What makes a friendship truly great?

In this warm and lighthearted conversation, Susan Chen and Rachel Gross reflect on the joy, honesty, laughter, and deep care that allow friendship to flourish. Having met during their Vedic Meditation teacher training in India, their friendship has grown into a space of unwavering support, deep empathy, and a lot of laughing along the way.

Together they explore how consciousness shapes the way we show up for each other, and why friendship can become one of the most beautiful and transformative relationships in our lives.

They will also speak to something many adults quietly experience but rarely talk about. How do we cultivate meaningful friendships later in life? And how do we recognise the ones that truly feel aligned?

Expect stories, insights, and a few gentle reminders about the magic of wholeheartedly celebrating another human being.

About Susan

Susan Chen is a US-based Vedic Meditation teacher and the Director of Programming for Thom Knoles' Vedic Meditation programs. Before that, she spent nearly 15 years on Wall Street, tried 37 types of yoga and meditation, and eventually learned Vedic Meditation while still working as a portfolio manager on a trading desk. It gave her the two best years of her career, and after finding a source of happiness she never thought possible while still "achieving," she left to teach full-time. Today, she works with high performers who have tried every hack and app and are quietly wondering why none of it stuck. She teaches people how to stop pushing through and start enjoying success without the stress.

About Rachel

Rachel Gross is a dedicated Teacher of Vedic Meditation, sharing ancient wisdom with a modern touch to students worldwide. Her teaching style is infused with curiosity, playfulness, and a distinctly feminine energy, and under the guidance of her teacher and mentor, Thom Knoles, she continually refines and deepens her craft. With regular trips to India, the home of Vedic knowledge and culture, she makes every effort to stay fresh and deeply rooted in the tradition and lineage that Vedic Meditation comes from, visiting with the highest and most learned masters of this Tradition alive today.

Rachel's journey has been rich with diverse experiences, from the hustle of the music industry in New York City to becoming a lawyer in Boston and working as a Consultant in Sydney, NSW. She has faced various challenges along the way, like divorce, chronic illness, an eating disorder, depression, and a strong streak of perfectionism and a need to control and overachieve, emerging resilient and full of valuable lessons for herself and others. Recently discovering her neurodivergence, Rachel remains steadfast in her exploration of life's intricacies, continuously learning to embrace her true nature and live with an open heart.

Beyond meditation, Rachel finds joy in singing, dancing, cooking, and being in nature. She values deep connections and meaningful conversations with loved ones, with a particular interest in understanding the role that love and devotion play in our human experience. Rachel is committed to living authentically and pushing through barriers that hinder full expression, and she experiences great joy in helping support others to do the same.

Currently residing in Longreach, NSW, with her amazing partner, Barron, Rachel is excited and humbled to be a member of the Be Here Nowra community, where she can continue her pursuit of authenticity and assisting others in their own quest for Self-discovery.

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Contact the host of WISDOM TALK - Friendship: The Greatest Kind of Love with Rachel Gross and Susan Chen