What can the world’s first written civilization teach us about astrology, medicine, and our connection to the cosmos? In this fascinating episode, I sit down with Dr. Moudhy Al-Rashid, honorary fellow at the University of Oxford’s Wolfson College and leading expert on the languages and history of ancient Mesopotamia.

“Ancient Mesopotamians didn’t separate the sky from the body, the ritual from the remedy. Everything was interconnected—cosmic events, human health, divine will, and the rhythms of life.” — Dr. Moudhy Al-Rashid

We dive deep into the origins of astrology, astro-medical wisdom, and the human impulse to make meaning from the stars—long before telescopes or modern science existed. Dr. Al-Rashid brings to life a world where lunar eclipses determined royal fates, temples doubled as centers of knowledge and healing, and the earliest connections between the zodiac, the body, and medicine were recorded in clay.

You’ll learn:

✅ Why Mesopotamia is called the "cradle of civilization" and why its legacy matters today

✅ The cosmic worldview of the Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians

✅ How astrology evolved from a divinatory tool into the modern zodiac system

✅ The role of temples as energetic, communal, and administrative hubs

✅ The powerful presence of goddesses like Ishtar—and why the world’s first named author was a woman

✅ What astro-medical texts reveal about ancient healing practices (and what we can learn from them today)

✅ How this wisdom offers us a holistic approach in an age dominated by technology

This episode is a reflection on how ancient ways of knowing can help us find balance in a fragmented world. As Dr. Al-Rashid shares, “Life is collective. Our well-being is tied to the well-being of those around us.”

Connect with Dr. Moudhy Al-Rashid:Book: Between Two Rivers: Ancient Mesopotamia and the Birth of HistoryInstagram & BlueSky: @moudhy

If this conversation speaks to you, please share it and tag us @Gateways_To_Awakening. Your reviews on Apple Podcasts help us reach more people and keep these conversations flowing.

To stay connected, you can follow my writing on Substack at substack.com/@therealyasmeent, join me on IG @TheRealYasmeenT, or sign up for my newsletter at InnerKnowingSchool.com.

In this episode of Gateways to Awakening, I speak with the radiant Kathi Joy, a master of self-expression, emotional freedom, and the art of playful presence.

"We’re not here to hustle for our worth. We’re here to remember it” - Kathi Joy.

As a poet, intuitive channel, and co-creator of transformational experiences, Kathi guides people into their truest selves through language, laughter, and soul-level reflection. Her work blends creativity with consciousness, helping others reconnect with joy, truth, and the poetry of their own being.

Together, we explore:

• How to break free from performance and reclaim authentic expression

• The role of reverence and play in spiritual evolution

• What it means to “speak from soul” in both poetry and presence

• The impact of emotional honesty on healing and creativity

• How sacred art and words can become medicine

This conversation is a journey into what it means to live uncensored, unfiltered, and fully expressed. Kathi reminds us that our true voice isn’t something to find—it’s something to remember.

If you’ve been feeling silenced, creatively blocked, or ready to shed the armor and speak your truth, this episode is for you.

If this conversation speaks to you, we’d love to hear from you — tag us @Gateways_To_Awakening on Instagram and Facebook to share your reflections. Your reviews on Apple Podcasts mean the world and help others find the show.

To stay connected, you can follow my writing on Substack at substack.com/@therealyasmeent, join me on IG @TheRealYasmeenT, or sign up for my newsletter at InnerKnowingSchool.com.

In today’s episode, I interview Steven Ray, a legendary figure in the music and entertainment industry. His expansive career began as a roadie for Sammy Davis Jr. and George Rhodes, and as a production assistant to Quincy Jones. Steven’s early work includes contributing to groundbreaking projects such as Michael Jackson’s Thriller, We Are the World, The Color Purple, and productions by Frank Sinatra and James Ingram.

“Music is frequency. And frequency is healing. When you're in the presence of someone channeling that, it’s almost like being in a temple.” - Steven Ray

He later became a Senior Executive at Capitol Records and played a pivotal role at Windswept Pacific, where he signed and collaborated with major artists like Mariah Carey, Usher, TLC, Destiny’s Child, and Beyoncé, contributing to over 150 million units sold. Steven’s creative vision and industry expertise extend beyond music, as the founder of Red River Pictures, producing projects like Broadway’s Ghost and the upcoming films Little Rootie Tootie and Son of the South (now streaming).

In 2023, Steven co-hosted the Stories in the Room podcast on Thriller and appeared in the documentaries Thriller 40 and The Greatest Night in Pop. Known for his deep relationships and industry savvy, Steven is a sought-after advisor and a visionary in entertainment.

We dive into the transformative power of music, spiritual transmission through sound, and the lessons Steven has learned from working with some of the greatest artists of all time, including Michael Jackson.

In this episode, we discuss:
- The spiritual power of music and how it can transcend the performer
- Memorable moments with Michael Jackson and behind-the-scenes magic
- The healing role of sound and vibration
- The intersection of fame and spiritual awakening
- What makes a piece of music timeless and sacred
- Insights into intuition in the creative process
- How music contributes to cultural transformation in today’s world

Steven also shares his advice for the next generation of artists, the importance of studying music, and his thoughts on the evolution of the music industry in this era of social media and mass influence.

Don’t miss this enlightening conversation with a true industry legend. Tune in to Gateways to Awakening, where we host transformative discussions on wellness, creativity, and spirituality.

Learn more about Steven Ray and his work at Stories in the Room, Instagram: @Mr.StevenRay

*If you are an aligned wellness brand and would like to advertise your product on this show, please reach out at @therealyasmeent

If this conversation speaks to you, we’d love to hear from you — tag us @Gateways_To_Awakening on Instagram and Facebook to share your reflections. Your reviews on Apple Podcasts mean the world and help others find the show.

To stay connected, you can follow my writing on Substack at substack.com/@therealyasmeent, join me on IG @TheRealYasmeenT, or sign up for my newsletter at InnerKnowingSchool.com.

Hi Friends, Today’s episode features Shakti Durga, spiritual teacher, author, energy healer, musician, and sacred channel of Divine Feminine presence. She is the master of sound and is known for her radiant presence and transformative spiritual initiations. She guides people through deep inner alchemy, unlocking love, power, and purpose in profound ways. Whether working with mantra, energy healing, or Divine archetypes, her teachings open hearts, elevate consciousness, and connect students to the wellspring of Source energy.

You can listen to the entire conversation here:

In this conversation, we explore:

• • The transformative power of sound, mantra, and spiritual transmission

• • How to cultivate a grounded relationship with the Divine Feminine

  • Working with archetypes and Goddesses for healing and empowerment

  • The role of spiritual initiations and how to know when you’re ready

  • How devotion differs from discipline—and why both matter on the path

  • Understanding karmic patterns, soul wounds, and energy clearing

  • The importance of spiritual hierarchy—ascended masters, angels, and devas

  • How to live an embodied, integrated spirituality in modern life

  • Shakti Durga’s personal awakening journey—and the meaning behind her name​

  We also discuss how to discern the soul’s voice from the ego, why so many people feel disconnected from their purpose, and how to realign with Source energy even during global or personal upheaval.

  Whether you're just beginning your spiritual journey or are deep on the path, this episode offers heart-opening wisdom and energetic insight from one of the most luminous teachers of our time.

  If this conversation speaks to you, we’d love to hear from you — tag us @Gateways_To_Awakening on Instagram and Facebook to share your reflections. Your reviews on Apple Podcasts mean the world and help others find the show.

  To stay connected, you can follow my writing on Substack at substack.com/@therealyasmeent, join me on IG @TheRealYasmeenT, or sign up for my newsletter at InnerKnowingSchool.com.

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In this episode of Gateways to Awakening, I sit down with Christine Marie Mason, author, yogini, entrepreneur, and founder of Rosebud Woman. Christine’s work spans across wellness, intimacy, and embodiment, and in this conversation, we dive into her groundbreaking book, The Nine Lives of Woman, which offers a new paradigm for the life cycles of women.

We explore the power of tantra, the role of spiritual practice in personal evolution, and the ways in which women can reclaim pleasure, vitality, and agency at every stage of life. Christine shares her insights on matrescence, menopause, gerotranscendence, and how the body can become a gateway to awakening.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of feminine wisdom, embodied spirituality, and what it truly means to live a liberated life.

We discuss the following and so much more:

• The truth about tantra and why it's so often misunderstood

• How Kundalini yoga rewired Christine’s nervous system

• The new nine-stage model of womanhood—and why it matters

• The connection between environmental toxins and women’s health

• How to cultivate intimacy, inner power, and joy

Christine is a living bridge between the mystical and the practical—an inspiring voice for conscious transformation in our time.

Learn more about Christine’s work at rosewoman.comTune in, share, and subscribe to Gateways to Awakening

If this conversation speaks to you, we’d love to hear from you — tag us @Gateways_To_Awakening on Instagram and Facebook to share your reflections. Your reviews on Apple Podcasts mean the world and help others find the show.

To stay connected, you can follow my writing on Substack at substack.com/@therealyasmeent, join me on IG @TheRealYasmeenT, or sign up for my newsletter at InnerKnowingSchool.com.

In this episode of Gateways to Awakening, visual artist and filmmaker Louie Schwartzberg. Louie is an award-winning director, cinematographer, and pioneer of time-lapse photography whose career spans over five decades. His films — Fantastic Fungi, Gratitude Revealed, Wings of Life, and Mysteries of the Unseen World — are cinematic meditations that reveal the sacred intelligence of nature and the transformative power of beauty.You can listen to the entire conversation here:

In this conversation, we explore:

• How time-lapse photography became a meditative and spiritual practice for Louie

• The surprising revelations behind the making of Fantastic Fungi

• Why awe is essential to healing and how visual storytelling can awaken global consciousness

• His newest project on beauty and consciousness, and what it reveals about human flourishing

• How he balances artistic intuition with scientific precision

• What he’s learned from millions of viewers whose lives have been touched by his work

Louie’s TED Talks have garnered over 60 million views, and his Moving Art series has been hailed as a healing modality — used everywhere from classrooms to hospice care. Whether he’s building immersive experiences for The Sphere in Las Vegas or the Vatican in Rome, Louie’s work invites us to slow down, look closer, and remember our place in the great tapestry of life If you’ve ever felt awe in nature or longed to feel more connected to the Earth, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

If this conversation speaks to you, we’d love to hear from you — tag us @Gateways_To_Awakening on Instagram and Facebook to share your reflections. Your reviews on Apple Podcasts mean the world and help others find the show.

To stay connected, you can follow my writing on Substack at substack.com/@therealyasmeent, join me on IG @TheRealYasmeenT, or sign up for my newsletter at InnerKnowingSchool.com

-Yasmeen

In this episode of Gateways to Awakening, I speak with Dr. Haridass Khalsa, a powerful teacher, Kundalini Yoga lead trainer, author, and founder of the Infinite Goddess School of Human Advancement.

Born in Vietnam and raised in California, Haridass brings a unique and deeply embodied perspective to personal transformation, merging ancient yogic wisdom with modern disciplines in health, energy mastery, and conscious living.

We explore what it means to live in energy sovereignty, how to reprogram the subconscious mind through breath, mantra, and movement, and how the path of Kundalini Yoga can serve as a vehicle for remembering who you truly are. We also dive into identity, cultural integration, and the sacred role of the Divine Feminine in this era of global awakening.

This conversation touches on:

• The origins and essence of Kundalini Yoga

• Healing as a process of remembrance instead of fixing

• Reclaiming power through alignment, intention, and intuition

• Navigating spiritual awakening and the “dark night of the soul”

• How to cultivate inner trust and energetic resilience in challenging times

• Why breathwork, archetypes, and embodiment are essential tools for lasting transformation

Whether you're just beginning your spiritual journey or are seeking new ways to deepen your practice, this conversation will offer wisdom, clarity, and practical tools to awaken your inner knowing and live from your highest frequency.

You can learn more about Dr. Haridass here: https://www.infinitegoddess.com/

If this conversation speaks to you, we’d love to hear from you — tag us @Gateways_To_Awakening on Instagram and Facebook to share your reflections. Your reviews on Apple Podcasts mean the world and help others find the show.

To stay connected, you can follow my writing on Substack at substack.com/@therealyasmeent, join me on IG @TheRealYasmeenT, or sign up for my newsletter at InnerKnowingSchool.com.

In this extraordinary conversation, I speak with the legendary Barbara Hand Clow, author, astrologer, and ceremonial teacher, about the profound shifts taking place on our planet and within human consciousness. We explore the nine dimensions of reality, how to navigate the emotional intensity of the fourth dimension, and why the heart is the portal to higher realms.

Barbara shares insights from her seminal works, including The Pleiadian Agenda and The Alchemy of Nine Dimensions, and we go deep into ancient underground structures, the significance of the second dimension opening, and the cosmic role of the Pleiadians over the last 100,000 years.

We also touch on:

• Kundalini rising and midlife awakening as planetary phenomena

• The connection between solar flares, tectonic activity, and consciousness

• How to access your galactic lineage and activate your cosmic DNA

• What the Mayan calendar was really pointing to and why 2025 marks a pivotal shift in divine timing

Barbara offers a powerful reminder: “Each one of us has as much influence in the holographic field as the most powerful person on the planet.” This episode is an invitation to step into your sovereignty, open your heart, and participate in the awakening of planetary compassion.

If this conversation speaks to you, we’d love to hear from you — tag us @Gateways_To_Awakening on Instagram and Facebook to share your reflections. Your reviews on Apple Podcasts mean the world and help others find the show.

To stay connected, you can follow my writing on Substack at substack.com/@therealyasmeent, join me on IG https://www.instagram.com/therealyasmeent/, or sign up for my newsletter at InnerKnowingSchool.com.