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LightSong School of 21st-Century Shamanism and Energy Medicine Talking Stick Podcast
Unconditional Love: A Shamanic Path Beyond Judgment
What does unconditional love really mean? Is it something humans can truly experience, or is it an ideal we continually grow toward?
In this thoughtful episode of the Talking Stick Podcast, Jan Engels-Smith and Micah Schwader explore unconditional love through the lens of shamanism, spirituality, and everyday life. Together they examine why the human mind naturally creates judgments and conditions, while the spirit world embodies an entirely different state of awareness—one of acceptance, allowing, and profound connection.
Their conversation moves beyond philosophy into practical ways of cultivating greater peace and presence. They discuss the healing power of nature, journeying, meditation, breathwork, and reconnecting with the rhythms of the Earth. Jan shares the remarkable story of spending more than a year sleeping outdoors after receiving guidance from Spirit, and how that experience transformed her relationship with nature, rhythm, and consciousness. Micah reflects on the lessons of his own vision quest, discovering how asking for grace brought life's greatest challenges—and deepest transformation.
Together they explore:
- What unconditional love really means in shamanic practice
- Why the ego struggles with acceptance and comparison
- How nature offers one of our clearest experiences of unconditional presence
- The spiritual practice of journeying beyond judgment
- Why intention matters—and why we should be careful what we ask for
- The difference between love, kindness, acceptance, and allowing
- Simple practices that help us reconnect with ourselves, Spirit, and the natural world
Whether you're new to shamanism or simply seeking greater peace in a complex world, this conversation offers a compassionate invitation to move from judgment toward presence, from separation toward connection, and from striving toward simply being.
About Jan Engels-Smith
Jan Engels-Smith is an internationally respected shamanic teacher, author, and healer with more than four decades of experience helping people reconnect with Spirit, nature, and their inner wisdom. She is the founder of Lightsong School of 21st-Century Shamanism and Energy Medicine, where she taught Core Shamanism, spiritual healing, and personal transformation.
Jan is the author of Through the Rabbit Hole: Explore and Experience the Shamanic Journey and Energy Medicine and Becoming Yourself: The Journey from Head to Heart.
Learn more about Jan, her books, classes, and events: https://www.lightsong.net
About Micah Schwader
Micah Schwader is a transformational writing coach, developmental editor, publisher, life guide, and shamanic practitioner with more than 30 years of experience helping authors, thought leaders, and changemakers discover and express their authentic voice. Drawing on his experience as a writing coach, he now helps people looking to make changes in their lives reconnect with their inner guidance system through the practice and power of writing.
Micah is the author of Stumbling Into Grace: The Adventures of a Transgender Shaman, a memoir chronicling his journey through identity, spirituality, and profound personal transformation. Through his coaching, writing, and The Art of Discernment Method™, he helps people use writing as a path to clarity, self-trust, and meaningful change.
Learn more about Micah's writing, coaching, retreats, and resources: https://www.shamansezz.com
