Integration/Support

S2 EP71. Khalil Rafati: Finding Your Light At Rock Bottom

29 January 2025 by Raj Jana

In this intimate conversation with Raj, Khalil Rafati, founder of SunLife Organics and author of the bestselling memoir “I Forgot to Die,” shares his remarkable journey from addiction and homelessness to becoming a successful wellness entrepreneur and spiritual seeker. With 21 years of sobriety and 18 thriving juice bar locations across the country, Khalil brings raw honesty and hard-won wisdom to this conversation about transformation, authenticity, and the power of incremental change.

Key Insights:

Why hitting rock bottom might be the greatest gift for true transformation
The surprising truth about “losing everything” that most people miss
How tiny daily habits can create monumental life changes
What a near-death experience taught him about God and darkness
The unexpected way nutritional healing sparked spiritual awakening
Why authenticity requires peeling back painful layers of conditioning
The counterintuitive approach to sustainable personal growth
What building a multimillion-dollar business taught him about faith
How relationships become our greatest mirror for growth
The hidden gift in feeling completely worthless

This deeply vulnerable conversation offers hope and practical wisdom for anyone seeking genuine transformation. Whether you’re struggling with addiction, building a business, or simply trying to live more authentically, Khalil’s journey demonstrates that our darkest moments can become the foundation for extraordinary growth. His raw honesty about both his struggles and successes provides a roadmap for how small, consistent changes in how we think, eat, and relate to others can radically transform our lives.

Tools/resources mentioned in the episode:

Books: Psycho Cybernetics, Think and Grow Rich, The Power of Habit

Connect to Khailil:

Instagram – @khalilrafati
Book “Remembering to Live: Lessons I Learned Crawling out of Hell’
Khalil’s bestselling memoir “I forgot to die”

Connect with Raj:

Newsletter – Sign up here: https://www.rajjana.com/staygrounded/
Website: https://www.rajjana.com/
Instagram: @raj_jana
iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/rs/podcast/stay-grounded-with-raj-jana/id1318038490
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/22Hrw6VWfnUSI45lw8LJBP
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@raj_jana

Legal Disclaimer: The information and opinions discussed in this podcast are for educational and entertainment purposes only. The host and guests are not medical or mental health professionals, and their advice should not be a substitute for seeking professional help. Any action taken based on the information presented is strictly at your own risk. The podcast host and their guests shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss, damage, or injury caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by information shared in this podcast. Consult your physician before making any changes to your mental health treatment or lifestyle.

S2 EP70. Raj Jana: Mastering Your Emotional Triggers

22 January 2025 by Raj Jana

In this episode of Stay Grounded, host Raj Jana and guest Alex explore the transformative power of understanding our emotional triggers. Rather than viewing triggers as obstacles to avoid, they discuss how these moments of emotional intensity can serve as gateways to profound self-discovery and personal growth. Through their own experiences and insights, they reveal how developing awareness around our triggers can become our greatest tool for emotional resilience and authentic living.

What You’ll Discover:

Why awareness is the most powerful medicine for emotional healing and how it automatically increases your resilience
The surprising reason your triggers keep repeating and what this pattern is trying to tell you
How stored emotions from your past create present-day reactions (and what to do about it)
The three essential qualities needed to work with triggers effectively
Why the goal isn’t to eliminate triggers but to expand your capacity to experience life fully
A fresh perspective on purpose and how it relates to your trigger responses
The delicate balance between processing triggers and maintaining healthy relationships
Why self-compassion is crucial when doing this inner work
Practical steps for staying present when triggered instead of numbing or avoiding
The revolutionary approach to mental health that starts with turning the mirror inward

Key Takeaway:

Mastering your emotional triggers isn’t about eliminating them—it’s about developing the awareness to transform them into opportunities for growth. When you learn to lean into these challenging moments with curiosity and compassion, each trigger becomes a treasure that reveals more of your authentic self and expands your capacity to live life fully. The path to emotional mastery begins not with fighting your triggers, but with understanding them as guideposts on your journey to personal liberation.

Connect with Raj:
Newsletter – Sign up here: https://www.rajjana.com/staygrounded/
Website: https://www.rajjana.com/
Instagram: @raj_jana
iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/rs/podcast/stay-grounded-with-raj-jana/id1318038490
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/22Hrw6VWfnUSI45lw8LJBP
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@raj_jana

S2 EP69. Miki Agrawal: Embracing Every Shade of the Human Experience

15 January 2025 by Raj Jana

In this intimate conversation with Raj, serial entrepreneur Miki Agrawal shares profound insights from her experiences in a darkness retreat and her journey of personal transformation. Miki is an author of “Disrupt-Her,” and a trailblazing innovator known for founding TUSHY, THINX, and Wild. Named “Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business” and “Young Global Leader” by the World Economic Forum, Miki shares her evolution from a hard-charging entrepreneur to an advocate of “soft power” leadership. Her latest venture, Hiro Technologies, exemplifies this approach by partnering with nature to solve the global plastic crisis through breakthrough fungi technology. Beyond her business accomplishments, she’s a devoted mother, musician, and thought leader in the space of authentic leadership and emotional intelligence.

Key Topics and Takeaways:

How five nights in complete darkness revealed the mechanics of our emotional patterns and thought loops
Why “soft power” might be the leadership paradigm our world desperately needs right now
The remarkable experience of watching yourself cry and finding joy in feeling everything
The difference between leadership and mastery (and why understanding this changes everything)
How prayer and gratitude can transform our relationship with uncertainty
Why moving at the “perfect pace” means something different than what most people think
The profound shift from being a leader on a pedestal to being a guide on the path
How vulnerability and power aren’t opposites – they’re partners in authentic leadership
The way our souls might have chosen this human experience specifically to feel it all
Why feeling insecure might be one of the most secure things we can do

This conversation reminds us that true aliveness isn’t found in avoiding the dark or chasing only the light – it’s found in embracing every shade of the human experience. As Miki beautifully puts it, “I want to skid to death’s door sideways, not in a well-preserved body, thoroughly used up, loudly proclaiming, wow, what a life!” The invitation is clear: what if instead of managing our emotions, we let them be our teachers? What if instead of fearing our vulnerability, we let it be our strength? This episode challenges us to embrace the full spectrum of being human, knowing that in this embrace, we find our most authentic power.

Connect with Miki:

Instagram: @mikiagrawal
Website: https://mikiagrawal.com/
Support Hiro Technology’s Crowdfund Campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hirotechnologies/hiro-experience-plastic-eating-fungi-at-home

S2 EP68. Raj Jana: The Art of Releasing Control

2 January 2025 by Raj Jana

In this deeply reflective episode of Stay Grounded, Raj and Alex explore the delicate balance between taking action and letting go, diving into one of life’s most challenging paradoxes: the art of releasing control. Through their personal experiences and insights, they examine how our relationship with control affects everything from our daily decisions to our spiritual growth, and why learning to surrender might be the key to feeling truly empowered in life.

Key Topics and Takeaways:

The surprising relationship between tension and control, and what your body is trying to tell you when you feel that familiar grip
Why examining your attachments might be the most important spiritual practice you’re not doing
The counterintuitive connection between safety and security, and which one actually leads to lasting peace
A profound perspective on “the subtle art of letting yourself die” that could transform how you handle life’s challenges
The hidden reason why your triggers might be your greatest teachers
What nature can teach us about trust and surrender that no self-help book can
The unexpected way that soul curriculum plays into your relationship with control
A practical approach to turning your entire day into a prayer, even in the midst of chaos

In a world that seems to demand more control and certainty than ever, this episode offers a refreshing and nuanced perspective on what it truly means to be grounded in trust rather than control. Whether you’re navigating major life changes, dealing with uncertainty, or simply feeling the weight of trying to manage it all, Raj and Alex’s conversation provides both practical wisdom and spiritual insights for anyone ready to explore a different way of being. Their vulnerable sharing and deep diving into personal experiences make this episode especially relevant for those seeking to understand why letting go might be the very thing they need to move forward.

S2 EP67. Lindsay Sukornyk: How To Love Others Without Needing Them to Change (2024 Release Edition)

25 December 2024 by Raj Jana

As we wrap up 2024, this timeless conversation between Raj and Lindsay Sukornyk feels more relevant than ever. In a year marked by increasing social division and polarizing viewpoints, their discussion about unconditional love and acceptance offers crucial wisdom for navigating relationships with grace and understanding. Through their authentic dialogue, they explore how we can maintain genuine connections while honoring each person’s unique journey.

Key Takeaways:

Understanding that everyone is on their own unique path and timeline of growth, especially vital in today’s climate where social media often pressures us to conform to others’ expectations or timelines.
Recognizing that our desire for others to change often stems from our own unhealed wounds or unmet needs – a powerful reminder as we navigate increasingly complex personal and social dynamics in 2024.
Cultivating the ability to hold space for others with compassion and understanding, even when their actions or beliefs trigger us – particularly relevant in our current era of heightened social and political tensions.
Practicing radical acceptance and learning to find the beauty and perfection in each person’s journey, trusting that they are exactly where they need to be – an essential skill for maintaining relationships in our increasingly diverse and interconnected world.
Letting go of the need to control or fix others, and instead focusing on embodying our own truth and leading by example – a transformative approach to personal growth and relationship building.

This episode hits differently as we close out 2024, reminding us that true love and acceptance begins with ourselves. In a world that often demands conformity and quick fixes, Raj and Lindsay’s conversation offers a refreshing perspective on allowing others to be exactly who they are. Whether you’re navigating family dynamics during the holidays, managing workplace relationships, or seeking to bridge divides in your community, this discussion provides practical wisdom for leading with love and understanding.

Connect with Lindsay:
Instagram: @lindsayalive

S2 EP 66. Raj Jana: Lessons From Sitting In Silence For 10 Days (2024 Release Edition)

20 December 2024 by Raj Jana

As we close out 2024, we’re revisiting this powerful episode where Raj shares about his experience completing a 10-day silent meditation retreat. His insights on stillness and presence feel particularly relevant in today’s fast-paced, digitally connected world.

Key Takeaways:

The critical distinction between “doing” and “being” – exploring how our modern lifestyle pushes us to fill every moment with activity, making it harder than ever to simply exist in stillness.
The transformative power of confronting our inner world – how removing external distractions reveals the patterns, beliefs, and attachments that shape our daily experiences.
The practice of expanding awareness – learning to step back from our thoughts and witness the mind’s activities from a place of compassionate observation.
Embracing uncertainty and flow – moving beyond the need to control outcomes and finding peace in life’s natural unfolding, especially relevant in our increasingly unpredictable world.
The power of perspective shifts – understanding how our mental frameworks shape our reality and why expanding our viewpoint is essential for personal growth.
Finding strength in solitude – discovering the difference between being alone and feeling lonely, particularly meaningful in our hyper-connected digital age.
The importance of integrating stillness practices into daily life – why making space for silence and reflection remains crucial for navigating the complexities of 2024 and beyond.

In a world that seems to move faster with each passing year, the courage to slow down and embrace stillness becomes increasingly valuable. Through Raj’s experience, we see how creating space for silence can lead to profound insights and a deeper connection with our authentic selves. His journey shows us that beneath the constant noise of modern life lies an opportunity to discover who we truly are.

Whether you’re considering your first meditation retreat or simply seeking ways to incorporate more mindful moments into your daily routine, this episode offers valuable insights for the journey inward. As we reflect on 2024, Raj’s experience reminds us that sometimes the greatest growth comes not from doing more, but from the simple act of being present with what is.

Tools/resources mentioned in this episode:

Vipassana meditation
Satsangs (spiritual discourses and Q&A)
Plant medicines/psychedelics
Journaling
Book recommendation: “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl

Connect with Raj:

Newsletter – Sign up here: https://www.rajjana.com/staygrounded/
Website: https://www.rajjana.com/
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/raj_jana
iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/rs/podcast/stay-grounded-with-raj-jana/id1318038490
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/22Hrw6VWfnUSI45lw8LJBP
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@raj_jana