Our conversations invite guests to go on a raw and introspective journey with us, exploring together what it means to be fully human. Through a series of heart- and thought-provoking questions and our shared vulnerability, we aim to unearth rare insights about each other that tends to inspire, teach, and connect us closer together. Our guests include exceptional humans of all walks of life, including leading experts, top performers, celebrities … and children. - Mitra Manesh & Ben Dadbin
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Lights On with Mitra Manesh was born to shed light on the challenges and magic we call life. Mitra is a mindfulness expert, storyteller, coach, executive trainer and UCLA teacher at the Semel Institute School of Neuroscience and Human Behavior with 35+ years of experience. These sessions are taken live from Mitra’s keynote talks, classes and some studio recordings. They are real questions, real answers, and real challenges people are facing. We hope you find value in the coaching and teachin ...
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34. Are You Still Triggered by the Same Person Despite All of the Inner Work You’ve Done?
30:22
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30:22Are there certain people who seem to always push the same buttons no matter how much work you’ve done on yourself? So many of us carry deep patterns in our relationships that can feel impossible to shake. Whether it's a close friend, life partner, or family member, the cycle repeats, and no matter how much we’ve grown and worked on ourselves, the o…
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33. How to Handle a Relationship That Is No Longer Serving You, With Compassion
21:22
21:22
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21:22Are you currently feeling unfulfilled by a friendship and you’re not sure what to do about it? In this episode, Ben and Mitra explore what to do when a relationship starts feeling heavy or out of sync. They talk about the subtle signals of disconnection and how to respond with honesty—first with ourselves, then with the other person. Instead of rus…
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32. How to Harness Conflicts to Deepen Connection: A Step-by-Step Approach
43:15
43:15
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43:15What if conflicts can be used as an opportunity to deepen connection ? In this episode, we unpack a step-by-step approach for how to accomplish this. It doesn’t matter what the conflict is about or whether its a big or small conflict—the system we offer here applies to all of it. Inspired by the Nonviolent Communication framework by Dr. Rosenberg, …
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31. Resolving Conflicts with Ease and Deepening Connection (Part 1)
20:47
20:47
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20:47Are you currently in a conflict with someone you care about and are looking for ways to find a resolution? In this episode, we dive into how we often slip into blaming and misunderstanding during conflicts, which makes coming to a resolution difficult. There are simple steps you can take—like noticing our feelings and needs—to keep conversations co…
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30. Do You Feel Like You’re Moving “Backwards” Recently ? These are the Hidden Reasons Why
26:22
26:22
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26:22Are you going through a period where you feel like you’ve moved backwards? In this episode, Ben opens up about a nagging sense of “moving backward” recently and his insecurities about being judged by others. Mitra gently probes to unravel the hidden drivers of his pain. Through Mitra’s inquiry, Ben realizes that his pain is actually his choice and …
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29. True Spiritual Learning: What It Means and How to Avoid the Common Traps
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29:29Do you feel stuck in your spiritual development? People on the spiritual journey often struggle with receiving the full benefits of a chosen path: some get caught up with dabbling in multiple paths at once, others with over-intellectualizing the teachings, and yet others become attached to an outcome which thwarts real learning. In this episode, we…
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28. The Power of Saying “No”: Build Self-Respect and Strengthen Your Relationships
49:41
49:41
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49:41Do you struggle with telling people “No” when something truly doesn’t feel aligned for you? In this episode, we unpack why setting boundaries feels so hard and how learning to say “No” can be one of the most loving things you do for yourself and the people around you. We explore the hidden beliefs that shape our boundaries, from people-pleasing to …
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27. Lessons from a 6-Year, Million-Dollar Lawsuit: Addiction, Ego, and Healing - Michael Dash
42:36
42:36
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42:36Does life currently feel like a continual uphill battle for you ? In this episode, Michael Dash shares the deep lessons he learned through adversity, including a life-changing six-year lawsuit that shifted everything he thought he valued. We discuss his journey from addiction and chasing external success to discovering true fulfillment through serv…
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26. When "I know" Becomes a Setback: A Simple Shift That Can Create Huge Benefits For You
26:19
26:19
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26:19Have you ever caught yourself saying “I know” before really letting something land? In this episode, we unpack the ways the phrase “I know” can block us from real learning, growth, and deeper connection. We explore how staying open—even when we think we’ve heard it all before—can lead to surprising insights and emotional growth. Through personal st…
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25. The Deeper Meaning of Spring Cleaning: Decluttering Your Mind and Heart
32:56
32:56
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32:56Spring isn’t just about cleaning out your closet—it’s an opportunity to refresh your mind, emotions, and relationships, too. In this episode, Mitra and Ben dive into the ancient tradition of Nowruz (Persian New Year) and explore how clearing physical and emotional clutter can create space for growth and renewal. Mitra and Ben provide perspectives o…
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24. Deepening Your Connection with The Divine / Source / God with Prayer
37:02
37:02
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37:02What does it really mean to have a relationship with the divine—not as an abstract idea, but as a real, guiding presence in our lives? In this episode, we explore the difference between striving and flowing, control and surrender, and how recognizing divine alignment can make life feel almost effortless. Through personal stories of serendipity, dee…
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23. How to Connect with Your Higher Self for Guidance
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29:30
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29:30So many of us seek clarity from outside sources, but what if the answers you’re looking for are accessible from within you? You’ve probably heard about the “higher self,” but what does that actually mean in daily life? We explore how to connect with this deeper wisdom in a practical way—so it’s not just an abstract idea, but something you can actua…
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Are you desiring to bring more joy in your life ? In this episode, we explore the difference between fleeting happiness and unshakable joy—and how to access it no matter what life throws your way. Through personal stories, deep insights, and practical wisdom, we uncover the hidden mental habits that keep us stuck in struggle and how to break free. …
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21. Why The Purpose of Life is to Play : A New Perspective On ‘Who am I?’
33:42
33:42
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33:42What if the purpose of life isn’t about achieving or striving—but about playing? So many of us feel trapped in the cycle of productivity, responsibility, and the endless pursuit of figuring things out. But what if the key to joy, meaning, and even expansion isn’t found in solving problems—but in exploring, playing, and being? In this episode, we di…
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20. Following Your Heart, Finding Your Purpose, and The Power of Sound - Dr. Jeffrey Thompson
39:11
39:11
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39:11What if you started following your heart instead of playing it safe with all your major decisions going forward? Where would that lead you? In this episode, Dr. Jeffrey Thompson, shares his inspiring journey of continually following his heart down an unconventional and unknown path toward his life’s purpose. Dr. Thompson explores the consequences o…
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19. A Simple yet Powerful Tool for Transcending Your Reactive Mind: Letting Go
31:36
31:36
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31:36Have you tried various techniques to change your negative reactive patters with little success ? In this episode, Mitra and Ben explore a profound yet deceptively simple approach to rewiring your subconscious mind and creating lasting inner peace. They share personal insights and reflections on how a subtle shift in awareness can unlock clarity, ex…
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18. From Trauma & Addiction to Abundance & Freedom: A Story of True Transformation - Amanda Goolsby
47:51
47:51
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47:51Do you feel like you have experienced more pain and struggle in your life than most others have ? In this episode, we interview Amanda Goolsby, who shares her incredible journey of resilience and transformation after going through deeply challenging traumas and life experiences, including sexual abuse, drug addiction, and poverty. She discusses how…
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17. How to Work Through Anger Without Shutting Down or Exploding
32:00
32:00
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32:00Are you someone who has difficulty accessing or expressing your anger? It’s likely your anger is repressed. Many of us have been taught to either suppress our anger or express it explosively—but what if there's a healthier way to channel it? What if anger isn’t something to fear or avoid, but rather a gateway to understanding ourselves more deeply?…
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16. Finding Meaning in Adversity : Getting to Neutrality and Seeing the Higher Perspective
33:27
33:27
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33:27Are you struggling with accepting and moving on from a devastating loss in your life ? In this episode, Mitra and Ben explore how to find meaning and healing during times of loss and adversity. Mitra shares practical tools like zooming in to process emotions and zooming out to see the bigger picture. They talk about the power of neutrality, imagina…
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15. Dealing With Devastating Loss: How to Recover Gracefully When You Feel Like You’ve Lost Everything
38:59
38:59
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38:59Are you going through an experience that has left you feeling like you’ve lost everything? When such devastation shocks us, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed by emotions like grief, guilt, and anger. Many of us try to "tough it out" or jump straight into problem-solving mode, but what if that’s stopping us from truly healing? In this episode, we div…
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14. Harvard-Trained Cardiologist on Healing Your Heart: Anxiety, Guilt, Self-Love - Dr. Jonathan Fisher
1:03:30
1:03:30
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1:03:30Are you currently suffering from high levels of anxiety or feelings of guilt or shame? In this episode, we speak with Harvard-trained Cardiologist/Heart Doctor and author, Dr. Jonathan Fisher, about the path to healing your heart–physically and emotionally. Dr. Fisher discusses how the heart, mind, and our emotions are all intimately connected. He …
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13. Reconnecting with Your True Self: How To Detach from Your Subconscious Characters
27:58
27:58
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27:58Are you tired of wearing a mask but don't know how to reconnect with your authentic self? So many of us have been conditioned to become a version of ourselves that is disconnected from our true, authentic self. When you become aware of this it can be a shock. But, then what? It often seems impossible to change your conditioned way of being–in relat…
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12. Processing Deep Grief : An Artist’s Unapologetic & Profound Journey - Austyn Weiner
41:02
41:02
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41:02Are you currently grieving the loss of a loved one ? Or do you have unprocessed grief from a past loss that you're ready to face now ? In this episode we speak with renowned contemporary artist Austyn Weiner about her profound and “primal” journey of coping with deep grief. Within a matter of weeks, she had lost her father, her grandmother, and men…
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11. How to Overcome Emotional Triggers with Your Family Members - Mitra Manesh
36:10
36:10
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36:10Are you easily triggered by certain family members despite doing a lot of inner work on yourself? It seems impossible to control, right? Well, there is a path to overcoming these emotional triggers and we lay it out for you here, in this episode. We provide practical and effective steps you can take to start reprogramming your subconscious mind tod…
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10. Leading Plastic Surgeon Gave up Everything In Order to Discover What True Happiness Is - This Is What He Discovered - Dr. Ted Gedebou
1:18:59
1:18:59
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1:18:59Are you someone who has been successful at realizing your goals but are still feeling unfulfilled? In this episode, we speak with Ted Gedebou, a Stanford educated cosmetic surgeon, who had left everything behind–his prestigious medical career, friends, social life, money–in order to discover where true happiness comes from. From Taipei to to Los An…
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9. Balancing Control vs. Surrender and Navigating Creative Blocks - Nacho Arimany
46:52
46:52
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46:52Are you currently putting energy towards a project or endeavor that feels like a constant uphill battle? In this episode with master musician Nacho Arimany, we unfold a universal challenge—finding balance between the need for control and the power of surrender. If you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of how to balance your emotions and re…
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8. How Embracing Vulnerability Can Save and Strengthen Your Marriage - Dimple Thakrar
51:23
51:23
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51:23Do you struggle with expressing your authentic self? Are you currently unhappy in your marriage ? In this light-hearted episode, Dimple Thakrar, a best selling author and relationship coach, shares her transformative journey of embracing vulnerability to heal childhood wounds and strengthen her marriage. Dimple’s candid reflections on body image, c…
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7. The Power of Meaning: Healing, Transformation, and Your Life's Purpose - Dr. Kim Jobst
1:13:10
1:13:10
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1:13:10Are you currently going through a difficult time in your life and wondering what is the meaning of all of it? In this episode, Dr. Kim Jobst, an Oxford trained physician, shares his journey of radical self-expression, stepping away from his medical license to pursue a more authentic path aligned with his true purpose. He dives deep into the power o…
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6. Letting Go of Control and True Forgiveness - Mitra & Ben
35:18
35:18
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35:18Are you someone who has a tendency to control and are looking for new perspectives on how to let go ? Or, are you someone who has attempted to forgive someone significant in your life but finds old resentments keep bubbling up? In this episode, Ben and Mitra dive deep into what it really means to let go. They explore how letting go often involves f…
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5. Facing Your Trauma and Removing Social Masks - Chris Alvarado
1:02:49
1:02:49
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1:02:49Do you ever feel like how you present yourself to the world is different from who you really are ? In this episode, Chris Alvarado, a renowned improv actor and coach, authentically reveals his journey of struggling with facing his traumas and confronting that aspect of his ‘self’ that seeks external validation. With Ben and Mitra offering compassio…
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4. Intuition, Neuroscience and Unlocking Your Hidden Gifts - Dr. Amy Albright
1:02:13
1:02:13
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1:02:13Have you ever wondered if you have hidden gifts and how you could unlock them ? In this conversation, Dr.Amy Albright shares her personal journey from anxiousness and disbelief to awakening her intuitive talents for transformative healing. She discusses the intersection of intuition and neuroscience, revealing how brain data and spiritual insight w…
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2. Conscious Sexuality, Self-Pleasure, Orgasms & Monogamy - Bibi Brzozka
1:20:08
1:20:08
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1:20:08Are you curious about how to develop a healthier relationship with sex and self pleasure? In this conversation with Bibi Brzozka, we have an unfiltered conversation about conscious sexuality, self pleasure as a vehicle for healing, the legitimacy monogamy, sex as a highway to awakening, and sexuality as a tool to inspire creativity, among other top…
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3. Developing Your Intuition & Accessing Your Inner Wisdom - Rick Snyder
1:04:34
1:04:34
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1:04:34How often do you feel a gut instinct but aren't sure how to trust it? In this engaging conversation, we dive deep into understanding intuition with Rick Snyder, author of Decisive Intuition, showing you how to turn those invisible gut feelings into practical tools for everyday decisions. Whether you're seeking to hone your decision making capabilit…
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1. Death, Letting Go, and Genuine Friendship - Mitra & Ben
1:24:07
1:24:07
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1:24:07Are you interested in learning new perspectives on how your life’s past experiences have shaped who you are today? In this conversation, Mitra and Ben “innerview” each other. They explore the childhood experiences that shaped who they are today and their perspectives on life. They discuss the importance of inward reflection, letting go, and the jou…
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My new Mindful Attentionist Self-Coaching Program👇🏼 https://www.mitramanesh.com/mac/personal Rating & Reviewing our podcast helps us tremendously to grow and expand our reach without going the traditional route of spending a lot on Paid Marketing. This helps us keep our app price down, and allows us to continue producing free content and making min…
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Do you feel happy at other people’s unhappiness?
13:20
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13:20My new Mindful Attentionist Self-Coaching Program👇🏼 https://www.mitramanesh.com/mac/personal Rating & Reviewing our podcast helps us tremendously to grow and expand our reach without going the traditional route of spending a lot on Paid Marketing. This helps us keep our app price down, and allows us to continue producing free content and making min…
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Do you prefer unhealthy familiar to healthy unfamiliar?
16:01
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16:01My new Mindful Attentionist Self-Coaching Program👇🏼 https://www.mitramanesh.com/mac/personal Rating & Reviewing our podcast helps us tremendously to grow and expand our reach without going the traditional route of spending a lot on Paid Marketing. This helps us keep our app price down, and allows us to continue producing free content and making min…
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My new Mindful Attentionist Self-Coaching Program👇🏼 https://www.mitramanesh.com/mac/personal Rating & Reviewing our podcast helps us tremendously to grow and expand our reach without going the traditional route of spending a lot on Paid Marketing. This helps us keep our app price down, and allows us to continue producing free content and making min…
…
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My new Mindful Attentionist Self-Coaching Program👇🏼 https://www.mitramanesh.com/mac/personal Rating & Reviewing our podcast helps us tremendously to grow and expand our reach without going the traditional route of spending a lot on Paid Marketing. This helps us keep our app price down, and allows us to continue producing free content and making min…
…
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My new Mindful Attentionist Self-Coaching Program👇🏼 https://www.mitramanesh.com/mac/personal Rating & Reviewing our podcast helps us tremendously to grow and expand our reach without going the traditional route of spending a lot on Paid Marketing. This helps us keep our app price down, and allows us to continue producing free content and making min…
…
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My new Mindful Attentionist Self-Coaching Program👇🏼 https://www.mitramanesh.com/mac/personal Rating & Reviewing our podcast helps us tremendously to grow and expand our reach without going the traditional route of spending a lot on Paid Marketing. This helps us keep our app price down, and allows us to continue producing free content and making min…
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My new class "Paying Attention Mindfully — The Key to Well-Being in 2023!" 👇🏼 https://www.mitramanesh.com/attention-jan2023 Rating & Reviewing our podcast helps us tremendously to grow and expand our reach without going the traditional route of spending a lot on Paid Marketing. This helps us keep our app price down, and allows us to continue produc…
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My new class "Paying Attention Mindfully — The Key to Well-Being in 2023!" 👇🏼 https://www.mitramanesh.com/attention-jan2023 Rating & Reviewing our podcast helps us tremendously to grow and expand our reach without going the traditional route of spending a lot on Paid Marketing. This helps us keep our app price down, and allows us to continue produc…
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My free guided "Good Night" meditation👇🏼 https://www.mitramanesh.com/goodnight Rating & Reviewing our podcast helps us tremendously to grow and expand our reach without going the traditional route of spending a lot on Paid Marketing. This helps us keep our app price down, and allows us to continue producing free content and making mindful living mo…
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My free guided "Good Night" meditation👇🏼 https://www.mitramanesh.com/goodnight Rating & Reviewing our podcast helps us tremendously to grow and expand our reach without going the traditional route of spending a lot on Paid Marketing. This helps us keep our app price down, and allows us to continue producing free content and making mindful living mo…
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My free guided "Good Night" meditation👇🏼 https://www.mitramanesh.com/goodnight Rating & Reviewing our podcast helps us tremendously to grow and expand our reach without going the traditional route of spending a lot on Paid Marketing. This helps us keep our app price down, and allows us to continue producing free content and making mindful living mo…
…
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My free guided "Good Night" meditation👇🏼 https://www.mitramanesh.com/goodnight Rating & Reviewing our podcast helps us tremendously to grow and expand our reach without going the traditional route of spending a lot on Paid Marketing. This helps us keep our app price down, and allows us to continue producing free content and making mindful living mo…
…
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My free guided "Good Night" meditation👇🏼 https://www.mitramanesh.com/goodnight Rating & Reviewing our podcast helps us tremendously to grow and expand our reach without going the traditional route of spending a lot on Paid Marketing. This helps us keep our app price down, and allows us to continue producing free content and making mindful living mo…
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Do you know what kind of meditation you practice?
8:55
8:55
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8:55My free guided "Good Night" meditation👇🏼 https://www.mitramanesh.com/goodnight Rating & Reviewing our podcast helps us tremendously to grow and expand our reach without going the traditional route of spending a lot on Paid Marketing. This helps us keep our app price down, and allows us to continue producing free content and making mindful living mo…
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Find Your Voice, Change Your Life with Dr. Doreen Downing
36:57
36:57
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36:57My free guided "Good Night" meditation👇🏼 https://www.mitramanesh.com/goodnight Rating & Reviewing our podcast helps us tremendously to grow and expand our reach without going the traditional route of spending a lot on Paid Marketing. This helps us keep our app price down, and allows us to continue producing free content and making mindful living mo…
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