Chats With Susan Burrell

Ep #356 - What Connect Us? - An Interview with Scott Mills, a writer, teacher and deep thinker. I’m so excited to share this wonderful conversation with my guest, Scott Mills. I discovered Scott through Substack, where he writes Love and Other Survival Skills. I love that Scott puts love first. (How’s that for a little redundancy?) I personally believe we’re all here to align with the frequency of love. It is the ground we all stand on. For Scott, the foundation of true connection begins with love and a sense of community. In this conversation, we explore how connection, compassion, and co-regulation can help us navigate life's uncertainty and these in-between times. Together, we look at what it means to move beyond "othering" and create a deeper sense of belonging, inclusion and collaboration. As old systems begin to shift, we explore how we can remain connected and cultivate a more compassionate, human way of being in the world. We also talk about how connection not only helps us navigate change, but also i

Ep #355 - Surviving A Narcissistic Relationship - An Interview with Nilgun Tulu I am truly honored to have this beautiful woman joining me for this conversation. It is my privilege to welcome Nilgun Tulu to Empowering Chats. Nilgun spent 20 years with a narcissist. 13 of those years in a marriage. In the beginning, he appeared to be the prince on the white horse. He knew exactly how to make her feel special, showering her with attention, affection, and what seemed like perfect love. But it wasn’t perfect. She met him when she was just 24 years old. He was nearly 20 years her senior, though he initially hid his age from her. She was young and vulnerable and adjusting to be a foreigner in the United States. Like many women in similar situations, she was naïve and fell under his spell. After some time together, she returned to her home country and they maintained a long-distance relationship before eventually marrying. There were warning signs along the way, but she believed many of the behaviors he exhibited w

Ep #354 - When Our Pets Speak, Are We Listening? An interview with Animal Communicator, LeeAnna Lorefice   I am so happy to welcome LeeAnna Lorefice to Empowering Chats. LeeAnna is an intuitive empath who is gifted with the ability to communicate energetically with animals. Her purpose it to help deepen the connection between humans and the animals they love. I began my chat with LeeAnna by asking her to share how she discovered her unique gift. She shared that this ability has always been a part of her life – in fact she assumed that everyone had this gift. It wasn’t until later in her life that a friend pointed out just how special gift truly was. As a child LeeAnna recalls always being  in touch with nature, gardening and animals. She was forever rescuing birds and bringing home stray animals. While her intuitive abilities could be used to help people as well, she found herself especially drawn to working with animals. Over time, she chose to focus and develop her gifts in that direction, dedicating hers

Ep #352 - Illuminated Truth - An Interview with Jennifer Ruth Russell, Founder and Director of Angels of Ascension Academy I’m excited and honored to welcome back a dear friend and returning guest to Empowering Chats, Jennifer Ruth Russell. Jennifer is the founder of Angels of Ascension Academy and host of the Morning Light Meditations. She’s a spiritual mentor, as well as a singer-songwriter whose music is both thought-provoking and heart-opening. Her meditations are powerful, beautiful, and deeply moving. In this conversation, we talk about her latest book, Create Abundance with Mother Mary, along with other inspiring insights and reflections. Why Mother Mary? Jennifer shares that she has felt called by Mother Mary for years, and today she embraces her role as an oracle and scribe for her. Here is what she said, "I feel a deep connection as well—like we come from the same soul family. To me, Mother Mary is the mother of us all." Jennifer reminds us that everyone has a purpose, and that we are always support

Ep #351 - Elevating & Expanding Your Consciousness - A Solo Show with your Host, Susan Burrell   In this solo show, I tap into what it means to listen within—to your inner authority—and how we can create change from the inside that ripples out into the world. As many of you know, I’ve been working with Light Leaders to awaken our collective inner authority and the inner light we each carry as individuals. I feel called to do this so that we can make positive, healthy choices and create the life we’ve always wanted to live. What many of us are currently experiencing in the world is frightening, and it can make us feel angry and that often leads us to focus on the wrong things. There’s a strong pull to want to “fix it,” to make it “right”—but what is right? And according to whom? I’d like to offer a different approach. What if, instead of trying to fix everything, we simply shift our perspective a few degrees? What if we recognize that it isn’t about changing what we think is wrong, but about accepting what

Ep #350 - Whispered Truths - An Interview with poet and photographer, Safire Rose. I am delighted to welcome, Safire Rose, author of Rose Petals: 108 Whispered Truths from the Soul of the Rose, to Empowering Chats. This interview begins with the question, Why that title? Safire shares her story of the inspiration of the book title arriving directly from the roses which she loves. She not only writes about roses she also photos them. So the idea came from both her photography of roses and from her writing, the poetry that inspires her. Safire chose 108 roses from her photography portfolio and then meditated with each image, intuiting a message from each rose.The best way to experience the book, according to Safire is to look at the photo of the rose to that inspired the reading and see the petals and other details captured in the image as you allow it to speak to you. By encountering nature in this way, whether through a rose, a redwood tree or other plant you allow yourself to step into relationship with the

Ep #349 - A Love Footprint - An Interview with spiritual teacher and author, David Cunningham My guest for this episode of Empowering Chats is spiritual practitioner and author, David Cunningham. David has walked a path in life that has taught him to lean into the truth of who he is. His latest book, Your Love Does Matter: A Journey to New Consciousness and Expanding Your Love Footprint, was published at the end of last year. Why that title? Why does love matter? That’s the question I started the interview with. David answered, “As human beings, the only time we are really joyous is when we are being loving.” He goes on to say that the great leaders of the world—the Gandhis, the Dr. Kings, the Mother Teresas—are the ones who refused not to love. In other words, their response to all situations was one that embraced love. It matters to us, to the people we interact with, and to the health of the planet. Now is the time to infuse our world with love—from our neighborhoods to our families to our leaders. So how

Ep #348 - Conscious Awareness - An Interview with CEO of Insight Timer, Chris Plowman I have the wonderful honor and pleasure of welcoming Chris Plowman, CEO of Insight Timer, for a meaningful and inspiring conversation. Insight Timer is a free wellness app offering guided meditations, calming music, and tools to support both mind and body. Today, the platform includes more than 20,000 teachers and musicians from around the world, sharing practices on everything from stress and anxiety to focus and self-compassion. As a teacher on Insight Timer—where I offer guided meditations and inspirational talks—it was truly a joy to sit down with Chris and hear how it all began. When Chris and his brother purchased the company in 2014, Insight Timer was simply a meditation timer. There were no teachers and only 10 guided meditations available. Since then, it has grown into a global community, with over 32 million people across 200 countries having installed the app. What moved me most is that the company was built from

Ep #347 - Letting Go of Obsolete Thinking - A Solo Show with your host, Susan Burrell We are now in the first week of February 2026, and I am focusing on the collective message of awakening your inner authority. We are still feeling the effects of the Chinese Year of the Snake as it comes to a close—and through this process, we are continuing to shed all that no longer serves us. This is important to pay attention to as we approach the Year of the Fire Horse. Here, I am referring to the Chinese New Year, which begins on February 17, 2026. The Year of the Fire Horse represents fast, rapid timing, with life appearing to move quickly. Because of this, it’s essential to listen to your inner authority and pause before making choices or reacting to what is occurring outside of yourself. I believe much of last year was about becoming aware of what no longer serves you—or the collective. As we approach the end of this phase, the Year of the Snake, I encourage you to notice what is showing up for you. Reflect on what

Ep #346 - Igniting The New - An Interview with Astrologer, Kate Rose I am thrilled to once again welcome Kate Rose—author and astrologer—back to Empowering Chats. In our first interview of 2026, Kate and I explore the astrology shaping the first part of the year. At the time of this conversation, we were anticipating the Year of the Fire Horse, an energy represented by strong fire influence and inner authority—very much aligned with Aries energy and the call to trust our own inner knowing. Together, we explore the question: How can we be of benefit to ourselves and to those around us? Do we follow the masses, or do we stand firmly in what is right and true according to Universal standards? A key theme throughout this conversation is learning how to truly trust yourself. Kate also dives into the February astrology and what we can expect. A solar eclipse on February 17th coincides with the start of a Solar New Year and the beginning of the Year of the Fire Horse. Solar eclipses represent outer energy, and colle

Ep #345 - Follow Your Inner Authority - A Solo Show with your host, Susan Burrell Wow! And so, another year begins. I could not wait to get out of 2025—it was a mishmash of so much: transformative, scary, exciting, happy, and sad. I believe 2026 promises to be even more transformative. This year’s theme for Empowering Chats is “Follow Your Inner Authority.” I am scaling back this year to two shows a month. I made this decision to create space in my schedule for writing my new book and for spending more time with my new granddaughter. There may be some months sprinkled with more than two podcasts, but generally, that is what you can expect from Empowering Chats in 2026. And so, I begin by asking: What is Inner Authority? I believe it is time for us to take our power back by no longer sourcing out our authority to outside of ourselves. For me, this means shifting inward—listening to our inner voice and trusting our divine wisdom. Each of us has the ability to listen to the divine wisdom we came into this lifet

EP #344 - Empowering Chats: The Next Chapter - A Solo Show with your host, Susan Burrell As 2025 comes to a close, I’m looking closely at what needs to shift—and what I need to release—in order to continue my soul growth. I’ve been on a personal quest for most of my life, and hosting this podcast has been such a joy. It has connected me with amazing authors, spiritual teachers, and seekers who are doing their own inner work and sharing what they’ve learned. As I reflect on what’s next, my Team and I have been in conversations about how to shift what I am currently doing with Empowering Chats. This year has been full of challenging opportunities, and I can feel the call to realign— to clear out the garbage that bogs me down. Through this realignment, and with the help of my Team, I’ve realized that one thing I need to let go of is producing weekly podcast shows. And yet, I’m not ready to completely step away from Empowering Chats. This podcast has allowed me to meet so many fascinating people and to truly enga

EP #343 - Embracing Harmony & Light - A Solo Show with your host, Susan Burrell   In this solo show I chat about the energetic change occurring in our world. Some of it is felt on a very personal level within our day to day lives and it is also being felt as a collective shift within all of Humanity. I believe we’re moving through a big shift as humans, waking up in new ways and learning more about who we really are. We are becoming more aware of self and how we relate to each other. With awareness comes the knowledge that we can be the conduit of spirit––that energy of light and love that heals all things. Many of us are being called to step forward as Light Leaders—not in a grand or dramatic way, but simply by showing up as our true selves. When we do that, we naturally share the kind of love, clarity, and kindness that helps heal and support ourselves and others. Humanity is evolving into what it was always meant to be: A place of love, of compassion, of peace and of harmony. And this growth needs Ligh

EP #342 - Fragments & Wholeness - A Solo Show with your host, Susan Burrell In this Empowering Chat, I share a few thoughts about the fragmented world we are currently living in right now. So many people are feeling scattered, broken, or just plain exhausted—by what’s happening nationally, globally, and even personally. I have been asking myself, “Who am I now?” My hope is to find resolution so that I can somehow rise above all these fragments and find a way to breathe a little more freely. Perhaps you have been feeling it too—that sense of being shattered. And with that comes grief, astonishment, and a whole mix of emotions that can be tough to navigate. Maybe you too have caught yourself wondering, “Who am I now?” or even, “Am I supposed to be doing something different?” Lately, I’ve noticed fragments of anger and even hatred surfacing in myself and around me. It’s not a comfortable place to be. I’ve been trying to find some common ground, but the polarity out there—the way families and friends are bei

EP #341 - Unlocking the Body's Wisdom - An interview with transformational healer and mentor, Ofer Niv I begin this interview by acknowledging that the word Alchemy always catches my attention—and alchemy is certainly part of what my guest, Ofer Niv, embodies. I’m so honored and grateful to welcome Ofer to Empowering Chats. He is a transformational healer, mentor, and guide who specializes in shamanic energy work. Ofer’s story began in Israel, where he was born and raised on a kibbutz in a family grounded in traditional values. He was encouraged to pursue education, earn a degree, and step into a productive role in society. He eventually married, and he and his wife moved to the U.S., where they’ve lived for the past 40 years. Everything in his life shifted when Ofer was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. He was told his life would be shortened and compromised, with no real solution. It was a grim and heavy moment—but the rebel in him chose a different path. Instead of giving in, he turned inward and began ex

EP #340 - The Invincible Path - An interview with Author, Howard Falco I know I might be starting to sound a little redundant here, but I gotta say it again, I just love what I do. I get to meet incredible people—people I truly admire—and I’m constantly learning and growing through these conversations. Today, I’m so honored to welcome author and mindfulness coach, Howard Falco, to Empowering Chats. I first discovered Howard through his book I Am. The moment I read it, I just knew—somewhere down the line—I’d get to meet him. And now… here we are. Howard’s most recent book is entitled Invincible, and it's just as powerful. He shared that the inspiration for I Am came through what he described as an expansion of consciousness—an experience so intense it felt like he was filled with thousands of volts of electricity. That’s how profound the process was for him. The book is a deep dive into self-understanding and self-awareness, bringing together a wealth of insight and wisdom. Invincible came later, after Howard

EP #339 - Awakening The Music Within - An interview with International Latin / Jazz Musician, Freddie Ravel I've been having a great pre-show chat with today’s guest, and I’m thrilled to welcome him to Empowering Chats. He's a world-renowned musician and transformational educator — Freddie Ravel. I'm especially excited because Freddie will be performing in my hometown, Ventura, California, on November 8 for a special concert of his incredible music. Freddie’s sound is a jazz-Latin fusion that gets your body in sync with rhythm and frequency — and that’s exactly what we’re diving into today: the power of music, especially Freddie’s. As Freddie puts it, “Performance is a 2-way street — there’s a transmitter and a receiver. I start each show ready to give energy, but also to receive it. That feedback loop is love and light. Music is at its best when it’s shared.” He also reminds us that one of the first things we learned as kids was the alphabet — through song. Music helps us remember, connect, and grow. In our

EP #338 - The Alchemy of Self-Love - An interview with Shamanic Healer and Energy Alchemist, Alex Urbina Okay everyone, I am already excited and deeply intrigued about how this chat is going to unfold in this episode of Empowering Chats. I already have chills! I’m honored to welcome Alex Urbina to this powerful conversation. Alex is a Shamanic Healer and an Energy Alchemist. Alex shares his incredible journey of becoming a shamanic healer. At just 23, he attended a transformational training that opened his eyes shook him to his core. It also sparked the beginning of a new path: the discovery of his loving, authentic self. That’s when he realized that if he wanted to make a difference in the world, he had to start with himself. What followed was a deep commitment to becoming the best version of himself—as a father, son, husband, and ultimately, as an authentic, truthful, and honest leader. His path led him to transformational work with teenagers and eventually into conscious parenting workshops, a journey he w

EP #337 - Vibration and Flow - An interview with author Christy Whitman I’m so pleased to welcome author Christy Whitman to Empowering Chats! In this episode, we dive into her latest book, The Flow Factor: How to Master Your Energy and Enter a State of Flow. I asked Christy—“Is being in the flow really something we can access and choose?” And the answer is yes. She explains that contrast is part of life. Sometimes things show up that we don’t want, and there are so many things that can pull us out of our flow. But “the flow” is always available to us. Christy defines flow like this: “Flow feels good. Flow feels easy and effortless. Being in the flow opens doors and makes us feel like we’re supported and provided for. Flow is what naturally occurs when we’re in alignment with the field of pure, positive, unlimited energy. It’s the result of operating in harmony with—not against—the energy stream that created you, me, every living thing, and that sustains entire worlds.” So the question becomes: Are you allow

EP #337 - The Transparent Life - An interview with Penney Peirce, Author and Visionary This year has been all about bringing back guests who have truly meaningful insights to share. The frequencies in these conversations are high, and I believe just by listening, people can elevate their consciousness. I’m thrilled to welcome Penney Peirce back to Empowering Chats. Penney is an author, a visionary, and someone who truly knows her stuff. I believe she’s ahead of her time. Her life’s work has been about becoming more aware, more in tune, and finding clarity—and she brings that depth to everything she shares. In this soulful conversation, we explore what it really means to live a transparent life—one guided by light, love, and inner clarity. We talk about expanding human capacity, the power of vulnerability, and how letting go of identity can open us up to higher frequencies, acceleration, and soul energy. This episode centers on the theme of “transparency,” which also happens to be the focus of Penney’s book, T