Rephonic
Artwork for Sounds of SAND
Trauma
Palestine
Gaza
Spirituality
Social Justice
Colonialism
Mental Health
Healing
Grief
Intergenerational Trauma
Activism
Trauma Healing
Community Healing
Historical Trauma
Colonization
Ancestral Wisdom
Consciousness
Nonduality
Indigenous Knowledge
Human Rights

Sounds of SAND invites listeners into a contemplative journey through the infinite cycles of existence - from its raw beauty to its deepest mysteries, from its intricate complexity to its profound wonder. Through intimate conversations, thought-provoking interviews, poetic readings, and carefully curated music, we weave together ancient wisdom with lived experience, creating a tapestry of sound th... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes184Founded4 years ago
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SpiritualityReligion & SpiritualitySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Sounds of SAND

Latest Episodes

Full interview with Dr. Bayo Akomolafe, recorded by SAND founders Zaya and Maurizio Benazzo. Edited portions appear in The Eternal Song; this is the whole conversation.

Bayo moves from his childhood in Lagos to the Orisha who wanted only to travel, ... more

Pir Zia on the secret history of the world

From a nondual perspective, aren't the world's great spiritual traditions expressions of a single living wisdom? In this intimate conversation, Pir Zia Inayat Khan explores the inspiration behind Tears from... more

Robert Moor is a journalist and essayist whose work has appeared in The New Yorker, Harper's, The Atlantic, Emergence, and The New York Times. His first book, On Trails, won the National Outdoor Book Award and the William Saroyan International Prize.... more

The third conversation in "The Great AI Unraveling", recorded live with our community on July 10, 2026.

Throughout time, humanity has experimented with playing God, and each time we have been humbled by forces larger than ourselves. Many Indigenous ... more

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Recent Guests

Robert Moor
Journalist and essayist, author of In Trees
Author, In Trees
Episode: Arborescence: Robert Moor
Lyla June Johnston
Indigenous musician, scholar and community organizer
Cheyenne and European Lineage
Episode: Superfluity of AI: Lyla June, Kathy Wan Povi Sanchez & Ashley Nicole Leitka
Kathy Sanchez
Elder and activist focused on protecting Native communities from AI data centers
Honor the Earth
Episode: Superfluity of AI: Lyla June, Kathy Wan Povi Sanchez & Ashley Nicole Leitka
Ashley Nicole Lamont
Co-director of the Department of Sovereignty and Self-Determination at Honor the Earth
Honor the Earth
Episode: Superfluity of AI: Lyla June, Kathy Wan Povi Sanchez & Ashley Nicole Leitka
Eduardo Duran
Psychologist, Vietnam veteran, Indigenous healer and author
Apache, Lakota, and Dene heritage; author of Buddha in Redface, Healing the Soul Wound, Native American Postcolonial Psychology
Episode: Healing the Soul Wound: Eduardo Duran
Dr. Nicole Wordlaw
African-American clinical psychologist; Buddhist meditator; author of Waking Up Alone
Independent clinical psychologist / Author
Episode: Grow, Become, Love, Alone: Nicole Wordlaw
Avianja Rakel Sanimuinaq
Kalalit Inuit woman featured in the film discussions
Inuit community of Greenland
Episode: Songs of Sila: Avianja Rakel Sanimuinaq, Ikimaliq Pikilak & Nuka Alice
Nuka Alice
Kalalit Inuit woman featured in the film discussions
Inuit community of Greenland
Episode: Songs of Sila: Avianja Rakel Sanimuinaq, Ikimaliq Pikilak & Nuka Alice
Ikimaliq Pikilak
Kalalit Inuit woman featured in the film discussions
Inuit community of Greenland
Episode: Songs of Sila: Avianja Rakel Sanimuinaq, Ikimaliq Pikilak & Nuka Alice

Hosts

Maurizio Benazzo
Host across multiple episodes, associated with Sounds of SAND and related initiatives
Zaya Benazzo
Co-host and conversation host, partner in most core episodes
Michael Reilly
Host and interviewer across several episodes
Jaiya John
Medicine Heartman, guest and host in various contexts

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 480 ratings
  • The earth, indigenous ideology and 8 billion people

    I love SAND and listen to every episode but why is it that our rapidly growing population, well on its way to 9 billion humans is not factored into the talks on climate crisis and impending shortage of resources solved with indigenous ideology. We need wiser thinking than the beauty of indigenous ideology.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Inorani
    United States2 months ago
  • Incredibly Rich

    The content on these podcasts is so refreshing, deep, nuanced and soothing. I see so many teachers and communities I once respected spiritual bypassing the realities across the globe. This podcast is music to my entire system, interweaving spirituality with real life in the flesh. Thank you for being a safe haven and a place I feel connected.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jahara Sara
    United States2 months ago
  • Danzanravjaa’s Dharma

    I became so engrossed driving home listening to the episode on Mongolian spiritual poetry that I missed my exit!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    qamutiik
    United States5 months ago
  • Fundamental and ultra important themes in wonderful style

    I really appreciate the way and this style this is created, and most of all the fundamental and ultra important themes coming on. Thank you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Aidapovi
    Switzerland5 months ago
  • We will not look away: Vigil for Gaza

    So powerful, inspiring and spiritual, yet invoking us to do more. Profound

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JBrookeC
    Canadaa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

A few listeners want clearer stances on contentious issues while still valuing nuance.
The community feel and emphasis on healing are recurring positives for audiences.
Listeners appreciate the critical, compassionate approach to heavy topics like trauma and colonialism.
The show weaves deep Indigenous perspectives with practical healing, and it often inspires action.
Quality of guests and thoughtful discussions are frequently praised, with some critique around certain politicized topics.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Superfluity of AI: Lyla June, Kathy Wan Povi Sanchez & Ashley Nicole Leitka
Q: Kathy, are there any stories in your culture about humility in relation to technology and using what you have rather than chasing more?
Kathy reflects on Indigenous teachings that emphasize balance, sufficiency, and resisting the false promise of endless technological growth, urging society to focus on stewardship and the sacredness of life.
Superfluity of AI: Lyla June, Kathy Wan Povi Sanchez & Ashley Nicole Leitka
Q: Ashley, did you want to share a little bit about this tension between economic development and extraction on our lands, or humility in the face of AI?
Ashley explains that data centers threaten water and energy resources and that Indigenous sovereignty must remain central to conversations about development, emphasizing community-led responses and skepticism toward unchecked tech expansion.
Songs of Sila: Avianja Rakel Sanimuinaq, Ikimaliq Pikilak & Nuka Alice
Q: How do you feel less alone?
Akela describes a personal path of inner work and spiritual seeking, highlighting meditative practice, soul retrieval, and plants or rituals that return a sense of belonging to one's self and place. The answer emphasizes that belonging comes from reconnecting with ancestors, land, and community, not just within the individual.
Songs of Sila: Avianja Rakel Sanimuinaq, Ikimaliq Pikilak & Nuka Alice
Q: Rakel, maybe could you share about the role of shamanism in culture and ancestors and what happened to the shamans, why the practice was buried or almost lost and something about your own journey of reconnecting to your ancestral lineage of shamanism and to the knowledge that carries?
Rakel explains that shamanism was historically a guiding force for balance within the community, with shamans traveling to restore equilibrium when illness or imbalance occurred. The practice carried responsibilities toward souls, destinies, and creation itself, and it required a patient, disciplined approach to learn and work with spirits. The journey of reconnecting involves confronting colonial suppression, embracing ancestral knowledge, and assuming a role that blends healing with leadership within the community.
Tending the Whole: Nkem Ndefo & Staci K. Haines, Facilitated by Rae Abileah
Q: Can you share a concrete example where somatics directly shifted a political or justice-oriented effort?
Yes. The National Domestic Workers Alliance example demonstrates how trauma healing, embodied leadership, and values-based planning enabled a group of workers and organizers to push for durable labor rights and collective action, illustrating how inner work strengthens outer outcomes.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Sounds of SAND

What is Sounds of SAND about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on Indigenous knowledge, trauma healing, spirituality, and social justice, often weaving ancient wisdom with contemporary issues. Episodes explore data sovereignty, colonization, ecological stewardship, and the healing power of ceremony, art, and community organizing. Guests range from Indigenous scholars and healers to trauma therapists, spiritual teachers, and activists, with a recurring emphasis on relational ethics, land, water, and collective resilience. Noteworthy is the consistent pairing of rigorous analysis with contemplative storytelling, offering practical pathways for healing and systemic change while inviting listeners into deeply reflective conversations. Potential listeners can expect thoughtful critiques of... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Sounds of SAND?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Sounds of SAND:

1. Living Myth
2. The Emerald
3. Emergence Magazine Podcast
4. Sounds True: Insights at the Edge
5. Accidental Gods - The Thrutopian Podcast

How many episodes of Sounds of SAND are there?

Sounds of SAND launched 4 years ago and published 184 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Sounds of SAND?

Recent guests on Sounds of SAND include:

1. Robert Moor
2. Lyla June Johnston
3. Kathy Sanchez
4. Ashley Nicole Lamont
5. Eduardo Duran
6. Dr. Nicole Wordlaw
7. Avianja Rakel Sanimuinaq
8. Nuka Alice

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