Post-Tribal Shamanism: Healing the Invisible World with Kenn Day

What if the disconnection, addiction, and grief so many of us struggle with aren’t just personal struggles—but signs of something deeper?

What if these struggles are not failures, but invitations into a new way of seeing and living?

In this episode of Beyond the Pills, I sat down with Kenn Day, author of Post-Tribal Shamanism, to explore what he calls the invisible world—the realm of spirit, soul hunger, and deep connection that modern culture has forgotten.

This conversation was one of the most profound we’ve hosted on the show, and I believe it offers a roadmap for anyone feeling that inner ache for more—more wholeness, more meaning, more connection.

Shamanism Isn’t Chosen, It Calls You

Kenn has been walking this path for more than thirty years, though he admits the call came long before he could name it. His journey began not with academic study or a career decision, but with a recognition that spirit had been nudging him from the very beginning.

As he shared with me:

“The nature of shamanism is that we are called by spirit. And that’s something that happens before we’re born.”

In Mongolia, for example, there’s a belief that shamans occupy their own branch on the tree of life, set apart even before birth. Whether or not we adopt that cosmology, the point is powerful: this path is less about choice and more about recognition.

That truth alone reframes the conversation around healing. It suggests that our struggles may not be random or meaningless, but part of a larger calling toward wholeness and service.

Post-Tribal Shamanism: An Ancient Path for Modern Times

Many hear the word shamanism and immediately think of distant tribes, ancient rituals, or practices locked in history. Kenn honors those roots but insists the path cannot remain stuck in the past.

His concept of post-tribal shamanism is about carrying forward the essence of these traditions while making them alive, relevant, and accessible today.

He explained:

“My work is not about returning to the past, but evolving shamanic practice through our post-tribal lives.”

In other words, shamanism is not about mimicry or cultural appropriation. It’s about evolving the wisdom of spirit into practices that can address today’s challenges; whether that’s grief, addiction, leadership burnout, or the epidemic of disconnection we see everywhere.

Animism: Everything is Alive

One of the most transformative elements of Kenn’s teaching is the idea of animism. At its core, animism is the belief—or perhaps the recognition—that everything is alive. Not just people or animals, but trees, rivers, coffee cups, and the very air we breathe.

For many in the modern West, that sounds foreign or even superstitious. But Kenn argues it’s not superstition at all—it’s sanity. It’s a return to seeing the world as whole, alive, and sacred.

As he told me:

“If you have any interest in expanding your sense of reality, in connecting with the myriad spirits that surround you, and in having a positive, supportive relationship with the world around you—these are all good reasons.”

Imagine what it would mean for your morning routine if you saw your coffee cup as alive, infused with spirit, inviting you into relationship. Imagine the shift in leadership if boardrooms recognized the life in the spaces around them, or if organizations saw themselves as living systems rather than machines.

Animism, in this way, is less about belief and more about practice. It invites us to notice, to honor, and to engage.

Healing Soul Hunger

Kenn describes much of our modern suffering as the result of soul hunger. We try to fill it with substances, technology, consumerism, or overwork, but the hunger persists. It is the root beneath addiction, depression, and the quiet grief many carry without words.

This is the invisible world; unseen but no less real.

Through post-tribal shamanism, Kenn helps people recognize and feed this hunger in healthier ways: ritual, connection, nature, and relationship with spirit.

This is not escapism. It is not about leaving the modern world behind. It is about living more fully within it.

The Practical Side of Shamanism

One of the most refreshing parts of my conversation with Kenn was how grounded his approach is. He is not asking people to abandon their lives or take on exotic rituals. He is inviting them to weave spiritual awareness into the fabric of their daily existence.

That could look like a morning ritual, an intentional conversation, or simply learning to listen more deeply to your inner voice.

It could also mean bringing these practices into leadership, business, and organizational life. As Kenn pointed out, the disconnection we feel personally is mirrored in our institutions. Healing at one level inevitably touches the other.

Why This Conversation Matters Now

We live in an age of unprecedented disconnection. Despite technology that promises to bring us closer, loneliness is at epidemic levels. Addiction continues to ravage communities. Leaders are burning out.

Kenn’s vision of post-tribal shamanism offers a counterpoint. It says healing is possible—not by denying the modern world but by infusing it with spirit, integrity, and presence.

This is a message we need now more than ever.

Key Takeaways for Listeners

1. Healing is not self-help—it’s remembrance. Shamanism reminds us that we already belong to something greater.

2. Everything is alive. When we practice animism, we restore connection to the world around us.

3. Soul hunger is real. Addiction, grief, and disconnection are not just personal failures—they are spiritual cries for wholeness.

4. Shamanism is evolving. We don’t have to look like ancient tribes to live in relationship with spirit. We can create new rituals, new pathways, and new practices that serve our lives today.

5. Leadership can be shamanic. By recognizing the invisible world, leaders can bring integrity, creativity, and healing into their organizations.

Closing Thoughts

This episode with Kenn Day was more than a conversation, it was a mirror. It reminded me that healing is not just about physical health or even mental clarity. It’s about spirit. It’s about connection. It’s about remembering who we are and who we belong to.

If you’ve ever felt that gnawing sense of emptiness, if you’ve ever wondered if there’s more to life than what you can see, I invite you to listen. Kenn’s words will meet you where you are and invite you deeper.

👉 Tune in to Beyond the Pills and join us as we explore post-tribal shamanism, the healing of invisible wounds, and the restoration of soul connection in our modern world.

And if this conversation resonates, share it with someone you know who may be quietly hungering for more. Sometimes the right words at the right time can be a lifeline.

🎧 Listen to the full episode here:

Stay Well,

Josh