From professional football in Italy to the depths of the Amazon rainforest, Cristiano Colla’s extraordinary journey reveals what it means to heal, awaken, and live as a whole human being. In this moving Hearts Rise Up conversation, Cristiano shares his evolution from an externally driven life to one guided by presence, compassion, and authenticity. Through Ayahuasca ceremonies, inner-child work, and the union of masculine and feminine energies, he discovered that true transformation begins when we embrace our paradoxes and meet every part of ourselves with love. His story is an invitation to turn inward, reclaim our power, and remember the freedom of being fully alive.

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00:00 – Introduction

00:54 – Meet Cristiano Colla

01:37 – “How Is Your Heart?” - — The Power of Presence

02:33 – Leaving Football: Breaking Free from Identity

05:34 – The Call to the Forest: Meeting Ayahuasca

08:44 – The Somatic Surgery Experience

12:34 – Dreams as Divine Guidance

14:07 – How to Work With Dreams

16:47 – Ceremonies Five & Six: Union of Masculine and Feminine Energies

20:16 – Healing the Inner Child: Return to Authenticity

23:22 – The Greatest Lesson: Embracing Human Paradox

25:31 – The Message of the Book: Awakened by the Forest

27:53 – Integrating Shadow and Emotion: The Process of Reclamation

32:51 – Beyond Awakening: The Path Continues

35:49 – What’s Next: Tantra & Energy Healing

37:56 – Guidance for Those at a Crossroads

39:31 – Gratitude, Family, and Forgiveness

40:45 – One Truth About Life and Death

41:42 – Closing and Where to Connect with Cristiano

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Connect with Cristiano:

https://substack.com/@thehybridsoul

https://www.instagram.com/cristiano.colla/

Cristiano's Book:

Awakened by the Forest – A Memoir of Ayahuasca and Inner Evolution (estimated launch date – early 2026)

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https://heartsriseup.com/

Sign up for our popular, weekly “Notes From Your Higher Self”

The Art of Inner Mastery

https://www.lifequesthorizons.com/

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https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hearts-rise-up-podcast/id1454410735

https://open.spotify.com/show/7ebcnnbCjRIeUmJWUC2hYy

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Hearts Rise Up is a "Best Wisdom Podcast"

Audio editing by: Ann Serrie

Technical Director: Christopher Drummond

Music by: Jonn Serrie

What happens when burnout, grief, and loss collide? For Leslie Draffin, a 15-year broadcast journalist and news anchor, it became a breaking point—and ultimately, a breakthrough. In this Hearts Rise Up Podcast episode, Leslie shares the raw, vulnerable story of walking away from the anchor desk after years of hidden trauma, PTSD, and exhaustion, only to discover a profound new path as a trauma-informed somatic practitioner, psychedelic microdosing guide, and womb mystic.

This conversation is a journey through the dark night of the soul into rebirth—exploring how grief can become a sacred portal, how the womb holds untapped wisdom, and how sacred Earth medicines invite us back into trust, authenticity, and the Divine Feminine. You’ll hear moving client stories of transformation, visionary insights into reimagining society through cyclical wisdom, and a powerful reminder that “You are it—you’re already the embodiment of what you’re seeking.”

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Key Topics

00.00 – Intro – Meet Leslie Draffin

04:08 – Public Breaking Point & Phoenix Rising

08:17 – Identity Collapse with Sacred Earth Medicine

11:41 – Grief as a Portal

17:29 – The Path of the Womb Mystic

19:51 – Becoming Ungovernable

23:25 – Client Stories of Transformation

29:45 – Reimagining Society & Feminine Wisdom

33:13 – Walking the Edge

36:10 – Following the Signs

39:12 – A Message from the Womb

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https://www.lesliedraffin.com/

https://www.instagram.com/lesliedraffin/

https://www.facebook.com/leslie.draffin

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRakA_HiNPoVYEB_MYDEs3Q

https://heartsriseup.com/

Sign up for our popular, weekly “Notes From Your Higher Self”

The Art of Inner Mastery

https://www.lifequesthorizons.com/

Subscribe to the podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hearts-rise-up-podcast/id1454410735

https://open.spotify.com/show/7ebcnnbCjRIeUmJWUC2hYy

Hearts Rise Up is a "Best Wisdom Podcast"

Audio editing by: Ann Serrie

Technical Director: Christopher Drummond

Music by: Jonn Serrie

In this soul-nourishing episode, Seline Shenoy, author of The Nomadic Soul, invites us on an inner pilgrimage to reclaim what truly matters—meaning, self-worth, and soulful connection. Drawing on her global upbringing, deep personal struggles, and spiritual insights, Seline explores the emotional minefields we all encounter and offers grounded guidance to help us rise above them. With heartfelt wisdom and real-world tools, she introduces two archetypes—the Curious Pioneer and the Wise Sage—as companions on the journey back to ourselves. Whether you're seeking clarity, healing, or creative renewal, this conversation is a call to awaken your nomadic soul and reclaim the deeper, more purposeful life you were born to live.

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00:00 — Intro - Meet Seline Shenoy: A Global Voice for Inner Growth

04:27 — “How Is Your Heart Today?”: A Raw Moment of Honesty

06:10 — The Early Spark: Childhood Travels and Seeds of Seeking

09:51 — Turning Inward: Discovering the Inner Landscape

12:24 — The Birth of The Nomadic Soul: A Book—and a Calling

16:22 — Two Inner Archetypes: The Curious Pioneer & The Wise Sage

18:38 — Daily Practices to Activate Your Inner Archetypes

21:39 — The Core Human Needs: Freedom and Connection

24:24 — Lost in the Noise? Here's Where to Begin Again

28:18 — When Your Soul Whispers: Listening to the Yearning for “More”

31:29 — Sleep, Simplicity, and a Cup of Tea with Yourself

39:43 — Navigating Emotional Minefields: Healing without Numbing

44:38 — Rewiring the Mind: How Your Thoughts Shape Your Life

46:07 — Redefining Success: Your Worth Is Not Up for Debate

47:33 — Final Wisdom: Let Your Nomadic Soul Lead You Home

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www.selineshenoy.com

www.thedreamcatch.com

https://www.thenomadicsoulbook.com/

https://heartsriseup.com/

Sign up for our popular, weekly “Notes From Your Higher Self.”

The Art of Inner Mastery

https://www.lifequesthorizons.com/

Subscribe to the podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hearts-rise-up-podcast/id1454410735

https://open.spotify.com/show/7ebcnnbCjRIeUmJWUC2hYy

Hearts Rise Up is a "Best Wisdom Podcast"

Audio editing by: Ann Serrie

Technical Director: Christopher Drummond

Music...