Unlocking Inner Empowerment: Lessons from Wendy Benning Swanson’s Transformational Journey
How Ancient Mysteries, Modern Self-Discovery, and Practical Empowerment Intersect on the Schmidt List Podcast
On a recent episode of the Schmidt List podcast, host Kurt Schmidt sat down with Wendy Benning Swanson, author of “Inner Powerment,” to dive deep into what “empowerment” truly means—and how it extends far beyond external achievement or professional success. This conversation takes listeners on a journey from personal tragedy to entrepreneurial success, ultimately leading to a search for deeper meaning rooted in both ancient wisdom and modern personal growth.
If you find yourself plateauing in your career, endlessly ticking off to-do lists, or seeking answers that go beyond the everyday, this episode is a must-listen. Here’s what we learned.
From Loss to Self-Discovery: Wendy’s Unconventional Path
Wendy Benning Swanson’s journey began with a life-altering loss. After her husband’s passing, she found herself a widowed entrepreneur with a one-year-old son. Launching a successful staffing firm in the Twin Cities, Wendy quickly realized that professional milestones did not necessarily translate to fulfillment or a sense of purpose (Wendy Benning Swanson).
Her story underscores a universal truth: sometimes the greatest personal growth occurs not at the peak of traditional success, but during periods of introspection catalyzed by grief, change, or upheaval. As Wendy shared, divorce and death tend to make us “look in the mirror and say, who am I?” It’s these formative moments that often spark a deeper search for meaning.
Beyond Business: The Quest for Inner Empowerment
While immersed in the world of business, Wendy became what she jokingly calls a “self-help guru”—devouring books and content from figures like Tony Robbins in search of answers. But everything shifted when she encountered the teachings of the Mystery School tradition and the ancient philosophy of Hermetics.
“So much of business empowerment is about giving your team autonomy and responsibility,” Wendy Benning Swanson explains. “But the empowerment from the Mystery Schools is about something deeper: accessing power from within.” Rather than relying on external validation or accolades, this approach asks us to look inward, to “know thyself.”
This theme is closely tied to current workplace culture trends. While companies frequently tout “empowering” employees, the conversation rarely addresses the kind of deep internal work that transforms not just careers, but lives.
Hermetics, Mystery Schools, and Ancient Wisdom Made Modern
You might expect a conversation about Hermetics and Mystery Schools to veer into the esoteric, but Wendy roots these concepts in practicality. She describes the Mystery Schools—once accessible only to royalty or select initiates, now open to all seekers—as offering teachings that trace back to figures such as Aristotle, Socrates, and Leonardo da Vinci.
Rather than mysterious rituals or “moon water” (a joke made by Kurt Schmidt), the focus here is on unlocking the power and potential within each individual. The goal, Wendy says, is not just happiness (which she notes exists in polarity with sadness), but “joy”—a deeper, stable sense of self that persists despite life’s ups and downs.
Practical First Steps: Life Activation and Real-World Impact
Curious listeners may wonder: Where exactly does one start with this inner work? Wendy recommends a process called “life activation,” the gateway to the Mystery School teachings. This practice aims to “reconnect you to your divine blueprint,” activating both your physical and spiritual DNA for a fuller awareness of your potential.
The results? Stories abound of people launching new businesses, advocating for social change, or simply gaining clarity and resilience they hadn’t imagined possible. Wendy, coming from a scientific background, describes her own skepticism—and how repeated real-world results ultimately convinced her of the process.
Sharing the Mission: Why This Journey Matters
With her book, “Innerpowerment,” now available in print and on Audible, Wendy hopes to reach those who may never have encountered modern Mystery Schools or the concept of inner activation. Most importantly, she wants readers and listeners to know that profound transformation isn’t limited to mystics or gurus. “Now is the time when anyone interested can open the doors,” she says.
Conclusion: The Takeaway for Ambitious Seekers
For overachievers, career-driven professionals, or anyone feeling stuck in the grind, Wendy Benning Swanson’s story is an invitation to pause and reflect. True empowerment is less about titles and tasks—and more about realizing your inherent potential, unlocking your blueprint, and living with purpose-driven joy.
So, whether you start with a book, a podcast, or booking a session with a practitioner, take Wendy’s advice: “The mystery…is you, and how powerful we are.” And that’s a journey worth exploring.
Find Wendy’s book “Innerpowerment” on Amazon or Audible, and visit wendybenningswanson.com for more information.
