The Funny Thing About Yoga

After two intense weeks of our 300-hour immersion in Chicago, we’re finally sitting down to catch up, and a lot has happened.
Bradshaw shares the story behind his unexpected collarbone surgery and what it’s been like navigating recovery, forced stillness, and the mental challenge of slowing down. Giana opens up about eloping, celebrating at her baby shower, and stepping into a season of major life transition all at once.
From there, the conversation unfolds into something deeper- how life has a way of interrupting our plans, what happens when you stop forcing and start listening, and the strange little signs, synchronicities, and moments that make you wonder if something bigger is at play. We talk about trusting timing, finding love on your own timing, embracing change instead of resisting it, and the quiet wisdom that can come when life makes you slow down.
And because we can only stay serious for so long… we wrap things up with a little yoga game and start firing off our yoga hot takes- calling out trends, and truths from the yoga world that might ruffle a few feathers.
Part life update, part philosophy, part chaos- just the way we like it!
Want to support our podcast? Join our Patreon for extra content

** CHECK OUT OUR 300-HOUR PROGRAM **

🌊 Upcoming Retreats
Amalfi Coast Yoga Retreat: July 25 - August 1, 2026
Portugal Relax by the Sea Retreat: August 4-10, 2026

📚 Read the Podcast Blog:
The Funny Thing About Yoga on Substack

📲 Follow Us
Podcast: @thefunnythingaboutyoga
School: @cayayogaschool
Hosts: @gianagambino & @bradshawwish

🌐 More Links
gianayoga.com
bradshawwishyoga.com
cayayogaschool.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We recorded this one live with our 300-hour trainees right after a full week of deep diving into anatomy, and it had us thinking:
“Okay… I know stuff now… so how do I actually make my teaching better?”

In this episode, we unpack the gap between knowing anatomy and being able to teach a strong, effective class.

We talk about:
– why over-cueing and rigidity often come from too much anatomy focus
– the trap of trying to prove you know what you’re talking about
– when anatomy actually matters (and when you can let it go)
– how to use your knowledge within “peak pose” classes
– how to translate what you know into a clear, intelligent class

Then we get into what it actually looks like to use anatomy well—how it informs your sequencing, supports your intention, and creates a strong through-line from start to finish.
Lots of real examples, plenty of sequencing talk, and some really great questions from the room.

Want to support our podcast? Join our Patreon for extra content

** CHECK OUT OUR 300-HOUR PROGRAM **

🌊 Upcoming Retreats
Amalfi Coast Yoga Retreat: July 25 - August 1, 2026
Portugal Relax by the Sea Retreat: August 4-10, 2026

📚 Read the Podcast Blog:
The Funny Thing About Yoga on Substack

📲 Follow Us
Podcast: @thefunnythingaboutyoga
School: @cayayogaschool
Hosts: @gianagambino & @bradshawwish

🌐 More Links
gianayoga.com
bradshawwishyoga.com
cayayogaschool.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What matters more: being liked… or being effective?
In this episode, we unpack the pressure yoga teachers feel to be liked and how that quietly shapes the way we teach. From over-cueing and over-explaining, to chasing compliments or trying to prove we know what we’re doing, we explore the subtle ways insecurity shows up in the room.

Bradshaw shares what it’s been like to evolve his teaching while still wanting approval, and how that tension can make change feel uncomfortable. He reflects on his early days, when he relied on personality, music, and intensity to win students over.

Giana talks about choosing to teach the way she actually believes in, even when it’s less popular, and the many subtle ways she tried to be liked early on: over-cueing, not correcting, and kicking people’s butts for compliments.

We get into what it really means to be effective: teaching in a way students actually retain, creating consistency, having a clear plan, and being willing to let people be uncomfortable without micromanaging every moment.

Of course, it wouldn’t be us without a few tangents- we also get into little brother syndrome, yoga trainings, restorative classes, teaching without music, hot yoga, and some very real (and funny) stories about texts and boundaries.

Because at the end of the day, teaching what you believe in requires tuning out the noise and being okay with not everyone liking you.

Want to support our podcast? Join our Patreon for extra content

** CHECK OUT OUR 300-HOUR PROGRAM **

🌊 Upcoming Retreats
Amalfi Coast Yoga Retreat: July 25 - August 1, 2026
Portugal Relax by the Sea Retreat: August 4-10, 2026

📚 Read the Podcast Blog:
The Funny Thing About Yoga on Substack

📲 Follow Us
Podcast: @thefunnythingaboutyoga
School: @cayayogaschool
Hosts: @gianagambino & @bradshawwish

🌐 More Links
gianayoga.com
bradshawwishyoga.com
cayayogaschool.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we’re joined by Danielle Barbeau, owner of The River Yoga in Denver, CO. We first met Danielle virtually during a team meeting, and later in person when we traveled to Denver to teach at her studio, where we also recorded an episode that (tragically) didn’t sound great. But the conversation stuck with us… so we’re back for round two.

At the center of this episode is a deceptively simple question Danielle asked: “Do you feel like you’ve arrived?” And honestly… it sent us spiraling (in the best way).

We talk about what it actually means to “make it” in the yoga world- from teaching full-time to running a studio, navigating burnout, and building something that’s sustainable long-term. Danielle shares her path from young teacher to studio owner, what it looked like being thrown into leadership early, and how she navigated the uncertainty of the COVID years while keeping her community intact.

We get into the real side of the business: getting paid, doing the paperwork, making hard decisions, and learning how to lead. We talk about building trust with teachers, creating jobs that are actually sustainable, and the constant dance between supporting your team and running a business that works.

There’s also a behind-the-scenes look at how things evolve- bringing on support (hello COO), shifting roles, and creating space to actually enjoy what you’ve built… whether that’s being more present on retreats or focusing on the parts of the job you love. And then we come back to it—arriving.

What does it actually mean? Is it owning a studio? Teaching full-time? Being “known”? Danielle’s answer is simple, grounding, and unexpectedly emotional in the best way. While Bradshaw and Giana think about what this means for them individually and together professionally.

Also… we couldn’t resist. We close with some very necessary comic relief: overheard student conversations, Bluetooth mishaps, and a rogue cat moment you won’t forget.

Find Danielle Barbeau and The River online:
https://www.weseektheriver.com/
@daniellen.barbeau

Want to support our podcast? Join our Patreon for extra content

** CHECK OUT OUR 300-HOUR PROGRAM **

🌊 Upcoming Retreats
Amalfi Coast Yoga Retreat: July 25 - August 1, 2026
Portugal Relax by the Sea Retreat: August 4-10, 2026

📚 Read the Podcast Blog:
The Funny Thing About Yoga on Substack

📲 Follow Us
Podcast: @thefunnythingaboutyoga
School: @cayayogaschool
Hosts: @gianagambino & @bradshawwish

🌐 More Links
gianayoga.com
bradshawwishyoga.com
cayayogaschool.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we’re joined by psychotherapist, up and coming author, and Giana’s sister, Maria Gambino, for a conversation on emotional maturity, pain intolerance, and why most of us aren’t as “emotionally evolved” as we think.

We unpack the difference between emotional intelligence and true emotional maturity- and how living in a pain-intolerant culture keeps us disconnected from our bodies, our biology, and our ability to actually process what we feel. Maria shares how she brings biology into the therapy room to help people get unstuck, and why so many healing modalities can only scratch the surface.

We also get personal- diving into our own coping mechanisms, from perfectionism and performance to addiction and high achievement, and how they can mask what’s really going on underneath.

This episode is a deep (and at times unhinged) look at what trauma actually is, why some people don’t even realize they’re stuck, and how to start rebuilding a real relationship with your emotions.

Plus: a little unsupervised couples therapy moment with Bradshaw and Giana that has Maria laughing by the end.

Find Maria Gambino online:
@mariagambinohq
https://mariagambino.com/

Want to support our podcast? Join our Patreon for extra content

** CHECK OUT OUR 300-HOUR PROGRAM **

🌊 Upcoming Retreats
Amalfi Coast Yoga Retreat: July 25 - August 1, 2026
Portugal Relax by the Sea Retreat: August 4-10, 2026

📚 Read the Podcast Blog:
The Funny Thing About Yoga on Substack

📲 Follow Us
Podcast: @thefunnythingaboutyoga
School: @cayayogaschool
Hosts: @gianagambino & @bradshawwish

🌐 More Links
gianayoga.com
bradshawwishyoga.com
cayayogaschool.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.