stephendamico.com/)Ep 04: Darryl Tracy (Alpha Health Services)Ep 05: Bobby Wain (https://www.dundalkdogrescue.ie/)Ep 06: Donna Armstrong (Email: armstrong_d@rogers.com)Ep 07: Mike Power (https://mpower-strategy.com/)Ep 08: Lucille Joseph (https://lucillejoseph.ca)Ep 09: Belinda Bannerman (https://www.belindabannerman.com/)Ep 10: Jaisa Sulit (Instagram: @decolonialmamalove)Ep 11: Noel Scully (Email: scullynoel8@gmail.com)Ep 12: Sharleen Beaumont (https://bravenewending.com/)Ep 13: Nancy Horvath (Email: nancy.horvath@sickkidsfoundation.com)Ep 14: Heather Harris (https://www.harrisandwalker.com)Ep 15: Dave Bradley (Email: thebothylife@gmail.com)Ep 16: Paulo Steinberg (https://www.paulosteinberg.com)Ep 17: Jackie Dennison (https://www.jackiedennison.com)Thank you for listening and for your ongoing support. Season 3 will air in March, 2025. Stay tuned! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spirit Counselling

Spirit Counselling

Renowned psychic-medium, Jackie Dennison, is one-half of the clairvoyant duo on the popular Canadian paranormal show, “Rescue Mediums.” For 7 seasons, Jackie and her partner-in-crime visited haunted houses to bring peace to both homeowners and lingering spirits. Rescue Mediums was one of the first in a wave of psychic-medium reality shows which now seem commonplace. Jackie explains why souls hang back, offers tips on developing our own spiritual gifts, and, she talks about the impact and legacy of her groundbreaking show.Guest Informationhttps://www.jackiedennison.comInstagram: @jackie.dennison Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Generational Genre

Generational Genre

When most people think of Brazilian music, what might come to mind are bossa nova and samba, but apart from these popular genres, Brazil also has a rich history in classical music. Dr. Paulo Steinberg is a professor of piano, and a virtuoso at his craft who has performed as a soloist in some of the finest venues in the world including, The Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts and Theatro Municipal de São Paulo. In 2017, he recorded a solo piano album called, Alma Brasileira - Brazilian Soul, which is a collection of classical pieces by some of Brazil’s most beloved composers. Paulo discusses his rhythmic album, gives us a lesson in Brazilian musicology, and opens up about his painful childhood and distinguished career.*Guest InformationInstagram: @paulosteinbergEmail: steinbpr@jmu.eduWebsite: https://www.paulosteinberg.com*Dr. Paulo Steinberg has granted permission to The Stumbling Spirit Podcast to use his piano performance recordings in this episode.2024 SOCAN Licence (Tariff 22.C) gives this podcast the right to communicate to the public by telecommunication any or all of the musical works in SOCAN's repertoire by means of certain internet transmission or similar transmission facilities by a site ordinarily accessed to listen to audio-only content. SOCAN stands for Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Existential Awe

Existential Awe

Psychedelic Therapy involves the use of mind-altering drugs, such as psilocybin, to help those who suffer from mental health conditions like depression and addiction. Still highly experimental and somewhat controversial, only a few countries have either legalized or decriminalized this therapeutic practice. Last year, Dr. Dave Bradley was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to explore both contemplative and psychedelic-assisted approaches to the existential well-being of patients within palliative care settings. Based in Scotland, Dave opens up about his journey to becoming both a palliative care doctor and mindfulness practitioner, and he offers key insights about his research to help improve the lives of those who are approaching death.Guest InformationInstagram: @thebothylifeEmail: thebothylife@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Weathering Milestones

Weathering Milestones

In 2001, Heather Harris experienced complications during childbirth after thirty-one hours of labour. It was a mother’s worst nightmare. Her baby’s life was at risk. Oxygen deprivation caused her firstborn son immediate seizures and a permanent brain injury that would forever impact his motor control. He was later diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. Heather opens up about her journey as a parent to support her disabled and exceptionally gifted son.Guest informationInstagram: @heatherharrishomes and @harrisandwalkerWebsite: https://www.harrisandwalker.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wild Cancer Coaster

Wild Cancer Coaster

For 18 years, Nancy Horvath has been a successful fundraiser, raising millions of dollars for some of the most prominent healthcare organizations in Canada to help improve the lives and health outcomes of patients. In 2020, at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, Nancy became a patient herself - initially diagnosed with stage three breast cancer followed by pancreatic cancer. Now disease-free, Nancy shares her powerful story and healing journey that spanned the big city of Toronto to one of the most remote ends of Canada - Fogo Island.Guest information: LinkedIn Email: nancy.horvath@sickkidsfoundation.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Change with Compassion

Change with Compassion

When it comes to experiencing loss and navigating through life’s most challenging transitions, such as divorce and career changes, Sharleen Beaumont works with her clients to reframe their limiting belief systems, reimagine their lives, and create action plans to help them become the best version of themselves. Sharleen is an Empowerment Coach who helps people improve their emotional literacy and step into their personal power when it counts the most. Sharleen gives us tips on letting go, dealing with our messiness, and cultivating a courageous path forward. Guest information:LinkedIn@sharleendbeaumont on Instagramhttps://bravenewending.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One Peak at a Time

One Peak at a Time

For the past ten years, Noel Scully has been an avid hiker and mountain climber. Noel's mountain climbing adventures have taken him to fifteen countries across four continents, and he has tackled some of the most challenging ascents in the world, including Everest and Kilimanjaro. Based in Dublin, Ireland, this teacher of thirty-four years, reaches rugged summits and breathtaking vistas several times a year. Putting it another way, Noel has done roughly one hundred climbs. Noel talks to us about his passion for hiking, the majesty and vulnerability of mountains, and his regular jaunts to new heights.Guest information: scullynoel8@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Back Beyond the Mask

Back Beyond the Mask

In 2010, three days before a life-altering motorcycle accident, occupational therapist, Jaisa Sulit, wrote these words in her journal, “Help me to stop judging so much. I want to live with more love.” The impact of her crash damaged her spine and left her temporarily paralysed from the waist-down. In her memoir, “Purpose in Paralysis,” Jaisa describes how this traumatic event set her on a path of healing more than just her physical injuries, but also her spirit. Jaisa opens up about her journey of recovery, the importance of relationships and her inspirational book.Guest information: @decolonialmamalove on Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Queer Alchemist

The Queer Alchemist

Belinda Bannerman is a trauma recovery trainer and practitioner who works with queer survivors of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in Australia. With 15 years of experience, Belinda talks about the unique realities faced by the LGBTQIA+ community worldwide in getting the services and support that they need, and explains how somatic therapies can help those individuals impacted by IPV to reconnect to their body, transform their trauma and restore their sense of safety. Belinda opens up about their efforts to help queer people recover from domestic and sexual violence.Guest information: https://www.belindabannerman.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Consciousness Composition

Consciousness Composition

Patron of the arts, Lucille Joseph, has pondered the nature of reality since she was a little girl, after encountering a glimpse of conscious awareness while on a beach in British Columbia. This unearthly experience begged the life-long question, “Am I in the world, or is the world in me?” This inexplicable event and existential enquiry led Lucille on a path of exploring the meaning of life and God, under the spiritual mentorship of maestro, Dr. Kenneth Mills. In her memoir, "Releasement - Learning to Dance with Life," Lucille recounts her journey to find answers to life’s greatest mystery - consciousness. Lucille opens up about her mystical experiences, the importance of spiritual teachers, and she unveils the meaning of releasement.Guest information: https://lucillejoseph.ca Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Soul Flow, Brand Power

Mike Power is a brand strategist who helps companies around the world successfully launch new products, resolve planning challenges, and innovate. He is also the creator and facilitator of the Flow Workshop series - a professional and personal development programme which aims to change your mindset to realistically manifest goals in the workplace and at home. Mike discusses the soul of a brand, his personal journey through addiction and cancer, and how he unlocked his ultimate potential and flow state.Guest information: https://mpower-strategy.com/ and Mike Power on LinkedIn. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Justice in Light

Justice in Light

Imagine being blamed for your mom’s mental illness. That's what happened to Donna Armstrong, whose first memory was seeing her beloved mother forced into a car by her detached father to be sent away to a psychiatric hospital for weeks at a time. This distressing scene repeated a number of times throughout Donna’s lonely childhood, and laid the fractured foundation of family dysfunction that included emotional neglect, sexual abuse and silence. Donna broke her silence with her gut-wrenching memoir, “Getting Here from There - The First 10 Years.” Donna's raw account is an exploration of her life experiences, trauma, heartache, and her rise to becoming a successful Crown attorney. Now retired, Donna discusses her powerful book and explains what justice means to her.Guest information: armstrong_d@rogers.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the Love of Dog

For the Love of Dog

Dogs are often called man’s best friend with some archeological evidence suggesting that domestication goes as far back as thirty-thousand years. Not only is dog ownership widespread, but evidence shows high rates of dog surrenders, abandonments and euthanasia in several countries including Ireland. Helping to save and improve the wellness outcomes of our canine friends is Bobby Wain, chair of Dundalk Dog Rescue, located in County Louth, Ireland. Bobby talks to us about responsible dog ownership, and explains why adoption and fostering are critically important.Guest information: https://www.dundalkdogrescue.ie/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Moving into Balance

Moving into Balance

Darryl Tracy is an accomplished physiotherapist, practising for over 35 years. His focus is on rehabilitating patients with neurological injuries and disorders such as stroke, spinal cord damage, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s. Not only does Darryl help others improve their mobility, but he has an intimate understanding of the range of possibilities in bodily movement as an award-winning professional dancer and choreographer. He also teaches anatomy to aspiring dance instructors at Canada’s National Ballet School in Toronto. Darryl joins us to discuss his eclectic career and talks about the resilience of the human body.Guest information: Alpha Health Services Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sparking Enlightenment

Sparking Enlightenment

For mystics the world over, the path to oneness with the Creator is often solitary; fraught with suffering, and blessed with divine ecstasy and revelatory truths. Stephen D’amico is no different. Stephen is a self-described guru who through a series of supernatural events and spiritual self-realizations, has attained a permanent state of enlightenment. He believes that enlightenment is not only achievable for each of us, but that humanity will collectively awaken in this lifetime. In this episode, Stephen discusses his mystical experiences, spiritual books and positive message. Guest information: https://www.stephendamico.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Crowning Innocence

Crowning Innocence

Canadian author, Debra Williams, is helping to improve representation in children’s literature with her trailblazing and beautifully illustrated book, Church Hat. Inspired by her family, Church Hat is about a Black boy who admires his mother and her fashion sense, and one day gets caught wearing her colourful “crown” reserved for Sunday service. This is a heart-warming tale of self-expression, identity, diversity, and acceptance, but above all it's about the loving bond between a parent and child. Now being developed into an animated short film, Debra opens up about her inspiration behind this story, and why she believes it's important.Guest information: Visit churchhatthefilm.com or email connect@churchhatthefilm.com. Follow Debra Williams on Instagram @storytoscreen and @mybestlifebooks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Merel van der Wouden is a Negotiation and Transformation Coach who helps women advocate for better salaries and realize their wildest dreams - be it starting a new business or writing a book. Merel has coached hundreds of women, and through her Transformation Nest workshop, assists them in understanding their self-worth and purpose. Now, as a public speaker and author, her message is reaching a wider audience. Merel explains how she is helping to narrow the pay gap and improve the lives of women.Guest information: https://merelvanderwouden.com/ and @merelvanderwouden on Instagram and LinkedIn. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Season 1 Retrospective

Season 1 Retrospective

This is a special retrospective episode of Season 1 of The Stumbling Spirit Podcast. It was hard for me to choose clips for this retrospective because all of my guests had such a profound impact on me with their teachings and stories of resilience. That being said, I have grouped this audio selection into six categories of resilience (which all intersect): Practical, Mindful, Professional, Community, Health and Spiritual. I also share my thoughts on the meaning of resilience.Thank you for listening. I'll be back soon with Season 2.Guest informationEp 01: Darren Weldrick (https://runtomtl.com)Ep 02: Lori Bean (https://www.maliya.ca)Ep 03: Rose Mina Munjee (mindful@roseminamunjee.com)Ep 04: Drew Hume (https://navina.ca and @drewhume on Instagram)Ep 05: Christian Lloyd (@_christianlloyd and @gettingcaptured on Instagram and Twitter)Ep 06: Eric Wood (https://drericwoodnd.com)Ep 07: Connie Lee (connect@connieleetherapy.com)Ep 08: Gregory Philips (https://abstarr.com and ABSTARR Consulting Pty Ltd on LinkedIn)Ep 09: Lucy De Matos (lucy@healthyselfnutrition.ca and @_heal_thy_self__ on Instagram)Ep 10: Marilyn Calleja (marilyncallejaart@gmail.com and @marilyncallejaart on Instagram)Ep 11: Dr. Michele Chaban, MSW, RSW (retired), PhD, chabanmichele@gmail.comEp 12: Mark Peacock (@markpeacock on LinkedIn)Ep 13: Regina Sheung (https://thelabouroflove.ca/)Ep 14: Leah Morrigan (leah@transformyourself.ca and leah@polishedcopyediting.com)Ep 15: Karen Warner (https://www.gaiasden.ca, https://www.spiritofthewaterfalls.ca, +1 705 448 1346)Ep 16: Jonathan Reynolds ( https://www.mindfullifemindfulwork.com/ and https://www.mindfulprofessionalsnetwork.com/)Ep 17: Greg Maxton (https://www.gregmaxton.com/) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Authentic Wholeness

Authentic Wholeness

Greg Maxton is an author, educator and holistic practitioner who cultivates wellness for themselves and others through Reiki and mantra chanting. Greg is also my first Reiki teacher. In this episode, we discuss the mystical energy of Reiki, the search for wholeness, and the importance of Pride to the 2SLGBTQ+ community.Guest information: https://www.gregmaxton.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.