In this episode, Louise Juel and I reflect on the subtle yet powerful shift that happens when we begin to recognise the ego—not as something to get rid of, but as something we can see through. We talk about how triggers show up in everyday life, especially in relationships, and what it takes to pause and feel what’s actually happening underneath the stories we tell ourselves. From the sensations in the body to the thoughts racing through the mind, we explore how awareness and presence allow us to soften our grip, take a breath, and begin again. This isn’t about bypassing anything—it’s about staying close to what’s real, even when it’s uncomfortable.

(00:00) Beginning with the question: what does it mean to go beyond the ego?
(03:32) How the ego responds when we’re triggered—and how to catch it in real time
(07:45) Louise shares a personal moment of reactivity and how awareness shifted the dynamic
(12:20) We explore the difference between bypassing and allowing what’s underneath the emotion
(16:58) The body as a gateway to presence and the breath as a tool for softening
(21:35) Why witnessing our reactivity is the first step toward true connection
(25:50) The power of naming what’s happening without judgment
(30:14) Meditation, somatic awareness, and the spaciousness behind thought
(34:42) Reclaiming the pause: how presence helps us choose differently
(39:06) Closing thoughts on compassion, discomfort, and remembering who we are