When I owned my cute little new age bookstore Breathe Books (2004-2014) I had many many people come through leading workshops, teaching classes, offering book talks, including people that have gone on to become huge in the “healing” world like @joedispenza and others. One author was a young gynecologist named Lissa Rankin. “What’s Up Down There: Questions you’d only ask your gynecologist if she was your best friend” came out in 2010. And while not new age, I felt it was an important topic on women’s health to talk about. We filled the second floor event space that evening with over 30 people who came out to hear Lissa. She was engaging, smart and frank. Fabulous. Over the years she took a hard turn into spirituality and some questionable relationships and collaborations but I just kept watching her. During COVID she began talking more about “spiritual bypassing” and I was intrigued by that concept as it was something I had seen time and time at my store by both customers and presenters but I didn’t have a term for it. I took a writing class with her online and found her new voice to be compelling but I could tell she was still figuring it out. At Breathe Books I’d had my share of false teachers, psychic “masters” and “gurus” come through until I figured out how to say no. I turned down many requests if I caught a whiff of ego, or a scent of harm.

I am thrilled that Lissa has found a voice, the hutzpah and the sheer guts to begin speaking out about all the bullshit in this “wellness” industry and the harm it can cause. Her writing is so honest and clear. Her essays are long but important. I encourage you, if you are interested in the evolution of the New Age Revolution, in taking classes from teachers whose reputations you don’t clearly know, in diving into things like breathwork, plant medicines, shamanic rituals, energy healing, etc. read Lissa’s substack. She has not only insiders knowledge, but a great sense of awareness of what to watch out for and she is telling us exactly how to navigate this world through her own experiences and knowledge. I’m so grateful for her. Lissa Rankin, MD and Lisa Braun Dubbels - another friend who is speaking the truth from an insiders perspective. Read them!