Thomas shares his understanding of the nature of trauma and what is most essential for us to heal as individuals and as a collective. He explains that trauma is not something that should be stigmatized but is actually an intelligent evolutionary response that has helped humans survive overwhelming and painful experiences.

But when these events are not fully felt, processed, and integrated, they become frozen in our subconscious, making us reactive to triggers, and causing us to become either hyperactivated or dissociated and numb. He explores how we can learn to instead be responsive to these moments, absorbing crucial learning from our reactions, giving us the space and awareness to be present, related, and open to inspiration for constructive solutions and positive change.

Thomas is joined by Andrea Gibson – one of the most celebrated and influential spoken word poets of our time. They discuss how Andrea’s cancer diagnosis resulted in a profound spiritual transformation stemming from a liberating feeling of acceptance. She also explains how this shift radically changed her writing and performances.

Andrea shares stories and poetry that illuminate their unique perspective on death and grief, imploring us to face the unknown with curiosity and courage, and stop fighting against the circumstances of life. They and Thomas explore how welcoming feelings of grief and embracing mortality can enable us to truly cherish our lives and relationships, and imagine a world filled with wonder and awe.

Thomas is joined by Francis Weller, MFT – a psychotherapist, soul activist, and author of the bestselling, The Wild Edge of Sorrow. They discuss the need to return to a communal, ritual model of witnessing and processing grief.

Francis explains that grief requires two things: containment, and release, and he shares how a structured grief ritual creates a supportive space where grief can be honored, held, and digested. Francis calls this the “village mind” – a communal field that invites us to let go of our individualistic notions about healing. In this context, we can be reminded of our interconnectedness, opened to transmissions from our ancestors, and more receptive to intuition and creativity.

Francis invites us to see our collective crises as an initiation and grief as a reminder of the depth of our love. By understanding generational trauma, and slowing down to engage in communal practices, we can face these dark times with the courage and creativity needed to step into a radically new world.