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Peace is Power
Peace Is Power is a podcast for people who believe peace is not weakness or passivity — but one of the most powerful forces alive. Hosted by Janessa Gans Wilder — former CIA officer, peacebuilder, and founder of Euphrates Institute — the show features conversations with diplomats, artists, activists, veterans, spiritual leaders, and grassroots organizers working to build peace in a divided world.
Each episode asks a simple but urgent question: what does it look like to become a peacebuilder right where you are? Peace Is Power is an initiative of Euphrates Institute, which has trained peace leaders from more than 60 countries.
If war affects us all, peace must be built by all of us.
Can Inner Peace Lead to World Peace? - with Stephanie Nash (Part 1)
Hollywood actress and meditation teacher Stephanie Nash joins Janessa Gans Wilder to explore how inner peace can transform our relationship with emotions, conflict, and the world around us. Reflecting on her connection to the ocean, Stephanie shares how mindfulness helped her embrace vulnerability and find peace beyond external circumstances.
Together, they explore practical ways to process difficult emotions, interrupt stress through breathing and laughter, and approach life's challenges with greater presence. They also discuss why peace is not passivity, the importance of women's leadership in peacebuilding, and how simple, accessible meditation practices can create meaningful change in our lives and relationships.
Key Takeaways:
Vulnerability is a source of strength
Allowing ourselves to experience difficult emotions rather than suppressing them creates space for authenticity, connection, and personal power.
Inner peace does not depend on external circumstances
Mindfulness helps us remain grounded amid uncertainty and conflict, allowing us to respond with clarity rather than react from fear.
Processing emotions creates space for clarity
Noticing bodily sensations, releasing tension, and allowing emotions to flow can reduce suffering and strengthen emotional awareness.
Peace can be playful, active, and powerful
Peace is not passivity. Laughter, playfulness, and conscious breathing can interrupt negative thought patterns and support more intentional action.
Mindfulness should be accessible to everyone
Effective meditation practices should fit our individual needs and daily routines, whether through a few mindful breaths or short moments of sensory awareness.
Timestamps:
(00:41) The ocean as a source of peace and healing- Stephanie and Janessa explore their different relationships with the ocean.
(03:41) How mindfulness transforms discomfort- Stephanie shares how meditation helped her embrace experiences she once feared.
(05:52) Vulnerability is your strength- Why embracing difficult emotions can deepen presence and connection.
(07:33) Finding peace in the eye of the hurricane- Cultivating inner steadiness despite external chaos.
(10:19) Everyday mindfulness and sensory awareness- Using sights, sounds, and bodily sensations to quiet mental stories.
(16:14) Breathing through stress and overwhelm- A simple breathing technique for managing rising stress.
(21:37) Laughter as a powerful disruptor- Stephanie introduces her playful “three-bounce chuckle” exercise.
(28:15) Is peace passive, or is it power?- How grounded presence supports purposeful action rather than fearful reactions.
(31:19) Women, leadership, and peacebuilding- Exploring gender expectations and barriers to women's public leadership.
(37:03) Making meditation accessible- Why mindfulness must fit into the realities of everyday life.
(44:36) Finding the right meditation practice- Choosing techniques based on individual needs, preferences, and schedules.
(47:40) How inner transformation changes relationships- Stephanie shares how meditation can influence work, family, and emotional responses.
Guest Bio:
Stephanie Nash is a Hollywood actress, meditation teacher, and mindfulness coach whose work brings together performance, emotional awareness, and personal transformation. Drawing on decades of experience in the entertainment industry and her own meditation practice, she helps people work with stress, self-judgment, difficult emotions, and the challenges of everyday life.
Her approach emphasizes making mindfulness practical, accessible, and playful. Through breathing techniques, sensory awareness, and personalized meditation practices, Stephanie encourages people to cultivate greater presence, emotional resilience, and well-being without needing to withdraw from the demands of the world.
Follow Stephanie Nash
Website: https://www.stephanienash.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephanienashmeditatingactress/?hl=en
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