In this episode of the Soul Professional Podcast: Global Conversations Series, we sit down with John Marani, a certified astrologer and tarot master whose journey bridges two seemingly different worlds—federal intelligence and metaphysical practice. With a background as a French language analyst for the FBI, John shares how he quietly integrated astrology and tarot into his life before eventually bringing these tools forward to guide both his own path and the lives of others.

Our conversation explores the balance between logic and intuition, the role of free will in spiritual guidance, and how tools like tarot and astrology can support deeper self-awareness. Through a live reading, themes of reassessment, emotional integration, and stepping into leadership emerge—mirroring the broader collective shifts we are all navigating. We also discuss current astrological cycles, including major planetary transitions and eclipses, and what they may signal for both personal evolution and the world at large.

• Tarot and astrology serve different but complementary purposes—tarot offers immediate insight into present energy, while astrology reveals longer-term cycles and patterns.
• Intuition is not separate from strategy; it is a guiding force that, when trusted, brings clarity to decision-making in both life and business.
• Personal growth often requires a period of reassessment, where reflection becomes necessary before expansion can occur.
• Emotional processing is part of leadership. What we move through internally shapes how we show up externally.
• Stepping into leadership is less about becoming something new and more about fully owning what is already present.
• Boundaries and discipline become essential during periods of rapid change, especially within larger collective shifts.
• Astrological movements, such as Neptune entering Aries and upcoming eclipses, can act as catalysts for transformation—inviting both disruption and deeper alignment.
• Spiritual tools are not about prediction or control, but about empowerment and conscious choice.

John Marani is a certified astrologer and tarot master. He has studied the tarot extensively on his own and has done hundreds of tarot readings over his nearly 36 years of practice. He prides himself on being an honest reader who provides real-world guidance with empathy and compassion. He is a certified Tarot Master from the Tarot Certification Board of America, and received the honor of High Priest of Tarot from the Tradition of the Witches Circle, Occoquan, VA.

His astrological background includes private or classroom study with many different astrologers. John is a graduate of the Midwest School of Astrology's certificate program, graduating in June 2018. Later that summer, John received his Level 1 certification from the National Council for Geocosmic Research (NCGR)'s education arm, the Professional Astrologers' Alliance.

John's background involves extensive work on teaching and training adult learners. It forms part of his academic background, but he has been teaching people how to teach since 2006. John teaches astrology and tarot to motivated students of all levels, from beginner to aspiring professionals. John is also an ordained minister through the Ministry of Light Interfaith Church, Lorton, VA, and is licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia to perform legal weddings.

John resides in northern Virginia and provides in-person tarot and astrology consultations regularly at Sticks & Stones in Fairfax, VA, as well as at other local and regional psychic fairs and other events.

You can learn more about his work at: https://linktr.ee/astrotarotjohn

In this deeply heartfelt conversation, Trish Meekins shares how she bridges Indigenous knowledge and Western clinical social work to support emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and physical healing.

Drawing on more than 30 years of social work experience across Ontario, Trish speaks candidly about the impacts of colonization, genocide, residential schools, and child welfare systems on Indigenous communities—especially on youth—and why belonging is at the core of healing.

She introduces the medicine wheel and the circle teachings as holistic frameworks, contrasts them with Western mental health models, and offers practical, accessible ways for all of us to reconnect with spirit, purpose, and community.

• Trish’s Story & Indigenous Roots
• Colonization, Segregation & the Loss of Belonging
• Why Trish Chose Social Work
• Medicine Wheel, Circle Teachings & Holistic Therapy
• Integrating Indigenous Wisdom into Western Social Work
• Tension between Western political/medical frameworks and Indigenous/spiritual approaches
• The emerging bridge between science and soul, and how programs like her Anishinaabe social work training are living examples
• The possibility of communities becoming healing places for everyone, not just Indigenous peoples
• Exploring Telepathy and Non-Verbal Communication
• Angels and Ancestors Oracle Discussion

Trish Meekins is a Registered Master of Social Work with over 30 years of experience as a counselor, educator, and facilitator across Ontario. A member of the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation within the Saugeen Ojibwe Nation, Trish weaves Indigenous knowledge systems with Western clinical practices to offer truly holistic therapeutic support.

Her work addresses the emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and physical dimensions of healing. Trish teaches First Nation history, provides Indigenous cross-cultural awareness training, and supports organizations committed to truth and reconciliation. She is passionate about restoring a sense of belonging, purpose, and connection to spirit, especially for children and youth impacted by colonization and systemic trauma.

trishmeekins.com

The Soul Professional Podcast - Global Conversation Series isn’t about giving you all the answers—it’s about opening portals of curiosity and possibility. If you’re a seeker, visionary, leader, or simply someone who feels the shift within and around you, this episode welcomes you into a community of impact-driven humans across 6 continents and spanning more than 48 countries who are ready to help each other rise.

Unedited. Unscripted. Unsanitized. No hierarchy, doctrine, or dogma—just real conversation at the intersection of human potential, reinvention, leadership, metaphysics, and the unseen forces shaping our world.

Come Join the Movement at: https://www.soulprofessional.com/

In this episode, Camille L. Miller and co-hosts Adam Guzmán Poole and Adam Dickinson sit down with Dr. Melissa Corley Carter—rocket scientist, seven-continent marathoner, “astronaut reject,” retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, award-winning author, and certified professional coach.

Melissa shares the story of pursuing her childhood dream of becoming an astronaut for 20 years, only to be medically disqualified after finally meeting all the requirements. She walks us through her “dark night of the soul,” the identity crisis that followed, and how that loss became a doorway into deeper spirituality, coaching, running marathons on all seven continents, and learning to live in alignment with her true mission.

• Dreams can be guides, not destinations.
• Melissa’s 20-year astronaut pursuit shaped who she became—even though she never got the title. The value of the dream lived on beyond its outcome.
• Identity built on roles is fragile.
• When her “future astronaut” identity collapsed, Melissa had to discover who she was without that label—and found a deeper, more authentic self.
• Failure can be a form of divine redirection.
• Being medically disqualified, something outside her control, eventually led her to coaching, spiritual exploration, and a life more aligned with her soul.
• Body practices can be spiritual pathways.
• From Bikram yoga to marathons on all seven continents, movement helped her process grief, build resilience, and hear her own inner guidance.
• Success is being the person for whom no dream is impossible.
• Instead of chasing a single dream, Melissa now lives as someone who can hold and pursue many possibilities.

Dr. Melissa Corley Carter, The Barefoot Dancing Rocket Scientist, uses basic principles of rocket science to help rockstar humans reclaim their power, own their awesomeness, and take giant leaps of faith. An actual rocket scientist, 7-continent marathoner, astronaut reject, speaker, award-winning author, retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, and certified professional coach, Melissa will inspire you to celebrate the power of who you are and ignite your passion for the life you live.

Connect with her at:

-website: https://www.epiclifeactually.com/speaking

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissacorleycarter/

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissacorleycarte

The Soul Professional Podcast - Global Conversation Series isn’t about giving you all the answers—it’s about opening portals of curiosity and possibility. If you’re a seeker, visionary, leader, or simply someone who feels the shift within and around you, this episode welcomes you into a community of impact-driven humans across 6 continents and spanning more than 48 countries who are ready to help each other rise.

Unedited. Unscripted. Unsanitized. No hierarchy, doctrine, or dogma—just real conversation at the intersection of human potential, reinvention, leadership, metaphysics, and the unseen forces shaping our world.

Come Join the Movement at: https://www.soulprofessional.com/