In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, Peter and Harmony dive into the transformative impact that authentic relating and circling have had on their personal and professional lives. Peter reflects on his early skepticism and how hosting a circling training in his home unexpectedly opened the door to a profound sense of connection and belonging. Harmony shares a vulnerable story about being introduced to authentic relating games on a first date—an experience that awakened her to a depth of connection she hadn’t realized she was missing.
Together, they explore how these relational practices not only deepen intimacy and self-awareness but also serve as powerful tools for therapists and coaches. By fostering presence, emotional clarity, and genuine connection, authentic relating can prevent burnout and enhance the quality of therapeutic relationships. Toward the end of the conversation, Peter introduces practical techniques for working with intense emotions and relational conflict—including a creative adaptation of Meisner repetition—while Harmony expresses her appreciation for his innovative and embodied approach to emotional work.
Peter Benjamin is a professional certified coach and facilitator, as well as the co-founder of The Connection Institute
Peter, brings over a decade of experience in the fields of coaching, communication, and transformational work. With a remarkable career spanning 1,000 workshops and dozens of retreats, Peter has committed his life to helping people spark magic in their connections and fostering deep and transformative relationships. Peter has trained professionals in 23 countries in coaching, facilitation, emotional intelligence, communication, conflict resolution, and the art of influence. Peter has given talks and workshops at Google, the Global Resilience Summit, the How Leaders Lead Conference, and the annual conference for the Canadian Society for Ecological Economists. To find out more, you can reach him at: http://www.peterwbenjamin.com/ and to find out more about authentic relating, reach out here: https://theconnectioninstitute.net/
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Harmony Kwiker (kw-eye-ker), MA, LPC, NCC, ACS, is a psychotherapist, author, and visiting instructor at Naropa University where she teaches mindfulness-based transpersonal counseling. She is the founder of the Institute for Spiritual Alignment where she offers ongoing learning opportunities for therapists who are committed to awakening. Her first book, Reveal: Embody the True Self Beyond Trauma and Conditioning, is a vulnerable self-help memoir, and her second book, Align: Living and Loving from the True Self , and her third book, The Awakened Therapist: Spirituality, Consciousness, and Subtle Energy, is a text book. Her newest book, Holistic Co-Regulation: A Practitioner’s Guide to Working with Chronic Dysregulation, is now available. Find out about our trainings here: https://awakenedtherapist.com/
Disclaimer: The episode you’re about to hear is intended for educational purposes only and this content should not be taken as supervision or clinical advice. Because each person is so unique, please consult your supervisor before attempting to apply any intervention from a theory you are not explicitly trained in.