The Spiritual Ninja Podcast

Heart-to-heart conversations with people who blend deep inner work with meaningful outer impact. Exploring how spiritual depth, clarity, calm, and purpose show up in real life.

The Spiritual Ninja Podcast is a education podcast hosted by Jonathan Hewitt, with 35 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Jonathan Hewitt hosts The Spiritual Ninja Podcast, a education show with 35 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #3

  How Taoism Helps You Untie the Knots of Stress, Anxiety & Overthinking | Dr. Neale Lundgren

  Sep 9, 202629 minS2

  What if the way out of stress, anxiety, and overthinking isn't to fight them—but to soften? In this episode of the Spiritual Ninja Podcast , Jonathan Hewitt continues his conversation with Dr. Neale Lundgren about the Tao Te Ching , exploring Chapter 56 and its surprisingly practical approach to finding greater peace and awareness. The passage offers a simple sequence: Close your mouth. Block the door. Quiet your senses. Blunt the sharpness. Untie the tangles. Soften the brightness. Be one with the dust. Enter the primal oneness. Dr. Lundgren explains how these words can become a practice for working with the tangled thoughts, emotions, fears, and tensions we carry within ourselves. Rather than trying to force our minds to become quiet, the practice invites us to soften, breathe, observe, and create the conditions for the knots to loosen naturally. Jonathan and Dr. Lundgren explore: Why trying to control our thoughts can make them louder How breathing and awareness can quiet the “monkey mind” What it means to “untie the tangles” within us How stress and emotional tension can become inner knots The difference between visualizing change and “actualizing” it Why we don't need to judge our meditation practice How nature can become a teacher of presence and harmony What the Tao Te Ching means by entering the “primal oneness” How becoming more harmonious within ourselves changes our relationships with others A simple practice you can try throughout the week One of the central ideas of this conversation is beautifully simple: We don't have to force ourselves into the Tao. We can soften enough to notice what is already there. At the end of the episode, Jonathan and Dr. Lundgren leave listeners with a practice: notice the knots within you, bring gentle awareness to them, and allow them to soften without judgment. This is part of Season 2 of the Spiritual Ninja Podcast , exploring sacred texts, timeless wisdom, consciousness, spirituality, and practical ways to bring these teachings into modern life. Explore More Spiritual Ninja Podcast: https://spiritualninjapodcast.com/ Life Ki-do: https://lifekido.com/ #TaoTeChing #Taoism #SpiritualNinjaPodcast #Stress #Anxiety #Overthinking #InnerPeace #Spirituality #Meditation #Consciousness #PersonalGrowth #Tao #Mindfulness

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  Episode #2

  How Taoism Can Change the Way You See Life | Dr. Neale Lundgren

  Sep 3, 202634 minS2

  What can the Tao Te Ching teach us about living with greater peace, harmony, and authenticity?In the first episode of Season 2 of the Spiritual Ninja Podcast, Jonathan Hewitt sits down with Dr. Neale Lundgren to explore the wisdom of Taoism, the Tao Te Ching, Qigong, nature, and the practice of living in harmony with life.Dr. Lundgren brings decades of experience with spiritual traditions, including Benedictine monasticism, psychology, world religions, and Qigong. Together, Jonathan and Neale explore Chapter 2 of the Tao Te Ching and what its ancient wisdom can reveal about duality, balance, nature, relationships, and our everyday lives.Rather than simply discussing spiritual ideas, this conversation asks a practical question:How do we actually live this wisdom?In this episode, you'll discover:• What the Tao really means and why it is difficult to define• The deeper wisdom of Chapter 2 of the Tao Te Ching• The difference between oppositional duality and harmonious duality• Why nature can teach us how to live more authentically• How Qigong connects the body, breath, and mind• Why being present to the five senses can become a spiritual practice• A simple five-senses practice you can try in nature• How observation without judgment can calm the mind• Why we often become disconnected from our natural state• How Taoist principles can transform our relationships• Why inner harmony comes before creating harmony with others• How to respond to anger and emotional turbulence without becoming reactive• What "wu wei" and non-action can teach us about responding to life• Why spiritual practice matters more than simply understanding spiritual ideasDr. Neale also shares a simple practice based on the five senses: soft sight, listening, smell, touch, and taste, followed by opening awareness to all five together while walking in nature.The goal isn't to escape everyday life. It's to become more present within it.As Jonathan and Neale explore, the Tao points toward a way of living that is natural, authentic, balanced, and connected to the flow of life.This episode begins Spiritual Ninja Podcast Season 2, where each guest explores important teachings and passages from sacred texts and shares how they can help us live from our deepest selves in modern life.Try the practice from this episode and see what you notice.Subscribe to the Spiritual Ninja Podcast for conversations about spirituality, consciousness, meditation, sacred texts, personal growth, purpose, and learning to live with greater presence, love, and connection. Connect with Dr. Neale Lundgren https://nealelundgren.com/ Connect with Jonathan and Life Ki-do Learn more about Life Ki-do and Jonathan's work:https://lifekido.com/ Explore the Spiritual Ninja Podcast https://spiritualninjapodcast.com/#TaoTeChing #Taoism #Qigong #SpiritualAwakening #Meditation #InnerPeace #SpiritualGrowth #Mindfulness #TaoistWisdom #SpiritualNinjaPodcast

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  Episode #1

  What We Learned in Season 1 | Spiritual Ninja Podcast Season 2

  Sep 1, 202616 minS2

  What happens when you sit down with people from different spiritual traditions and ask how their beliefs actually shape the way they live?After an incredible first season of the Spiritual Ninja Podcast, Jonathan Hewitt reflects on the conversations and personal stories that stayed with him most. While each guest came from a different background, many of their experiences pointed toward the same deeper qualities: presence, courage, kindness, service, connection, and learning to live from something deeper within ourselves.Jonathan shares some of the biggest insights he took away from these conversations and what they revealed about the spiritual journey.One idea kept coming back: there may be many paths, but they can lead us toward the same deeper source of life, love, and connection.Now, Season 2 takes that exploration in a new direction.Each guest will choose three meaningful lessons or passages from a sacred text that have personally shaped their lives. They'll share what the passage means to them, how it influenced their journey, and how its wisdom can be applied to life today.The traditions may be different, but the question is universal:How can ancient wisdom help us live more fully today?Season 2 begins with Dr. Neil Lundgren.Join us for more conversations about spirituality, sacred texts, consciousness, personal growth, purpose, courage, love, and learning how to navigate both our inner world and everyday life. Explore More Learn more about the Spiritual Ninja Podcast:https://spiritualninjapodcast.com/Learn more about Jonathan and Life Ki-do:https://lifekido.com/Subscribe to the Spiritual Ninja Podcast for more conversations about spirituality, awakening, personal growth, meditation, purpose, and living with greater peace, connection, and authenticity.#SpiritualNinjaPodcast #SpiritualAwakening #Spirituality #SpiritualGrowth #SacredTexts #Season2 #PersonalGrowth #Consciousness #InnerPeace #Purpose

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  Episode #22

  Flying to God: An F-16 Pilot's Journey of Faith, Purpose & Calling | Tom Cedel

  Aug 12, 20261 hourS1

  In this episode of the Spiritual Ninja Podcast, Jonathan Hewitt sits down with Tom Cedel, retired Air Force F-16 pilot, university president, educator, scientist, and lifelong student of faith, to explore one of life's biggest questions: What are we here to do? Tom's remarkable journey takes him from flying F-16s and serving in the military to earning a PhD, leading a university, mentoring future leaders, and navigating cancer. Through all of it, one idea kept returning: vocation is not about what you get. It's about who you serve. Together, Jonathan and Tom explore: • What it really means to find your calling • Why your purpose may be bigger than your career • How faith can provide a foundation during uncertainty • Why disappointment and unexpected detours may be part of your path • The connection between vocation, service, and community • How to listen to your heart instead of living entirely from your head • Why character and competence must grow together • The meaning of an "upright heart and skillful hands" • How relationships can help us stay grounded through difficult seasons • What cancer taught Tom about how he wants to live • Why life may be less about "me" and more about "us" • How kindness, service, and community can become a spiritual practice Tom also shares a powerful perspective on purpose: "It's not about me. It's about community. It's about us." This is a deeply human conversation about faith, purpose, service, leadership, resilience, and learning to trust the path even when life doesn't unfold the way we expected. If you've ever wondered What am I supposed to do with my life?, How do I find my calling?, or What is my purpose?, this conversation offers a grounded and deeply personal perspective. Connect with Tom Cedel https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-tom-cedel-b9b5a87/ Explore Spiritual Ninja https://spiritualninjapodcast.com/ Subscribe for more conversations about spirituality, personal growth, purpose, consciousness, leadership, and learning how to live with greater clarity, connection, and freedom. #PurposeOfLife #FindingYourCalling #SpiritualGrowth #Faith #LifePurpose #SpiritualNinja #PersonalGrowth #Vocation #Leadership

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  Episode #21

  Why Your Pain Doesn't Define You | Shanti Kelley on Spiritual Psychology

  Aug 7, 20261h 1mS1

  What if your greatest struggles weren't meant to break you... but to awaken you? In this deeply meaningful conversation, Jonathan Hewitt sits down with Shanti Kelley , spiritual psychology professor, yoga therapist, and longtime student of Zen, Yoga Nidra, and non-dual philosophy, to explore one of life's biggest questions. How do we truly heal? Rather than trying to fix ourselves, Shanti shares why healing begins when we stop identifying with our pain and start recognizing the wholeness that has always been within us. Together they explore how mindfulness, loving awareness, movement, breath, and spiritual practice can help transform life's hardest experiences into wisdom, compassion, and purpose. • Why your pain does not define who you are • The foundation of Spiritual Psychology • How judgment keeps us stuck • Why healing is about remembering your wholeness • The connection between Yoga Nidra, mindfulness, and emotional healing • How our life experiences become wisdom instead of suffering • Learning to trust your intuition and inner guidance • Why loving awareness transforms everything Whether you're beginning your spiritual journey or have spent years exploring personal growth, this conversation offers practical wisdom for living with greater peace, courage, and authenticity. Connect with Shanti Kelley Website https://www.shantiyogapractice.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shantiyogapractice/ Explore more Spiritual Ninja Website https://spiritualninjapodcast.com/ If this conversation inspired you, subscribe for more discussions on spirituality, mindfulness, personal growth, leadership, martial arts, and living with greater purpose. #SpiritualPsychology #ShantiKelley #SpiritualGrowth #PersonalDevelopment #Mindfulness #YogaNidra #Healing #NonDuality #SelfAwareness #JonathanHewitt #SpiritualNinjaPodcast

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