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Boundless Moments

Boundless Moments

Written by: Sacred Moments Initiative
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About this listen

Welcome to Boundless Moments, the storytelling podcast that brings sacred moments to life through the voices of those who lived them. Hosted by an internal medicine physician named Nathan Houchens, this podcast is part of a greater humanistic project called the Sacred Moments Initiative whose aim is to build a social movement of meaningful connection by studying, cataloging, and sharing sacred moments.

You might be asking, what is a sacred moment? This term has been used to describe a brief period in which people experience personal connection, powerful emotions, or spiritual qualities of transcendence and boundlessness. In these moments, it may feel as if time has stopped, as if typical boundaries have blurred. People who experience these moments are left with a sense of joy, peace, and empathy for the others involved and for themselves. These moments are often experienced in times of great stress or beauty and have the potential to profoundly impact our lives.

At Boundless Moments, we gather to share the stories that reveal the golden thread weaving us together. Sacred moments are recounted by the people who lived them and are often be followed by a conversation – an opportunity for reflection or a deeper dive into the ways in which the moment left lasting impressions. Every episode is an invitation to pause and appreciate the expansive power of shared humanity.

We would love for you to be part of this movement, and we would be honored to hear your story. If you have experienced a moment of grace, connection, or empathy that changed you, we invite you to submit it for consideration to be shared on Boundless Moments. By sharing, you not only contribute to a collective celebration of human connection but also inspire others to recognize and cherish the sacred moments in their own lives. To discover more about sacred moments and to share your own story, please visit sacredmomentsinitiative.org.

Join us as we delve into those brief moments that uncover the transformative power of compassion, the profound beauty of vulnerability, and the unyielding resilience of the human spirit. Through heartfelt tales and the conversations that follow, discover how ordinary encounters become extraordinary.

© 2026 Regents of the University of Michigan Relationships Social Sciences Spirituality
Episodes
  • 126 Healers

    126 Healers
    Jan 5 2026

    So far in Boundless Moments, we have heard from healthcare and mental healthcare providers who have shared their reflections on what it means to experience sacred moments with patients, clients, colleagues, or even mentees. It's time then to explore how sacred moments may unfold from the patient's perspective. And perhaps there's no more fitting segue than by hearing from a person who has experienced both the physician and the patient roles.

    In this episode, Dr. Raj Mangrulkar shares with me the very personal moment he realized he was having a stroke, transitioning from caregiver to patient, from independent to relying on others. He shares parts of his health care journey in the hospital and later in the rehab center, reflecting on the value of being seen and heard in a holistic way, the emotional rollercoaster of recovery, and how the eyes can be a window to the soul. The sacred moments in his story are abundant and arise from his intense personal vulnerability and willingness to share his story with others, as well as his reliance on so many people in his community to heal and return to what he loves to do, and how his experience allowed him to grow closer to the Veterans for whom he cares. I left the conversation feeling uplifted and inspired, and I very much hope you do the same.

    Sacred Moments Initiative
    2800 Plymouth Road
    North Campus Research Complex
    Building 16, Room 430W
    Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2800
    734-936-5216
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Do You Know What I Mean?

    Do You Know What I Mean?
    Dec 1 2025

    In this conversation, Dr. Arlene MacDougall shares her profound experience with dreams, healing, and the transforming power of the sweat lodge. She reflects on a terrifying dream from her youth that became a symbol of her journey through pain and hardship. In her work as a psychiatrist, she highlights the importance of mindfulness in learning to sit with suffering and how connecting to something greater than herself led to deep connection with a client through their shared dream.

    Sacred Moments Initiative
    2800 Plymouth Road
    North Campus Research Complex
    Building 16, Room 430W
    Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2800
    734-936-5216
    Show More Show Less
    48 mins
  • Origami Elephants

    Origami Elephants
    Nov 3 2025

    In this episode, we hear from a renowned PhD clinical psychologist, adjunct professor in psychiatry and psychology, and research scientist. Our guest begins with a brief guided meditation. Using gentle reflection, she helps us envision a metaphorical treasure chest of our most precious memories. This treasure chest meditation may allow us to revisit and hold close a boundless moment from our lives, a moment that brings comfort, meaning, or connection. She then shares the story of her client who found healing through sacred moments. Thereafter, we explore the significance of these moments in therapy, their role as counterweights to trauma, and how they can serve as anchors of hope and purpose. She talks about the importance of creating a safe space for clients to explore their spiritual dimensions, as well as the potential for sacred moments – sometimes called a ray of sunshine or a calling home – to heal.

    Sacred Moments Initiative
    2800 Plymouth Road
    North Campus Research Complex
    Building 16, Room 430W
    Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2800
    734-936-5216
    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
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