Episodes

  • 28. Performative Spirituality

    28. Performative Spirituality
    Feb 13 2026
    In a culture saturated with spiritual language, how do we tell the difference between lived wisdom and spiritual performance?In this episode of The Fertile Dark, Dan and Charmaine explore the phenomenon of performative spirituality—where insight is spoken but not embodied, emotion is mistaken for transformation, and spiritual authority is claimed without the inner work to support it. Drawing from personal experience, psychology, and cultural observation, they examine how spiritual performance can show up in religious spaces, healing communities, and modern spiritual culture alike.The conversation looks at why performative spirituality is so compelling, how it can create unhealthy power dynamics, and the ways it preys—often unintentionally—on people who are seeking healing, belonging, or meaning. Rather than dismissing spirituality itself, this episode makes a clear distinction between expression and embodiment, performance and practice.This is a grounded, honest exploration for anyone who has felt disillusioned by spiritual spaces, confused by charisma, or quietly wondering whether their own spiritual life is rooted in depth—or display.Connect with us:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thefertiledarkpodcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fertile Dark Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠@thefertiledark⁠⁠⁠Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fertildark@gmail.com⁠⁠Subscribe, rate, and review The Fertile Dark on your favorite podcast platform. Share your thoughts and questions with us for future episodes. Let's continue exploring ways to enrich our lives on the journey of personal transformation and self-discovery!———————————————————————Affiliate links earn a commission from qualifying purchases which helps support the podcast at no additional cost to you.References: (Affiliate links to Amazon)Meeting the Shadow on the Spiritual Path, Connie Zweig: ⁠https://amzn.to/4rf75Ns⁠Wild Mind, Bill Plotkin: ⁠https://amzn.to/4qqn1vu⁠Spiritual Bypassing, Robert Augustus Masters: ⁠https://amzn.to/4aNP430⁠The Shadow King, Sidra Stone PhD: ⁠https://amzn.to/3MzzyOW⁠Tools I Use (Affiliate links to Amazon)My go to tarot deck: ⁠https://amzn.to/3N98o1k⁠My favorite card deck: ⁠https://amzn.to/4joVAQA⁠My journal: ⁠https://amzn.to/4qAFZjj⁠My pen of choice: ⁠https://amzn.to/3MYImhj⁠For the gear heads (Affiliate links to Amazon)Mic: ⁠https://amzn.to/4smzbaA⁠Microphone Preamp: ⁠https://amzn.to/4pfNISV⁠Audio Interface: ⁠https://amzn.to/45w8qGQ⁠Low profile boom arm: ⁠https://amzn.to/3Nbt8Wh⁠Key light: ⁠https://amzn.to/3NpN5Zt⁠Lantern Softbox: ⁠https://amzn.to/3KVSiYt⁠Desk mount Light Stand: ⁠https://amzn.to/4bkP1MK⁠RGB accent light: ⁠https://amzn.to/3Lj2Kcp⁠My Computer: ⁠https://amzn.to/3KVSKWF⁠Continuity Camera Mount: ⁠https://amzn.to/4aGVvpe⁠Back light: ⁠https://amzn.to/4qBoCih⁠Disclaimer:The content provided in this podcast is not intended as a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or psychological condition.
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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • 27. Soul-Centric Living: Embracing Authentic Community

    27. Soul-Centric Living: Embracing Authentic Community
    Feb 3 2026
    Modern culture promises connection while quietly training us to betray ourselves in order to belong. In this episode of The Fertile Dark, Dan and Charmaine explore what becomes possible when community is rooted not in performance, status, or sameness—but in soul.Together, they examine why so many people feel disconnected despite constant social contact, how ego-centric systems shape the way we relate, and what soul-centric community actually requires of us. Drawing on psychology, lived experience, Indigenous wisdom, and relational practice, this conversation looks at belonging as something cultivated through authenticity, reciprocity, vulnerability, and relationship with the natural world.This episode is for anyone who has felt lonely in groups, exhausted by performative connection, or quietly unsure where they truly belong—and who suspects that real community begins with the courage to show up as who we actually are.Connect with us:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thefertiledarkpodcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fertile Dark Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠@thefertiledark⁠⁠⁠Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fertildark@gmail.com⁠⁠Subscribe, rate, and review The Fertile Dark on your favorite podcast platform. Share your thoughts and questions with us for future episodes. Let's continue exploring ways to enrich our lives on the journey of personal transformation and self-discovery!———————————————————————Affiliate links earn a commission from qualifying purchases which helps support the podcast at no additional cost to you.References: (Affiliate links to Amazon)Nature and the Human Soul, Bill Plotkin: https://amzn.to/3KYJWiKCare of the Soul, Thomas Moore: https://amzn.to/4qxT9NQTools I Use (Affiliate links to Amazon)My go to tarot deck: ⁠https://amzn.to/3N98o1k⁠My favorite card deck: ⁠https://amzn.to/4joVAQA⁠My journal: ⁠https://amzn.to/4qAFZjj⁠My pen of choice: ⁠https://amzn.to/3MYImhj⁠For the gear heads (Affiliate links to Amazon)Mic: ⁠https://amzn.to/4smzbaA⁠Microphone Preamp: ⁠https://amzn.to/4pfNISV⁠Audio Interface: ⁠https://amzn.to/45w8qGQ⁠Low profile boom arm: ⁠https://amzn.to/3Nbt8Wh⁠Key light: ⁠https://amzn.to/3NpN5Zt⁠Lantern Softbox: ⁠https://amzn.to/3KVSiYt⁠Desk mount Light Stand: ⁠https://amzn.to/4bkP1MK⁠RGB accent light: ⁠https://amzn.to/3Lj2Kcp⁠My Computer: ⁠https://amzn.to/3KVSKWF⁠Continuity Camera Mount: ⁠https://amzn.to/4aGVvpe⁠Back light: ⁠https://amzn.to/4qBoCih⁠Disclaimer:The content provided in this podcast is not intended as a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or psychological condition.
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • 26. Burnout, Boundaries, and the Cost of Hustle

    26. Burnout, Boundaries, and the Cost of Hustle
    Jan 27 2026
    Burnout has become so common that it’s often treated as a personal failure rather than a predictable response to the way many of us are living and working.In this episode, Dan Warner and Charmaine Fuller examine burnout through lived experience and cultural critique. They explore how hustle culture, chronic over-responsibility, and poorly designed work systems undermine mental health long before people recognize what’s happening.The conversation moves beyond surface-level self-care to address burnout as a relational and systemic issue. Dan and Charmaine discuss how to recognize early signs of burnout, how it differs from anxiety and depression, and why numbness and depersonalization often go unnoticed. They also consider the limits of the medical model when burnout is treated in isolation from the social conditions that produce it.This episode invites listeners to approach burnout with clarity rather than self-blame, and to begin restoring rhythm, limits, and connection as part of recovery.Connect with us:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thefertiledarkpodcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fertile Dark Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠@thefertiledark⁠⁠⁠Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fertildark@gmail.com⁠⁠Subscribe, rate, and review The Fertile Dark on your favorite podcast platform. Share your thoughts and questions with us for future episodes. Let's continue exploring ways to enrich our lives on the journey of personal transformation and self-discovery!———————————————————————Affiliate links earn a commission from qualifying purchases which helps support the podcast at no additional cost to you.References: (Affiliate links to Amazon)Slow Productivity, Cal Newport: https://amzn.to/4pmKeOoDeep Work, Cal Newport: https://amzn.to/45roUjADrive, Daniel Pink: https://amzn.to/3YMjGvjBurnout, Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski: https://amzn.to/4qlbgHhFirst We Make the Beast Beautiful, Sarah Wilson: https://amzn.to/4sw7yfkLaziness Does Not Exist, Devon Price: https://amzn.to/4sDiqrZWork, James Suzman: https://amzn.to/4jIFHEPTools I Use (Affiliate links to Amazon)My go to tarot deck: ⁠https://amzn.to/3N98o1k⁠My favorite card deck: ⁠https://amzn.to/4joVAQA⁠My journal: ⁠https://amzn.to/4qAFZjj⁠My pen of choice: ⁠https://amzn.to/3MYImhj⁠For the gear heads (Affiliate links to Amazon)Mic: ⁠https://amzn.to/4smzbaA⁠Microphone Preamp: ⁠https://amzn.to/4pfNISV⁠Audio Interface: ⁠https://amzn.to/45w8qGQ⁠Low profile boom arm: ⁠https://amzn.to/3Nbt8Wh⁠Key light: ⁠https://amzn.to/3NpN5Zt⁠Lantern Softbox: ⁠https://amzn.to/3KVSiYt⁠Desk mount Light Stand: ⁠https://amzn.to/4bkP1MK⁠RGB accent light: ⁠https://amzn.to/3Lj2Kcp⁠My Computer: ⁠https://amzn.to/3KVSKWF⁠Continuity Camera Mount: ⁠https://amzn.to/4aGVvpe⁠Back light: ⁠https://amzn.to/4qBoCih⁠Disclaimer:The content provided in this podcast is not intended as a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or psychological condition.
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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • Bonus: Returning to the Fertile Dark

    Bonus: Returning to the Fertile Dark
    Jan 20 2026
    After a deliberate pause, The Fertile Dark returns.This bonus episode reflects on stepping away from unsustainable patterns, navigating burnout, and learning to return with greater clarity and integrity. Dan Warner shares what led to the break, what shifted during that time, and how changes in professional boundaries and direction reshaped the work behind the show.The episode sets the tone for the season ahead—conversations rooted in depth, relationship, and sustainability rather than performance or output. It speaks to the tension many people feel between productivity and meaning, visibility and rhythm, ambition and care.This is an invitation to re-enter the space with intention and honesty, and to engage the questions that emerge when we slow down enough to listen. Whether you’re returning to the show or listening for the first time, this episode offers a grounded starting point for what comes next.Connect with us:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thefertiledarkpodcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fertile Dark Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠@thefertiledark⁠⁠⁠Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fertildark@gmail.com⁠⁠Subscribe, rate, and review The Fertile Dark on your favorite podcast platform. Share your thoughts and questions with us for future episodes. Let's continue exploring ways to enrich our lives on the journey of personal transformation and self-discovery!———————————————————————Affiliate links earn a commission from qualifying purchases which helps support the podcast at no additional cost to you.Tools I Use (Affiliate links to Amazon)My go to tarot deck: ⁠https://amzn.to/3N98o1k⁠My favorite card deck: ⁠https://amzn.to/4joVAQA⁠My journal: ⁠https://amzn.to/4qAFZjj⁠My pen of choice: ⁠https://amzn.to/3MYImhj⁠For the gear heads (Affiliate links to Amazon)Mic: ⁠https://amzn.to/4smzbaA⁠Audio Interface: https://amzn.to/4q2WdluLow profile boom arm: ⁠https://amzn.to/3Nbt8Wh⁠Key light: ⁠https://amzn.to/3NpN5Zt⁠Lantern Softbox: ⁠https://amzn.to/3KVSiYt⁠Desk mount Light Stand: ⁠https://amzn.to/4bkP1MK⁠RGB accent light: ⁠https://amzn.to/3Lj2Kcp⁠My Computer: ⁠https://amzn.to/3KVSKWF⁠Continuity Camera Mount: ⁠https://amzn.to/4aGVvpe⁠Back light: ⁠https://amzn.to/4qBoCih⁠Disclaimer:The content provided in this podcast is not intended as a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or psychological condition.
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    2 mins
  • 25. Whole-Child Wisdom: Educating the Soul w/Chloe Makowski

    25. Whole-Child Wisdom: Educating the Soul w/Chloe Makowski
    Apr 15 2025

    What if education wasn’t just about what we learn, but how we live into it?


    In this rich, heart-centered episode, I sit down with Waldorf educator Chloe Makowski to explore the principles of whole-child education—and how they mirror the inner education of the soul. We talk about the power of rhythm, story, ritual, and connection to the natural world, not only for children but for re-educating the child within each of us. This is a deep dive into the transformative potential of teaching with reverence, intention, and joy.


    Guest Information

    Guest Name: Chloe Makowski

    Bio: Chloe is a seasoned Waldorf educator dedicated to nurturing whole-child development through rhythm, ritual, story, and a deep connection to the natural world.

    Website:


    Episode Outline


    Whole-Child Education in Waldorf

    Chloe shares how Waldorf pedagogy integrates emotional, spiritual, cognitive, and physical development—emphasizing rhythm, ritual, and reverence as foundations of learning.

    📚 Resource Mentioned: Rudolf Steiner’s works on Anthroposophy and Waldorf education


    The Role of Story, Art, and Music

    We explore the developmental power of story and myth, how the curriculum aligns with childhood stages, and how creative practices bring learning alive.

    📖 Quotation Highlight: “Stories are storehouses of wisdom”—Michael Meade


    Re-Educating the Inner Child

    Through Chloe’s lens, we reflect on how this approach offers insight into healing and nourishing our own inner children—rekindling connection, purpose, and wholeness.

    🌀 Quotation Highlight: “The light in me acknowledges the light in you.”


    Related Episodes & Additional Resources


    • Spiritual Bypass with Charmaine Fuller – Exploring embodiment, identity, and the shadow side of ‘love and light.’

    • The Fertile Dark Gatherings – Learn about our Nature Wanders and the upcoming Book Club for soul-centric community.

    • Nature and the Human Soul by Bill Plotkin – The first book in our new book club.


    Transcript

    For a full transcript of this episode, please email: podcast@fertiledark.com


    Host & Show Info

    Host: Dan Warner

    About the Host: Dan is the creator and host of The Fertile Dark, a podcast devoted to exploring the depths of the human psyche, personal transformation, and soulful living.

    Website: https://www.fertiledark.com


    Community & Calls to Action

    🌱 Primary CTA: Join our FREE upcoming Book Club and explore Nature and the Human Soul by Bill Plotkin. Sign up at fertiledark.com

    ✨ Second CTA: Reflect on this episode—what would it look like to re-educate the inner child in you? Share your thoughts with us or tag a friend who’d love this episode.

    💌 Contact the Show: podcast@fertiledark.com


    Follow us

    Instagram: @fertiledark

    Facebook: The Fertile Dark Podcast

    YouTube: The Fertile Dark Channel
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    1 hr and 34 mins
  • 24. Healing or Hiding? A Deep Dive into Spiritual Bypass

    24. Healing or Hiding? A Deep Dive into Spiritual Bypass
    Apr 8 2025

    In this episode of The Fertile Dark, I'm joined by guest co-host Charmaine Fuller to explore the concept of spiritual bypassing—the ways in which spirituality can sometimes be used to sidestep deeper healing rather than engage with it. Together, we discuss the tension between genuine spiritual growth and avoidance, drawing on concepts like the holy longing, the work of thinkers like Robert Augustus Masters and Carl Jung, and mythic stories that illustrate what happens when we resist the harder parts of the journey.

    We dive into the role of forgiveness, the misuse of spiritual jargon, and the growing phenomenon of psychedelics being used as a means of bypassing rather than integrating healing. This episode is an invitation to engage in self-inquiry and discernment, embracing the harder parts of the journey rather than escaping them.

    Episode Topics:

    1. What is Spiritual Bypassing?

      • Defining the concept and its origins, including the work of Robert Augustus Masters.

      • How spiritual practices can be used to avoid personal growth rather than facilitate it.

    2. Common Forms of Spiritual Bypassing

      • The misuse of forgiveness and “high vibrational” thinking as avoidance tactics.

      • The role of psychedelics in bypassing deep emotional work rather than integrating it.

    3. Engaging Spirituality with Discernment

      • Recognizing when spirituality becomes a tool for avoidance.

      • Practical approaches to integrating difficult emotions and experiences into personal growth.

    Resources & References:

    • Spiritual Bypassing: When Spirituality Disconnects Us from What Really Matters by Robert Augustus Masters

    • The work of Carl Jung on shadow integration

    • Mythological narratives that explore avoidance vs. confrontation of personal challenges

    Call to Action:

    • Reflect on your own spiritual practices—are they helping you grow, or are they being used to bypass difficult emotions?

    • Join the conversation! Share your thoughts with us on Instagram or Facebook, and let us know how you’ve encountered spiritual bypassing in your own journey.

    Connect with Us:

    • Email: podcast@fertiledark.com

    • Instagram: @thefertiledark

    • Facebook: The Fertile Dark

    • YouTube: The Fertile Dark

    • Website: www.fertiledark.com

    Guest Information:

    • Charmaine Fuller

    • Follow Charmaine’s work: https://www.charmainefuller.com

    We’d love to hear from you—share your insights and experiences in the comments or tag us on social media!
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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • Bonus: Fertile Dark Gatherings Are Here!

    Bonus: Fertile Dark Gatherings Are Here!
    Apr 4 2025

    Hey everyone, I have something special to share with you in this bonus episode of The Fertile Dark. This podcast was never meant to be just a show—it’s a space where psychology, spirituality, and soul-centric exploration come together. And now, I’m inviting you to step beyond the podcast and into real-life, embodied experiences through Fertile Dark Gatherings.


    I’m introducing two new ways for us to connect as a community:


    🌿 Nature Wanders – A guided group practice blending intention-setting, solo immersion in nature, and shared reflection. This is a chance to deepen your connection with yourself and the natural world.


    📖 The Fertile Dark Book Club – A five-week deep dive into transformative literature, starting with Nature and the Human Soul by Bill Plotkin. Together, we’ll explore rites of passage, soul-centric development, and how to integrate these insights into our lives.


    And that’s just the beginning! I’m also dreaming up future gatherings centered on dreamwork and drumming—but I want to hear from you. What kinds of experiences would you love to be part of?


    If you’re craving a deeper sense of soul-centric community, visit FertileDark.com and use the contact form to let me know you’re interested. Let’s co-create this next phase together!


    What You’ll Hear in This Episode:


    ✨ The evolution of The Fertile Dark beyond the podcast

    ✨ The power of gathering in soul-centric community

    ✨ Details on Nature Wanders and the Fertile Dark Book Club

    ✨ Our first book club selection: Nature and the Human Soul by Bill Plotkin

    ✨ Future gathering ideas: Dreamwork and drumming

    ✨ How you can get involved and help shape these experiences


    Resources Mentioned:


    🔗 FertileDark.com – Use the contact form to express your interest in upcoming gatherings.

    📚 Nature and the Human Soul by Bill Plotkin – Our first book club selection.


    Ways to Engage:


    💬 Share your thoughts and gathering ideas via the Fertile Dark website contact form.

    📣 Spread the word—invite friends who might be interested in these gatherings.

    📲 Follow The Fertile Dark on social media for updates and community discussions.


    Stay Connected:

    Website: FertileDark.com

    Instagram: @fertiledark

    Facebook: The Fertile Dark Podcast

    Email: podcast@fertiledark.com


    Thank you for being part of this journey. Your presence, insights, and energy are what make The Fertile Dark a living, evolving space. Let’s take this next step together!

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    10 mins
  • 23. Beyond the Blueprint: Human Design w/Amanda O’Donovan

    23. Beyond the Blueprint: Human Design w/Amanda O’Donovan
    Apr 1 2025

    In this episode of The Fertile Dark, Amanda O’Donovan and I explore the transformative power of Human Design as a tool for developing self-love and expressing love for others. We dive into how understanding your Human Design chart can deepen your self-awareness, foster authentic connections, and guide you on a path toward self-acceptance and genuine love. This episode is a journey into discovering who you truly are and how to embrace your unique energy with compassion.


    Guest Information


    Guest Name: Amanda O’Donovan

    Bio: Amanda O’Donovan is a Human Design expert and self-awareness guide, dedicated to helping individuals connect with their true selves. Through her work, she helps people unlock their potential and deepen their relationships with themselves and others.

    Links:

    • Instagram: @Amanda.humandesign

    • Substack: The Individual Path


    Episode Outline

    • Human Design as a Path to Self-Love

    We discuss how understanding your Human Design chart can help you develop a deep and authentic love for yourself. By exploring the unique aspects of your design, you can cultivate self-awareness and self-acceptance.


    • Expressing Love for Others Through Human Design

    Amanda shares how Human Design can guide you in building healthier, more authentic relationships by understanding the unique energy and needs of others.


    • Navigating Your Energy and Emotions with Human Design

    We dive into how your Human Design chart can help you navigate emotional waves and understand the influence of your energy on the world around you. By becoming more self-aware, you can align with your true purpose and experience deeper satisfaction.

    Find your Human Design chart


    Community & Calls to Action

    • Join the conversation! Email us at podcast@fertiledark.com to share your thoughts on this episode, your experiences with Human Design, or questions on your personal journey.

    • Consider looking up your Human Design chart and sharing what you learn with us! We’d love to hear how understanding your chart has shifted your perspective on self-love and relationships.

    • Stay tuned for a special bonus episode later this week! We have something extra exciting coming your way, and we can’t wait to share it with you.

    • Follow us on social media to stay connected with our community:

    Instagram: @fertiledark

    Facebook: Fertile Dark

    YouTube: Fertile Dark Channel

    Website: Fertile Dark
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    1 hr and 32 mins