The Intersection of Mental Health and the Nervous System with Rachel Hardy

In this episode of The Nature of Nurture, Leslie sits down with world-renowned forensic psychic medium and full-body channel Carissa Schumacher for a thoughtful and deeply personal conversation about intuition, transformation, and what it means to fully embrace the parts of ourselves we may not understand. After years of experiencing spirit and intuitive abilities without having a framework to explain them, Carissa shares the journey that led her from studying neuroscience at Brown University to publicly embracing her gifts and using them in service of healing and connection. Together, Leslie and Carissa explore the relationship between intuition, consciousness, and personal transformation, examining how childhood, culture, science, spirituality, and personal experience all shape the way we understand ourselves. Rather than focusing solely on Carissa's abilities as a psychic medium, they broaden the discussion to explore what she believes is happening collectively as more people question traditional systems, seek deeper connection, and become increasingly open to conversations about consciousness and spirituality. Carissa reflects on growing up as an only child, sensing spirit in nature, and creating private spiritual rituals before realizing that other people did not experience the world the same way she did. She shares memories of learning to hide this part of herself, struggling to reconcile her abilities with her scientific education, and eventually reaching a point where suppressing them was no longer sustainable. She also discusses how the remarkable accuracy of her experiences helped skeptical professors and others in her life recognize that something was happening that they could not easily explain. Throughout the conversation, Leslie and Carissa examine what Carissa describes as humanity's transition into a "new era," while acknowledging the disruption and uncertainty that can accompany periods of profound change. They discuss the pandemic, the breakdown of collective trust, the growing desire for transparency, and why Carissa believes transformation often requires some form of death, whether that means the ending of an identity, belief system, structure, relationship, or way of living. The episode also explores the intersection of intuition, healing, and personal agency, touching on topics including intuitive children, social media, nervous system regulation, community, ancient wisdom traditions, trauma, grief, spirituality, and the evolving cultural conversation surrounding consciousness. Carissa also introduces ideas from her newest book, The Alchemy Transmissions: A Pathway to Miracles, and explains how its "alchemy pathway" offers a framework for navigating periods of loss, change, healing, and transformation. Ultimately, this conversation is an invitation to loosen our grip on fear and become more curious about the parts of ourselves we may have learned to suppress, approaching transformation with openness, personal responsibility, and a willingness to choose possibility even when we cannot yet see what comes next. Guest Carissa Schumacher is a world-renowned forensic psychic medium and full-body channel for Yeshua. A former scientist, she attended Brown University, where she studied neuroscience alongside disciplines including theoretical and quantum mechanics, biology, philosophy, psychology, Native American cultural studies, and religious studies. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Marie Claire, and numerous other prominent podcasts, publications, and books. She is the channel for The Freedom Transmissions: A Pathway to Peace and The Alchemy Transmissions: A Pathway to Miracles. Resources & Links Carissa Schumacher / The Spirit Transmissions TheSpiritTransmissions.com Carissa's Books: The Freedom Transmissions: A Pathway to Peace The Alchemy Transmissions: A Pathway to Miracles If you catch this episode before October 3, 2026, Carissa will be at the 92nd Street Y in Ne

In this special live episode of The Nature of Nurture, Leslie sits down with longtime friend and accomplished entrepreneur Jeff Katz for a conversation about leadership, power, integrity, and what it takes to remain connected to yourself while navigating ambition and success. Jeff's career has included founding Orbitz, serving as CEO of Swissair, holding senior leadership roles at American Airlines and Sabre, and leading LeapFrog, giving him a unique perspective on what separates meaningful leadership from the pursuit of power for its own sake.

In this episode of The Nature of Nurture, Leslie sits down with nationally recognized trial and jury consultant Tara Trask for a thoughtful and deeply personal conversation about gender identity, authenticity, and what it means to truly know yourself. After decades of feeling different without having the language to explain why, Tara shares the journey that led her to publicly embrace her identity as a genderqueer, non-binary woman and the profound sense of belonging that followed.

I'm hosting a live podcast recording on Thursday July 30, 2026 at The KINN in Venice (Los Angeles). Just wanted to make sure you know.

In this episode of The Nature of Nurture, Leslie sits down with Emmy-nominated writer, producer, and showrunner Curtis Gwinn, whose credits include Stranger Things, The Walking Dead, The Leftovers, and Narcos. Friends from high school, Leslie and Curtis reflect on the formative experiences that shaped Curtis's life and career, from a childhood marked by housing insecurity and family instability to becoming one of television's most accomplished storytellers.