The Other Side of Things

The Other Side of Things (E15) Rolfing with Sharalee Hoelscher #healing #rolfing #ontogenesis

Michael Brant DeMaria, Ph.D. — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 13:32:53 -0500

00:00 Welcome to the Show
00:42 Meet Sharalee Hoelscher
02:58 Michael’s Rolfing Journey
04:03 What Rolfing Really Is
08:32 Gravity as Therapist
12:38 Posture Shapes Psyche
15:29 Gliding and the Midline
22:16 Connective Tissue Explained
27:11 Feeling Fascia in Motion
29:55 Embryology and Forming Life
34:28 Bringing It Back to Practice
34:58 Gravity Heals Through Movement
35:36 Embryology Movement Creates Form
38:11 Unfolding and Unfurling Force Fields
43:07 Adult Body Homeostasis And Posture
45:27 Walking Experiments With Gravity
48:22 Beyond The Machine Model
52:58 Awareness Styles And Learning
57:24 Movement Paths And Feldenkrais
01:03:22 Final Thanks

I'm thrilled to have Sharalee on the show today. I've went through a Rolfing series with her and was fortunate to work with her prior to her retiring this year. Her depth of knowledge and commitment to the true origins of Ida Rolf's work truly impressed me and I have continued to reap benefits from my work with her.

A little more about this episode:

In this episode, Dr. Michael DeMaria welcomes retired Rolfer and craniosacral therapist Sharalee Hoelscher for a profound exploration of Rolfing’s deeper mystery — how movement shapes the self. Together they trace the lineage of Ida Rolf’s work, connecting gravity, fascia, and structural integration to emotional and spiritual transformation.

Sharalee shares insights from decades of practice, explaining how connective tissue acts as a continuous inner skin that organizes the body’s parts, and how gravity itself becomes the therapist when the body finds balance around its midline. They discuss embryology, ontogenesis, and Erich Blechschmidt’s revolutionary idea that movement precedes structure, revealing how this principle continues throughout life as we evolve through new gestures and forms.

Listeners will discover how posture shapes psyche, how trauma transforms through alignment, and how practices like Feldenkrais, yoga, Pilates, dance, and Rolf Movement help sustain the body’s living intelligence.

Keywords: Rolfing, Structural Integration, Fascia, Gravity as Therapist, Embryology, Movement Therapy, Somatic Healing, Trauma Transformation, Feldenkrais, Craniosacral Therapy, Ida Rolf, Body Alignment, Ontogenesis, Somatic Awareness, Sharalee Hoelscher, Michael DeMaria

Sharalee's Listing on Rolf.org: https://mms.rolf.org/members/directory/ROLF_profile.php?mid=1245928883

Michael's website: https://michaeldemaria.com/

The Other Side of Things (E14) Sacred 7 with Andrew Ecker #drumming #healing #shamanichealing

Michael Brant DeMaria, Ph.D. — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 14:16:18 -0500

0:00 Welcome to the Show
00:36 Meet Andrew Ecker
02:03 Ancestry and Roots
03:49 Life Assignment and Loss
04:58 Gritty Healing Work
06:46 Host Tribute and Sacred Seven
09:05 Opening Prayer
13:19 Relational Spirituality Defined
14:00 From Religion to Red Road
18:22 Trauma Addiction and Liberation
27:15 Energy and Emotional Density
28:56 Drumming in Memory Care
33:00 Displacement and Manifestation
35:29 Trauma Informed Sound Medicine
39:06 Spirituality Over Substances
39:35 Turning Pain Into Practice
40:40 Healthcare Pushback And Support
42:15 Scaling Drum Circle Impact
43:27 Energy Work With Clinicians
45:38 Gong Moment Breakthrough
47:31 Why Research Lags
50:34 Funding A Drumming Study
51:35 Connection Replaces Addiction
53:30 March Retreat Details
54:35 Congo Square And Inclusion
57:22 Transformation Story And Invite
01:00:23 Sacred Seven And Grounding
01:01:49 Blessing And Closing Prayer

The Other Side of Things Podcast

A Soulversation with Andrew Ecker
Recovery • Sacred 7 • Drumming Sounds • Rhythm as Medicine • Living a Prayed Life

In this deeply personal and powerful conversation, I sit down with healer, recovery guide, and founder of Drumming Sounds, Andrew Ecker.

Andrew shares his journey through addiction and recovery, revealing the deeper spiritual hunger beneath substance use and the sacred discipline that reshaped his life. We explore sobriety not as abstinence alone, but as initiation — as an ordeal that strips away illusion and invites us into prayer, service, and presence.

We also dive into Andrew’s Sacred 7 practice, a relational prayer rooted in the seven directions, and how rhythm and intentional drumming restore connection to ancestors, land, body, and spirit.

Andrew introduces his ancestry and lived experience with generational incarceration, substance use disorder, and family loss, and describes bringing drumming into memory care, psychiatric units, prisons, and treatment centers as an evidence-based, trauma-informed practice that emphasizes permission, empathy, and connection. The conversation focuses on “relational spirituality,” learning intimacy and boundaries with mental health experiences, and using drumming, breathwork, guided imagery, and sound medicine to displace “energies of sickness” and support healing. Andrew calls for more research funding for group drumming, shares outcomes from clinical and bereavement contexts, and promotes a March 13–16 retreat-style drumming training in Scottsdale plus his book Sacred Seven and coaching.

Andrew closes our conversation with a spoken prayer — a reminder that healing is not something we do alone, but something we remember together.

If this conversation moves you, consider subscribing and sharing it with someone who may need to hear it.

Andrew's Resources and Links:

Drumming Sounds
https://drummingsounds.com

Sacred 7 Community & Training
https://thesacredseven.com/

Andrew’s Book – The Sacred 7: A Path to Finding the Wholeness of Self-Identity
https://www.amazon.com/Sacred-path-finding-wholeness-self-identity/dp/1090133642?ref_=ast_author_dp

The Sacred 7 explores relational spirituality, identity, and healing rooted in earth-based traditions and community practice.

Michael's resources and links:

Official Website
https://michaelbrantdemaria.com

Books
https://michaeldemaria.com/books/

Music & Albums
https://michaelbrantdemaria.com/music

Films
https://michaeldemaria.com/ontos-films/

YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelBrantDeMaria

The Other Side of Things (E13) Wild Yoga with Rebecca Wildbear

Michael Brant DeMaria, Ph.D. — Sun, 14 Sep 2025 10:36:21 -0500

00:00 Introduction to The Other Side of Things
00:40 Welcoming the Guest: Rebecca Wild Bear
01:31 Rebecca's Background and Work
03:27 The Importance of Wilderness Therapy
06:29 Challenges of Modern Culture and Soul Work
11:56 Writing and Living Wild Yoga
16:45 Personal Stories and Vulnerabilities
30:03 The Concept of Wild Yoga
35:19 Embracing Vulnerability
35:52 The Never-Ending Journey of Healing
37:13 Love Warrior vs. Heart Warrior
38:02 The Power of Love and Ferocity
44:07 Feral Female Ferocity
50:04 The Role of Anger and Boundaries
01:02:32 The Journey of Braveheart
01:05:18 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

✨ The Other Side of Things Podcast | Guest: Rebecca Wildbear ✨

In this episode, I’m joined by my dear friend of over a decade, Rebecca Wildbear—author of Wild Yoga: A Practice of Initiation, Veneration, and Advocacy for the Earth. It was such a joy to finally sit down and reconnect with her for this conversation.

Rebecca is a nature-based soul guide, vision fast guide with Animas Valley Institute, and former wilderness therapy facilitator with Open Sky. Her life’s work is devoted to helping people listen deeply to the mysteries of the Earth, their dreams, and their souls.

Together we explore how Rebecca’s approach to wild yoga—a blend of yoga, deep imagination, and nature connection—offers a paradigm shift in how we understand human development, especially through the lens of nature-based soul initiation. Drawing on our shared apprenticeship with Bill Plotkin and the Animas Valley Institute, we discuss:

🌿 How wild yoga is different from traditional yoga
🌿 The role of wilderness in soul initiation and human maturation
🌿 Alternative ways of looking at what is often called “mental illness,” addiction, or psychosis
🌿 How nature can guide healing, wholeness, and purpose
🌿 Why adults who never felt at home in mainstream culture may still find their soul initiation later in life

Rebecca’s book Wild Yoga is both a practice and an invitation—a call to live in deeper conversation with the Earth and with the soul’s longing.

🔗 Learn more about Rebecca Wildbear and her work: https://www.rebeccawildbear.com
📖 Get Wild Yoga: https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Yoga-Practice-Initiation-Veneration/dp/160868797X

If you enjoy this conversation, please like, share, and subscribe for more soulful dialogues on The Other Side of Things.

Michael's website: www.michaeldemaria.com

The Other Side of Things (E12) Jung and Shamanism with C. Michael Smith, Ph.D.

Michael Brant DeMaria, Ph.D. — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 16:56:35 -0500

00:00 Introduction
01:15 Who is C. Michael Smith?
04:59 What is the Dialogic Method for Jung and Shamanism in Michael's work.
08:23 The ancient history behind understanding the world of Spirit
09:00 Jung's description of an archetypal possession and the need for exorcism
12:39 How Michael was drawn to this deep work of Jung and Shamanism
14:02 Jung's Memories, Dreams and Reflections and Mircea Eliade's work on Shamanism
15:14 Michael's person connection to the Spirit World/Collective Unconscious
16:28 Michael's encounter with the Numinous
17:04 Michael's Jungian Analyst told him he needed to find a shamanic teacher
18:18 His vision quest and finding his Daemon/Guardian Spirit and Guide
20:30 His first work with serious mental illness/archetypal possession
21:43 Shamanism as an archaic Depth Psychology
22:30 Jung, "If I knew about Shamanism I wouldn't have spent so much time with alchemy."
25:30 Core Analysis and Psycho Shamanism in Michael's work.
26:12 The Psyche is a porous open system - connected to all reality which is a blessing and curse.
27:23 How to stay curious, compassionate, and open to these psychic numinous realities/entities.
28:30 The power of relationship, music, presence, symbol, chant, colorful ceremony in this work.
30:06 Michael's work with exorcism with severe cases, which he uses very rarely.
33:45 When Michael works with Severe Mental Illness uses greater family and psychiatric support.
35:00 Example of someone who was archetypally possessed and how he did an exorcism.
40:17 How do we help people shamanically swim in these waters instead of psychotically drowning.
41:30 "I'm in the business of working with the impossible, what other people say can't be healed."
42:30 One particularly powerful case of healing deep trauma through multiple de-possessions.
43:36 Dealing with deep ancestral trauma inter-generationally.
45:16 In Internal Family Systems you can have a Legacy Burden and Unattached Burden.
47:09 Michael's take on Post-Modern Shamanism vs. Traditional Shamanism.
50:13 Michael's take on being a reconstructive Post-Modernist.
51:48 Michael's powerful use of shamanic work with a cancer patient.
56:19 Consciousness is fundamental as a shift from our tradition of materialistic reductionism.
58:52 Post-modern shamanism is updating itself with the newest findings in neuroscience and physics.
1:01:00 An N of 1 matters.
1:02:00 Advaita Vedanta and letting go of any attachment to any objects.
1:03:00 Our Avatar Bodies...
1:04:27 Eternity is in love with the productions of time.
1:06:00 Michael's sharing of Jung's story of the woman who lived on the moon and how he see's his own work with the defenses of the psyche.
1:09:39 A shamanic correction to Jung's work - the extra step of ceremony - soul retrieval - inviting in what was giving up - not just extraction/de-possession/exorcism, but also welcoming back the essence of what was displaced.
1:11:00 Your defense system is like a psychic immune system - those young parts of us.
1:13:00 The being of the shamanic healer must live and respond from your open center.
1:14:30 The center ultimately IS the heart.
1:17:00 Jung was also a phenomenologist - and his sense of the divine was numinous.
1:20:00 The most powerful place to stand and for protection and healing is the heart...

In this profound episode, I sit down with clinical psychologist, medical anthropologist, and author C. Michael Smith, a world-renowned expert in Jungian psychology and shamanic healing. Together, we explore the fertile intersection of Jung’s depth psychology and indigenous shamanic traditions — both of which view healing as a soul-centered, symbolic, and relational process.

We dive into:
✨ How Jung's concept of the wounded healer echoes the shamanic initiation
✨ The parallels between soul retrieval and Jungian individuation
✨ The role of altered states, dreams, and active imagination in accessing inner wisdom
✨ The sacred importance of ritual, symbol, and myth in both systems
✨ How trauma, possession, and spiritual crisis are addressed in traditional vs. modern cultures
✨ And why reconnecting with the soul — personally and culturally — is more vital than ever

C. Michael Smith brings a rare integration of scholarship and lived experience. His seminal book Jung and Shamanism in Dialogue has influenced therapists, healers, and seekers worldwide.

This is a rich, timely conversation for anyone called to the deeper healing path, whether through psychotherapy, ceremony, or inner exploration.

Michael's book on Jung and Shamanism:
https://www.amazon.com/Jung-Shamanism-Dialogue-Retrieving-Sacred-ebook/dp/B00I4GL9OI
Michael's website:
https://crowsnestshamanism.com/blog/
Michael DeMaria's website:
https://michaeldemaria.com/

#JungAndShamanism #CMichaelSmith #TheOtherSideOfThings #SoulHealing #WoundedHealer #DepthPsychology #ShamanicHealing

The Other Side of Things (E11) Bipolar Awakenings with Sean Blackwell

Michael Brant DeMaria, Ph.D. — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 20:31:00 -0500

00:37 Introduction
01:39 Who is Sean Blackwell?
03:59 Our mutual connection to Holotropic Breathwork.
05:32 Sean's Bipolar Episode and Hospitalization.
07:22 Working with his partner's nieces psychotic episodes.
07:57 Dr. John Weir Perry and Dr. Loren Moser's influence on Sean.
09:38 Sean has done 60-70 retreat with people around the world.
13:16 The overlap of spirituality and psychosis in Sean's work.
13:40 Two camps: Peer Support vs. Transpersonal psychology
16:31 Grof's the Stormy Search for the Self
17:21 The 13 basic delusions people experience
17:46 When flip into paranoia no healing can happen!
18:35 The blissful psychosis vs. the Paranoid psychosis
21:35 Trauma and psychosis
22:06. Healing the chakra's somatically
23:08 What's truly healing is the healing field!
24:35 Sean's discovery of surrogate breathwork.
32:34 Dealing with intense shadow energies - even what feels like feels demonic
36:34 Sean's discovery of distance healing through his work with Family Constellation Therapy
43:21 Sean's current understanding of The Healing Field.
50:27 Tribal Shamanism, New Age Shamanism vs Quantum Shamanism
56:34 A name for every name in the river, but not the river itself.
59:23 Developing an Integral Consciousness
1:01:23 Accessing the quantum dimension.
1:02:31 The most powerful protection.
1:07:36 Sean's understanding of soul.
1:11:00 Sean's frustration with how little people understand the work he does.
1:16:00 How to find Sean's work.

Since 2007 Sean Blackwell has been researching and teaching about the spiritual dimension and healing potential of bipolar disorder through his YouTube channel, bipolarORwakingUP. His videos graphically illustrate subjects such as spiritual emergency, transpersonal psychology, and the evolution of consciousness, always demonstrating how these themes relate to transcending the bipolar condition. His book, “Am I Bipolar or Waking Up?”, published in 2011, describes his own bipolar awakening, subsequent hospitalization, and complete recovery, which happened in 1996.

In 2013, Sean started The Bipolar Awakenings Healing Retreat, a pioneering program for people who wanted to heal from their so-called incurable condition. In September of 2016, Sean received his certification as a Holotropic Breathwork facilitator with Grof Transpersonal Training, the official training program of Dr. Stanislav Grof. This education has been fundamental to the development of the healing retreat process, as a modified form of Holotropic Breathwork, Bipolar Breathwork, provides the basis for the bioenergetic healing process which takes place during retreats.

Based on his experience facilitating private retreats, Sean developed two new online healing modalities. In 2020, he launched Distance Surrogate Breathwork and Conscious Emotional Clearing, as two very affordable options that could help people begin to heal their bipolar conditions safely, within the comfort of their own home.

Sean's website and link to his new book: https://www.bipolarawakenings.com/
Michael's Website: https://michaeldemaria.com/
Michael's Links: https://michaeldemaria.com/michaels-links/

The Other Side of Things (E10) The Aquarian Shaman with Linda Star Wolf #breathwork #healing #shaman

Michael Brant DeMaria, Ph.D. — Sat, 15 Feb 2025 14:21:57 -0600

00:00 Introduction
01:04 Who is Linda Star Wolf, Ph.D.
03:35 Star Wolf gives us a beautiful opening blessing
06:57 History of Michael and Star's relationship
11:50 The Spiral Path - the transformational process that requires change!
15:30 The origin of the word Shaman and it's true meaning as Shamaning...
19:16 Trusting when things need to end...
20:42 We all need the right amount of heartbreak.
23:00 My grandmothers who have helped me.
26:13 Shamanism and Breakdown/Breakthroughs
30:00 Growing up in the woods and forest as an only child.
32:57 Growing up highly sensitive.
35:48 Breathwork, breakdowns and breakthroughs and precautions
42:00 Shadow work, shamanic deaths and rebirths
45:36 The blessings of soul friends - who help us embrace our weirdness - that is our uniqueness!
48:14 Weird originally meant, 'having a foot in both worlds.'
50:30 Authenticity and embracing the shadow
55:13 The collective shadow and the pain of being demonized and shamed can drive you crazy
58:00 Let's be clear we LIVE on a Shamanic Planet - we've already had huge extinction events!
1:00:00 This is an Earth School
1:05:00 The AI I'm interested in is Authentic Intelligence - NOT artificial intelligence.
1:10:00 Here to get a doctorate degree in the Universe - according to grandmother Twyla.

I’m truly honored to welcome a dear friend and longtime collaborator to the show today—Dr. Linda Star Wolf. Star Wolf and I have shared a deep connection for decades, working together on projects rooted in transformation, healing, and the sacred path of shamanic wisdom. As a shamanic breathwork facilitator myself, I’ve been profoundly influenced by her teachings and the visionary work she has brought to the world.

Today, we’ll be diving into her latest book, The Aquarian Shaman, exploring the evolution of shamanic consciousness in these changing times. From breathwork to shadow work, the endless spiral path of the soul and the wisdom of our teachers and elders, we’ll journey into what it means to truly follow our hearts and the path of our souls!

Get comfortable, take a deep breath, and join us on this soul-centered conversation with the incredible Linda Star Wolf.

Linda Star Wolf, Ph.D., has been a shamanic visionary teacher and guide to thousands of people over the last four decades. Star Wolf was a nationally certified alcohol and drug counselor for 30+ years. She studied a variety of breathwork techniques with many teachers. Star Wolf draws much of her wisdom from personal experience of using breath to fortify connection to one’s own life force energy.

The author of 13 books, Star Wolf is the creator of Shamanic Breathwork®, the Shamanic Healing Initiatory Process® (S.H.I.P.), the Founder of Venus Rising Association for Transformation (a non-profit organization), and Founding President of Venus Rising University for Shamanic Psychospiritual Studies. Star Wolf is also co-founder of the Shamanic Mystery Tours and guides spiritual seekers to travel as emissaries to sacred shamanic sites worldwide.

Dedicating her life to assisting soul seekers to transform and embrace their lives, Star Wolf teaches how to embody the shaman within and step into a life of passionate, soul purpose. Her commitment to sacred activism and visionary leadership led her to create the Shamanic Ministers Global Network and train Shamanic Breathwork Facilitators around the world.

Star Wolf has a deep connection to shamanic earth wisdom teachings originating from Indigenous elders. Twylah Nitsch, beloved Seneca Wolf Clan Grandmother, gave her the spirit name Star Wolf and adopted her as a Spiritual Granddaughter.

Website: https://www.shamanicbreathwork.org/
Michael's Website: https://michaeldemaria.com/
Order book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Aquarian-Shaman-Walking-Spiral-Transformation/dp/1591435145

The Other Side of Things (Ep 09) - "My Mysterious Son" with Dick Russell

Michael Brant DeMaria, Ph.D. — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 10:46:05 -0600

00:00 Intro
01:05 Who is Dick Russell?
04:47 What is My Mysterious Son about and why Dick wrote it.
06:15 Other ways of looking at Schizophrenia and Otherworldliness .
08:44 Michael's soulchosis/spiritual emergency at 18 and how he worked through it.
10:55 Dick's first contact with Jung and Hillman
12:50 Hillman asks Dick to write his Biography - which turned into 3 large volumes!
14:30 Hillman's advice to Dick regarding his son Franklin - "treat him like a regular person"
15:15 Relaxing with Franklin, going with the flow and going with it and finding humor!
19:46 Who is Malidoma Patrice Some?
23:00 Dick received divinations from Malidoma and begins learning about shamanism
26:32 Michael's experiences with shamanic and soulcentric practices
28:47 The scariest moment of Dick's life with Franklin in Africa
32:00 Dick's breakdown/breakthrough with Franklin through a role reversal.
34:21 The most powerful protection in the universe - a pure heart!
37:16 Shaman's Among Us - book on schizophrenia and shamanism
38:54 Dick's current understanding of what he's learned from his journey with Franklin
41:54 The power of going through this journey as a family including Franklin's mother Eda.
48:57 The importance of the ancestors in this shamanic healing journey.
50:10 The slave shackle as part of the healing ritual Dick was asked to do.
57:50 Robert Whitaker and Mad in America
59:01 Metabolic Therapies for Schizophrenia, Bipolar and Schizoaffective disorders
1:01:00 How your devotion and love as a fire for your Mysterious Son touched my heart
1:03:30 In The Wound is the Gift
1:05:00 It's All About Love! Find out what is true in your heart.
1:08:00 Hillman and The Soul's Code
1:11:00 How to find out more about Dick's work.

Exploring the Borderlands: An Unforgettable Interview with Dick Russell:

For as long as I can remember, I've been drawn to the borderland between the personal and transpersonal dimensions of reality. Even before my near-death experience (NDE) at the age of seven, I was a boy who lived between the worlds—where the boundaries between myself, others, nature, and the cosmos ebbed and flowed like the brushstrokes of a Van Gogh painting.

Over the past 40 years, I’ve found profound joy in helping those who feel lost between worlds discover a path back—or a way to thrive within that liminal space. My journey has included studying with indigenous healers and teachers, practicing Buddhist meditation under my Zen teacher’s guidance for 45 years, and navigating the heartache of witnessing loved ones struggle with being "lost" between the worlds.

When I discovered Dick Russell’s book, 'My Mysterious Son: A Life-Changing Passage Between Schizophrenia and Shamanism', I immediately felt a deep resonance. Little did I know how much I would have in common with Dick, whose journey as a father navigating his son Franklin’s extraordinary life is profoundly moving. Dick’s work goes beyond the personal, connecting to themes of healing, shamanism, and the mysteries of the psyche.

As I prepared for this interview, I dove into his incredible body of work, including the monumental three-volume authorized biography of James Hillman, one of the most provocative post-Jungian thinkers of the 20th century. Dick’s connection to Malidoma Somé—someone who has also profoundly influenced my life—adds another rich layer to this dialogue.

This is not just an interview; it’s an exploration of mystery, healing, and the courage it takes to live between worlds. Join us for an unforgettable conversation that will leave you inspired and deeply moved.

Connect and Join the Conversation:
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more soulful explorations!

A bit more about Dick Russell:

Dick Russell is the author of sixteen non-fiction books, including a three-volume biography of depth psychologist James Hillman and "My Mysterious Son: A Life-Changing Passage Between Schizophrenia and Shamanism." Four books co-authored with Jesse Ventura were New York Times best-sellers, and his "Eye of the Whale" in 2001 was name among the Best Books of the Year by three major newspapers. He was also a recipient of the Chevron Conservation Award for his environmental work.

Dick's website: https://dickrussell.org/
My Mysterious Son on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Mysterious-Son-Life-Changing-Schizophrenia-Shamanism/dp/1510729003/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Michael's website: https://michaeldemaria.com/

#DickRussell #MyMysteriousSon #JamesHillman #SchizophreniaAndShamanism #Shamanism #NDE #VanGogh #Meditation #ZenPractice #IndigenousWisdom #MentalHealth #BetweenTheWorlds #HealingJourney #MysticalExperience #DepthPsychology #MalidomaSome #PodcastInterview #Spirituality #SoulfulConversations #TheOtherSideOfThings

The Other Side of Things (Ep 08) - Trauma-Informed Personal Training with Gabi Varga

Michael Brant DeMaria, Ph.D. — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 09:50:15 -0600

00:00 Introduction
01:13 Who is Gabi Varga?
06:05 A Holistic Approach to Fitness
10:51 The Imprint of Trauma on our Bodies
12:18 Nurturing Our Nervous Systems
20:38 When Clients Feel Safe Even Tears May Come
23:16 Understanding What Dysregulation of The Nervous System Is
37:15 Fight, Flee, Freeze or Fawn Responses.
40:41 What Trauma-Sensitive Personal Training May Look Like
52:00 Where to find out more about Gabi and her work.

I first discovered Gabi Varga’s work during the pandemic, while searching for a way to stay active without going to the gym. Growing up as an athlete—playing football, lacrosse, and competing in track—I had my share of experiences with harsh, even abusive coaching styles. Like so many in our culture, I often held myself to impossible standards. Add to that the challenges of lingering trauma from childhood surgeries, which have left me with muscle imbalances requiring extra care during training, and I knew I needed a different approach.

When I came across the phrase “trauma-informed personal training” in my feed, I was immediately drawn to Gabi’s unique perspective. Following her work was a game-changer, helping me reframe my workouts with more compassion and curiosity. Her approach offered a much-needed reset for both my body and mind. Our schedules finally aligned for us to have a deep dive into this fascinating topic and new approach to fitness.

More about Gabi:

I grew up in Hungary and became a group fitness instructor at 20. Fifteen years ago, I moved to Montreal for someone who became my husband and turned out to be emotionally abusive. At the time, I didn’t realize it; I was busy learning English and starting my life from scratch. I built a wonderful life with amazing Hungarian friends and a great following of fitness participants.
During COVID, I found a somatic therapist. This body-based approach made so much sense, helping with nervous system regulation and trauma release. The shift was slow but significant. I started my own personal training business but felt stuck with conventional "no pain, no gain" fitness.

I began using somatic techniques in my sessions and discovered trauma-informed personal training, which excited me. I completed the next course available.

Now, I help people who are healing from existing trauma improve their relationship with movement and reach their fitness goals. By listening to you and understanding your individual needs, we can work together to turn exercise into a safe, sustainable, and joyful experience.Often, we overlook our body’s signals, pushing through pain or overtraining—leading to injury, burnout, shame cycles, and even trauma responses like dissociation.

Trauma-informed training unlocks your potential by embracing a gentler, more mindful approach. Together, we’ll build tools for body awareness, self-regulation, and understanding what your body truly needs to reach your fitness goals safely. Most importantly, we’ll reframe exercise so it feels genuinely good.

Gabi's website: https://thetraumainformedpt.com/

Michael's Website: https://michaeldemaria.com

The Other Side of Things (Ep 07) - "Moments of Eternity" with Michael Meade

Michael Brant DeMaria, Ph.D. — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 11:35:52 -0600

00:00 Introduction
01:00 Who is Michael Meade?
03:20 What Michael is tracking post election?
04:00 Manu and the Fish - a story about the origin of human consciousness
08:00 Moving from the Law of the Fishes to the Law of Manu
10:30 How do we feed that 'little fish' in our own life.
11:00 When we are following our calling we can deal with big heavy duty issues!
12:00 The fish is the most ancient symbol of the deep self.
14:00 Something bigger and deeper than politics.
15:30 We are in a collective Rite of Passage.
17:41 Apocalypsis - Collapse/Renewal - both and - a powerful time to find ourselves!
20:20 Michael's soul initiation in solitary confinement - a deep initiatory descent
22:30 When you have nothing left - what is left is you and truly yours...
23:41 What is indestructible within us?
24:35 Soulchosis and the Mythic level of reality.
26:30 Michael's difficulty reweaving his way into consensus reality after his soul intiation.
27:25 Everyone has an experience of the deep self or they would die.
30:00 When the outside world doesn't work, we must work fall back to the inner world!
33:00 We are threaded to a destiny - it comes as a whisper...not a trumpet!
34:22 Michael's breakthrough where stories came alive while drumming and storytelling.
39:00 We are each a flute that God is here to play - Hafiz
40:30 When we are living in alignment with our inner 'geniurs/angel' we are deeply protected.
44:40 Finding Your Soul tribe.
45:00 our originality is coming from the Origin of Life...it isn't our it belongs to life
46:00 Our little self resists the full unfolding of our soul's destiny.
48:00 We are here to be like flowers - turn ourselves inside out!
49:20 Opening ourselves to the cosmic dancing, singing, streaming of divine wisdom
50:45 Traditionally those who were seen as 'crazy' were apprenticed to the shamans.
54:10 More people on the edge of madness and suicide today we need more community.
55:00 By helping the one suffering actually heals the community.
55:20 If a culture can come together around a person having a psychotic break all can heal.
57:40 The Lapland Shamanic traditions and Open Dialogue's approach to psychosis in Finland.
58:00 Bone memory - we have access to these old ancient knowing and the streaming wisdom.
1:00:00 Such freedom when following the streaming - and the origin of healing and healing songs
1:01:00 The Origin of Healing Rituals and Songs
1:04:00 The importance of standing in the Not-Knowing and tolerating the Chaos
1:08:00 Every day has a moment of Eternity waiting for you!
1:09:00 Music is the Healing Road
1:10:00 Be Your Note!!

I'm thrilled to share this episode with you! I've been a fan of Michaels work for over 30 years and it was a true joy having him on the show!

In this episode of The Other Side of Things, we will delve into themes of creation as recreation, the meaning of wisdom and genius, and the myths that can guide us through apocalyptic times. We’ll also explore Michael's own soul initiation during his time in solitary confinement, the importance of storytelling in dark times, and his very unique perspective on psychosis and this time of collective rite of passage we are all on globally in the areas of nature and culture.

Michael Meade is a renowned storyteller, author, and mythologist whose work weaves together ancient wisdom, poetic insight, and depth psychology to explore the profound challenges and opportunities of our time. With decades of experience, Meade is celebrated for his unique ability to blend mythic stories with modern issues, illuminating how timeless truths can guide individuals and societies through crises.

As the founder of the Mosaic Multicultural Foundation, Meade has dedicated his life to fostering unity and understanding across diverse communities. His teachings focus on the essential role of myth, genius, and creativity in times of chaos, urging people to embrace their inner gifts and life purpose. A masterful speaker and captivating orator, he connects deeply with audiences by drawing on mythological archetypes, cultural history, and transformative storytelling.

Meade is the author of several acclaimed books, including The Genius Myth, Awakening the Soul, Fate and Destiny, and Why the World Doesn't End. His podcast, Living Myth, has become a powerful platform for exploring the intersection of mythology, psychology, and cultural change. His work resonates with seekers, creatives, and leaders alike, inspiring hope and wisdom in uncertain times.

Website: https://www.mosaicvoices.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelMeadeMosaic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelmeade_mosaic
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLw8wVAkj4OB4QL93nQu0fYRoBJj1IURri

Michael DeMaria's Links:
https://michaeldemaria.com/
https://www.facebook.com/DrMichaelDeMaria/
https://www.instagram.com/drmichaeldemaria/
Music Links: https://listen.michaeldemaria.com/mbd
All Michael's Links: https://michaeldemaria.com/michaels-links/

The Other Side of Things (Ep 06) - "Intimacy with All Things" with Alyssa Morin

Michael Brant DeMaria, Ph.D. — Mon, 11 Nov 2024 15:08:53 -0600

00:00 Introduction
01:17 Who is Alyssa Morin?
02:22 Michael's early trauma
03:35 Gwyneth Paltrow Love, Sex and Goop
04:00 What is Somatic Sex Education?
05:00 Alyssa's background in Zen, Soulwork and being a minister's daughter.
06:00 Alyssa's journey to SSE and what it is.
09:35 Let me dive into everything during her first Saturn Return
11:00 Caffyn Jesse and healing circumcision trauma
13:00 Zen practice as a prelude to SSE
14:50 The power of lineage and containers
15:45 Dogen, "Enlightenment is intimacy with all things."
19:00 Sitting with whatever arises.
20:50 Eros/Life Force and Aliveness.
23:00 Eros/Psyche/Natura - bringing opposites into relationship and longing.
24:00 Meaning of Rilke's phrase, "Go to the limits of your longing."
28:50 How do you bring a soulcentric/soulwork approach to your work?
29:50 The Soulwork Lineage of Bill Plotkin and her teachers
32:30 Sexuality, Trauma and Initiatory experiences and finding meaning in the suffering
36:00 Art as Ritual/Ritual as Art
37:40 Self-designed Ceremony
41:00 Losing the Sacred
42:00 The Verdant Collective
45:11 Women exploring their belonging and regulating their nervous systems
47:00 Pleasure and Please have the same root word - does this please you?
48:50 The power of listening
49:30 Your sexuality is yours!
50:00 Somatic Sex Education in more detail
51:40 Your arousal IS the event
55:30 Closing Comments and Thoughts

I came across Alyssa's work as part of my own healing journey after watching the riveting and painful documentary American Circumcision. It triggered some old trauma's from multiple surgeries I had between the ages of birth and age 7. It hit me really hard. I came across the work of Caffyn Jesse who offered a free online training for those who may have been traumatized by the experience. It was life changing. She was one of the founders of Somatic Sex Education, and it turned out I would later discover trained Alyssa. When I went to explore this area of healing further I came across Alyssa's website which was VERY different then most of those working in the space. Having grown up Catholic, I was struck first that she was a minister's daughter, secondly that she practiced Zen meditation (something I had done since the age of 18) and thirdly she worked within the lineage of Bill Plotkin, Ph.D., the author of such books as Soulcraft and Nature and the Human Soul. I trained with Bill in the 90's and worked closely with him on my way to being a wilderness vision fast guide for many years. I knew immediately the kinship in our backgrounds would make Alyssa the perfect resource for me to work on my own deeper healing of my childhood trauma's. I'm so glad she has agreed to be on the show. You'll truly enjoy her depth, authenticity, heart and soulful sharing of her wisdom.

A bit more about Alyssa:

Alyssa Morin is a soulcentric Somatic Sex Educator, and Relationship and Intimacy Guide. Her work with individuals, couples and groups traverses a wide range: from practical, applicable, matter-of-fact sex education and problem-solving, to sensual, inexorable, earth-shattering magick, to clear self-knowing — all through the body.

And on her website:

Connection, yes. Making babies, got it. But pleasure? Fun? A way to express and come to understand the many sides of myself, a portal into altered states of consciousness? All of that was buried under fear, embarrassment, misunderstandings, trauma, and shame.

The journey to where I stand now, a Somatic Sex Educator, was a winding and meandering one. Undergraduate studies in college lead to a degree in journalism, taught me to think for myself, and revealed that most of the questions I was interested in asking would not be answered – probably could not even be asked – in the ivy covered halls of academia.

Twenty-two years spent in gymnastics facilities, as both athlete and coach, taught me much about the body, its mechanics, its beauty and grace. I learned of sacrifice and devotion, pain and frustration, triumph and failure, friendship and betrayal. I learned what humans need to relax into and trust another to catch them as they hurl their bodies through the air, while refining a capacity to look deeply into complexity and find and name the simple adjustment that can change everything.

Deep dives into the relational practice Circling, as well as Zen Meditation, and Women’s Culture and Community, along with medicine journeys and soul work, slowly peeled back layers to reveal the truth that had perhaps existed all along: Embodiment, sexuality, eros, intimacy, and relationships are my work.

Alyssa's website: https://www.alyssamorin.org/
The Verdant Collective Website: https://www.theverdantcollective.com/
Michael's website: https://michaeldemaria.com/

The Other Side of Things (Ep 05) - "All The Honey" with Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer #poetry #healing

Michael Brant DeMaria, Ph.D. — Sat, 24 Aug 2024 15:36:13 -0500

00:00 Introduction
01:40 Who is Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer?
03:10 All The Honey
04:20 How did you become a poet?
07:50 What opened your heart as a child?
08:19 A poem a day.
09:20 "I wrote the first bare line...pure wisdom...pure foolishness"
10:40 Poetry and dealing with darkness and her son's death.
14:00 Turning Towards What is True.
14:43 It doesn't have to be good, it just has to be true.
16:00 How my daily practice of writing helped me not shut down.
16:34 Finn's amazing light, compassion and how he shined so brightly.
21:22 Wrestling with being true - a poem.
22:50 The friction of contradiction becoming the poetry of paradox
23:49 POEM: Two Truths (about her son's death)
26:00 How those we love become more present through their physical abscence...
27:00 The necessity of creativity to survive the greatest challenges and traumas
28:40 It is in our most desperate places that we need creativity to survive
29:00 The importance of community - sharing our creativity with others.
30:00 Loss is the place beauty starts...
32:00 Van Gogh and a multi-media project that was so healing
32:54 A synchronicity with a bunnie appearing during our interview!
36:00 Vincent Van Gogh's sister-in-law and brother Theo having preserved his legacy.
37:50 Bearing the fruit we came here to bear.
40:00 How can we see our story so we can see through the story.
42:00 POEM: The Invitation
44:40 Hearing silence more deeply...and silence as a powerful honoring...
47:00 Who are your people?
48:46 People of the Twilight
50:35 Living with a foot in both worlds
51:37 Rilke and the Darkness - Faith in Night
54:20 Endarkenment
58:30 Wanting to Die
1:03:00 Poignant Mysterious Synchronicities with Finn
1:06:00 Amor Fati and honoring what happens on the River of Life
1:10:00 Connecting with those on the other side of things...
1:13:00 Being with What Is...
1:14:38 POEM: Going Deeper Into The Mystery
1:16:43 Spaciousness of Heart
1:18:55 Being Carried
1:22:00 NEW BOOK: "The Unfolding" comes out in October

I came across one of Rosemerry's poem and was immediately hooked by her authenticity and depth in her poetry. After reaching out to her and receiving such a kind response I was so grateful for her willingness to be on The Other Side of things!

Be prepared for one of our deepest dives on The Other Side of Things. Our soulversation took us into some profound spaces and silences that I found personally so deeply enriching and meaningful. I felt truly transformed by our time together, and I hope you will too.

Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer co-hosts Emerging Form (a podcast on creative process), Secret Agents of Change (a surreptitious kindness cabal) and Soul Writer’s Circle. Her poetry has appeared on A Prairie Home Companion, PBS News Hour, O Magazine, American Life in Poetry, on Carnegie Hall stage, and on river rocks she leaves around town. Her collection Hush won the Halcyon Prize. Naked for Tea was a finalist for the Able Muse Book Award. Rosemerry has been writing and sharing a poem a day since 2006—a practice that especially nourished her after the death of her teenage son in 2021. Find her daily poems on her blog, A Hundred Falling Veils or a curated version (with optional prompts) on her daily audio series, The Poetic Path, available on your phone with the Ritual app. She is the author of Exploring Poetry of Presence II: Prompts to deepen your writing practice, and her poetry album, Dark Praise, explores “endarkenment,” available anywhere you listen to music. Her most recent collection is All the Honey, and in October, 2024 she’ll release The Unfolding with Wildhouse Publishing. In January 2024, she became the first poet laureate for Evermore, and is helping others explore grief, bereavement, wonder and love through poetry.

Website: https://www.wordwoman.com/
Daily poetry blog: https://ahundredfallingveils.com/
Daily poetry app for your phone: https://app.ritual.io/rosemerry
Podcast on creative process: Emerging Form http://emergingform.com/
Newest Book: All the Honey https://bookshop.org/p/books/all-the-honey-rosemerry-wahtola-trommer/18666020
TEDx: The Art of Changing Metaphors https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXC3-ZFkhDo
Poetry album on “Endarkenment”: Dark Praise https://rosemerrywahtolatrommer.bandcamp.com/album/dark-praise
Upcoming Book: Unfolding https://wildhousepublishing.com/the-unfolding/

Michael's website: https://michaeldemaria.com/

The Other Side of Things (Ep 04) - Stem Cell Therapy

Michael Brant DeMaria, Ph.D. — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 11:07:12 -0500

00:00 Introduction
01:37 Who is Kevin Lucas?
03:47 Who is Shannon Rogers?
05:40 How Kevin found stem cell therapy.
09:45 How Shannon found stem cell therapy.
15:18 Michael's experience with stem cell therapy.
19:00 You are not your diagnosis!
20:45 What is stem cell therapy and how does it work?
27:20 The rest of the world has been doing this for the last 50 years!
27:50 In 2015 law changed for us to be able to access in the US.
29:50 Where do stem cells come from?
30:30 How does New Hope Regeneration source them?
31:50 How the newest techniques make it available for most anyone.
32:50 What are mesenchymal cells?
33:50 These are from umbilical cords that would simply be thrown away.
34:17 The wave of the future?
37:20 New Hope Regeneration's desire to make it more available.
38:10 What should someone look for when considering options for stem cell therapy?
43:15 Is there anything that can't get better?
48:00 Difference between older and younger doctors regarding their support of stem cell therapy.
49:30 Do your research!
50:00 80 percent of second opinions give a different opinion. Doctor's aren't all knowing.
50:40 Becoming a full participant in your own health care.
51:30 We are more biodynamic than biomechanical.
52:00 How do people find out more about New Hope Regeneration's options?
54:00 How my digestive issues kept me from living my life more fully for 20 years.

I have wanted to share about the experience I had with stem cell therapy for a number of years now and Kevin, Shannon and I finally was able to carve out some time for this very invigorating deep dive into all things stem cell therapy.

Kevin Lucas is a health & wellness advocate, public speaker, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and consultant that is well known for his commitment to helping patients manage their health challenges and chronic pain. At the beginning of his career, Kevin Lucas of New Hope Regeneration worked as a Board Certified Advanced Structural Integrator. This position allowed Lucas to dedicate himself to alleviating the pain and improving the quality of life of patients suffering from MS, auto immune conditions, Parkinson’s, Fibromyalgia, and a host of other conditions with the capacity to cause pain and discomfort. While aiding patients via therapeutic touch indicative of Structural Integration was rewarding, Kevin Lucas decided to expand his development and the tools at his disposal, leading to him co-founding New Hope Regeneration in 2015. Now, Lucas introduces patients to how Infiniti Cells can be harnessed for their anti-inflammatory, regenerative, and immunomodulatory qualities to strengthen the body’s ability to repair itself. He also works as a consultant for New Hope Regeneration, helping potential patients determine whether Infiniti Cell Therapy is the right path for their needs.

Shannon Rogers is a curious researcher in the field of human behavior and dysfunction. She has worked professionally and passionately with thousands of people for over twenty years, helping them move beyond abuse and trauma. She blends years of fervent learning with some of the most powerful tools on the planet into her methods. She passionately believes that processing emotions is the key to the fountain of youth, vibrance, and clarity leading to your greatest breakthrough, beyond fear and trauma. She has witnessed people turn back the signs of aging and to discover healing and functionality through her powerful work. She possesses a unique ability to quickly grasp the root of the problem and to compassionately lead you to your greatest potential.

Kevin's website: https://newhoperegeneration.com/
Shannon's website: https://www.shannonlynnrogers.com/

Michael's website: https://michaeldemaria.com/

The Other Side of Things Ep 03 - "Polywise" with Jessica Fern

Michael Brant DeMaria, Ph.D. — Sun, 16 Jun 2024 10:04:35 -0500

00:00 Intro
01:55 Who is Jessica Fern?
04:00 What is love?
06:00 I wrote this book for love.
08:00 Jessica's finding the language of polyamory
10:00 Paradigms, Mindsets and Social Lenses
11:50 Emotional Wiring from our Conditioned Mindsets
14:00 Polyamory - different ways of understanding many loves
16:15 What are polyintimates? Emotional connections vs. physical
18:00 How to approach difficult discussions around polyamory?
21:00 Parts work - what is it and how to work with our many 'parts/sub-selves'?
23:40 Does everybody have a poly part??
25:30 The Mono-Poly Spectrum
26:00 Ambiamory
30:00 Poly as a choice, orientation vs philosophy
32:30 Working with Jealousy
38:00 How to deal with attractions to others?
39:00 Attraction vs. Admiring others
41:50 We don't own other's sexuality nor do they own ours
44:30 Current challenges socially with non-traditional relationship styles
47:30 Parenting within a Poly Paradigm
50:20 Monogamous guilt?
51:15 Cautions when dealing with children with partners mono or poly
52:52 Importance of multiple healthy secure attachments for children
54:40 "If you want to fly with eagles, you have to get used to high places."
57:20 Jessica's journey to becoming an author and influencer by sharing her soul's purpose
59:38 Allowing fear, without being ruled by it when making a big leap
1:02:00 Our evolution if we allow it, never ends.
1:04:00 Not being reactive to ourselves - the inner world is diverse and vast
1:05:00 How to work with our inner critic?

I first came across Jessica's work reading her book Polysecure during COVID while working with a couple who identified as Polyamorous and I was feeling at a loss of how to help them maneuver some challenging terrain. They recommended the book, and I was deeply moved by the depth, heart, and thoughtful wise council and gut wrenching honesty she shared. I could tell this was a life long mission for Jessica and her courageous exploration of this new terrain in our cultural landscape so impressed me I couldn't wait to learn more about her work and finally she had a break in her schedule to be on my podcast! Whether you identify as poly or mono - you WILL learn from this women's wisdom and compassion as a healer and teacher.

Jessica Fern is a Psychotherapist, Coach, and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. Jessica is the author of Polysecure: Attachment, Trauma, and NonMonogamy, The Polysecure Workbook, and Polywise: A Deeper Dive Into Navigating Open Relationships. In her international private practice, Jessica works with individuals, couples, and people in multiple-partner relationships who no longer want to be limited by their reactive patterns, cultural conditioning, insecure attachment styles, and past traumas, helping them to embody new possibilities in life and love.

https://www.jessicafern.com/

Link to Polywise: https://www.amazon.com/Polywise-Deeper-Dive-Navigating-Relationships/dp/1990869149/ref=asc_df_1990869149/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693552282123&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5573493542095631161&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9011687&hvtargid=pla-1943262976306&psc=1&gad_source=1

Link to Polysecure: https://www.amazon.com/Polysecure-Attachment-Trauma-Consensual-Nonmonogamy/dp/1944934987/ref=pd_bxgy_d_sccl_1/147-8704442-1839406?pd_rd_w=iaIaB&content-id=amzn1.sym.c51e3ad7-b551-4b1a-b43c-3cf69addb649&pf_rd_p=c51e3ad7-b551-4b1a-b43c-3cf69addb649&pf_rd_r=RHACKHR99C6JP5JW1HYT&pd_rd_wg=ywsPS&pd_rd_r=cc90e47c-3264-464e-bb6a-68b930c0058e&pd_rd_i=1944934987&psc=1

Michaels work: https://michaeldemaria.com/
Links to Michael's Music, Books and Films: https://michaeldemaria.com/michaels-links/
Link to Michael's Music: https://listen.michaeldemaria.com/mbd

The Other Side of Things Ep 02 - "A Fight to Be" with Dr. Ron Bassman

Michael Brant DeMaria, Ph.D. — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 14:03:30 -0500

00:00 Intro
06:04 How we met and how he finally published his book
07:30 Madness and Alternative states of reality
11:00 Mad in America and Others Stories
13:04 A Fight To Be - his book
14:07 Ron's 23rd Birthday in the Psych Ward
16:26 "You don't look schizophrenic."
17:00 Auntie Ray, Ron's Mentor
17:33 Fugitive Literature
18:28 Insulin Shock
19:01 "Coming Out" as a psychiatric survivor AS a psychologist
19:51 Michael's Soulchosis at 18
22:00 Being a Double Agent
24:42 What is psychosis?
27:12 Madness as a search
29:37 Neurodiversity
33:37 Underworld Journey
34:27 Soul Initiations
40:00 Exquisite Sensitivity, Empathy and Intuition
41:11 Intuitive Feelers
42:32 Reliance on Feeling is discouraged in our culture
45:33 Ron's visit to a Zen Ashram
48:21 Working with Families - Ron's new project
49:00 Typical Trajectory of someone who may be headed towards psychosis
50:00 Importance of a supportive family
52:00 Open Dialogue
58:14 The problem with trying to control what isn't controllable
1:06:00 Each person is on their own journey
1:10:00 Jesus vs Christ Consciousness
1:11:51 What truly heals?
1:12:00 Don't Push the River and Windhorse
1:17:00 The Ocean, The Mystic, The Madman and Swimming Lessons
1:19:00 Mind Freedom
1:25:00 Hearing Voices Network
1:30:00 Mad Pride and David Oaks
1:35:00 Ron's current work

Ron is an amazing human being, a resilient soul and a true elder and wise sage. We first met when a mutual friend of ours introduced us. Ron had not published his moving and poignant book, "A Fight to Be: A Psychologist's Experience from Both Sides of the Locked Door," yet and I'm so honored that our connection helped encourage him to finally publish it. It is a riveting story that moved me to my core, given that I have had friends and family members and my own experiences with extreme states of consciousness that I prefer to call soulchosis.

I've wanted to have Ron on for a long time and we both finally found time in both of our schedules for this deep dive into psychosis, madness and soulchosis! Ron is also involved in a new family oriented approach to helping those experiencing madness that draws from Open Dialogue a process that has eradicated hospitalizations for psychosis in Lapland.

Ron's website: https://www.ronaldbassman.com/
Ron's book: https://www.amazon.com/Fight-Be-Ronald-Bassman/dp/0979626609
Mind Freedom's website: https://mindfreedom.org/
Hearing Voices network: https://www.hearing-voices.org/
Mad in America: https://www.madinamerica.com/

The Other Side of Things - Introduction - Episode 1

Michael Brant DeMaria, Ph.D. — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 12:59:48 -0500

Happy Halloween and welcome to my new podcast! I will still be doing my other podcast: Musitations™: Exploring Music, Meditation, Creativity and Wisdom, however, this is the beginning of a much deeper and larger conversation on many challenging topics where we need to begin to move from the friction of contradiction to the possibilities of creative paradox.

Introduction:

No one knows everything, but everyone knows something no one else knows – including you! Welcome to The Other Side of Things – I am your host Dr. Michael DeMaria and for 35 years I’ve been a guide of the soul. On The Other Side of Things we explore alternative perspectives on challenging topics ranging from love, sex, death, and madness, to dreamwork, breathwork, and other cutting edge healing modalities. We live on a precipice as a species, so lets jump in.