Are You Being Present?

The Presence Projects presents episode 39 of the "Are You Being Present?" podcast series.  Join host Paul Kerzner as he shares his recent experiences, reflection points and Presence challenges with his new puppy.  The title and topic of this episode is "Puppies for Presence" and was selected to discuss how puppies, or any other pet, can be a wonderful Presence reminder and Presence partner. In this podcast Paul introduces the audience to Toby, his 6 1/2 month old Labrador puppy.  Anyone who owns, or has ever lived with a puppy, knows the many challenges that exist.  Puppies can be fun to hang out with but they require a lot of energy, attention, consistency and patience.  There are many instances that can pull a person right out of the present moment when your puppy is disobedient or destructive.  During this podcast Paul shares some of his experiences with Toby, his new Presence teacher, and who reminds him to stay in the here and now. If you, or someone you know, has a new puppy and is interested in being

The Presence Projects presents episode 38 of the "Are You Being Present?" podcast series.  Join host Paul Kerzner for an in-depth lesson about how telling stories affects your ability to be present.  The title and topic of this episode is "Stop Telling Your Story. Be Present!" and it provides insight, direction and suggestions about why you should stop telling your life story over and over again in a quest to achieve presence and mindfulness.   In this podcast Paul teaches us about how stories are basically baggage that we carry around and share. By recycling these stories you keep telling yourself, and others, a loop is created where you constantly exist in the past or future.  Learning how to be present means that you let go of all the stories/people/places/things that have existed in your life so that you can fully honor the present moment.  The more you work at releasing your stories the more presence, and peace, will exist in your reality. If you, or someone you know, constantly tells stories about the p

The Presence Projects presents episode 37 of the "Are You Being Present?" podcast series.  Join host Paul Kerzner for a relevant and topical discussion about the importance of presence and living in the moment.  The title and topic of this episode is "Why Be Present?" and was chosen to directly address a question that is applicable to everyone living in the 21st century. In this podcast Paul dives right into the importance of being present, the many benefits, methodologies and challenges that might arise.  He explains that presence is a process and is the foundation of mindfulness. Too many people are distracted and dominated by thoughts of the past and worries of the future becoming victims of their own minds/egos.  The answer to the question "Why Be Present?" becomes clear after listening to this podcast and reflecting back to your own reality, behaviors and thoughts. If you, or someone you know, is interested in being present or exploring mindfulness this podcasts will prove to be useful and enlightening.

In this podcast, Paul Kerzner is joined by guest host Jackie Wszalek for the 36th episode titled "Empowering Women With Presence".  The Presence Projects strongly believes in empowerment for everyone but wanted to dedicate an episode solely discussing the importance of presence for women of all ages. Jackie Wszalek has been an important and instrumental figure in supporting and promoting women's rights and equality.  She has dedicated considerable time and energy to creating opportunities for women to succeed in business as well as in their personal lives. Currently Jackie is the founder of Women Owned, Women Operated Businesses (WOWOB) and is the past President of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO).  She also owns and operates Splash Media, a company that has been employing and providing business opportunities for women. We thank Jackie for joining us and look forward to having her back soon.  If you're interested in learning more about Jackie Wszalek you can find her on Facebook or yo

The Presence Projects presents episode 35 of the "Are You Being Present?" podcast series.  Join host Paul Kerzner for a discussion about control and the negative impact it can have on presence.  The title and topic of this episode is "Stop Trying to Control the Present Moment!" and was chosen because of how common control is in society today. Learning how to be present, but more importantly learning how to stay present, is a rewarding process that requires consistency, persistence and vigilance.  It is only in the present moment that you can self-reflect and obtain a clear view of the landscape of your life.  It is from this vantage point that you can see how control creates unnecessary self-inflicted suffering. If you, or someone you know, have control issues then this podcasts will prove to be useful and relevant.  Please check out the rest of the "Are You Being Present?" podcasts series on our website, iTunes and YouTube to learn more about presence, mindfulness and holistic health. Remember you have a ch

In this podcast Paul Kerzner is joined by guest host Andrew Marshall (aka Zen Diarist) for the 34th episode of the "Are You Being Present?" podcast series.  The title and topic of this podcast is "Doing Nothing With Presence" and was selected to teach the basic principles (and importance) of stillness and slowing down to live more peacefully and mindfully in the present moment. Andrew Marshall lives in England and is a teacher of meditation and coaching in life skills for more than three decades.  He has assisted over three thousand people get started with meditation and progress along their path of increasing happiness. As well as authoring three books and scores of articles on these subjects, he has also facilitated a number of workshops.  After reading through Andrew's blog and Twitter feed we immediately felt drawn to his work and wanted to have him on the show to discuss the power of 'not doing' and how it enhances presence and mindfulness. We thank Andrew for joining us and look forward to having him ba

Guest host Shannon Horton returns to the show to join Paul Kerzner for the 33rd episode of the "Are You Being Present?" podcast series.  The title and topic of this podcast is "Grieving With Presence" and was selected because grief is an unavoidable part of life that everyone, at some point in time, will experience.  Processing grief with presence allows for clarity and an allowance and acceptance of the emotions being expressed. Shannon Horton is a Happiness Consultant, Intuitive Spiritual Medium, Motivational Speaker, Reiki Master, Coach and the owner of Happiness Matters, LLC.  She was a guest host on episode 7 where she spent time explaining the importance of being present.  We invited her back to dive into the subject of grief as she has worked with many people who have experienced loss, helping to guide them through the stages and levels. We are deeply grateful for Shannon and look forward to having her back again soon.  If you're interested in learning more about Shannon Horton please visit her website

In this podcast Paul Kerzner is joined by guest host (and fellow psychonaut) Cory Allen for the 32nd episode titled "Diving Deep Into Presence".  Together Paul and Cory explore the depths of mindfulness, presence and the human psyche.  Their combined knowledge and insight provides for an impressive and transformative offering.   Cory Allen is the host of The Astral Hustle, a podcast where he talks to himself and his friends about the nature of being and magic of the cosmos.  After listening to a few of his episodes The Presence Projects made it a priority to have him join us for this podcast.  We are extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to learn about Cory's background, life experiences, perspectives and perceptions on presence. We thank Cory for joining us and look forward to having him back soon.  If you're interested in learning more about Cory Allen please check out his website: http://www.cory-allen.com/ Learn to set aside memories of the past and worries of the future by joining us in the pre

Guest host Tara Divina joins Paul Kerzner for episode 31 of the "Are You Being Present?" podcast series.  The title and topic of this podcast is "Gaining Presence Astrologically" and was chosen because of the profound effect astrology can have on a person's life and their ability to be present.  Whether you've had your chart read professionally, or have been a little skeptical, this podcast will provide some helpful information and insight about astrology and presence. We invited Tara onto the show because of her passion and expertise on the topic of astrology.  She is the owner of Visionary Readings - Vedic Astrology and is an amazing Vedic Astrologer who offers chart readings to anyone interested in learning more about their life and how planetary alignments have influenced their reality. At the beginning of the podcast the topic of "free will" comes up when Paul shares his belief that humans can alter their life path by making certain decisions.  Tara explains that free will, more so the amount a person ha

Guest host Clay Villanueva joins Paul Kerzner for episode 30 of the "Are You Being Present?" podcast series.  The title and topic of this podcast is "Presence Through Plant Medicine" and was selected because of the amazing effect this medicine has on the present moment. Clay is a facilitator of ayahuasca ceremonies who has been working with the medicine for the past 6 years.  Through his personal experiences, dedication and hard work many people have had truly profound and life changing adventures under his guidance and care. It is important to note that plant medicines, such as ayahuasca, are powerful psychoactive substances that should be respected, researched and only taken under professional advisement and observation.  Choosing a qualified, respected and experienced facilitator is important.   During the podcast Clay discusses how he was introduced to the medicine and what his first experiences were like.  After doing some research on the internet he chose to go to a retreat down in Peru where he was giv

The Presence Projects welcomes guest host Nikki Golly to the 29th episode of the "Are You Being Present?" podcast series.  The title and topic for this podcast is "Nutritionally Present" and was selected to bring awareness and provide information on how nutrition affects our ability to be present. Nikki was invited onto the podcast because of her extensive knowledge, personal experiences and passion for nutrition.  She is the owner of Fuel Your Body, is a Micro-Nutrient Educator and offers Nutrition Coaching for those looking to improve their diet and outlook on life. Many Americans still don't fully understand the connection between the foods they eat and the effect it has on their mind, body and spirit.  During the podcast Paul explains how nutrition is the cornerstone of health and wellness as well as a foundational component of mindfulness and presence.  Later in the podcast Paul and Nikki discuss how the body requires high quality fruits, vegetables, lean meats and supplements to operate properly and mai

The Presence Projects welcomes guest host Chris Anderson to the 28th episode of the "Are You Being Present?" podcast series.  The title and topic for this podcast is "Guiding With Presence" and was selected because guidance is an integral component of the human experience.  Whether being guided by others, or developing your own inner guidance system, learning to be present and living a more fulfilling life is enhanced with the types guidance we seek. Chris works for Arizona Outback Adventures and is a multi-day guide manager.  His entire working career has been in the outdoor guiding industry and and now helps manage, train and support his fellow guides.  We invited Chris onto the podcast because of the many experiences he has accumulated over the past 15 years guiding people through new adventures, overcoming fears and breaking through old and limiting behaviors.  The beauty of his work is that by bringing people into nature there are amazing opportunities to shift into the present moment since nature is alw

After a brief recess, The Presence Projects has returned with another amazing podcast to help provide listeners with information and motivation to live life in the present moment.   Guest host Carrie Smith-Hardee joins Paul Kerzner for episode 27 of the "Are You Being Present?" podcast series.  The title and topic of this episode is "Ecstatic Dance for Presence" and was selected because dance is a powerful 'Presence Tool' that has the ability to help shift away from past memories and future worries.   Carrie is a conscious dance facilitator, a wellness arts practitioner and one of the founding members of the Arizona Conscious Dance movement.  She got into ecstatic dance 3 years ago after experiencing some life challenges that pushed her to look for ways to heal her mind, body and spirit.  It was through her own personal experiences with dance, and the passion it created, that we felt Carrie was the perfect person to have on the show. During the podcast Carrie explains that ecstatic dance gives people a place

The “Are You Being Present?” podcast series welcomes back guest host Daniel Hirtz who joins Paul Kerzner for another thought provoking episode.  The title and topic for podcast 26 is "Awakening to Truth With Presence" and it explores and examines the awakening taking place in society today. Daniel was asked to come back on the podcast because we wanted a chance to interview him in a live interactive format.  The conversation that took place provided the audience with a wealth of valuable and relevant information in regards to the amazing transformation that's currently underway. In the beginning of the podcast Daniel shares his perspectives on presence and explains how important it is not to exclude the body.  Often time, people can get lost in their thoughts excluding the body and all the sensations that exist within it. From Daniel's perspective the body is the miracle, it is the true definition and reflection of presence.  The body is the perfect access point to the 'now' because it is always present; it c

Guest host Carolyn Berry joins Paul Kerzner for episode 25 of the “Are You Being Present?” podcast series. The title and topic of this podcast is “Maintaining Happiness With Presence” and was selected because happiness is something everyone strives for in their own unique and subjective way.  Being happy in the present moment allows for life to flow freely and provides a sense of inner-peace and contentment. Carolyn is an energy healer and published author whose life has provided her with a wealth of significant and profound experiences in regards to happiness and presence.  Her book "I'm Happy. How Did I Get Here?", which is available on Amazon.com, is a wonderful and easy read where she provides her readers with her background, life transition and how she learned how to work with energy.  We highly recommend this book to anyone who is happy or seeking more happiness in life. During the podcast Paul expresses his views on happiness and presence that he believes are directly correlated.  He explains that we

The Presence Projects is excited to present episode 24 of the “Are You Being Present?” podcast series.  The title and topic of this podcast is "Simplifying the Present Moment" and was selected because so many people in Western society innately complicate their lives pulling them out of the present moment. Host Paul Kerzner decided to explore this topic as he has seen first-hand with his patients, as well as in his own reality, the need to simplify the present moment.  While it may take a decent amount of effort to shift away from complications you will soon see how important it is. Paul explains that there is a narrative running through our minds creating stories that have nothing to do with the present moment.  It takes an awareness that this is transpiring and then action(s) to simplify our lives and the experiences we are involved in. Later in the podcast Paul shares a few techniques that can help simplify life.  One of the easiest ways is to see people/places/things for exactly how they are.  We must stop

Join host Paul Kerzner for a special episode addressing and exploring the very question that this podcast is based on, "Are You Being Present?"  Whether you are new to presence, or have lots of experience living in the 'here and now', this podcast will serve as a powerful reminder and useful 'Presence Tool'. Over the past few years Paul has taught presence to hundreds of patients who were living with a variety of emotional challenges.  He noted and observed that one of the core issues being experienced was a lack of presence.  This situation takes place when people become, consciously or unconsciously, dominated by memories of the past or worries of the future.  In this podcast Paul delves deep into the topic of presence and encourages the listeners to ask themselves if they are being present as often as possible.  He explains that being present can take some effort but there are amazing benefits to living a life without distractions, thoughts and worries.   Paul explains that presence isn't something that ca

The Presence Projects proudly presents episode 22 of the "Are You Being Present?" podcast series.  In this episode host Paul Kerzner spends time addressing an important topic that has great relevance and tremendous influence over our ability to live in the 'here and now'.   "Words That Affect Our Present Moment" is the title and topic of this podcast.  It was chosen because of the impact and significance words have on our lives.  Words create our reality, yet too many of us speak unconsciously, and at times, are neglectful with the words we use.  After working with hundreds of patients over the past few years Paul has observed that words are one of the greatest 'Presence Challenges' being faced by humanity.  It was with this observation that he saw the need to address, re-frame and revise the use of certain words to help people shift into the present moment. If you find it challenging to stay present we encourage you to look at the words you're using and how they are affecting your reality.  Please take some

The Presence Projects warmly welcomes guest host Tracy Fortune to the 21st episode of the "Are You Being Present?" podcast series.  The title and topic for this podcast is "Overcoming Adversity with Presence."  It was selected to help bring attention to the importance of being present when facing life's many challenges.  Adversity is something that each person is faced with and has to overcome to grow, learn and prosper. We invited Tracy Fortune to be the guest host after she shared her life story with us, one that we found to be quite profound.  She has encountered many significant adversities and traumas in her life that were overcome with presence, patience and grace.   Opening up and sharing yourself with the world isn't easy, so we are deeply grateful that Tracy has allowed herself to be vulnerable on the podcast.  There are many people out there struggling to get through their own life challenges and we believe that listening to Tracy's story will prove to be inspirational, moving and motivating.  Her

Guest host Jorge Rivera joins Paul Kerzner for episode 20 of the "Are You Being Present?" podcast series.  The title and topic of this podcast is "Yoga for Presence" and was selected because yoga is an amazing "Presence Tool" that is popular and accessible for everyone.   Jorge is a yoga instructor and was asked to join the podcast because of the emphasis he places on teaching mindfulness and presence with his students.  When yoga is practiced with the proper intention, and taught by a skilled instructor, it has the ability to bring peace and stillness to the mind, body and spirit. During the podcast Jorge talks about his background and how he was introduced to yoga.  After experiencing a few injuries, and going through a significant life transition, he was looking for some direction and relief.  His practice allowed him to see first hand how powerful yoga is by helping to heal his body.  This profound experience was the motivation and inspiration he needed to become a yoga instructor.   Later in the episode