How to Stay Human cover art

How to Stay Human

How to Stay Human

By: Blue Wire
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Summary

In a world addicted to speed, noise, and performance, How to Stay Human is your weekly reminder to slow down, feel deeply, and live with soul. Hosted by award-winning author and integrative guide Tori Gordon and abundant futurist Kyle Herron, this podcast explores what it means to lead a fully human life in an increasingly artificial world. Together, they unpack the real questions: How do we stay connected to our bodies in a disembodied culture? How do we lead with purpose instead of performance? And how do we return to truth when the world pulls us into illusion? Through raw conversations, practical tools, and spiritual insight, How to Stay Human invites you to remember who you are—beyond the noise.© 2022 The How To Stay Human Podcast Alternative & Complementary Medicine Hygiene & Healthy Living Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • Embracing Authenticity, Self-Expression & Connection with Leah Free & Pedro Jerez
    Apr 29 2026
    Welcome to a very special episode of How to Stay Human — the first to feature guests! Tori Gordon and Kyle are joined by two soul family members and vibrant spirits: Leah Free, a vocal liberation artist known for her soulful sound and expressive presence, and Pedro Jerez, an entrepreneur and devoted man embodying integrity and divine masculine energy. Together, they unpack what it means to live fully alive in a world flooded with noise and technology. Leah shares her origin story of finding safety and freedom in nature and voice, cultivating a unique soundscape that connects deeply with self and others. Pedro reflects on his journey from childhood dreams of success to embracing spiritual surrender and generosity as the foundation for transformation. The conversation flows through themes of courage, self-mastery, and the power of “throwing darts” — taking messy, imperfect steps toward authentic expression. They explore how technology, especially AI, challenges and expands human creativity and connection, emphasizing the need to come back to the body, community, and nature. Leah and Pedro also reveal the tender dynamics of their relationship — how respect, autonomy, and love create a spacious container for growth, play, and vulnerability. They discuss boundaries, the dance between work and presence, and the importance of nurturing intimacy in a high-demand world. This episode is a heartfelt invitation to embrace your unique voice, lean into your edges, and cultivate connection in an era of rapid change. Whether you’re seeking inspiration for your creative journey, relationship, or personal growth, Leah and Pedro’s wisdom will leave you feeling seen, supported, and ready to stay human. Guest Introductions: •Leah Free is a vocal liberation artist and experiential guide who helps people connect to their soul through sound and self-expression. Known for her vibrant spirit and soulful presence, Leah blends nature, improvisation, and play to inspire authentic living. Find her at @leahlivefree. •Pedro Jerez is an entrepreneur and founder dedicated to walking the path of integrity and divine masculine energy. With a background in business and a deep commitment to personal growth, Pedro is pioneering new ways to accelerate breakthroughs in people’s lives through his platform Kochi. Discover more at kochi.coach. Sponsor Spotlight: Anywhere ClinicThis episode is brought to you by Anywhere Clinic.In our journey to stay human, taking care of our mental health is paramount. Anywhere Clinic provides accessible, high-quality psychiatric care and therapy from the comfort of your own home. Whether you're navigating the pressures of perfectionism, dealing with anxiety, or simply looking for a supportive space to grow, their team of dedicated professionals is here to help you build a regulated and resilient nervous system. Visit www.anywhereclinic.com/tori-gordon to learn more and take the first step towards a healthier, more balanced you. Timestamped Chapters: •00:00 – Welcome to How to Stay Human and the first guest episode •00:29 – Meet Leah Free and Pedro Jerez •01:46 – Pedro’s introduction, partnership energy, and soul-family connection •04:34 – Pedro’s origin story: entrepreneurship, ambition, and early self-belief •08:09 – Curiosity, creativity, faith, and learning to nurture what has always been there •12:01 – Leah Free’s origin story: voice, nature, and becoming herself •17:51 – Roots over symptoms: regulation, happiness, and deep self-work •22:09 – Self-expression in a noisy world and the strange gift of feeling known through technology •24:47 – Practicing expression: reps, flops, edges, and creative courage •29:20 – Comedy, performance, and stepping into the ultimate creative edge •34:17 – How Leah expands Pedro’s play, movement, and embodied expression •40:08 – Founders, high performance, AI, and the new era of achievement •43:28 – Partnership as a supportive container for success and humanity •49:33 – Transitioning from work mode into presence, intimacy, and connection •54:38 – Trust, surrender, vulnerability, and being guided through partnership •59:51 – Brain-heavy culture, overdrive, and the need for nervous-system regulation •64:55 – High performance, boundaries, and coming back to the body •69:48 – Technology, AI, and a hopeful future where people do the work •74:50 – “Touch grass”: nature, play, dancing, and community as balance •76:08 – Where to find Leah and Pedro •80:01 – Closing reminder: stay hopeful and stay human Key Takeaways: •Authentic self-expression requires courage, generosity, and willingness to be messy and imperfect. •Technology and AI can amplify human creativity but also demand conscious boundaries and presence. •Partnerships rooted in respect, autonomy, and love create space for vulnerability and growth. •Returning to nature, the body, and community is ...
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    1 hr and 20 mins
  • The Hidden Cost of Perfectionism & Embracing the Mess
    Apr 22 2026

    Are you sacrificing your humanity in the pursuit of perfection? In this episode of How to Stay Human, Tori and Kyle explore the profound impact that our defense mechanisms—whether that’s extreme rigidity or complete avoidance—have on our relationships, our success, and our overall well-being. They dive deep into the differences between type A and type B personalities, how our nervous systems adapt to create safety, and why embracing the "mess" is essential for true intimacy and abundance.

    From discussing the true cost of overworking to examining the role of AI in stripping away our humanity, Tori and Kyle challenge listeners to make the unconscious conscious. Discover how to build a life that accommodates life's inevitable uncertainties without losing your connection to yourself and those you love.

    Key Topics & Timestamps

    • [00:00 - 05:00] Welcome back: What we've been growing through and the desire for real, raw authenticity in a curated world.

    • [05:00 - 11:30] The cost of success: Examining the toll of extreme productivity and the realization that perfectionism can be a trauma response.

    • [11:30 - 18:00] Navigating different nervous systems: How Tori and Kyle's differing approaches to structure and messiness impact their relationship.

    • [18:00 - 25:00] The illusion of certainty: Why we crave control in an inherently uncertain world and the power of remaining open to life's surprises.

    • [25:00 - 32:00] AI and the loss of humanity: The danger of optimizing our lives to the point of losing genuine human connection.

    • [32:00 - 40:00] Breaking the cycle: Practical steps for perfectionists to let go of rigid routines and for messy individuals to embrace helpful structure.

    • [40:00 - 45:13] Making the unconscious conscious: How to stop letting your patterns control your life and start living intentionally.

    Sponsor Spotlight: Anywhere Clinic

    This episode is brought to you by Anywhere Clinic. In our journey to stay human, taking care of our mental health is paramount. Anywhere Clinic provides accessible, high-quality psychiatric care and therapy from the comfort of your own home. Whether you're navigating the pressures of perfectionism, dealing with anxiety, or simply looking for a supportive space to grow, their team of dedicated professionals is here to help you build a regulated and resilient nervous system.

    Visit www.anywhereclinic.com/tori-gordon to learn more and take the first step towards a healthier, more balanced you.

    Join the Community

    Are you ready to do the deep work and build a solid foundation for your life and leadership? Join Tori inside GROUNDWORK. GROUNDWORK is a transformative space designed for high-performing leaders, founders, and creators who are ready to regulate their nervous systems, heal past patterns, and step into their most authentic power.

    Join us today at: www.torigordon.com/groundwork

    Connect with Tori

    Stay connected and continue the conversation:

    • Instagram: @thetorigordon / @howtostayhumanpod

    • Website: www.torigordon.com

    • Book: ALTAR by Tori Gordon


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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    45 mins
  • Why Everything Feels Off Right Now
    Apr 8 2026

    In this episode of How to Stay Human, Tori Gordon and Kyle Herron explore why so many people feel overwhelmed, anxious, and unsettled in today’s world—and what’s actually happening beneath the surface.

    From constant information overload to global uncertainty, we’re living in a time where the pace of change is faster than our nervous systems can process. The result is chronic stress, emotional fatigue, and a deep sense that something isn’t quite right.

    This conversation breaks down the real issue: not just what’s happening in the world, but how your body is responding to it.

    Tori shares how nervous system dysregulation shows up in high performers, why awareness alone isn’t enough to create change, and what it actually takes to feel safe, grounded, and in control again.

    Kyle offers a perspective on how to stay informed without becoming overwhelmed, and how to engage with the world in a way that creates impact instead of burnout.

    If you’ve been feeling off, stuck, or constantly on edge, this episode will help you understand why—and what to do about it.

    What we cover:
    • Why everything feels more intense right now
    • The link between anxiety, overwhelm, and the nervous system
    • How constant information consumption impacts your body
    • The difference between awareness and dysregulation
    • Why high performers still feel stuck or exhausted
    • How to build internal safety and resilience
    • What it means to stay human in a rapidly changing world
    Sponsored by Anywhere Clinic

    Anywhere Clinic offers a modern, holistic approach to mental health, including psychiatry, therapy, ketamine treatment, TMS, and performance optimization. If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or burnout, their personalized care model is designed to support real, lasting change.

    Visit www.anywhereclinic.com/tori-gordon to book a consultation.

    Ready to regulate your nervous system and build a new foundation?

    If this episode resonated, this is your next step.

    GROUNDWORK is Tori’s 6-week nervous system mastery program designed to help you:

    • Feel safe in your body
    • Break patterns of anxiety, burnout, and emotional overwhelm
    • Build real internal stability and self-trust
    • Expand your capacity for success, love, and leadership

    👉 Join here:
    www.torigordon.com/groundwork

    Follow along for more:
    Instagram: @howtostayhumanpod


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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    48 mins
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