Unlike the story many of us inherited, we were never truly kicked out of the Garden. That's the wisdom at the heart of this conversation with Suzannah Ohlune — sacred song keeper, bhakti devotee, sun dancer, vision quester, and co-founder of Canción del Corazón, a regenerative living sanctuary nestled in the sacred valley of Vilcabamba, Ecuador.
Suzannah shares her journey from darkness to devotion — through addiction, breakdown, and a profound awakening — and how she found her way back to belonging. We explore the path of bhakti, the healing power of sacred song, and what it means to carry indigenous wisdom traditions with reverence and humility.
This is a conversation about remembrance. About the indigenous heart that lives within all of us, waiting to recall what we always knew — that we belong to life, to each other, and to something far greater than our small stories.
Chapter Markers
00:00 — Welcome & introduction to Song Keepers
04:00 — From darkness to devotion: addiction, overdose, and breakthrough
07:18 — Childhood, Christian roots, and early spirituality
14:32 — Bhakti: the path of devotion and union with universal consciousness
17:03 — Sacred song as practice: chanting, kirtan, and the power of group voice
26:17 — Indigenous traditions: the Camino Rojo and the Eagle & Condor prophecy
30:00 — "We were never kicked out of the Garden" — belonging vs. colonial separation
32:00 — Vision Quest: four days and four nights, facing your finite nature
37:58 — Cultural reciprocity (Ayni) and holding the Sweat Lodge with feminine medicine
44:46 — The feminine medicine of the Temazcal — the womb of the Great Mother
50:06 — Coming Home: the vision for the retreat at Canción del Corazón
57:25 — Closing prayer led by Suzannah
🌿 Connect with Suzannah
Instagram: @suzannahohlune
🌿 Canción del Corazón
Follow on Instagram: @canciondelcorazon
🌕 Come Home — Ecuador Retreat
Join John and Suzannah for Coming Home: A Celebration of Sacred Song — May 15–23, 2025 · Vilcabamba, Ecuador.
A gathering of song, ceremony, and remembrance at Canción del Corazón. Come home to your voice, your belonging, and something far greater than your small story.
Learn more and register: songkeepers.org/retreats
Book a free discovery call: Schedule here →
Disclaimer:
The conversations shared on the Song Keepers Podcast are for informational and inspirational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Practices discussed, including vision quests, sweat lodge ceremonies, and other physically and emotionally demanding spiritual traditions, carry real risks. Please consult with a qualified medical provider before engaging in any such practices, especially if you have existing health conditions.
