LightSong School of 21st-Century Shamanism and Energy Medicine Talking Stick Podcast

LightSong School of 21st-Century Shamanism and Energy Medicine Talking Stick Podcast
Death, the Great Mystery: A Shamanic Perspective on What Happens After We Die
Death is one of life's greatest mysteries—and one of its most universal experiences. In this profound and deeply personal conversation, Micah Schwader and Jan Engels-Smith explore death through the lens of shamanism, spirituality, personal experience, and the wisdom gained from working with those who have crossed over.
Together, they discuss the shamanic view that death is not an ending but a transformation—a process of shapeshifting from one form of existence into another. Jan shares teachings about the soul's journey after death, the role of belief systems in shaping our transition, and why many indigenous traditions placed such importance on preparing for a "good death."
Micah reflects on near-death experiences, encounters with discarnate spirits through compassionate spirit release work, and the profound lessons learned from the deaths of both parents. The conversation explores life reviews, soul journeys, the concept of the Inner Akasha, unexpected deaths, spirit communication, and the healing that can occur when we release our fear of the unknown.
Along the way, Jan recounts remarkable stories of assisting souls during their transition, witnessing life reviews, and discovering that the spirit world appears far more compassionate and accepting than many religious traditions suggest. The discussion challenges conventional ideas of heaven, hell, judgment, and reincarnation, inviting listeners into a broader exploration of consciousness, purpose, and the soul's eternal nature.
Both hosts share deeply personal stories — including Jan's experience guiding her own father's soul through a life review, and Micah's encounter with past-life memories on the sacred Scottish island of Iona — that point to the same truth: death is far more expansive, compassionate, and mysterious than most of us are taught to believe.
Whether you are grieving the loss of a loved one, curious about what lies beyond this life, or seeking a more expansive understanding of death itself, this episode offers comfort, insight, and a reminder that mystery need not be feared. Sometimes it can be embraced with wonder.
The conversation covers:
·      The shamanic understanding of death as transformation rather than ending
·      How belief systems may influence the death experience
·      Unexpected deaths versus conscious transitions
·      Why souls sometimes get "stuck" after death — especially in sudden or unexpected deaths — and the compassionate shamanic practice of psychopomp work (spirit release) that helps them move on
·      The role of discarnate spirits and how they can affect the living
·      Personal near-death experiences and what they revealed about fear, the unknown, and the nature of consciousness
·      The concept of the inner Akasha — your soul's internal record of all lifetimes and existences
·      The ancient, instinctive wisdom that can arise in the moment of death
·      Finding peace with life's greatest mystery
Memorable Quote
"I don't think death is what we're making it out to be. It's not this horrible thing. The fear comes from not knowing—the mystery is the most fearful part of death." — Micah Schwader
Audience Takeaway
What if death is not an ending, but a transition? This episode invites listeners to examine their beliefs, release fear-based narratives, and consider the possibility that consciousness continues beyond the physical body. Through stories, teachings, and personal experiences, Micah and Jan offer a compassionate exploration of one of humanity's oldest questions: What happens when we die?

LightSong School of 21st-Century Shamanism and Energy Healing Talking Stick Podcast
AI, Imagination, and the Quantum Field: Creating with Clarity in a Changing World
In this thought-provoking episode of the LightSong Talking Stick Podcast, Jan Engels-Smith and Micah Schwader explore the surprising relationship between artificial intelligence, manifestation, imagination, fear, and the quantum field.
What begins as a conversation about AI quickly becomes a deeper reflection on what it means to be human. Micah shares how AI, when used consciously, can support creativity by handling linear, left-brain tasks while freeing more space for imagination, intuition, and authentic expression. Jan expands the conversation into the quantum realm, exploring how intention, focus, belief, and vibration shape the realities we experience.
Together, Jan and Micah discuss the parallels between prompting AI and working with the universe: clarity matters, intention matters, and what we put into the field influences what comes back. They also explore fear, resistance, root chakra survival patterns, worry as negative imagination, and the power of bringing hidden beliefs into awareness.
This episode invites listeners to become more conscious creators—whether engaging with technology, spiritual practice, creativity, relationships, or personal transformation. Rather than resisting what is emerging, Jan and Micah encourage curiosity, discernment, and alignment with higher-frequency possibilities.
Websites:
LightSong School of 21st-Century Shamanism and Energy Medicine:
https://www.lightsong.net
Micah Schwader / Shaman Sezz:
https://shamansezz.com

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:d6bab587-0f3e-44f7-bb2e-85e0319367b9-1" data-turn-id-container= "request-WEB:d6bab587-0f3e-44f7-bb2e-85e0319367b9-1" data-testid= "conversation-turn-4" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn= "assistant"> Rewriting Reality Through Belief, Love & Self-Discovery
In this deeply insightful and heart-centered episode of Manifesting Miracles, Jan explores the profound relationship between belief systems, manifestation, emotional healing, and spiritual transformation. Through personal stories, community questions, and powerful teachings, this gathering dives into how our thoughts, perceptions, and inner narratives shape the realities we experience.
The conversation opens with a beautiful guided invocation focused on breath, alignment, intuition, and connecting with benevolent spiritual allies. From there, the discussion unfolds into powerful teachings on self-worth, manifestation, healing relationships, and transforming old patterns into opportunities for growth.
Topics Explored in This Episode
The power of breathwork to move from stress into coherence and intuition
Aligning with the "divine mind" and right-brain awareness
Calling in spiritual allies, guides, healers, and protectors
Reiki, healing journeys, and miraculous transformation stories
How difficult experiences can propel us toward greater healing
Healthy ways to release anger, frustration, and emotional buildup
The energetic impact of labeling others and holding fixed opinions
How perception influences behavior and relationship dynamics
"All behavior is a call to love"
Transforming conflict through compassion and shifted perception
Manifestation through thought, intention, and energetic awareness
Releasing victim consciousness and reclaiming personal responsibility
How belief systems shape physical and emotional realities
Journaling, self-inquiry, and uncovering hidden subconscious beliefs
Reprogramming negative self-talk through "I Am" statements
Turning "work" into opportunity and joyful spiritual practice
Learning to consciously pre-create positive outcomes
Support, listening, validation, and the healing power of presence
Spiritual immersion, journey work, and connecting with spirit realms
Angelic Shamanism, journeying, and evolving spiritual teachings
Claiming yourself daily in a world filled with negativity
Moving from self-criticism into self-love and empowerment
Memorable Themes & Teachings
"If you want things different in your life, then you've got to change."
"Our opinion holds people captive to behavior."
"The spirits say that all behavior is a call to love."
"Daily, you should be claiming yourself. This is who I am."
"We are bombarded with negativity — you must answer your own call to love."
"Spirits want you to be successful."
This episode is filled with practical spiritual insight, compassionate guidance, and empowering reminders that transformation begins within. Through awareness, intention, and conscious self-examination, we can shift our inner world — and in doing so, transform the reality we experience around us.

In this magical episode of the LightSong School of 21st-Century Shamanism and Medicine Energy Talking Stick Podcast, Jan Engels-Smith and Micah Schwader explore the fairy realm, the "hidden folk," and what it means to live in respectful relationship with unseen dimensions of the Earth.
Jan shares teachings from Celtic shamanism, stories from LightSong's Vision Quest Practicum, and powerful experiences of working with fairies as stewards and healers of the natural world. Micah adds his own extraordinary encounters, including fairy sightings, vision quest dreams, and the deeper lesson that the more we learn, the more we realize how much remains unknown.
Together, they discuss offerings, permission, imagination, owl eyes, nature spirits, dimensional awareness, and the importance of approaching the unseen world with humility rather than entitlement. This conversation invites listeners to soften their focus, expand their perception, and remember that imagination is not fantasy—it is a superpower.
To view the photos of the fairies by Micah, click here.
Learn more about Jan Engels-Smith and LightSong School of 21st-Century Shamanism and Energy Medicine at LightSong.net.
Learn more about Micah Schwader and read about his memoir, Stumbling Into Grace: The Adventures of a Transgender Shaman at ShamanSezz.com.

LightSong School of 21st-Century Shamanism and Energy Medicine Talking Stick Podcast
Listening to Nature: Messages from Ants, Animals, and the Living World
In this deeply engaging episode of the Talking Stick Podcast, Jan Engels-Smith and Micah Schwader explore the profound wisdom available to us when we slow down and truly listen to nature.
The conversation begins with a grounding invocation that invites listeners into a sacred space of presence, awareness, and connection. From there, Jan and Micah share powerful personal stories of encounters with ants, horses, birds, plants, and other elements of the natural world—each carrying messages of guidance, transformation, and insight.
Through these stories, a central theme emerges: nature is always communicating. Whether through the disciplined community of ants, the playful reflection of a horse, or the unexpected appearance of a wild animal, these interactions become invitations to reflect, grow, and align more deeply with life.
Jan shares a pivotal story about how ants guided her in building community and ultimately in creating her school, emphasizing collaboration, respect, and shared purpose. Micah reflects on lessons of surrender, presence, and joy—reminded that sometimes the message is simply to let go and "just have fun."
This episode also explores:
How to recognize signs and messages from nature
The importance of asking, not just observing
The energetic impact of intention, fear, and presence
What animals, plants, and even insects can teach us about community and balance
How shifting your awareness changes your relationship with the world around you
At its heart, this conversation is a reminder that we are not separate from nature—we are part of it. And when we begin to listen, life responds in ways that are both magical and deeply meaningful.
Connect with Jan & Micah:
LightSong School of 21st-Century Shamanism: https://lightsong.net
ShamanSezz / Micah Schwader: https://shamansezz.com