It’s also a great privilege for me to share today’s interview with Kara Goucher. Kara is a two-time Olympian, World Championship medalist, and one of the most accomplished and admired long-distance runners of our time. Beyond her competitive achievements, Kara is also a passionate advocate for clean sport and gender equity, an inspiring speaker, au…

In this episode, David and Gene delve into the world of esoteric Freemasonry with their esteemed guests, Worshipful Brother Ben Wallace and Most Worshipful Brother Shaun Bradshaw. As authors of the book "A Path to Providence", Shaun and Ben share their inspiring journey in reviving the mystery school roots of Freemasonry through the establishment o…

In this first episode of the second season of the “Way of the Hermit” podcast we are “tying up loose ends” left over from last season. In this first part of our two-part season opener, we are looking at the book “A Path to Providence: The Creation of the Middle Chamber Program.” The Way of the Hermit Podcast: https://www.wayofthehermit.com In "A Pa…

Sami Inkinen is the Co-Founder and CEO of Virta Health, which is reversing type two diabetes through nutrition, lifestyle change, and a new standard of medical care. Prior to Virta, Sami was the Co-Founder and COO of Trulia, which many of you probably used to find a house or apartment. Sami took Trulia public and then sold it to Zillow. Sami is als…

Today's interview is with Jenny Lawson, the president and CEO of Keep America Beautiful, a leading national nonprofit that inspires and educates people to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environment. Established in 1953, Keep America Beautiful provides the expertise, programs, and resources to help people end littering…

On March 8th, I ran the Jerusalem Marathon. As you surely know, Israel is in the middle of a war that started on October 7th. I, like everyone, have a mix of different feelings about this. But I didn't go to Jerusalem to make a statement about my own feelings. I went to listen and try and share what others in Israel are feeling right now. I think a…

Maria Baltazzi is an Emmy Award winning television producer, traveler, marathon walker who raises money for cancer charities, author and longtime Charity Miler with over 8500 Charity Miles! Maria recently wrote a book called "Take a Shot at Happiness" which invites and coaches us to explore happiness in our own lives. While Maria discovered that he…

In this episode, we're thrilled to walk with Susan Greeley, SVP and National Director of Wellness Services for Castle Connolly Private Health Partners, one of the newest partners in our Employee Empowerment Program. Susan is also a registered dietician, cookbook author and the host of her own podcast, A SENSe of Wellness. So we recorded this as a d…

Edith Wharton once said, "There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it." Today's guest, Aaron Sherinian, is both—a candle igniting change and a mirror reflecting the light of others. Eleven years ago, Aaron was the Chief Communications and Marketing Officer for the United Nations Foundation, where, amongst …

If you're not joining our live weekly walking meditations, then you're missing out! We do them on Zoom every week, alternating between Wednesdays and Fridays, at 1PM ET. Here's a recording of our latest walking meditation, led by Haley Fountain. Haley is an integrative nutrition coach, yoga teacher and meditation coach in Houston, Texas. To the poi…

Today's interview is with Elisabet Lahti, Ph.D., an author, speaker, trainer and expert on the Finnish concept of Sisu. What is Sisu? Sisu is a Finnish word that most closely translates in English to "grit". But if "grit" is the feeling we get when we grit our teeth, Elisabet notes, Sisu is in our guts. It's in our bodies. It's gentler. And yet in …

Come along for a special walk in Cambodia to experience how the World Food Program USA's school meals program is changing the lives of studens, their families and their communities. Every day, millions of children walk into school on an empty stomach which makes it impossible to learn, much less thrive. Today, 153 million people under the age of 18…

In this episode of The Extra Mile we speak with George Weiner, the Chief Whaler of Whole Whale, a social impact digital agency. George sheds light on how non-profits can harness the potential of artificial intelligence (A.I.) to drive positive change and amplify their impact. Topics Covered: Understanding A.I.: George breaks down the fundamentals o…

Marcey Rader is an accomplished author, consultant, coach, speaker, and an expert on digital wellness, tech-life balance, and health-powered productivity. She is also the founder of RaderCo, a company dedicated to helping executives and their teams banish burnout, cultivate sustainable habits, and enhance productivity through practical tools and ac…

In this interview, we have the privilege of speaking with Karim Oumnia, the visionary founder of Baliston, a groundbreaking footwear company that aims to revolutionize the way we walk through life. Karim discusses how Baliston's collaboration with design legend Philippe Starck has led to the creation of beautifully minimalist, tech-augmented walkin…

In this episode, we speak with Casper Ter Kuile, an author, speaker, consultant and former fellow at the Harvard Divinity School who explores how we make meaning, deepen our relationships, and experience beauty. Casper is the author of The Power of Ritual, and the co-founder of The Nearness, Sacred Design Lab and the podcast Harry Potter and the Sa…

Today we're joined by Larry McAlister, a three-time Head of Human Resources and a natural-born leader in the HR space. Larry currently runs the Corporate Humanist Consultancy, where he advises on tech-based products-in-development and helping CHROs and growth-minded leaders build transformative talent strategies. Larry most recently served as VP of…

It was an easy out, give Barabbas what he deserved and let Jesus go free. Yet, Jesus had a different plan and he received what Barabbas deserved.

In the midst of the chaos of the week, Jesus finds a few final moments with his Father. It is intense. It is painful. And, it is interrupted by a betrayal.

Transcripts, Chapter Markers and Show Notes for all episodes are available from our website - WayOfTheHermit.com. In the podcast, the evolution of the Square and Compass, the primary symbol of the "Blue Lodge," is examined after the hosts' journey through the Scottish Rite degrees. It is now seen as a more profound representation, with the Compass …

Carol is internationally recognized for her work in social purpose and corporate social responsibility (CSR). For more than 25 years, Cone has embraced a steadfast commitment to building lasting partnerships between companies, brands and social issues for deep business and societal impact. In her work, she continually brings breakthrough and lastin…

The week begins in triumphant as Jesus is welcomed into Jerusalem as the King of the Jews. Ironically, it is the very title they will later use to mock him.

Transcripts, Chapter Markers and Show Notes for all episodes are available from our website - WayOfTheHermit.com. In this episode, the intricate details of the Degree Ritual and its profound symbolism are explored, shedding light on the culmination of Masonic teachings. The ritual, set against the backdrop of the Vernal Equinox, serves as a symboli…

Transcripts, Chapter Markers and Show Notes for all episodes are available from our website - WayOfTheHermit.com. In the heart of the episode, the mythological setting of the Egyptian "Hall of Judgment" from the Book of the Dead is explored, serving as the backdrop for the degree ritual. This setting is not just a mere stage but a profound allegory…

Transcripts, Chapter Markers and Show Notes for all episodes are available from our website - WayOfTheHermit.com. In the episode, the historical context of the Knights Templar's fall and the execution of their Grandmaster, Jacques de Molay, is examined, revealing the financial might that led to their downfall by King Philip IV of France and Pope Cl…

Welcome to our first Walking Meditation of 2023, led by Cassandra Bianco. Merging modern neuroscience with ancient Tibetan techniques, Cassandra coaches her students on how to spend less time in the analytical mind, and instead invest more in the peaceful, natural state of wonder. Cassandra's meditation focus is within the fields of psychology, con…

Transcripts, Chapter Markers and Show Notes for all episodes are available from our website - WayOfTheHermit.com. In this episode, the rich symbolism and rituals of the "Scottish Knight of Saint Andrew" degree in Freemasonry are explored in depth. The Saint Andrew’s Cross, an equal-armed x-shaped cross, is identified as the main symbol of the degre…

Today we're sharing the story of two important members of our community, Anastasia and Oksana, the designers who make Charity Miles look so good. Anastasia and Oksana are from Ukraine. We started working with them shortly before Russia invaded their country. Today, they share with us what their lives have been like since then. Even after hearing it…

Transcripts, Chapter Markers and Show Notes for all episodes are available from our website - WayOfTheHermit.com. In the episode, the exploration of light and darkness as primary metaphors in "The Mysteries" is revisited, with a deep dive into the symbolic significance of these elements across various religious and mythological contexts. The unity …

Transcripts, Chapter Markers and Show Notes for all episodes are available from our website - WayOfTheHermit.com. In the episode, the depth and complexity of the 28th Degree - Knight of the Sun are explored, revealing its position as a distillation of the entire Scottish Rite system. The discussion begins with Albert Pike's Christian interpretation…

Transcripts, Chapter Markers and Show Notes for all episodes are available from our website - WayOfTheHermit.com. In the episode, a comprehensive examination of the "Knight of the Sun" degree's Ritual, both in its original and revised forms, is undertaken, revealing significant philosophical and symbolic depth. The revised Ritual, simplified for mo…

Transcripts, Chapter Markers and Show Notes for all episodes are available from our website - WayOfTheHermit.com. In the episode, the intricate rituals and profound symbolism of the "Knight Commander of the Temple" degree are explored, revealing a ceremony steeped in historical reverence and moral testing. The degree, originating from the siege of …