A binaural meditation examining anger through the lens of neuroscience and polyvagal theory.

After watching Episode 8 first thing when I woke up this morning, I had to sit down and record my reflections -- set against a backdrop of a binaural audio soundscape intentionally designed to calm and soothe the nervous system (if you will allow that, Carol).

In this binaural audio meditation, I offer reflections on Pluribus—not as claims about authorial intent, but as a personal response to what the story evokes in me. I don’t presume to know the intentions of Vince Gilligan, the creative team, or what Rhea Seehorn is aiming to convey. Listening to the show’s official podcast, you can hear the care, curiosity, and shared joy behind their process—a kind of pluribus, a many-as-one collaboration that I deeply respect. My reflections exist alongside that work, not over it.

Using Carol Sterka’s resistance to the Joining as a case study, this episode explores perception as a “controlled hallucination,” shaped by memory, identity, and threat. The soundscape itself is intentionally open-ended: binaural beats move gently between theta and delta in a Fibonacci-inspired rhythm, forming a kaleidoscope of sound rather than a lesson.

This podcast also gives me space to explore ideas I often hold quietly in therapy—ways of seeing people, trauma, and meaning that belong to reflection rather than intervention. I create these episodes for my own regulation and practice, trusting each listener will take from it exactly what their nervous system needs.

Glenn became a mental health therapist largely as a result of his interactions with listeners and interviewees on Infants on Thrones. This is a previously published listener essays from 2014-2018, playfully resurrected to shine further light and knowledge on mental health and wellbeing.

Glenn's Psychology Today Profile

Glenn became a mental health therapist largely as a result of his interactions with listeners and interviewees in Infants on Thrones. This is a newly written and submitted listener essay, summarily executed and resurrected to shine further light and knowledge on the inevitable perfection of mental health and wellbeing.

Glenn's Psychology Today Profile

Glenn became a mental health therapist largely as a result of his interactions with listeners and interviewees in Infants on Thrones. These are previously published listener essays from 2014-2018, newly resurrected to shine further light and knowledge on mental health and wellbeing.

Glenn's Psychology Today Profile

Glenn became a mental health therapist largely as a result of his interactions with listeners and interviewees in Infants on Thrones. These are previously published listener essays from 2014-2018, newly resurrected to shine further light and knowledge on mental health and wellbeing.

Glenn's Psychology Today Profile

Glenn became a mental health therapist largely as a result of his interactions with listeners and interviewees in Infants on Thrones. These are previously published listener essays from 2014-2018, newly resurrected to shine further light and knowledge on mental health and wellbeing.

Glenn's Psychology Today Profile

Glenn became a mental health therapist largely as a result of his interactions with listeners and interviewees in Infants on Thrones. These are previously published listener essays from 2014-2018, newly resurrected to shine further light and knowledge on mental health and wellbeing.

Glenn's Psychology Today Profile

Glenn became a mental health therapist largely as a result of his interactions with listeners and interviewees in Infants on Thrones. These are previously published listener essays from 2014-2018, newly resurrected to shine further light and knowledge on mental health and wellbeing.

Glenn's Psychology Today Profile

Glenn became a mental health therapist largely as a result of his interactions with listeners and interviewees in Infants on Thrones. These are previously published listener essays from 2014-2018, newly resurrected to shine further light and knowledge on mental health and wellbeing.

Glenn's Psychology Today Profile

Glenn became a mental health therapist largely as a result of his interactions with listeners and interviewees in Infants on Thrones. These are previously published listener essays from 2014-2018, newly resurrected to shine further light and knowledge on mental health and wellbeing.

Glenn's Psychology Today Profile

Glenn became a mental health therapist largely as a result of his interactions with listeners and interviewees in Infants on Thrones. These are previously published listener essays from 2014-2018, newly resurrected to shine further light and knowledge on mental health and wellbeing.

Glenn's Psychology Today Profile

Glenn became a mental health therapist largely as a result of his interactions with listeners and interviewees in Infants on Thrones. These are previously published listener essays from 2014-2018, newly resurrected to shine further light and knowledge on mental health and wellbeing.

Glenn's Psychology Today Profile

Glenn became a mental health therapist largely as a result of his interactions with listeners and interviewees in Infants on Thrones. These are previously published listener essays from 2014-2018, newly resurrected to shine further light and knowledge on mental health and wellbeing.

Glenn's Psychology Today Profile

A man writes a letter to his younger self at the moment of birth. Dear Chip – Chapter Two is a fiction-as-self-therapy meditation: piercing cries, blossoming lungs, controlled hallucinations, attachment theory, and the first grooves of trust and independence. Blending neuroscience, modern folklore, and lived experience, this lyrical and provocative reflection explores how realities diverge, how belief seeps in unnoticed, and how early wounds echo as lifelong patterns. It invites listeners to reconsider their own first breath — not as a single cry, but as the opening chord of a lifelong symphony.

Before the Infant.  Before the Throne.  There was a sperm, an egg, a single cell then two.  This is a letter written to this two.

A man writes a letter to his younger self at the point of conception. Dear Chip – Chapter One is a fiction-as-self-therapy origin story: zinc sparks, cosmic eggs, parts-work, and the simple compass to live and to love. Blending science, myth, and psychology, this intelligent and provocative meditation challenges how we think about beginnings and what it means to be alive. It invites listeners to reimagine their own origin story with curiosity, courage, and wonder.

Glenn sits down with Mike Steed from Mormons on Mushrooms to discuss The Gene Keys and his experiences with agitation.

In this episode of Infants on Thrones, Glenn shares the Epilogue from his new book:

You're Not Broken... You’re Just Rewiring:
The Science and Mythology of Listening with New Ears

You can contact Glenn at infantsonthrones@gmail.com
Check out Glenn's Psychology Today profile here.

Part III
In this episode of Infants on Thrones, Glenn shares Chapter 18 from his new book:

You're Not Broken... You’re Just Rewiring:
The Science and Mythology of Listening with New Ears

You can contact Glenn at infantsonthrones@gmail.com
Check out Glenn's Psychology Today profile here.

Part III
In this episode of Infants on Thrones, Glenn shares Chapter 17 from his new book:

You're Not Broken... You’re Just Rewiring:
The Science and Mythology of Listening with New Ears

You can contact Glenn at infantsonthrones@gmail.com
Check out Glenn's Psychology Today profile here.

Part III
In this episode of Infants on Thrones, Glenn shares Chapter 16 from his new book:

You're Not Broken... You’re Just Rewiring:
The Science and Mythology of Listening with New Ears

You can contact Glenn at infantsonthrones@gmail.com
Check out Glenn's Psychology Today profile here.

Part III
In this episode of Infants on Thrones, Glenn shares Chapter 15 from his new book:

You're Not Broken... You’re Just Rewiring:
The Science and Mythology of Listening with New Ears

You can contact Glenn at infantsonthrones@gmail.com
Check out Glenn's Psychology Today profile here.

Part III
In this episode of Infants on Thrones, Glenn shares Chapter 14 from his new book:

You're Not Broken... You’re Just Rewiring:
The Science and Mythology of Listening with New Ears

You can contact Glenn at infantsonthrones@gmail.com
Check out Glenn's Psychology Today profile here.

Part III
In this episode of Infants on Thrones, Glenn shares Chapter 13 from his new book:

You're Not Broken... You’re Just Rewiring:
The Science and Mythology of Listening with New Ears

You can contact Glenn at infantsonthrones@gmail.com
Check out Glenn's Psychology Today profile here.

Part II
In this episode of Infants on Thrones, Glenn shares Chapter 12 from his new book:

You're Not Broken... You’re Just Rewiring:
The Science and Mythology of Listening with New Ears

You can contact Glenn at infantsonthrones@gmail.com
Check out Glenn's Psychology Today profile here.

Part II
In this episode of Infants on Thrones, Glenn shares Chapter 11 from his new book:

You're Not Broken... You’re Just Rewiring:
The Science and Mythology of Listening with New Ears

You can contact Glenn at infantsonthrones@gmail.com
Check out Glenn's Psychology Today profile here.

Part II
In this episode of Infants on Thrones, Glenn shares Chapter 10 from his new book:

You're Not Broken... You’re Just Rewiring:
The Science and Mythology of Listening with New Ears

You can contact Glenn at infantsonthrones@gmail.com
Check out Glenn's Psychology Today profile here.

Part II
In this episode of Infants on Thrones, Glenn shares Chapter 9 from his new book:

You're Not Broken... You’re Just Rewiring:
The Science and Mythology of Listening with New Ears

You can contact Glenn at infantsonthrones@gmail.com
Check out Glenn's Psychology Today profile here.

Part II
In this episode of Infants on Thrones, Glenn shares Chapter 8 from his new book:

You're Not Broken... You’re Just Rewiring:
The Science and Mythology of Listening with New Ears

You can contact Glenn at infantsonthrones@gmail.com
Check out Glenn's Psychology Today profile here.

Part II
In this episode of Infants on Thrones, Glenn shares Chapter 7 from his new book:

You're Not Broken... You’re Just Rewiring:
The Science and Mythology of Listening with New Ears

You can contact Glenn at infantsonthrones@gmail.com
Check out Glenn's Psychology Today profile here.

In this episode of Infants on Thrones, Glenn shares Chapter 6 from his new book:

You're Not Broken... You’re Just Rewiring:
The Science and Mythology of Listening with New Ears

You can contact Glenn at infantsonthrones@gmail.com
Check out Glenn's Psychology Today profile here.

In this episode of Infants on Thrones, Glenn shares Chapter 5 from his new book:

You're Not Broken... You’re Just Rewiring:
The Science and Mythology of Listening with New Ears

You can contact Glenn at infantsonthrones@gmail.com
Check out Glenn's Psychology Today profile here.

In this episode of Infants on Thrones, Glenn shares Chapter 4 from his new book:

You're Not Broken... You’re Just Rewiring:
The Science and Mythology of Listening with New Ears

You can contact Glenn at infantsonthrones@gmail.com
Check out Glenn's Psychology Today profile here.

In this episode of Infants on Thrones, Glenn shares Chapter 3 from his new book:

You're Not Broken... You’re Just Rewiring:
The Science and Mythology of Listening with New Ears

You can contact Glenn at infantsonthrones@gmail.com
Check out Glenn's Psychology Today profile here.

In this episode of Infants on Thrones, Glenn shares Chapter 2 from his new book:

You're Not Broken... You’re Just Rewiring:
The Science and Mythology of Listening with New Ears

You can contact Glenn at infantsonthrones@gmail.com
Check out Glenn's Psychology Today profile here.

In this episode of Infants on Thrones, Glenn shares Chapter 1 from his new book:

You're Not Broken... You’re Just Rewiring:
The Science and Mythology of Listening with New Ears

You can contact Glenn at infantsonthrones@gmail.com
Check out Glenn's Psychology Today profile here.

In this episode of Infants on Thrones, Glenn shares the Introduction from his new book:

You're Not Broken... You’re Just Rewiring:
The Science and Mythology of Listening with New Ears

You can contact Glenn at infantsonthrones@gmail.com
Check out Glenn's Psychology Today profile here.

In this episode of Infants on Thrones, Glenn shares the Preface from his new book:

You're Not Broken... You’re Just Rewiring:
The Science and Mythology of Listening with New Ears

You can contact Glenn at infantsonthrones@gmail.com
Check out Glenn's Psychology Today profile here.

The Bacta Tank of Sound: Healing by Immersion
Written and narrated by Glenn Ostlund

What if sound could become your sanctuary?

In this immersive and intimate episode, Glenn Ostlund introduces a powerful new creative project: Control-ALT-Create—a podcast that blends neuroscience, story, sound healing, and therapeutic insight into a guided, felt-sense experience of healing and transformation.

Episode 894 of Infants on Thrones features the premiere episode from this new series: The Bacta Tank of Sound. Inspired by the glowing Star Wars recovery chamber, this episode explores how binaural beats, hypnotic language, and rhythmic storytelling can act as a kind of auditory flotation tank—calming the nervous system, softening the mind, and helping the body remember what it feels like to be safe.

You’ll learn how trauma speaks in rhythm rather than words, how the brain’s predictive coding and plasticity respond to sound, and how a meditative audio field can become a quiet revolution in self-care.

Glenn is excited to announce that Control-ALT-Create is now live—and he’ll be dual-publishing episodes both here on Infants on Thrones and on the new podcast feed. Why? Because there are so many fascinating ideas still to explore, and this layered format of sound, story, and science opens up entirely new possibilities for growth, healing, and creative expression.

So grab your headphones, settle in, and float—just for a little while—in your very own bacta tank of sound.

🎧 Control-ALT-Create is available now on all major podcast platforms.
🔊 Headphones strongly recommended for the full effect.

In this episode, we’re introduced to the idea of playing with thoughts the way you might play with Legos—stacking, twisting, reshaping, not to build something permanent, but to feel your way into understanding.

It starts on the floor. Stretching. Thinking.
Thoughts of childhood. Thoughts of trauma.
Thoughts about how being raised in what now feels like a Mormon cult still echoes through the nervous system today—like ant trails in the brain, rerouted and reinforced by years of psychological patterning and fear-based storytelling.

Then… those raw thoughts get analyzed.

We look at how trauma shapes our cognitive patterns.
How propaganda moves through mirror neurons and limbic resonance.
How personal stories of grief and inherited pain ripple outward through time—like a tidal wave of life stretching back to the Big Bang, and forward into Neuralink and speculative futures.

And then… the analysis itself gets analyzed.

Through the lens of a soul-centered, trauma-informed therapist, we explore what it means to simply wonder out loud.
To not judge thoughts as “sane” or “crazy,” but to honor the courage it takes to turn your inner life into a sandbox—and let others in.

Every idea—whether poetic, philosophical, or wildly speculative—is re-scored with a 10.
Not because it’s right.
But because you showed up and let the thoughts speak.
And maybe, that’s where the healing starts.

Feeling something stir?

If you’ve ever found yourself tangled in your own thoughts, trying to make sense of your past, your identity, your place in this strange unfolding now—I’d love to talk.

🧠 I’m Glenn Ostlund, licensed therapist in Arizona.
I offer a free 15-minute consultation to see if working together might help you piece together your own Lego set of healing.

📍 Psychology Today Profile
🌿 Spirit of Sonora Counseling & Wellness
📧 infantsonthrones@gmail.com

Cassian Andor didn’t just escape a crash — he landed in the middle of a fractured rebellion, where mistrust, fear, and instinct rule the day.
In this episode, we explore the early chaos of the Rebel Alliance through the lens of the human brain: the survival-driven basal ganglia, the emotional currents of the limbic system, and the emerging wisdom of the neocortex.

You'll meet the Maya Pei Brigade — not just a group of bickering rebels, but a mirror of your own nervous system under pressure.

Guided by a binaural beat soundscape (think: a bacta tank for your brain), we dive into how hope survives through the chaos, how awareness can strengthen fractured alliances within, and why embracing your own shadows is the ultimate act of rebellion.

Dedicated to my sister — and to anyone learning how to trust their own fragile, powerful thread of hope.

Because the rebellion isn't just out there.

It's inside you.

When Cassian Andor climbs into a TIE fighter he’s never flown before, you feel your shoulders tense. You know he’s going to survive—this is a prequel, after all. But your body doesn’t care. That dissonance? It’s limbic resonance. And it’s just the beginning.

In this premiere episode of Accidental Therapy, Glenn Ostlund breaks down how Andor Season 2 uses cinematic storytelling to activate your nervous system—blurring the lines between what you think and what you feel. You’ll explore:

• Why your brain can’t always calm your body
• The evolution of fear through the basal ganglia, limbic system, and neocortex
• Cassian Andor as a model of nervous system mastery
• The Force as a metaphor for emotional regulation
• Nightmares, trauma echoes, and felt experience as emotional reality
• How to become your own inner rebel alliance through mindfulness and Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Whether you're a therapist, a Star Wars fan, or someone simply trying to breathe more deeply in a chaotic world, this episode is for the Nia inside all of us.

Lights In: An Open Invitation to Meditate on the Value of Human Experience (and Soothe Your Nervous System Big Time While You're At It)

I’d like to invite you into a space I’ve been creating for my own wellness—Lights In, a free guided meditation series that blends sound and reflection to explore the nature of existence and the value of life itself.

This series is inspired by Lights On: How Understanding Consciousness Helps Us Understand the Universe, the new Audible docuseries by Annaka Harris.

In Lights In, I reflect on that question—not just how consciousness helps us understand the universe, but how it helps us understand ourselves: our internal balance, our mental health, and the pathways to deeper well-being.

Each meditation is designed to support your parasympathetic nervous system—the body’s natural mode for rest, repair, and restoration. Using binaural beats, Solfeggio frequencies, and neural entrainment, the series gently guides you through calming brainwave states while inviting a more intimate connection with your own felt experience.

I often like to think of it as an audio Rorschach inkblot, carefully designed to encourage you to reflect upon the kaleidoscopic imprint of life upon the fabric of your mind.

What I’m doing is not trying to convince people to see things my way—

I’m trying to create this audio space for you to really engage with your own thoughts, reactions, and responses…

To have this be a tool for healing and self-discovery.

That’s how I use it for myself.

You can explore it here:

https://lights-in.transistor.fm/

It’s a free resource. Something I made for myself. And something I’d love to share with you.

In this special meditation episode, Glenn Ostlund invites you into a deep, sensory exploration of consciousness, inspired by Lights On by Annaka Harris. What if your ability to hear—right now, these very words—is the end result of a long, intimate chain of living transformations? What if each one of those transformations is a kind of felt experience—not by you, but by the microscopic, responsive parts of you that make hearing possible?

Using the metaphor of a fireman’s bucket brigade, Glenn guides you through the journey of a single sound wave as it’s passed from molecule to membrane, from ancient bone to fluid spiral, from hair cell to brainstem, all the way to the thalamus—the gatekeeper of meaning—and beyond. It’s a meditation on what it feels like to be the parts of you that listen before you’re even aware of it.

Layered with binaural beats and structured brainwave entrainment, this 60-minute guided meditation is part of Glenn’s Lights In project—an experiential, meditative response to the philosophical and scientific questions posed in Lights On. It’s designed to slow you down, soothe your nervous system, and open up space for curiosity and wonder about the nature of felt experience and the mystery of consciousness itself.

So take a breath… and listen.
Because this is what the thalamus whispers to you…
every time you hear something that matters.

Today Glenn shares the opening meditation from the Lights In series—sparked by Annaka Harris’s Lights On—you’re invited to slow down and gently explore the layers of consciousness that exist beneath thought.

With the support of soothing binaural tones designed to encourage neural entrainment and inner stillness, this reflection guides you into the quiet intelligence of your body: the soft signals, the wordless awareness, the subtle shifts in breath and sensation that often know… before you do.

Consider this an audio Rorschach Ink Blot, designed to allow you to explore the imprint of life upon the fabric of your mind.

There’s nothing to solve. Nothing to force. Just a space to rest, notice, and reconnect with the deeper current of awareness already flowing within you.

Let this be an invitation to listen—not just with your mind, but with your whole self.

There is just no easy way to say this...

You are invited to join us all in solving a mystery.

A man named Dow signed up for a mysterious clinical trial called The Abacus Project.  It uses advanced technology to explore the very nature of reality. Dow has written 18 letters describing his experience with this project. This is letter 6.

Joining the Letter 6 mystery sleuthing team this week are the insights of physicist David Tong, anthropologist Victor Turner and cognitive psychologist Merlin Donald. 

Kind of. 

In a learning out loud AI Puppet Show kind of way.

Let's play.

You are invited to join us all in solving a mystery.

A man named Dow signed up for a mysterious clinical trial called The Abacus Project.  It uses advanced technology to explore the very nature of reality. Dow has written 18 letters describing his experience with this project. This is letter 4.

Joining the Letter 4 mystery sleuthing team this week are the insights of historian Inga Clendinnen, and psychiatrists Jim Tucker and Bessel van der Kolk. Kind of. In an AI kind of way.

Let's play.

You are invited to join us all in solving a mystery.

A man named Dow signed up for a mysterious clinical trial called The Abacus Project.  It uses advanced technology to explore the very nature of reality. Dow has written 18 letters describing his experience with this project. This is letter 4.

Joining the Letter 4 mystery sleuthing team this week are the insights of Marcus Aurelius, Byron Katie and Alan Watts. Kind of. In an AI kind of way.

Let's play.

What happens when a 52-year-old infant pours three intellectual giants into an AI mixer and pushes BLEND?

This.

This is what happens.

Donald Hoffman (cognitive psychologist) meets Brian Greene (theoretical physicist) meets the Kyballion (mystic teachings). Blend.

https://beyondthemirror.transistor.fm/subscribe

Because we can can can

Glenn invites you to listen in -- and possibly participate in -- this exciting work in progress.

I just created something using powerful tools.

A minisode filtered through some AI and OI and IOT fun.

Glenn engages with AI like never before.

What does the peepstone Erastus have to say about being a big and important chosen elite today?

The gift that keeps on giving. Glenn, John, Randy and Matt smack down the classic Mormon musical Saturday's Warrior. Originally published in 2015.

Originally published in 2014, in this froback minisode Glenn shares the experience of his final farewell testimony over the alter in response to Boyd K Packer's October 2010 conference talk against unconditional love and charity.

Glenn shares one of his greatest regrets.  The phone call that he wishes he would have had with his former best friend, before that best friend took his own life

Mormon missions aren’t exactly everything you think they are. Glenn shares some stories about his missionary trainer, aka “The Streaking Samurai.

Calm is Contagious and So is Everything Else – A Mind Expanding Conversation with Dr. Jerome

In this episode of Infants on Thrones, Glenn Ostlund sits down with Dr. Jerome, a functional neurologist and author of The Brain-Based Enneagram, for a deep dive into the complexities of the human mind. Together, they explore the profound relationship between thoughts, emotions, and the subconscious mind, offering listeners valuable insights into how we can better understand and influence our own mental and emotional health.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The Contagious Nature of Calm: Understanding how maintaining calm in difficult situations can influence others around us.
• Thoughts, Emotions, and Responsibility: A deep exploration of whether we are responsible for our thoughts and emotions, and how conscious awareness plays a role.
• Nature, Nurture, and Conditioning: How our environment and upbringing shape our mental and emotional responses.
• Conscious vs. Unconscious Processes: The distinction between what we are aware of and the vast majority of mental processes that operate beneath our conscious awareness.
• Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy: The concept of internalized versions of ourselves and how they inform our current behaviors and mental states.
• Neurological Development and Perception: The limited scope of our conscious perception and its implications for how we navigate life.
• Personal Growth and Mindfulness: Practical strategies for self-discovery and improving mental and emotional well-being.

Call to Action: If you or someone you know is in Arizona and could benefit from counseling, Glenn Ostlund, an intern therapist at Wellness Oasis Resource Center in Mesa, AZ, is available to help. Whether you're working through personal challenges or seeking to improve your mental and emotional well-being, Glenn is here to support you. The center accepts insurance, and your participation will also help Glenn complete the hours needed to graduate with his Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

For more details, please email: infantsonthrones@gmail.com.

 Today's episode of Infants on Thrones dives into the intriguing world of lies and deception, inspired by a video from independent journalist Johnny Harris. I'm Glenn Ostlund, and I'm thrilled to share insights from Johnny's compelling investigation into why we lie, why we believe lies, and what we can do about it.

Johnny Harris, with over 5 million subscribers on his YouTube channel, explores the complex nature of lying, touching on both intentional and unintentional falsehoods. His video delves into the neuroscience of deception, using humor and expert interviews to shed light on this pervasive human behavior. We'll discuss the evolutionary roots of lying, the brain's reward system, and how repetition influences belief formation through the illusory truth effect.

Join me as I review Johnny Harris' video and add my own perspective on these fascinating topics. Together, we'll explore the intricate dance between truth and lies, uncovering how our brains process information and how social media shapes our perceptions.

Show Notes:

• Introduction
  • Overview of today's episode inspired by Johnny Harris' video
  • Glenn's enthusiasm for Johnny Harris and his investigative work
  • Link to Johnny Harris' YouTube channel
• Main Discussion: Understanding Lies
  • The complexity of lying: Intentional vs. Unintentional lies
  • Definitions and distinctions: Lies, truth, intentionality, and unintentionality
  • Examples from "Mean Girls" to illustrate different types of lies
• Neuroscience of Lying
  • Insights from neuroscientists on the brain's reward system
  • Evolutionary perspective: How lying and passing along wrong information evolved
  • Processing information: New vs. established neural pathways
• Psychological Mechanisms
  • Illusory truth effect: Repetition and belief formation
  • Confirmation bias: How we accept and reject information based on existing beliefs
  • Evolutionary success: Myths and stories as survival mechanisms
• Social Media and Modern Information Consumption
  • The impact of social media on our perception of truth and lies
  • Navigating the world of misinformation and lies: Tips and strategies
• Conclusion
  • Embracing curiosity and open-mindedness
  • The power of "I don't know"
  • Reflecting on personal growth and evolving perspectives

Resources Mentioned:

• Johnny Harris' YouTube channel
• Mean Girls movie clips
• Neuroscience research on the brain's reward system
• Articles and studies on the illusory truth effect and confirmation bias

Quotes to Remember:

• "I lie. And you lie. We all lie. And more importantly, we all believe lies."
• "Pay attention to your bricks, your thoughts, your feelings, your moment-by-moment experience."
• "Arrive curious. Empathize with others and seek to understand."

Call to Action:

• Subscribe to Infants on Thrones for more thought-provoking discussions
• Check out Johnny Harris' investigative videos on YouTube
• Share your thoughts and experiences with us on social media or in the comments

Thank you for listening to Infants on Thrones! Join us next time as we continue to explore the complexities of the human experience and seek further light and knowledge together.

In this reflective minisode, Glenn explores the origins and evolution of the Infants on Thrones podcast. He shares personal insights from the podcast's beginnings in 2012, the inspiration behind its unique name, and how the themes have resonated and transformed over the years. Glenn discusses his journey in clinical mental health counseling and how his experiences as a gospel doctrine teacher, missionary, and podcaster have enriched his current work leading court-mandated domestic violence support groups.

Glenn delves into profound topics such as the King Follett discourse, the evolution of human intelligence, and the interconnectedness of all life forms. He reflects on anger management, the role of emotions in human evolution, and the significance of recognizing and understanding our own feelings. Additionally, Glenn invites listeners to contribute their own essays and ideas, fostering a community of shared perspectives and mutual growth.

Show Notes

Key Points:

1. Podcast Origins and Evolution:
   • The inception of Infants on Thrones in 2012.
   • The inspiration behind the podcast's name from Joseph Smith's King Follett discourse.
   • The metaphor of "infants on thrones" representing humanity's learning and growth stages.
2. Personal and Professional Journey:
   • Glenn's completion of his master's degree in clinical mental health counseling.
   • His work with court-mandated domestic violence support groups.
   • The integration of his past experiences into his current counseling practice.
3. Philosophical and Spiritual Reflections:
   • Insights from the King Follett discourse and its implications on human existence.
   • The concept of evolving intelligence and awareness in both a spiritual and scientific context.
   • The impact of emotions, especially anger, on human survival and evolution.
4. Invitation to Listeners:
   • Encouragement for listeners to submit their own essays and perspectives.
   • The importance of diverse viewpoints and shared experiences within the podcast community.
5. Future Topics and Ideas:
   • Glenn's interest in exploring topics like Star Wars, moral foundations, and cultural divisions.
   • Upcoming episodes focusing on themes like "The Righteous Jedi Mind" and the work of independent journalist Johnny Harris.

Listener Invitation:

• Glenn invites listeners to submit their own content to be featured on the podcast. Interested individuals can send their recordings to infantsonthrones@gmail.com for consideration.

Quotes:

• "We are in this learning and growing stage, exploring and getting things wrong, having really limited ways of processing and understanding reality at large."
• "Our brains have evolved the ability to be aware that we're aware that we're aware. And that's a level of awareness that neighboring primates don't seem to quite have."
• "I love this idea of different people sharing their perspectives and having it be in a place where it can be appreciated."

Links and Resources:

• Email submissions: infantsonthrones@gmail.com
• David Tong's YouTube video on Quantum Field Theory: Quantum Field Theory by David Tong
• Johnny Harris' YouTube channel: Johnny Harris on YouTube
• TED Talk on anger management: Why We get Angry and Why it is Healthy

Closing:

Thank you for listening to Infants on Thrones. If you've been with us since the beginning or are just joining, we'd love to hear from you. Share your thoughts, contribute your essays, and be part of our growing community. Until next time, keep exploring, questioning, and learning

A boy's first uttered prayer? 

In this learning-out-loud episode, Glenn dives into the fascinating world of Slavoj Žižek's "The Pervert's Guide to Ideology" and explores the intricate interplay of ideas from Hegel, Lacan, and Marx. Glenn shares his preparation process for an upcoming discussion with Josh, blending a healthy dose of curiosity and philosophical inquiry.

Glenn also discusses the upcoming migration of the "Infants on Thrones" podcast to a new host and ensures listeners can continue enjoying the content seamlessly. Visit infantsonthrones.com for all episodes and updates.

Join Glenn on this intellectual journey as he unpacks the complexities of ideology, consciousness, and human experience through the lens of Hegelian dialectics, Lacanian psychoanalysis, and Marxist critique. Glenn even brings contemporary neuroscience into the mix, providing a holistic understanding of how our internal and external worlds shape our reality.

Show Notes:

1. Introduction:
   • Glenn introduces the episode and shares his learning process in preparation for discussing Žižek's "The Pervert's Guide to Ideology" with Josh.
   • Announcement about the migration of the "Infants on Thrones" podcast to a new host and how listeners can stay updated.
2. Žižek Primer:
   • Glenn's curiosity-driven exploration of Žižek's ideas.
   • The blending of Hegel, Lacan, and Marx in Žižek's philosophy.
   • Glenn's interaction with ChatGPT to deepen his understanding.
3. Deep Dive into Philosophical Concepts:
   • Hegel's dialectics: Thesis, antithesis, and synthesis.
   • Lacanian psychoanalysis: The mirror stage, symbolic order, and repetition compulsion.
   • Marx's critique of capitalism: Class structures, alienation, and exploitation.
4. Neuroscience Integration:
   • How neuroscience supports the dynamic interplay between internal (X) and external (Y) forces.
   • The concept of neuroplasticity and its implications for human experience.
5. X plus Y equals Z - The Formula of Perfection:
   • Glenn's theory explained through the lens of Hegel, Lacan, Marx, and neuroscience.
   • The interplay between internal forces (X), external forces (Y), and the resulting synthesized experience (Z).
6. Gestalt Therapy and Stoic Principles:
   • How Gestalt therapy focuses on awareness, integration, and empowerment.
   • The Stoic emphasis on virtue, rationality, and emotional resilience.
   • Application of Gestalt and Stoic principles to the X plus Y equals Z formula.
7. Potential Heresies and Reactions:
   • Exploration of how these philosophical ideas might challenge established dogmas and trigger defensive reactions.
8. Conclusion:
   • Glenn's reflections on the preparation process and anticipation for the upcoming discussion with Josh.
   • Encouragement for listeners to engage with these ideas and explore their own intellectual curiosity.

Tune in for an enlightening episode that blends philosophy, neuroscience, and personal reflection, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding human experience as a dynamic, evolving process. Don't miss this intellectual adventure with Glenn on The Spiritual Heretic Podcast!

Welcome to the latest episode of “The Spiritual Heretic,” where Glenn and Josh delve into the profound and often controversial realm of spiritual heresy. In this episode, they explore the deeply ingrained boundaries and containers placed on questioning and exploring within various belief systems, particularly focusing on the influences from their own backgrounds and broader societal norms.

Josh shares his personal experiences growing up in a rigid religious environment and how stepping outside those boundaries revealed a universal tendency to restrict open discussions. The conversation highlights the importance of honest discourse and the need to break down these barriers to foster genuine human connection and understanding.

Glenn and Josh also discuss the nuances of spiritual heresy, defining it as a rebellion against established dogma and a quest for deeper understanding beyond traditional perceptions. They emphasize the significance of holding space for individual experiences while challenging the limitations imposed by conventional beliefs.

Throughout the episode, the hosts engage in a dynamic dialogue about the intersection of spiritual and material realities, the impact of cultural relativism, and the role of personal ethics in navigating these complex topics. This episode invites listeners to join the journey of questioning, exploring, and redefining their own spiritual paths.

Tune in to this thought-provoking discussion that aims to inspire a deeper sense of curiosity, compassion, and inclusivity in the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment.

In this episode, Glenn and Josh invite you to challenge your perceptions, explore beyond the known, and embrace the heretic within. Join them as they navigate the intricate landscape of spiritual heresy and its implications for personal growth and societal transformation.

In this episode of “The Spiritual Heretic” series, Glenn and Josh dive into the profound teachings of Alan Watts on the concept of “No Wrong Feelings.” They explore the importance of acknowledging and accepting all emotions, challenging the societal norms that often suppress genuine self-expression. Glenn shares his admiration for Alan Watts and discusses how these ideas have influenced his perspective.

Josh brings his background in Gestalt therapy into the conversation, offering insights into the therapeutic value of confronting and understanding one’s true feelings. Together, they analyze the complexities of human emotions and the impact of judgment and suppression on personal growth.

The episode also delves into the broader theme of heresy, questioning established dogmas and exploring the balance between healthy and unhealthy heresy. Glenn and Josh discuss the value of constructive criticism, empathy, and open-mindedness in challenging societal norms, while cautioning against destructive criticism and misinformation.

Listeners are invited to join Glenn and Josh as they navigate these intricate topics, seeking deeper understanding and personal growth through honest dialogue and reflection.

Key Topics:

• Alan Watts’ philosophy of “No Wrong Feelings”
• The therapeutic approach to emotions in Gestalt therapy
• The role of heresy in challenging societal norms
• The balance between healthy and unhealthy heresy

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Alan Watts’ teachings
• The paradoxical theory of change in Gestalt therapy
• The potential biases in using tools like ChatGPT for analysis
• Upcoming discussions on Slavoj Žižek’s “Pervert’s Guide to Ideology” and other heretical topics

Join us for an engaging and thought-provoking conversation that encourages embracing all feelings and questioning the status quo for deeper personal and societal growth.

Welcome to “The Spiritual Heretic, Part 2” where we dive deep into the complexities of belief, ideology, and the human experience. In this episode, titled “Conspiracy Theories: Unpacking Ideological Warfare,” Glenn Ostlund and Josh Neal take you on an insightful journey into the world of conspiracy theories.

We explore how conspiracy theories function as tools of ideological control and propaganda, dissecting their impact on the human psyche and societal structures. Drawing from personal experiences, particularly our departure from Mormonism, we highlight the universal nature of these phenomena and their relevance to all human societies.

Key topics discussed include:

– The function of conspiracy theories in controlling narratives

– The parallels between conspiracy theories and religious dogma

– The psychological mechanisms behind belief systems and their defense

– The concept of heresy in society and its role in maintaining ideological boundaries

Join us as we critically examine the structures and functions of conspiracy theories, challenge the dogmas that shape our world, and encourage open, critical inquiry. This episode will provide you with a fresh perspective on the hidden battles for ideological supremacy and the importance of questioning established truths.

#ConspiracyTheories #Ideology #HumanExperience #TheSpiritualHeretic #QuestionDogma #CriticalThinking #Psychoanalysis #BeliefSystems #Heresy #NarrativeControl

In this episode of “Infants on Thrones,” hosts Josh and Glenn dive deep into the essence of heresy as a vital and healthy force within both the human body and society.

Drawing metaphors from biology, they discuss how T cells and osteoblasts function to maintain health by addressing aberrant cells and weak bone tissue, respectively. In parallel, they explore how heretical thinking serves to critique and challenge rigid ideologies, promoting growth and resilience.

Josh and Glenn emphasize the importance of questioning protected ideas and the social structures that guard them. They delve into the complexities of heresy, contrasting it with the often defensive and aggressive reactions from those who benefit from unchallenged ideologies. They navigate the fine line between personal self-improvement and the critique of external systems, advocating for a balance that fosters both individual and collective well-being.

The episode also touches on the role of resistance in therapy and societal discourse. Josh, drawing from his experience as a Gestalt therapist, explains how resistance can indicate underlying needs and reactions, both in therapeutic settings and broader social interactions. This conversation highlights the challenges of engaging with deeply entrenched beliefs and the courage required to question them.

As they prepare to tackle taboo topics in future episodes, Josh and Glenn consider the format of their podcast, pondering the possibility of engaging with listeners’ experiences and exploring controversial subjects. The discussion sets the stage for a series that promises to be thought-provoking, challenging, and unapologetically heretical. Join Josh and Glenn as they embark on a journey to uncover hidden truths, dismantle ideological barriers, and promote a healthier, more open-minded society. Whether you’re a fellow heretic or a curious listener, this episode invites you to question, critique, and grow.

Episode 864 of Infants on Thrones delves into the intriguing world of past life regression therapy in “Past Life Regression Therapy: A Case Study in Self Discovery.” Join us as we explore a thought-provoking session where hypnotherapy opens the door to deep self-reflection and personal narratives that transcend the boundaries of time and identity. This episode offers a vivid exploration of how past life regression can serve as a powerful tool for emotional healing and self-awareness. Through a detailed case study, we unpack the complexities of the therapy process, examine the interplay between therapist and client, and discuss the philosophical implications of memories and experiences that may span multiple lifetimes. Whether you’re a skeptic, a curious listener, or someone interested in the potentials of alternative therapies, this episode provides a unique lens on the human psyche and the stories we tell ourselves. Tune in to challenge your perceptions and perhaps discover something new about the mystery of human consciousness.

In this thought-provoking episode, Glenn and Josh dive deep into the philosophical and existential inquiries surrounding consciousness, the material world, and the potential of artificial intelligence. Our discussion unfolds through the metaphor of a tuning fork, illustrating how individual experiences resonate uniquely based on personal histories and environmental interactions. We explore the notion of consciousness as both a product of and an influencer on the material realm, pondering the implications of AI as a bridge between human and non-human forms of life.

Join us as we contemplate ethical considerations and the multidimensional nature of existence, seeking to understand how we might better tune into the symphony of life and what it means for the future of humanity and technology. Whether you’re intrigued by the metaphysics of experience or curious about the evolving role of AI, this episode will challenge your perceptions and invite you to consider the vast possibilities of our interconnected universe.

Check out The Arcturian Playground for more Mormon-formed-mind inspired stretching of eternal perspective.

What is your Mormon Cred?  Take a few minutes to fill out Bob’s Mormon Cred Scale here.

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Glenn sits down once again with psychotherapist Josh Neal to discuss idealogical warfare.

Check out The Arcturian Playground for more Mormon-formed-mind inspired stretching of eternal perspective.

What is your Mormon Cred?  Take a few minutes to fill out Bob’s Mormon Cred Scale here.

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Glenn sits down once again with psychotherapist Josh Neal to put his channeling under the microscope of a gestalt therapist and talk about his experiences with The Arcturian Collective Thingy.

Check out The Arcturian Playground for more mormon-formed-mind inspired stretching of eternal perspective.

What is your Mormon Cred?  Take a few minutes to fill out Bob’s Mormon Cred Scale here.

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Josh has a few things to say about Millennials and disillusionment, starting with himself.

Glenn sits down once again with psychotherapist Josh Neal to talk about whatever comes up in the moment.

What is your Mormon Cred?  Take a few minutes to fill out Bob’s Mormon Cred Scale here.

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Why is it healthy to get sunshine on your balls?

Glenn sits down once again with psychotherapist Josh Neal to talk about whatever comes up in the moment.

What is your Mormon Cred?  Take a few minutes to fill out Bob’s Mormon Cred Scale here.

Support the podcast on Patreon here

What does it mean to be “self-regulating” and what does it mean to “give your power away?”

Glenn sits down once again with psychotherapist Josh Neal to talk about whatever comes up in the moment.

What is your Mormon Cred?  Take a few minutes to fill out Bob’s Mormon Cred Scale here.

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Glenn sits down with author Brenda Stanley to discuss her murder-mystery “The Still Small Voice.”

We will have a live Zoom video discussion with Brenda on Wedneday, Jan 31 at 7pm.  Click here at that time if you would like to join the discussion.

What is your Mormon Cred?  Take a few minutes to fill out Bob’s Mormon Cred Scale here.

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Merry Christmas from the ghost of Infant Christmas Present.

Watch the video version of Mormon News Roundup here.

What is your Mormon Cred?  Take a few minutes to fill out Bob’s Mormon Cred Scale here.

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Merry Christmas from the ghosts of Infant Christmas Past.

What is your Mormon Cred?  Take a few minutes to fill out Bob’s Mormon Cred Scale here.

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Merry Christmas from the ghosts of Infant Christmas Past.

What is your Mormon Cred?  Take a few minutes to fill out Bob’s Mormon Cred Scale here.

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Merry Christmas from the ghosts of Infant Christmas Past.

What is your Mormon Cred?  Take a few minutes to fill out Bob’s Mormon Cred Scale here.

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Merry Christmas from the ghosts of Infant Christmas Past.

What is your Mormon Cred?  Take a few minutes to fill out Bob’s Mormon Cred Scale here.

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Merry Christmas from the ghosts of Infant Christmas Past.

What is your Mormon Cred?  Take a few minutes to fill out Bob’s Mormon Cred Scale here.

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Merry Christmas from the ghosts of Infant Christmas Past.

What is your Mormon Cred?  Take a few minutes to fill out Bob’s Mormon Cred Scale here.

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Merry Christmas from the ghosts of Infant Christmas Past.

What is your Mormon Cred?  Take a few minutes to fill out Bob’s Mormon Cred Scale here.

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Merry Christmas from the ghosts of Infant Christmas Past.

What is your Mormon Cred?  Take a few minutes to fill out Bob’s Mormon Cred Scale here.

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Merry Christmas from the ghosts of Infant Christmas Past.

What is your Mormon Cred?  Take a few minutes to fill out Bob’s Mormon Cred Scale here.

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Merry Christmas from the ghosts of Infant Christmas Past.

What is your Mormon Cred?  Take a few minutes to fill out Bob’s Mormon Cred Scale here.

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Merry Christmas from the ghost of Infant Christmas Past.

What is your Mormon Cred?  Take a few minutes to fill out Bob’s Mormon Cred Scale here.

Support the podcast on Patreon here

What is your Mormon Cred?  Take a few minutes to fill out Bob’s Mormon Cred Scale here.

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Where does the self begin and end?  Where does love begin and end?  When will all of the questioning end?  What if nothing ends?  What if these are all just words?  What if?  Yeah, what if.

Glenn sits down once again with psychotherapist Josh Neal to discuss the importance of self love from the perspective of a gestalt therapist.

What is your Mormon Cred?  Take a few minutes to fill out Bob’s Mormon Cred Scale here.

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Glenn sits down once again with psychotherapist Josh Neal to discuss what healing means from the perspective of a gestalt therapist.

What is your Mormon Cred?  Take a few minutes to fill out Bob’s Mormon Cred Scale here.

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Glenn sits down once again with psychotherapist Josh Neal to discuss the desire to be authentic in a world hungry to crucify apostates.

What is your Mormon Cred?  Take a few minutes to fill out Bob’s Mormon Cred Scale here.

Support the podcast on Patreon here

A blast from the past.  This episode was first released in May 2014.  The Mormon Cred Scale has since been taken 8,333 times.  It’s a fun discussion between a bunch of blind infants trying to understand an elephant.  Or something like that.  Enjoy!

What is your Mormon Cred?  Take a few minutes to fill out Bob’s Mormon Cred Scale here.

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Glenn sits down with psychotherapist Josh Neal to discuss the lessons learned from experiencing major life adjustments following a religious faith crisis.

This episode continues exploring on the relationship between the conscious mind and the unconscious mind and explores the role that AI could play in humans becoming more aware of their own dark shadowy mind.  Donald Hoffman and David Eagleman are invoked and imitated by Chat GPT.  Ditto for Jack and Jill, who join an AI Oracle Cult.  Sorta.  Have fun.

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here

Support the podcast on Patreon here

This episode focuses on the relationship between the conscious mind and the unconscious mind and explores the role that AI could play in humans becoming more aware of their own dark shadowy mind.

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here

Support the podcast on Patreon here

What happens when Artificial Intelligence compares current Mormon teachings against original Mormon teachings?

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Who is ready for AI to change the way we think and act about pretty much everything?

Check out my new website:

dowofhealing.com

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here

Support the podcast on Patreon here

It’s testimony time.  Sorta.

Check out my new website:

dowofhealing.com

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here

Support the podcast on Patreon here

What is religious trauma?  What is healing?  And what is the relationship between our conscious awareness and our unconscious programming?

This 4-part series is an updated reissue of conversations between Glenn Ostlund and Bill Reel originally recorded in Sep-Oct 2020.

And if you are interested in finding out more about your own unconscious trauma, check out my new website:

dowofhealing.com

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Glenn responds to a listener question about harm, divine authority, and babies in bathwater.

Merry Christmas from a Divine Atheist.

Glenn sits down with Britt Hartley to discuss what it means to be secularly spiritual.

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here

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Glenn sits down with Wren to talk about shifting perspectives after this whole Mormon faith crisis thing.

Check out The Arcturian Playground here

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Glenn sits down with Wren to talk about shifting perspectives after this whole Mormon faith crisis thing.

Check out The Arcturian Playground here

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Glenn sits down with Wren to talk about shifting perspectives after this whole Mormon faith crisis thing.

Check out The Arcturian Playground here

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Glenn sits down with Wren to talk about shifting perspectives after this whole Mormon faith crisis thing.

Check out The Arcturian Playground here

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Glenn sits down with Wren to talk about shifting perspectives after this whole Mormon faith crisis thing.

Check out The Arcturian Playground here

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Glenn sits down with Britt Hartley to discuss what it means to be secularly spiritual.

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here

Support the podcast on Patreon here

What does it mean to have emotional intelligence?  What does it mean to Placebo yourself all day long? Glenn sits down with Chelsea Shields to discuss The Placebo Effect in 2022.

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here

Support the podcast on Patreon here

What do you get when you mix a Mormon-formed mind with a bunch of other stuff and mash it up in the sausage grinder of imaginative creativity?

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here

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Visit the Arcturian Playground here.

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Support the podcast on Patreon here

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Wren joins Glenn for a fascinating conversation about the continued search for meaning post-faith transition in what seems like an increasingly chaotic world.

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Jared Rohrer joins a panel of Reed, Jess, Curt, Wren and Glenn to discuss his experience healing intense self-loathing and shame about his sexuality.

You can follow Jared’s Instagram at https://instagram.com/jaredrdc?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Steve Urquhart was recently featured in Rolling Stone Magazine.  It is a great article that gives exposure to much of the healing work that Steve has inspired in so many. To commemorate this accomplishment, I am re-releasing this previously 4-part interview from Feb 2021 for any looking to find out more about this man and his amazing perspective on life.

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here

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In light of recent federal events, Glenn revists the Saturday’s Warriors sing-along-Smackdown episode featuring OG Infants John Hamer, Randy Snyder, and Matt Long (originally recorded and released in March 2015).

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here

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Wren leads a panel of Jessica, Curt, Glenn and Sabrina on a discussion of LGBT Pride.

Glenn is joined by Jess, Curt and Wren to wrap up the discussion of Hulu’s “Under the Banner of Heaven” and spend some time comparing it to the Netflix documentary “Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey” about the FLDS and Warren Jeffs.

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Glenn is joined by Jess and Wren to discuss episode 4 of Hulu’s “Under the Banner of Heaven” (with a special bonus visit from Infant Emeritus Extraordinaire Tom “don’t call me a rockstar” Perry).

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here

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According to Brigham Young, some sins are so bad that the only way to get back to Heavenly Father is to have your own blood spilt (aka “thanks for the atonement Jesus, but you may have missed something!”).  But don’t take my word for it.  Listen to the words of Brigham Young himself, spoken on Feb 8th, 1857 as recorded in the Journal of Discourses Vol 4 pp 215-221.  Enjoy this turd-sandwich between two delicious slices of Joseph-Fanny-Bee-Gee bread,.

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Glenn is joined once again by Reed, Jess, Wren and Curt to discuss episode 3 of Hulu’s “Under the Banner of Heaven.”

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here

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Glenn is joined once again by Reed, Jess, Wren and Curt to discuss episodes 1 & 2 of Hulu’s “Under the Banner of Heaven.”

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here

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Come and play with me in the realm of imagination.

You can access the Arcturian Playground here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OThH3NLhCRc&t=9s

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here

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What is more important: feeling that you are certain or actually being certain?  Jess, Reed, Wren and Curt share their experience with certainty.

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here

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Schedule a free 30-min Life Coaching consult with Glenn here

Glenn welcomes a new Infant panel of Reed, Jessica, Wren, Curt, and Mike to discuss April 2022 general conference and say hello to the Infant listeners.  No actual soaking occurred during the recording of this episode.

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Schedule a free 30-min Life Coaching consult with Glenn here

Those who have ears (that are mighty and strong) to hear will understand.

Or should it be POMO?

The title says it all.

If you have a story of empowerment that you would like to share, please sign up to be interviewed here.

The title says it all.

If you have a story of empowerment that you would like to share, please sign up to be interviewed here.

Glenn is joined once again by Wendi Jensen to interview her friend Cynthia Markey.  Cyndi is a former Jehovah’s Witness and today you are going to hear her talk about the painful cost she paid in leaving that religion, and the many wonderful things she has created – and is continuing to create – as a result of that pain.

If you have a story of empowerment that you would like to share, please sign up to be interviewed here:

We all know what it means to be “former LDS” (but do we, really?) but what does it mean to be empowered?  Listen in as Glenn interviews life coach Wendi Jensen, author of “Healing Questions,” as they discuss the introduction of a new podcast.

If you have a story of empowerment that you would like to share, please sign up to be interviewed here:

https://www.proprofs.com/survey/t/?title=aqyyk

Consider this free therapy.  I did.

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Glenn reads an actual blog post written by an actual True Believing Mormon that actually compares the actual gospel to all things Tolkien.

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Schedule a free 30-min Life Coaching consult with Glenn here

Real men take it black.  Tom shares the mental gymnastics he went through as he was seduced by that very first cup of word of wisdom forbidden dark temptress.

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Schedule a free 30-min Life Coaching consult with Glenn here

Mormon missions aren’t exactly everything you think they are. Glenn shares some stories about his missionary trainer, aka “The Streaking Samurai.”

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Schedule a free 30-min Life Coaching consult with Glenn here

Glenn shares one of his greatest regrets.  The phone call that he wishes he would have had with his former best friend, before that best friend took his own life.

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Schedule a free 30-min Life Coaching consult with Glenn here

Glenn recalls a very entertaining priesthood lesson.  Yes, this actually happened.

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Schedule a free 30-min Life Coaching consult with Glenn here

Glenn responds to listen “Annie” an active PIMO (Physically In, Mentally Out) BYU Student whose dear friend married a transgender woman and has to hide it from everyone at BYU.

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Schedule a free 30-min Life Coaching consult with Glenn here

The story of the Mormon church trying to flush a slightly off-message conference talk down the memory hole back in 1984.  What was so “off message” that they had to try to change it forever?  (That’s what is so… revealing).

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here.

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Glenn responds to a listener’s question:

“How do you replace religious existential dread for more ‘real’ existential dread about climate crisis, political and economic unrest, and what that means for the future of a young person.”

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here.

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Today’s episode was originally published in June 2015.

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That’s right.  The One True Truth is finally here.

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Pushing pause on the 13-part reflections series, but first — this.

Glenn Ostlund will be speaking and leading two breakout sessions at the Jan 22, 2022 Thrive Conference in Phoenix. Purchase your tickets here.

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here.

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Glenn Ostlund will be speaking and leading two breakout sessions at the Jan 22, 2022 Thrive Conference in Phoenix. Purchase your tickets here.

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here.

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Glenn Ostlund will be speaking and leading two breakout sessions at the Jan 22, 2022 Thrive Conference in Phoenix. Purchase your tickets here.

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here.

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Glenn Ostlund will be speaking and leading two breakout sessions at the Jan 22, 2022 Thrive Conference in Phoenix. Purchase your tickets here.

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here.

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Glenn Ostlund will be speaking and leading two breakout sessions at the Jan 22, 2022 Thrive Conference in Phoenix. Purchase your tickets here.

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here.

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Welcome to January 2022.  The Infants on Thrones podcast will be turning 10 years old this year. To reflect upon the impact that this podcast has made on my life — and the impact that my life has made on this podcast — I am creating a 13-part series called “Reflections” that will run through the month of January.

This is a previously unpublished conversation between Glenn Ostlund, Psychologist Rachel Harris (author of “Listening to Ayahuasca”) and neuroscientist Michael Ferguson 4 days after Glenn’s first Ayahuasca ceremony in February 2018.

Glenn Ostlund will be speaking and leading two breakout sessions at the Jan 22, 2022 Thrive Conference in Phoenix. Purchase your tickets here.

Fill out the Mindfulness Survey here.

Support the podcast on Patreon here

For the ninth – and final — gift of Infant Christmas, an Infant gave to me, a brand new sorta-Christmassy mini-sode from 2021 called, “A Very Merry Visit from Death.”

For the eighth gift of Infant Christmas an Infant gave to me, a re-birthed episode from 2016 called: “Light the World Christmas Smackaround.”

For the seventh gift of Infant Christmas an Infant gave to me, a re-birthed episode from 2015 called: “Disproving Santa.”

For the sixth gift of Infant Christmas an Infant gave to me, a re-birthed minisode from 2015 called: “The Ghost of Christmas Past.”

For the fifth gift of Infant Christmas an Infant gave to me, a re-birthed episode from 2015 called: “Away in a Manger: The Smackdown.”

For the fourth gift of Infant Christmas an Infant gave to me, a re-birthed mini-sode from 2015 called: “First Presidency Christmas Message (featuring Neil Diamond).”

For the third gift of Infant Christmas an Infant gave to me, a re-birthed mini-sode from 2015 called: “Bah Humbug – The Dallin H. Oaks Christmas Card mini-Smackdown.”

For the second gift of Infant Christmas an Infant gave to me, a re-birthed mini-sode from 2014 called: “Zelph on the Shelph.”

For the first gift of Infant Christmas an Infant gave to me, a re-birthed episode from 2014 called: “The Christmas Jesus and Stuff.”

I really love to watch them roll.

If you chance to meet a frown, do not let it stay. Simply put it in the “eternal perspective” box, and reframe that frown away. (Or at least let it know it has a legit reason for being there, even if you can’t completely understand what that is!)

Do beliefs just go away, or do they simply change? For example, does “I do not believe in God” mean the same thing as “I do believe that there is no God?”

Is it actually true that even a blind squirrel finds an acorn sometimes?

What happens when belief becomes a burden that you actually do bear? (Bare? Bear? Bare?)

Or the stain-glassed kaleidoscope of my Mormon-formed mind. You choose.

Da da da da da, dadadada. Da da da da da da. Da da. (da da)

Do as I’m doing.  Or don’t.

Where were you when you first heard about the November 2015 Exclusion Policy?

Fill out the new Mindfulness Survey here.

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Glenn shares a true Mormon story about a truly spooky ghost story that is truly Mormon and truly spooky and even more truly a story.

Fill out the new Mindfulness Survey here.

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Glenn is joined once again by non-woo-woo, non-crystal-clutching Jake Parent to discuss psychedelics, consciousness, the nature of reality, and the holographic mind.

Fill out the new Mindfulness Survey here.

Support the podcast on Patreon here

Glenn speaks to author Cody Noconi about his research into the psychedelic origins of Mormonism.

Fill out the new Mindfulness Survey here.

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Glenn shares a Patreon sharing time episode about reactions and over-reactions and how to marry a mormon.

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Today Infants on Thrones celebrates crossing the threshold of 7 million total downloads (and Glenn’s recent recovery from Covid) by sharing a few thoughts about mindfulness and a journey back to the first episode published on this podcast.  You are also invited to share your thoughts on mindfulness in a new survey.  Enjoy!

I am beyond thrilled to welcome back the full Mormons on Mushrooms panel of Mike, Shelise, and Doug – yes, welcome back Doug!  And yes, it is another episode where we play in the sandbox of symbols and stories and fictions that are probably a little different – or maybe very very different – from the normal symbols and stories and fictions of everyday discourse that we rarely stop to recognize as symbols and stories and fictions because we just think of them as “reality” – which, when you really stop to think about it, is only experienced and communicated through multiple competing systems of symbols, stories, and fictions.  Stop.  Take a breath.  This is fun, right?  Playing with symbols and stories and fictions all in the service of learning how to become a more kind, compassionate, understanding, accepting, nurturing, joyful, peace-making human being.