Alive Again

He was pulled beneath a speeding train… and awakened to something beyond this world. David Ditchfield was saying goodbye to a friend when his coat became trapped in the closing doors of a train. He was dragged under the moving cars, suffering massive trauma and blood loss. As surgeons fought to save his life, David left his body—and entered another realm entirely. In his near-death experience, David encountered guides who enveloped him in peace, love, and a sense of cosmic belonging. When he returned, everything had changed. Despite having no formal training in art or music, he began composing symphonies and painting vivid works inspired by what he saw on the other side. This episode explores the mystery of where creativity comes from, and how a brush with death can awaken something extraordinary within us. Story producer: Kate Sweeney. For more on David and his symphony, you can read his book, “Shine On: The Remarkable Story Of How I Fell Under A Speeding Train, Journeyed To The Afterlife, And The Astonishing Proof I Brought Back With Me” Or visit David’s Website, and check out his social medial links:David on InstagramDavid on ThreadsDavid on YouTubeDavid on FacebookDavid on SoundCloudDavid on X Warning: This series contains graphic descriptions of trauma, violence, abuse, and other content that may not be suitable for certain listeners. * If you have a transformative experience to share, we’d love to hear your story. Please email us at aliveagainproject@gmail.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before the fall, he was chasing a dream. After the fall, he found his sound. Musician Blair Crimmins was spiraling—caught between fading dreams, destructive habits, and an unshakable feeling that something needed to change. Then one night, after a day of drinking and being dragged behind his dog on a skateboard, he cracked his skull on the pavement outside his apartment in Atlanta. He nearly died. He lost his sense of smell. He lost himself. But that accident became a turning point. In this episode, Blair shares the long and uncertain road to healing—physically, emotionally, and creatively. From vestibular therapy to olfactory training, from depression to the rediscovery of music through piano, banjo, and ukulele, Blair found his way not back, but forward. He left behind the rockstar dream and built something entirely new: a vibrant, genre-defying sound that would become Blair Crimmins and the Hookers. This is a story about injury, isolation, and rebuilding—not just a career, but an identity. It’s about how the worst night of your life might just be the one that wakes you up. For more about Blair and his band, Blaire Crimmins And The Hookers, chack out  www.blaircrimminsandthehookers.com  Here you can find his music, videos, a show calendar with all of his upcoming concerts and links to social media. You can also listen to Blair Crimmins And The Hookers on the iHeart Radio App, Spotify, and Apple Music Story producer: Dan Bush. Warning: This series contains graphic descriptions of trauma, violence, abuse, and other content that may not be suitable for certain listeners. * If you have a transformative experience to share, we’d love to hear your story. Please email us at aliveagainproject@gmail.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Perhaps the tools to face death— heal from trauma— and transform life—have been within us all along. In this special episode of Alive Again, host Dan Bush sits down with Rick Doblin, founder of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) and one of the most influential voices in psychedelic research today. Together, they explore how psychedelic-assisted therapy is changing the landscape of trauma recovery, end-of-life care, and the very nature of what it means to heal. Rick shares insights from decades of groundbreaking work using MDMA, LSD, and psilocybin in clinical settings—particularly for those facing terminal illness or deep psychological wounds. He discusses brain plasticity, the release of DMT at death, and the profound similarities between near-death experiences and guided psychedelic journeys. With warmth and depth, this episode moves between the personal and the universal—grief, meaning, mortality, and the liminal spaces where transformation begins. Whether you're curious about the science or seeking a deeper understanding of the human spirit, this conversation offers a powerful look at how we might approach death—not with fear, but with expanded awareness. More About Rick Doblin: Rick Doblin is the founder and executive director of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), a nonprofit that has been at the forefront of exploring the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for over 35 years. His groundbreaking work has helped transform how we approach healing, trauma recovery, and end-of-life care, particularly through the use of psychedelics like MDMA, psilocybin, and DMT. Rick’s dedication to this field has given countless individuals— and their families—hope, understanding, and peace in the face of immense challenges, including terminal illness. In our conversation, we explore the intersection of his work with the themes of this podcast: transformation, adaptation, and the profound mysteries surrounding death and near-death experiences. Important links based on our conversation with Rick:  Psychedelic Science 2025 MAPS Integration Workbook Donate to MAPS — MAPS relies on financial support from people like you. If you support the advancement of psychedelic research, policy reform, and education, please make a donation to fuel their work. Social Media links:  MAPS Instagram: @MAPS__org Facebook: Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) Linkedin: Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS)  Twitter (X): @MAPS Threads: @MAPS__org Bluesky: @mapsorg.bsky.social TikTok: @MAPS.org YouTube: @MAPSMDMA Rick Doblin Instagram: @RickDoblinPhD Facebook: Rick Doblin Twitter (X): @RickDoblin Linkedin: Rick Doblin * If you have a transformative experience to share, we’d love to hear your story. Please email us at aliveagainproject@gmail.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He was electrocuted—and came back with a blueprint for existence. In February 2018, Adam Tapp was doing some woodworking in his front yard when a freak accident electrocuted him. Paramedics revived him—but not before he crossed into another realm. What he experienced during those moments mirrored earlier psychedelic journeys, yet went even deeper. In his near-death state, Adam gained a radical new understanding of consciousness, fear, and the chemical nature of reality. His fear of death dissolved—and what replaced it was a profound curiosity about life itself. This episode is a mind-expanding look at how close encounters with death—and the brain’s own internal pharmacy—can shift our understanding of everything. Story producer: Kate Sweeney. For more about Adam and his exploration of the fascinating world of psychoactive substances and their therapeutic use, tune in to his podcast Tapped Into Psychedelics Warning: This series contains graphic descriptions of trauma, violence, abuse, and other content that may not be suitable for certain listeners. * If you have a transformative experience to share, we’d love to hear your story. Please email us at aliveagainproject@gmail.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kathy Preston, a Holocaust survivor from Transylvania, shares her extraordinary journey from innocence to resilience. She recounts harrowing experiences of hiding from persecution, emphasizing the role of love over hate. Kathy speaks passionately about advocating for those who can’t voice their struggles and the power of memory in healing. Her stories aim to educate schoolchildren, reminding them of the importance of connection and empathy in a divided world. Through her narrative, Kathy inspires listeners with hope and the strength to foster a brighter future.

Annelise Cochran, a resilient survivor of both a false missile threat and the devastating Lahaina wildfires, shares her gripping experiences. She recounts the panic during the missile alert while on a whale research vessel and the harrowing hours spent fighting for survival during the wildfires. Annelise emphasizes the strength of community and the bonds formed through shared adversity. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of personal responsibility in a changing world and the need for action against climate change.

In this riveting discussion, Manuel Bayo Gisbert, a documentary photographer who survived a harrowing kidnapping in Mexico, shares his transformative journey from victim to activist. He documents the heart-wrenching stories of families affected by violence, illustrating the profound impact of trauma on communities. Manuel explores the unexpected empathy he felt towards his teenage captors, revealing the complexities of victimhood. His work emphasizes the power of storytelling in confronting societal injustices and remembering those lost in the shadows of crime.

Peter Panagore, an ex-reverend and author known for his transformative journey after two near-death experiences, shares gripping tales from his life. He recounts the harrowing ice climb that nearly cost him everything and the overwhelming divine love he encountered afterwards. Peter reflects on the soul-shifting life review that reshaped his understanding of self and purpose. He discusses his struggles with faith, the challenge of living after glimpsing eternity, and the difficulties of integrating such profound experiences into everyday life.

In this preliminary episode, host Dan Bush introduces Alive Again and the deeper questions at the heart of the series. Dan is an award-winning filmmaker, writer, and storyteller whose work has long explored the human condition—what it means to be alive in a world where impermanence is our only guarantee. He’s drawn to the quiet, powerful truth that every person we know, everyone living today, will one day die. And in the face of that, how do we shape a meaningful existence? What truly matters? Though Dan himself has never had a near-death experience, his fascination with mortality, transformation, and belonging has fueled decades of storytelling. Alive Again continues that exploration, sharing real stories from people who came face to face with death—and came back changed. This series isn’t about proving or disproving the afterlife. It’s about the moments that shake us, open us, and reconnect us to what’s real. From near-death experiences to miraculous survivals and brushes with the unknown, Alive Again invites listeners into conversations that reveal something universal: how fragile and miraculous it is to simply be alive. Warning: This series contains graphic descriptions of trauma, violence, abuse, and other content that may not be suitable for certain listeners. * If you have a transformative near-death experience to share, we’d love to hear your story. Please email us at aliveagainproject@gmail.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ALIVE AGAIN is a weekly podcast that showcases first-hand accounts of Near Death Experiences. Our mission is to find, explore and share these stories to remind us all of our shared human condition. Coming May 13th.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.