From the host of the integratingpresence.com podcast get and stay Inner Skilled with those of like minds, hearts, bodies and spirits..
Leave a voice message (up to 90 seconds) if so inclined via: https://www.speakpipe.com/innerskilled
Want to be a guest on Inner Skilled? Send me, Josh Dippold a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/innerskilled
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From the host of the integratingpresence.com podcast get and stay Inner Skilled with those of like minds, hearts, bodies and spirits..
Leave a voice message (up to 90 seconds) if so inclined via: https://www.speakpipe.com/innerskilled
Want to be a guest on Inner Skilled? Send me, Josh Dippold a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/innerskilled
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
(Ai assist:) Asher Lester spent 20 years as a pediatric behavioral analyst treating thousands of kids on the autism spectrum, then became a full-time Krav Maga instructor and breath/meditation teacher. In this raw, wide-ranging conversation he reveals:
- Why autism diagnoses skyrocketed from 3–5 in 10,000 to 1 in 32 — and the uncomfortable environmental factors no one wants to talk about
- How he went from being brutally bullied (40+ punches while pinned on the ground) to teaching self-defense and inner peace
- The shocking study: AI can identify you with 96.8% accuracy just from 24 hours of your breathing patterns (you have a “breathing fingerprint”)
- Why hyperventilation/“super-ventilation” techniques (including some popular methods) are dangerous and based on bad science
- The exact way to breathe (bottom-of-rib-cage demo) that calms the nervous system instantly and improves meditation, sports performance, and daily life
- Why schools secretly maintain zero-tolerance self-defense policies that teach kids to be passive victims
- The missing link between violence capability and true peace: becoming a “balanced warrior”
If you’ve ever felt anxious, struggled with meditation, worried about raising kids in today’s world, or wondered why everyone seems so on edge — this episode is a goldmine.
0:00 🎯 Intro – Welcome Asher Lester
0:58 😔 Losing His Best Friend at 11 – What Drove Him Into Psychology
2:15 🧠 20 Years Treating Autism & Behavioral Disorders
5:40 🤼♂️ From Therapist to Full-Time Krav Maga Instructor
8:18 🫁 Your Unique “Breathing Fingerprint” (96.8% AI identification)
10:25 ⚠️ How Stress Makes Us Hyperventilate & Dissociate in 30 Seconds
14:20 🧬 Why Autism Diagnoses Exploded (1 in 32 kids) – His Real-World Theory
18:50 🔥 Toxins, Fire-Retardant Furniture & Epigenetics
23:20 🐵 “We’re All Nervous Apes” – Origin of the Name & Negativity Bias
30:40 📰 Reframing Terror on Live TV – A Nervous System Masterclass
41:30 💔 Brutal Bullying Stories (and Why Schools Enable It)
48:10 🏫 “Snitches Get Stitches” – 5-Year-Olds Already Know
54:30 🚨 Why Zero-Tolerance Self-Defense Policies Harm Kids
1:00:00 🧘 Proper Breathing vs. Hyperventilation Myths (Wim Hof warning)
1:09:00 ❤️ Diaphragmatic Breathing Demo – Bottom-of-Rib-Cage Technique
1:14:20 🧘♂️ Best Way to Start Meditation (5 perfect setup breaths)
1:18:00 🫶 Where to Find Asher – Classes, 1-on-1, Fundamentals Course
https://www.instagram.com/nervousapes
https://www.facebook.com/trea.drake
Want to be a guest on Inner Skilled? Send Josh Dippold a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/innerskilled
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Want to be a guest on Inner Skilled? Send Josh Dippold a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/innerskilled
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A beautiful, intimate conversation with longtime Zen practitioner and author Lee Carlson about his 15-year student-teacher relationship with the legendary Peter Matthiessen (author of The Snow Leopard, Paris Review founder, and former CIA operative turned Sōtō Zen master).
Lee shares how Matthiessen helped him navigate profound openings — including a life-altering loving-kindness (metta) experience where the entire room dissolved into pure interconnected energy — and what it truly means to study with an awakened teacher.
From the paradoxes of Zen, the importance of sangha, the transformative power of the breath, and Matthiessen’s gentle reminder that “at the end of the day, just teach them how to breathe,” this episode is medicine for anyone walking a contemplative path or longing for authentic transmission in a teacher-student relationship.
0:00 – Welcome & technical difficulties
0:25 – Who is Lee Carlson? (25 years of Zen, journalism → authorship)
1:01 – Peter Matthiessen: The Snow Leopard, Paris Review, and the early Western Zen wave
3:52 – The CIA backstory & how people (including Matthiessen) changed
9:28 – Sōtō vs Rinzai, compassion in Zen, and stripping away the extras
14:35 – The Beat Generation, Dharma Bums, and the 1960s–70s spiritual explosion
18:18 – Zen is big on heart & love (despite the minimalist reputation)
19:49 – The irreplaceable value of a real teacher + sangha
23:29 – Wise friendship is the whole of the path (Buddha to Ānanda)
30:07 – Dokusan, eye-to-eye interviews, and life as practice
31:27 – The life-changing metta opening: the room dissolves into one bright pearl
35:21 – Peter’s response: “Oh, how wonderful” + Dōgen’s “The whole world is one bright pearl”
38:03 – Where to find Lee and his book
39:37 – Peter’s final teaching: “At the end of the day, just teach them how to breathe”
40:45 – Closing blessing
A Single Excellent Night: A Man, a Mentor, and a Moment in Time:
https://www.amazon.com/Single-Excellent-Night-Mentor-Moment/dp/B0FTTP6DFT/
https://www.facebook.com/LeeCarlsonAuthor
https://www.youtube.com/@LeeCarlsonAuthor
https://www.instagram.com/leecarlsonauthor/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/LeeCarlsonNirvana
Want to be a guest on Inner Skilled? Send Josh Dippold a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/innerskilled
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this heartfelt conversation, high-performance coach Rob Tracz shares his journey from an overworked strength & conditioning coach (12–15 hour days, 7 days a week for years) to becoming a “Prime Performer” coach for young entrepreneurs and side-hustlers. Rob opens up about the personal cost of hustle culture — deteriorating health, lost relationships, and missing precious time with his father during his final months with pancreatic cancer.
Through these hard lessons, Rob discovered that true success isn’t more money or hours worked — it’s living in alignment with your deepest core values, cultivating self-awareness, and building a life that still has room for relationships, joy, and reflection.
A powerful episode for anyone who’s ever felt trapped in “robot mode,” chasing the next milestone while life passes by. Learn practical ways to slow down, reflect consciously, use values as your compass, and build a thriving side hustle without burning out.
0:00 – Intro & casual weather chat
1:07 – Who is Rob Tracz and what he does today
3:25 – Childhood: “Dweeb Rob” discovers personal development through sports
6:53 – Becoming a strength & conditioning coach
7:55 – The dark side: 12–15 hour days, 200 weeks straight, “robot mode”
8:28 – Losing relationships and missing time with his dying father
9:11 – The turning point and redefining success through core values
11:33 – Tying self-worth to achievement & the need for life “brakes”
13:21 – When to intervene vs. let someone learn the hard way
15:54 – Current trends: moving away from “sleep when I’m dead” culture
17:20 – Using AI for deeper self-reflection and gratitude
20:07 – Growth without purpose is cancer — redefining success on your own terms
23:36 – Core values as the map, goals as the mountain
26:21 – Rob’s unique edge: adaptability + radical awareness
28:12 – Turning weaknesses into strengths through conscious reflection
30:20 – One core message: “Reflect more consciously”
32:12 – Wrapping up + Rob’s current work
35:25 – Conflict resolution, power dynamics, and working with pro sports teams
39:06 – Final message: Reflect more consciously
vid version: https://youtu.be/NwOqaslr16M
Main Website — https://robtracz.com
Podcast: Surviving the Side Hustle — https://robtracz.com/podcast (or https://survivingthesidehustle.com)
https://instagram.com/robtracz
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tracz-ms-cscs-55a4b3146
Older Training Site (TAPS) — https://taps-training.com (still active but secondary to his current coaching focus)
https://www.facebook.com/robert.tracz.750
https://youtube.com/@coachrobt2143
Want to be a guest on Inner Skilled? Send Josh Dippold a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/innerskilled
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
(Ai assist:) Dr. Will Tuttle — author of the bestselling The World Peace Diet, musician, and lifelong spiritual practitioner — shares his incredible life story: leaving home in 1975 with his brother to walk across America in search of cosmic consciousness, decades in Zen monasteries in Korea and the U.S., intensive meditation retreats, becoming vegan in 1975, and traveling the world for 17 years in an RV spreading the message of compassion.
At 72, Will reveals how a whole-food plant-based lifestyle, daily meditation, Tai Chi, and living close to nature have given him the biological age of 22 and his 77-year-old wife the biological age of 35. We dive deep into:
vid version: https://youtu.be/MJ24STTpibk
https://www.worldpeacediet.com
https://www.youtube.com/@WillTuttle
https://www.facebook.com/will.tuttle1
https://www.youtube.com/@WillTuttle
Partial Chapter listing:
1:01 – Who is Dr. Will Tuttle? (author, musician, 33-year marriage)
1:34 – Growing up in Concord, transcendentalist roots & distrusting mainstream media
3:29 – 1975: Leaving home with no money to walk to CA seeking enlightenment
4:02 – Self-inquiry with Ramana Maharshi while walking across America
4:50 – Joining "The Farm" hippie commune
5:53 – Korean Zen center in Alabama
8:22 – Meeting Zen master Seo Kyung-bo (Donald Gilbert)
9:02 – Tibetan Buddhism, prostrations, then returning to Zen simplicity
10:54 – Becoming a Zen monk in Korea
11:43 – Getting PhD, meeting Madeleine, 17 years living & lecturing from an RV
12:20 – Writing The World Peace Diet (now in 19+ languages)
15:34 – Josh reflects on Will’s classic spiritual seeker journey
19:57 – Why food is our most intimate connection with the living earth
20:40 – Becoming vegan in 1980, never a pill or doctor visit in 50 years
22:50 – Biological age 22 at 72, Madeleine age 35 at 77 (the “Don’t Die” test)
24:19 – Growing your own food, loving the plants, food as medicine
28:54 – Urgency of practice as we age
32:26 – Hunting vs. factory farming – planting seeds with compassion
35:14 – The burning house parable – how to actually help people
37:06 – Monsanto, GMOs, petrochemical agriculture & profit-driven poisoning
41:10 – Rockefeller medicine, pharmaceuticals as refined petroleum
44:33 – The rise of medical assistance in dying (MAID) & commodification of life
48:56 – The absolute necessity of daily meditation & inner discernment
52:02 – Closing blessings: May all beings awaken and be free
Want to be a guest on Inner Skilled? Send Josh Dippold a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/innerskilled
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Stephanie Lee Jackson, founder of Practical Sanctuary and pioneer of sensory interior design—designs spaces that actually calm and regulate your nervous system instead of overstimulating it.
Stephanie explains why modern homes trigger fight-or-flight, how fluorescent lights and bad layouts drain sensitive people (and everyone else), and how small, evidence-based changes can dramatically lower anxiety, improve focus, and even speed healing. From Danish dining-room lighting tricks to redesigning hospitals that currently push the brake and the accelerator at the same time, this episode bridges neuroscience, architecture, and spirituality. Perfect for HSPs, neurodivergent folks, meditators, parents, caregivers—or anyone who’s ever walked into a room and instantly felt exhausted.
[Due to editing these markers aren't exactly timestamped properly anymore but they are for the video version: https://youtu.be/_pTUmEU0LJg]
0:00 – Intro: We’re Animals, Not Brains in Jars
0:37 – Meet Stephanie Jackson: Sensory Interior Design
2:16 – Highly Sensitive People & Fluorescent Light Torture
4:24 – Discovering You’re Not “Weak”—You’re Wired Differently
6:40 – Meditation Bypasses Survival Brain (It’s Biological!)
9:11 – Comfort Zones vs. Anxiety as a Comfort Zone
10:50 – Feng Shui? Biophilia? No—Practical Nervous-System Design
13:05 – How Stephanie Works: Virtual Tours, Photos & Collaboration
16:28 – The #1 Issue: Women’s Boundaries Steamrolled (Mirrored in Space)
19:04 – “Space Therapist”: Refereeing Couples & Neuroscience Facts
21:47 – Scandinavian Design & Hygge Done Right
24:06 – The Flying-Saucer Light That Doubled Family Dinner Time
26:06 – Hospitals Are Making Patients Sicker—Here’s Proof
30:14 – Cleveland Clinic, Mayo & the Coming Sensory Hospital Revolution
32:35 – Why Mid-Career Execs Block Change (and How to Reach the Decision-Makers)
35:02 – The Ego Trap in Western Mindfulness & Spirituality
38:18 – Inner Work Must Become Outer Work—No Separation
42:49 – Connect with Stephanie: PracticalSanctuary.com + Her New Book
43:50 – Final Message: “You Already Know What You Need”
https://practicalsanctuary.com
Book (via the main page of her site): The Eccentric Genius Habitat Intervention: Interior Design for Highly Sensitive People
https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=6VCt2JitglWC2lNeA99P2v4n61OpzIzWYFHkz6QaQq0
https://www.facebook.com/stephanieleejackson
https://www.instagram.com/practicalsanctuary
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieleejacksonpracticalsanctuary
Want to be a guest on Inner Skilled? Send Josh Dippold a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/innerskilled
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
(Ai assist:) In this somewhat deep-dive conversation, hypnotherapist Craig Meriwether (Arizona Integrative Hypnotherapy) explains hypnosis is an intentional shift into alpha/theta brainwave states—something we do daily while watching TV, driving, or day-dreaming. Far from stage-trickery or MK Ultra-style control, therapeutic hypnotherapy empowers the subconscious to release trauma, anxiety, and limiting patterns. We explore possible overlaps with meditation (jhana/samādhi), self-hypnosis, post-hypnotic suggestions, NLP, the “God Helmet,” and ethical red flags. Craig stresses: you can’t be forced against your morals or values, and real change requires relentless practice. A balanced, eye-opening look at a powerful healing modality—without the Hollywood hype.
[Partial chapter marks:]
3:37 – Craig’s Training: 500+ Hours at Hypnotherapy Academy of America
20:34 – Dissociation, Jhana & Meditation Absorption States
21:04 – MK Ultra & Project Monarch: Hypnosis as One Tool Among Many
30:49 – Detecting Manipulation: Assume Ads/Social Media Want Your Attention
37:14 – Suggestions & Post-Hypnotic Suggestions Explained
44:46 – Relentlessness: Change Isn’t One Session—It’s Daily Practice
47:36 – You Can’t Be Forced Into Hypnosis—Consent Is Key
48:19 – Memory, Amnesia, Genetics & Non-Local Consciousness
https://sacredmysteryhypnotherapy.com
https://www.facebook.com/sacredmysteryhypnotherapy
https://www.youtube.com/@Sacred_Mystery_Hypnotherapy
https://www.instagram.com/sacred_mystery_hypnotherapy
https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-meriwether-44286718b
https://www.tiktok.com/@sacred_mystery
References:
The Melt Episode 246- Robert Temple | Dreamwalking, The In Between, and The Grey Regions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONn32cDhQyo [This is where I heard him say his book about hypnosis "Open to Suggestion" was banned on only ever available in Britian]
Thoth presentation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6RDcWNUTNE (Info is beyond interesting and unique, but I'm not in total alignment with presentation style)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_helmet
https://rumble.com/user/oblockheedm (very detailed processes and information about method, intent, etc)
S4E93 | Grey - GATE, Mind Files, & the Occult Foundations of the Industrialized Brainwashing Machine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_IulqAzYfA (and the entire podcast)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
(Ai assisted:) Michael Ostrolenk is a seasoned psychotherapist-turned-coach with nearly 30 years of experience in personal development, couples therapy, men's groups, and executive coaching. From his early diagnosis of OCD at age 9 sparking a lifelong journey into Eastern philosophy, martial arts mastery (Taekwondo, Krav Maga, and more), and self-regulation practices, to intense training with Navy SEALs at Seal Fit and policy work on national security, election integrity, Federal Reserve audits, and healthcare freedom—Michael shares profound insights on discipline, non-aggression, transpartisan coalitions, the flaws in fiat currency, AI's double-edged potential, and cultivating emotional sovereignty in a divided world. A blend of warrior ethos, spiritual wisdom, and policy realism for anyone seeking self-mastery and societal truth.
0:00 - Intro & Welcome Michael Ostrolenk
0:21 - Who is Michael? 30 Years in Therapy, Coaching, Men's Groups & SEAL Fit
1:49 - Childhood OCD Diagnosis & First Steps into Meditation, Martial Arts & Eastern Philosophy
3:29 - Early Influences: Bruce Lee, Zen Books & Secular Mindfulness Therapy
5:21 - Growing Up in Virginia & Dive into Taekwondo under Jhoon Rhee
6:36 - Martial Arts Journey: From Tae Kwon Do to Krav Maga, Hapkido & Shaolin Kempo
9:21 - Ethics of Self-Defense, Non-Aggression Principle & Radical Non-Harming
10:19 - My military Family Background & Grappling with War, Veterans & the "War Machine"
15:20 - A few of my (incomplete) views on Anarchy, Pacifism, Government as Mind Control & Self-Responsibility
17:33 - Michael's SEAL Training at 40: Kokoro Camp, 55-Hour Hell Week & Lessons from Special Ops
21:26 - Policy Work: Transpartisan Coalitions on Defense Reform, Election Security & Healthcare Freedom
28:22 - Auditing the Fed: $14 Trillion Bailout Exposed & Why It Didn't Spark Outrage
32:21 - Fiat Currency, Central Banking, Debt System & Education's Role in Public Ignorance
37:28 - Practical Advice: Read Across the Spectrum, Question Everything & Build Emotional Sovereignty
41:16 - Parapolitics, Q Movement, Project 2025 & Avoiding Emotional Triggers
42:38 - AI, Technocracy & Transhumanism: Tools for Good/Bad, Empathy Decline & Mindful Use
48:47 - Wrapping Up: Contact Michael, Final Blessings & Beach Vibes
(video version of this talk: https://youtu.be/NaOjtu1EjkA)
https://www.michaeldostrolenk.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-ostrolenk-ma-mft-324665
https://www.instagram.com/mostrolenk
https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldostrolenk
https://www.facebook.com/mostrolenk
https://substack.com/@michaeldostrolenk
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
(Ai assist:) In this inspiring episode I welcome guided meditation teacher and self-love advocate Kathryn Remati. From her transformative discovery of meditation at age 16 amid personal struggles, to building the affordable Tranquil Me app and authoring Befriend Yourself: The Self-Love Path to Peace, Kathryn shares practical insights on making meditation accessible for beginners. The conversation dives deep into self-love as the foundation for inner peace, overcoming myths like "emptying the mind," the healing power of loving-kindness (metta), and how befriending yourself dissolves judgment, envy, and trauma. They explore energetic hygiene, radical acceptance, and Kathryn's upcoming "Lighten Up" retreat in Costa Rica—a luxurious, nature-immersed experience blending yin yoga, art therapy, sound healing, cacao ceremonies, and vegan gourmet meals over New Year's. Perfect for anyone seeking mainstream mindfulness, self-compassion, and world peace starting from within.
0:00 - Intro & Welcomes: Josh and Kathryn Connect as Solo Travelers
0:48 - Who is Kathryn? Guided Meditations, Tranquil Me App, & Spreading Peace
2:11 - Teaching at Kaiser: Insomnia, Stress Reduction, Weight Management & Self-Love
3:24 - Busting Meditation Myths for Beginners: It's Like Brushing Your Teeth
4:45 - Monkey Mind? You Can't Fail at Meditation – Just Observe
6:56 - Kathryn's Origin Story: Saved by Meditation at 16 from Depression & Trauma
8:29 - First Guru in Australia: Mind Development Course & Palpable Peace
10:32 - Life Transformation: Grades Soar, Vegetarianism, Yoga & Psychology Degree
12:22 - Overcoming Voice Hate: Recording Meditations & Self-Acceptance
13:39 - Self-Love: Metta Practice & Befriending Yourself
18:04 - Jealousy as a Self-Love Signal; Treat Yourself Like a Friend
21:22 - Unworthiness, Gender Pressures, Trauma & Why Self-Love Heals All
25:02 - Love vs. Fear: A Course in Miracles & Calls for Love
26:07 - Lighten Up Retreat in Costa Rica: Nature, Art, Yoga, Sound Healing & More
30:35 - Why Retreats Beat Vacations: Come Back Renewed, Not Regretful
32:16 - Insight Timer Courses: Self-Love Test, Sleep Meditations & Abundance
34:20 - I Share a Radical Acceptance Mantra: "It's Okay" (Except Abuse)
35:18 - Wrap-Up: Website, Book, App & Namaste Blessings
https://insighttimer.com/tranquilspectrum
Lighten Up Retreat Website: https://lightenupretreat.com (details on the Costa Rica New Year's retreat and other events)
Befriend Yourself: The Self-Love Path to Peace https://www.amazon.com/Befriend-Yourself-Self-Love-Path-Peace/dp/B0CD6SLTKQ
https://www.facebook.com/kathryn.remati
https://www.youtube.com/@tranquilmeapp
https://www.instagram.com/kathrynremati
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
(Ai Assist:) Jason went from high blood pressure + autoimmune in his 20s to healing root causes — pathogens, heavy metals, trauma, and spiritual disconnect.
🔥 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:
• Why identical twins get different diseases (epigenetics proof)
• POTS: post-COVID autonomic chaos — heart rate 180 → crash
• Hibiscus tea = leading BP med (How Not to Die study)
• Caffeine is of greater significance than any herb in drug interactions (CDC data)
• St. John’s wort doesn’t kill — just clears SSRIs faster
• 90% consistency rule: “Give up what made you sick”
• Purpose = spiritual download, not mental construction
• Death meditation = regret-free living
👉 CONNECT WITH JASON:
https://empoweredprevention.com
https://www.youtube.com/@empoweredprevention1094
http://www.facebook.com/Empoweredprevention
https://www.instagram.com/empoweredprevention
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ott-23a616201
⏰ CHAPTERS:
0:00 – Intro
0:59 – Mom’s Brain Cancer → Epigenetics Journey
2:56 – Autoimmune Explosion (Not Just Testing)
4:53 – Toxins No One Tests (Mercury, Mold, Radiation)
10:33 – Bio-Individual Plans: Nourishment Is the Goal
14:28 – POTS: The New Post-COVID Autoimmune
18:31 – POTS Explained: Autonomic Hijack
21:31 – Autoimmune ≠ Self-Attack (Pathogens + Toxicity)
23:51 – Prevention: Air, Water, Food, Trauma
29:31 – Herbs: Hibiscus = BP Meds
32:32 – Caffeine Riskier Than Herbs (CDC)
34:51 – St. John’s Wort Myth Busted
38:35 – 90% Lifestyle Rule
44:55 – Trauma → Cancer/Autoimmune Link
47:54 – Purpose Received in Silence
51:52 – Death Acceptance = Freedom
53:50 – Contact + Buddha’s Time Illusion
Video version: https://youtu.be/PImVyNgV8Z8
💬 COMMENT: What’s your biggest health mystery?
#Autoimmune #Epigenetics #POTS #HerbalMedicine #SpiritualPurpose
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
(Ai assist:) Dr. J. Paul Luftman, a former primary-care and cardiac physician who survived severe burnout and a near-fatal heart attack shares how these crises became a “wakeup call” that propelled him into Eastern mindfulness, sound healing, and a broader redefinition of wellness. The conversation spans wounded-healer authenticity, the placebo effect, AI’s impact on bedside manner, sound frequencies, psychedelics, trauma-informed care, near-death research, and the need for rigorous study of “esoteric” modalities. The episode closes with Dr. Luftman unveiling his new platform, Saturation of Sound, and a call to expand evidence-based healing while prioritizing “do no harm.”
0:00 Intro & Welcome
0:07 Who Is Dr. J. Paul Luftman?
0:15 25-Year Career → Burnout → Heart Attack
1:06 The Book & Its Mission for Healthcare Workers
2:14 “Serious as a Heart Attack” – The Wake-Up Call
3:36 Pre-, During-, & Post-Crisis: A Personal Timeline
4:20 Wounded Healer Archetype & Empathy from Experience
6:26 Empowering Patients vs. Over-Fixing
7:05 Body-as-Cast Analogy & Natural Healing
8:23 AI, Information Overload & the Return of Bedside Manner
10:02 Human Touch vs. Robot Surgeons
12:10 The Placebo Effect – 30% Improvement on Sugar Pills
13:12 Quantum Physics Meets Vedic & Kabbalistic Wisdom
14:32 Eastern Sciences Catching Up to Western Rigor
15:45 Intention, Karma & Ethical Non-Harming
17:07 History of Snake-Oil → Scientific Method → Integration
19:15 “Living in the AND” – Rigor + Expanded Modalities
21:29 Sound Healing: Rife, Brainwaves & Music as Medicine
23:31 Dr. Luftman’s Cathedral Sound-Bath Epiphany
25:22 Einstein, Silence & Intuition
27:45 Psychedelics: Promise, Harm & Integration
29:46 Self-Responsibility & Prevention Over Quick Fixes
31:12 Sound Baths in Practice – 528 Hz, Bowls & Layering
34:50 Micro-Practices with Song Lyrics
35:31 Trauma, RAMCOA & Mind-Control Claims
38:05 Dr. Luftman’s Own “No-Self” Panic on Retreat
40:04 Not One-Size-Fits-All – Adapting for Trauma
44:29 Psychedelic Integration & Antidotes (Still Emerging)
46:38 Shamans vs. Clinical Settings – Need for Comparative Trials
48:37 Placebo-Controlled Ayahuasca vs. U.S. Protocol
49:06 Observer Effect & Limits of Current Science
50:17 Near-Death Research – UVA Database & Consciousness
54:05 Samadhi, Past-Life Recall & fMRI Validation
57:20 Wrap-Up & Final Thanks
57:56 SaturationOfSound.com – Book, Newsletter, Community
59:10 Closing Blessing: “May All Beings Know Optimal Health & Awakening"
https://saturationofsound.com/about/
https://www.youtube.com/@saturation_of_sound
https://www.instagram.com/saturation_sound
https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephluftmanmd
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
(Ai Assist:) Steve Frazier is a 68-year-old serial entrepreneur and self-sabotage coach, who shares his 40-year journey through business, addiction, and natural health. Triggered by his wife’s Lyme disease diagnosis and his own caffeine-induced heart scare, Steve dove into hundreds of studies and now advocates for caffeine awareness—not abolition, but informed choice. He debunks myths (e.g., longevity studies mixing caffeinated/decaf coffee), explains caffeine’s disruption of cortisol, adenosine, sleep stages, hormones, and fetal development, and stresses free will, planning, and social pressure when quitting. I add personal anecdotes on alcohol, meditation, and green tea. The conversation blends science, psychology, culture, and practical tips (Swiss-water decaf, lemon water, under 200 mg/day, trackers).
0:06 Steve’s Intro: 40 Years of Entrepreneurship & Life Lessons
2:05 Restaurant Days, Lyme Disease, & the Natural Health Rabbit Hole
6:00 Steve’s Heart Scare & Instant Quit Story
11:30 Decaf Myths: Swiss Water Process vs. Chemical Decaf
14:02 Caffeine Half-Life (5–8 hrs) & Individual Metabolism
15:26 Diuretic Effects: Losing Calcium, Magnesium, & Bone Health
18:18 Tracking Intake – 1st Step to a Plan
19:25 Spiking Cortisol, Dopamine, Adrenaline Every Sip
20:02 Fight-or-Flight W/o the Fight: Adrenal Fatigue
21:20 Caffeine Plugs Adenosine Receptors – Fake Alertness
21:48 Four Sleep Stages & How Caffeine Shortens Deep Repair
24:03 Women Hit Harder: Hormones, Anxiety, Luteal Phase (70% Slower)
26:15 Pregnancy Bombshell: No CYP1A2 Enzyme in Fetuses
27:31 Risks to Baby: Low Birth Weight, Miscarriage, ADHD, Stillbirth
30:41 Coffee Benefits? It’s the Polyphenols, NOT Caffeine
33:42 Debunking “3–5 Cups = Longer Life” Meta-Studies (Half Decaf!)
35:23 Caffeine = Natural Pesticide; Sodas Recycle It
36:04 Social Tsunami: Peer Pressure & Herd Mentality
41:16 Make the Horse Thirsty – Knowledge, Not Force
44:03 Quitting Requires a Plan: Trackers, Breathwork, Hypnotherapy
47:58 Ritual Replacement & High-End Coffee Culture
53:02 Safe Intake? under 200 mg (Ideally under 100 mg) Before 10 AM
55:49 Hidden Caffeine in PMS Meds – Makes Cramps Worse
56:48 Do You Really Know What Healthy Feels Like? [Correction: I just eat less bread in America]
https://www.releasethecoffeecuffs.com
Effects of Caffeine https://www.releasethecoffeecuffs.com/effects-of-caffeine
Tools and trackers https://www.releasethecoffeecuffs.com/Tools-and-Trackers
Caffeine Content https://www.caffeineinformer.com/the-caffeine-database
https://www.facebook.com/ReleaseTheCoffeeCuffswithSteveFrazier/
https://www.instagram.com/releasethecoffeecuffs/
https://www.youtube.com/@releasethecoffeecuffs
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevefrazier/
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Amara Palmer, a 25-year desert dweller living off-grid in the Mojave near Joshua Tree. Amara shares her 2014 shattering awakening on July 2nd, triggered by a natural inquiry upon waking: "Where am I?" amid an array of selves (higher/lower, mother, business owner). This led to an implosion into aware stillness, realizing "everything is okay" beyond doubt.
They explore awakening as an instant glimpse of true nature, followed by a realization process of integration and embodiment—not enlightenment's static superlative. Amara contrasts sudden vs. gradual paths, denial as a "human superpower," and how meditation fosters "accident-prone" readiness. She details her pre-awakening practices: sungazing, chanting, and surrendering attachments (daughter, marriage, home) out of yearning for authenticity.
Discussion dives into self-inquiry (direct path pointing beyond mind/words), deconstructing self via Buddhist anatta (body, feelings, perceptions, mental activity, consciousness as illusions like foam or magician's trick). Amara views self as ungraspable, arising/passing as needed post-awakening. They touch trauma's role in priming awakening (fractured psyches foster doubt/yearning), neurodivergence, and off-grid "exit and build" lifestyle supporting stillness.
Key themes: unconditioned eternal now (outside time, no annihilation escape), subtle clinging (to non-being or becoming), relaxation as awakening's essence ("just this"), and exploring creation's layers in freedom/celebration. Amara offers tools like sound immersions, alchemy circles, somatic inquiry, and hypnotherapy for body-mind liberation.
Closing with Buddha's words: Everyone can awaken this lifetime.
https://AmaraPalmer.com for free monthly gatherings
https://www.youtube.com/@UCeEREV6o3XZKeLjl0Yq2NiQ
https://www.instagram.com/freedom_through_inquiry
A casual yet deep dialogue on living true nature amid mundane grit
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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Melissa Llarena is a career coach with 14 years of experience helping high-achieving corporate professionals worldwide. Melissa shares her pivot during the pandemic from corporate coaching to integrating meditation and mindfulness after relocating to Australia with her family. Now back in the U.S., she uses these practices to navigate intense life challenges like caring for aging parents and raising three sons (including identical twins). The conversation explores balancing ambition with reality—stressing practical tools like meditation, breathwork, and exercise to fuel big dreams without burnout. We discuss the "sweet spot" between obligations (bills, family) and bold goals, the paradoxes of stress in high-stakes jobs, and holding conflicting emotions (e.g., grief and gratitude). A key focus is motherhood: Melissa debunks the "career woman vs. stay-at-home mom" binary, sharing her iterative approach to work-life integration, identity struggles, societal biases (e.g., no Forbes list for moms), and the biological/psychological shifts of parenting. She emphasizes supportive partnerships through communication and adaptability. Melissa promotes her book Fertile Imagination, corporate mindfulness/resilience programs (Resilient and Relaxed Leader), and ends with an empowering message for moms: "You don't need anyone to tell you you're significant." Josh closes by honoring mothers' contributions and inherent worth.
0:00 - Intro & Welcome: Josh Introduces Melissa Llarena
0:26 - Melissa's Background: 14 Years in Career Coaching High-Achievers
0:58 - Pandemic Pivot: Relocating to Australia & Discovering Meditation
2:22 - My Meditation Practice Since 2012 & Applying It to Daily Life
3:04 - The Stress Spectrum: Corporate Burnout vs. Practical Realities
4:58 - Finding the Sweet Spot: Obligations, Dreams, and Grounding Tools
6:07 - Family Adventure in Australia: "Irresponsible but Responsible"
7:04 - Fueling Ambition: Wild Dreams Like Placing Book in Library of Alexandria
8:38 - Anchors in Reality: Meditation, Breathwork, Workouts for Endurance
9:13 - Trade-Offs: Quitting Corporate Job in 2011 for Flexibility
10:40 - Meditation vs. Positive Thinking: Creating Space for Dual Realities
12:12 - Practical Mindfulness: Loving-Kindness at Trader Joe's
13:23 - Holding Paradox: Acknowledging Pain While Uplifting the Mind
15:34 - Mom Life Balance: Career Woman or Stay-at-Home? Why Not Both?
16:17 - Iterative Parenting: From One Kid to Twins & Sleep Deprivation
17:10 - Pre-Kid "Perfect Parent" Illusions vs. Biological Brain Changes
19:07 - Identity Struggles: Martyr Mom, Working Mom, Societal Expectations
20:40 - Choices & Disruptions: Career Interruptions, Therapy vs. Kid Time
22:34 - Societal Bias: No Forbes List for Stay-at-Home Moms
23:44 - Costs of Ambition: Ego, Expenses, and Questioning "Needs"
25:48 - Supportive Partners: Listening, Adapting to Changing Needs
27:51 - Melissa's Offerings: Book *Fertile Imagination*, Corporate Programs
29:31 - Parting Message: Moms, You Are Significant Without Validation
30:35 - Closing: Honoring Mothers & Inherent Worth
https://www.melissallarena.com/fertileideas/
Book: Fertile Imagination: Every Mom's Superpower – https://www.amazon.com/Fertile-Imagination-Stretching-Superpower-Maximum/dp/B0CK2ZSMLB
LinkedIn: Melissa Llarena (connect and mention "Josh sent me" or the podcast) – https://linkedin.com/in/melissallarena
Corporate Program: Resilient and Relaxed Leader (mindfulness + resilience training for companies/employee wellness)
https://www.instagram.com/melissallarena
https://www.youtube.com/@CareerOutcomesMatter
https://twitter.com/CareerOutcomes
https://www.facebook.com/melissa.llarenadiaz
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(Ai assisted:) I sit down with Manuj Aggarwal, a seasoned technologist with over 30 years of experience and four AI patents. We explore the intersection of artificial intelligence, human consciousness, and ethics. Manuj shares his journey from working with tech giants like Microsoft and IBM to developing AI solutions that empower individuals and communities. Manuj talks about the potential of AI to enhance personal growth. I bring up the ethical challenges of data and technocracy, and the balance between technological progress and spiritual wisdom while drawing some minor parallels with Buddhist philosophy. I have Manuj address concerns about transhumanism, digital IDs, and social control, emphasizing the importance of self-responsibility and intentionality in navigating the AI-driven future. This episode offers a thought-provoking blend of technology, spirituality, and practical insights for embracing AI as a tool for inner and outer transformation.
0:00 - Introduction and Guest Welcome
0:53 - Manuj’s Background and AI Journey
Manuj shares his 30-year tech career, four AI patents, and work with major companies, including a project recognized by Obama and Bill Gates.
2:13 - AI, Ethics, and Transhumanism
Discussion on the ethical implications of AI, including concerns about transhumanism, digital IDs, and data harvesting.
5:01 - Data as the New Wealth
Manuj explains how data is the new oil and AI is the engine, empowering individuals to create value ethically.
8:18 - Infrastructure and Ownership Concerns
Questions about who controls AI infrastructure, with Manuj addressing open-source solutions and decentralization.
13:37 - AI for Inner Growth
17:25 - Social Control and AI’s Double-Edged Sword
Exploring social control systems, media sensationalism, and the balance of light and dark in technology’s impact.
19:05 - Human Consciousness and IQ Insights
Manuj shares insights from speaking at Mensa, discussing human IQ and the need for ethical frameworks.
24:30 - AI in Education and Financialization
Addressing concerns about AI turning education into a financial product and the historical context of specialization.
30:24 - Technology, Time, and Self-Responsibility
35:23 - Power, Secrecy, and Open-Source AI
Discussion on hidden power structures, the need for transparency, and the potential of open-source AI to empower individuals.
38:51 - Manuj’s Offerings and Final Thoughts
43:02 - Closing and Contact Information
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[Disclaimer: for informational purposes; this is not to be considered medical advice, at least from me.] (Ai assist edit:) Dive into ancient wisdom meets modern healing! Erica Siegel a Florida acupuncturist for years reveals how Taoist 5 Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) mirror your body's "weather patterns." From childhood "fire energy" to menopausal dryness, (I invite her to give me some potential diagnosis and) learn why dampness can causes sinus blocks & fatty tumors, and then more generally how grief can trigger asthma for some, and why treating anxiety is important to keep us out of unnecessary fight-or-flight.
Key Highlights:
Science-Backed Magic: Needles send electric signals—brain auto-releases healing chemicals via P38 pathway (cellular repair + antioxidants).
Toolkit Breakdown: Gentle acupuncture better than painful dry needling (expose: weekend courses!). Add cupping (unstuck blood), gua sha scraping, cold lasers (kid-friendly), herbs (polypharmacy = zero side effects), & Traumeel injections (tennis elbow GONE in days).
Real Cases: Treating broken backs without spinal cement (Balance Method on elbows/knees). Erase phantom limb pain on amputees. Clear nostril blockages with serrapeptase (scar tissue eater) + spleen-toning for damp-heat.
Anxiety Treatment: 10-min sessions = euphoric peace. "Training wheels" for presence—clients quit toxic jobs!
Pro Tips: Insurance? Get superbills ($100 reimbursements). DIY at home: Erica's Amazon book ($14.99)—blueprint charts for self-acupressure/laser.
Big Advice: Trust your body—it's self-regulating! Ditch shame; tiny habits (drop-by-drop) beat inertia. Western med ignores spleen? Eastern says it's your chi/blood factory.
0:01 Intro: Rainy Days & Healing Vibes
0:21 Who is Erica? Architect to Acupuncture Master
2:33 Acupuncture 101: Needles, Frequencies & 5 Elements
5:01 Nature Mirrors Your Body: Dampness = Sinus Swelling?
7:44 Trauma's Hidden Effects: Grief → Asthma & Gut Issues
9:05 How Needles Work: Brain's Self-Healing Magic
11:49 Cupping, Scraping & Lasers: No-Needle Options
16:18 Dry Needling Exposed: Weekend Warrior Truth
19:05 E-Stim & Homeopathic Injections
22:48 Case Study: Broken Back (No Cement Needed!)
25:01 Insurance Hack: Superbills = Free Reimbursements
26:40 Surround the Dragon: Treat Fatty Tumors
30:47 Top Clinic Issues: Anxiety Epidemic + Spleen Power
34:44 Acupuncture as Training Wheels: Ditch Anxiety
36:35 Crutch or Cure? Breaking Bad Habits Gently
41:50 Erica's Book: DIY Acupuncture Blueprints
45:18 Outro: Trust Your Body—Optimal Health for All
Clinic/Telehealth: https://joyvisionacu.com (one "c" in acu)
Book: "Acupuncture Point Functions Charts and Workbook" https://www.amazon.com/Acupuncture-Point-Functions-Charts-Workbook/dp/0857013904/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/joyvisionacupuncture
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(Ai assist:) Jill Lublin, 4x bestselling author of The Profit of Kindness, reveals how genuine kindness drives business success, better publicity, happier clients, and stronger relationships—backed by research showing kind companies outperform others.
Discover:
Kindness Circles: Free monthly Zoom gatherings (3rd Wednesday) for global networking, collaborations, & elevated vibes—with guest speakers like Jack Canfield.
Authentic vs. Fake Kindness: Spot passive-aggressive "niceness" & cultivate real compassion.
Buddhist Metta Practice: Loving-kindness as foundational—transforms to compassion, rejoicing, & equanimity.
Boundaries = Kindness: Assert without aggression (cruise ship story); non-reactivity on freeways.
Self-Kindness First: Rest, "kitty hug time," & calendar dates—essential for parents & high-achievers.
Courage Practice: Speak up kindly; turn regret into growth via wise friends & meditation space.
Proven Tips: Patience on hold (telephone story), unstoppable friendliness creates safety, & women prioritizing self-care serve better.
Key Takeaway: "Whatever you are, be a good one." – Abraham Lincoln
Perfect for entrepreneurs, PR seekers, meditators, or anyone craving authentic connections. Join a Kindness Circle today & watch opportunities flow!
Publicity Challenge: https://jilllublin.com/start
Kindness Circles: https://jilllublin.com/kindnesscircles
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Profit-Kindness-Influence-Establish-Relationships/dp/B01MUH0ZAQ
https://www.instagram.com/jilllublin
https://www.youtube.com/@UCSSPUdphHMnA2AQkFno-S4A
https://x.com/JillLublin
http://linkedin.com/in/jilllublin
http://facebook.com/jilllublin
0:00 Welcome & Jill's Intro
0:24 Jill Lublin: Publicity Expert & Author
0:46 The Profit of Kindness: Linking Kindness to Business Success
1:27 Kindness Circles: Free Monthly Global Gatherings
2:22 Benefits: Networking, Leads & Elevated Vibes
3:01 Join Link: jilllublin.com/kindnesscircles
3:43 Buddhist Metta: Cultivating Loving Kindness
4:57 Sublime Abodes: Compassion, Rejoicing & Equanimity
5:38 Inauthentic Niceness: Fake vs. Genuine Kindness
6:25 Patience Practice: Everyday Challenges
7:21 Kindness as Non-Reactivity & Boundaries
8:29 Cruise Ship Story: Calm Assertiveness in Action
9:35 Speaking Up: Courage Without Cruelty
11:02 Self-Kindness: Rest, Boundaries & Withdrawal
12:52 Women & Self-Prioritization: Not Selfish, Essential
14:02 Unstoppable Friendliness: Safety & Service
14:57 Kitty Hug Time: Fun Self-Care Rituals
15:52 Wrapping Up: Programs & Final Plugs
16:02 Publicity Challenge: jilllublin.com/start
16:50 Closing Message: Be a Good One (Lincoln Quote)
17:26 Blessings & Goodbye
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(Ai assist:) Tim Thomas, a former Australian commando turned sleep and breath work advocate shares his powerful journey from the battlefield to personal healing, revealing how his experiences in the special forces—where sleep deprivation was a tactical weapon—shaped his mission to help others reclaim restful sleep. Through candid stories of combat, trauma, and recovery, Tim discusses the devastating effects of fatigue and isolation, and how he discovered the transformative power of breath work to reconnect mind and body. Time shares practical, accessible techniques, including a "three-breath relaxation" method, to improve sleep and unlock inner resilience. This is a heartfelt exploration of human connection, the science of sleep, and the path to healing for veterans and civilians alike.
00:07 - Meet Tim Thomas: Calling from Down Under
01:07 - Who is Tim Thomas? A Passion for Sleep
02:16 - Special Forces Tactics: Disrupting Enemy Sleep
04:06 - The Irony of Combat: Sleep Deprivation and Fatigue
06:16 - The Sick Care System: Challenges in Healthcare
08:05 - Sleep and Trauma: A Broader Perspective
11:05 - The Hidden Power of Pain and Isolation
14:05 - Authentic Connection: Breaking the Isolation Barrier
16:15 - Mental Health as a Physical Disconnect
18:00 - Saving Lives: Tim’s Mission to Prevent Veteran Suicide
22:19 - The Importance of Sleep: Impacts of Sleep Deprivation
28:33 - Hormones and Healing: Tim’s Experience with Adrenal Fatigue
33:46 - The Body’s Natural Healing: Removing Blocks to Recovery
39:28 - The Psychopath vs. The Healing Path
44:33 - A Million in One: Collective Healing Through Shared Struggles
49:53 - Addressing Suicide: Challenging False Logic
53:56 - Introduction to Breath Work: Tim’s Discovery in Afghanistan
1:01:22 - Breath Work Party Trick: Three-Breath Relaxation Technique
1:08:46 - The Science of Breath: Spinal Alignment and Nitric Oxide
1:15:43 - Practical Breath Work: Using Power Buttons to Reset
1:18:16 - Trauma and Healing: A Mindful Approach
1:19:48 - Closing with Tim: How to Connect and Final Message
1:22:33 - Farewell and Blessings for Optimal Sleep
Tim Thomas wants to gift you 28 days of great sleep. Sound good? These links are for immediate and natural sleep improvement; They’re Tim’s company's online resource called - The ‘Breathwork in Bed’ app. The app will guide you to sleep with peace and out of bed with power. Enjoy!
Apple link: https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id6575362285?pt=127061224&ct=BIB50K&mt=8
Google Link:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.breathworkinbed.bibsleepapp20&hl=en
https://www.breathworkinbed.com.au
https://www.instagram.com/breathworkinbed/
https://www.facebook.com/breathworkinbed
https://www.tiktok.com/@breathworkinbed?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bettersleepbetterworld/
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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.