Episode Description
In this episode of Podmasana, spiritual counselor and author Stephen Paul Edwards shares the untold story behind his memoir, The Venus Flytrap. From Blackpool to Beverly Hills, Stephen explores how a tumultuous relationship became his greatest spiritual teacher. Discover the power of soul contracts, why "nothing happens to you, it happens for you," and how ego death opens the doorway to freedom. A must-listen for anyone navigating heartbreak, codependency, or seeking meaning in life's most challenging relationships.
Special note: this episode briefly touches on some aspects of sexuality that may be uncomfortable for some listeners.
Key Topics:
- Stephen's journey: Blackpool, England → Florida → spiritual counselor & author
- The Venus Flytrap memoir: love, obsession, betrayal, and awakening
- Soul contracts: relationships as divine invitations to evolve
- "Nothing happens to you, it happens for you" philosophy in practice
- Bipolar disorder, mental health stigma, and spiritual growth
- Codependency, addiction, and breaking toxic relationship cycles
- Ego death as liberation, not destruction
- The mirror principle: external relationships reflect internal work
- Breath, awareness, and connection as spiritual anchors (ABC)
- Self-forgiveness as the foundation for forgiving others
- Wealth, luxury, and the illusion of material happiness
- Navigating the "new sexual revolution" and evolving perspectives on monogamy
- Practical wisdom for finding meaning in suffering without spiritual bypassing
Get a free copy of Stephen’s bonus book, The Venus Flytrap: Madness and Mayhem. See Stephen’s coaching and counseling services.
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About Podmasana: More than a podcast, Podmasana is a global journey through the landscape of human spirituality. We weave together transformative personal stories with scholarly depth, exploring how ancient practices illuminate life’s challenges—from grief and illness to aging and adversity. Through carefully curated conversations and compelling narratives, we bridge timeless wisdom with contemporary understanding, offering listeners authentic pathways to consciousness, healing, and the universal threads that bind human experience across cultures and generations.
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