Gerald Thomas is a researcher and policy maker at the British Colubia Ministry of Health. He is the director of alcohol, tobacco, cannabis and gambling policy for the region. Despite working on government policy, he is not an average government worker. He has sat in ceremony with Ayahuasca and was also the head of the first observational study on Ayahuasca in the country which had quantitative and qualitative elements.  Gerald has been on the forefront of some of the psychedelic medicine research over the past decade and has built his own relationship with the substances he studies. His heart centered approach coupled with his passion for science and discovery makes him a powerful agent for change in the way we view drugs and plant medicines. On this episode we cover: Cannabis policy and standards in the province The Ayahuasca research that changed the landscape How trauma is stuck in the body Why treating PTSD is so difficult How psychedelics like Ayahuasca can heal trauma Trust - as the key to facilitating healing Being comfortable with discomfort - another key to healing trauma & addictions Plant consciousness and Plant Spirits Psychedelic Assisted Therapy Healing trauma through feeling what hasn't been felt Soul Loss - losing a piece of yourself during a traumatic event Soul Retrieval - getting those pieces back Presence - Learning to stay present so healing can occur Tapping in to Flow as a guide in life Natural ways to connect to your source - Kundalini yoga, meditation, and breath work. Triggers of trauma and how to work with them The Crisis of the Heart we are facing now, and the call to healing The Fixing Culture - the tendency to commodify medicines Professional Bio: Gerald Thomas is a Collaborating Scientist with the Centre for Addictions Research of BC, an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychology at University of British Columbia, and owner/operator of Okanagan Research Consultants. He received his Ph.D. in political science from Colorado State University in 1998 and has worked in the area of Canadian addiction policy since 2004. He served on the secretariat of the working group that created Canada’s first National Alcohol Strategy in 2007, worked on several national and provincial level projects related to substance use and addiction​, and has published numerous peer-reviewed papers with leading researchers in the field. He lives with his family near Qualicum Beach, British Columbia, where he enjoys a variety of outdoor pursuits including mountain biking, hiking, and windsurfing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Geoff MacKenzie is a dedicated Ashtanga Yoga instructor at MysoreBc. On this episode, we discuss the importance of having a disciplined practice in your life, a practice that challenges your mind, and your body. We also talk about the top 3 things that have shaped Geoff's life. Geoff is on a mission to raise money for a good cause - stopping human trafficking. He is riding his motorcyle accross Canada raising money for an organization that rescues women from traficking every day. A 20$ donation from a large number of people can make a huge difference. Help Geoff make $108,000! Fund Jeff's Journey Here Jeff's webpage - www.mysorebc.com Odanadi - The anti tracking activists in India at the heart of this movement.  www.yogastopstraffick.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sheleana Aiyana, a writer and group facilitator, discusses the importance of 'Deep Work' and its impact on personal growth and relationships. They explore trauma, shadow aspects, and the power of conscious relationships. They also touch on topics like healing through expression, the Nice Guy phenomenon, and dealing with triggers in relationships. Throughout the conversation, they emphasize the significance of support, community, and rewriting personal narratives for positive change.

Dr. Aaron VanGaver is a Naturopathic Doctor working with addicted people in downtown Vancouver, BC. He treats many of the people that we would classify as "classic addicts", but Aaron himself is also a living breathing example that addiction affects every population, even doctors. Aaron has his own story of losing connection with himself, finding drugs as a solution, and then finding recovery and reconnection through a series of divine events. He now works exclusively with addicts in early recovery. He is a doctor working with the body, but also a counsellor, and a coach. Aaron uses IV drips, vitamins, and amino acids to help the detoxification process. This can also can treat the post-acute-withdrawal symptoms, depression, and anhedonia that can accompany early recovery. The biggest gift Aaron carries is the counselling he offers around shame, trauma, self-esteem, and most importantly, working with people on identifying their life's purpose. This unconventional approach gives his clients something to live for.  "I truly believe everyone has got a gift to give the world." -Dr. VanGaver Aaron is on a mission to change how people talk about and understand addiction. He wants to reduce the stigma about addiction in our culture.  In this episode we cover: Aaron's story of addiction and recovery HALT protocol - Hungry Angry Lonely Tired IV Vitamin Therapy Advanced IV Protocols for Addiction Recovery "The Shadow" and how it controls us How long it takes a brain to heal from Crystal Meth addiction Using psychedelics to addiction The Magic Bullet for treating addiction The importance of human connection in recovery - Rat Park How to deal with a family member who is addicted Check out Dr. VanGaver's website See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sam Platts is a certified Sex Addiction Therapist practicing in Alberta, Canada. He knows the world of addiction inside and out. In this episode he candidly shares his story of growing up in a troubled home, and finding addictive patterns early in his life. On his journey, he ended up in some very scary places. Sam has emerged on the other side of his struggles and is now giving back to people in need. He has a deep knowledge of sex addiction and the therapeutic techniques for recovery. He shared with me some of the keys to recovery from sex addiction and other addictions. Keys to recovery: 1. COME CLEAN - You have to bust yourself. Come out of the shadows, and in to the light. This is a necessary part of the process. You cannot recover in a vacuum.  2. ABSTINENCE - Learn what abstinence means for you and define it clearly.  3. COMMUNITY - Find one. Sharing in the story reduces the shame. When you connect with others, you gain the power to overcome your blocks. 12 step support groups are great for this.Get a counsellor, mentor, or sponsor.  4. MENTORSHIP Get a counsellor, mentor, or sponsor.  5. INTIMACY - Allow the above to change you as you regain the ability to be intimate in your life.  You can reach Sam at info@figure8counsellingservices.ca Resources for sex addicts: www.sexhelp.comPatrick Carnes' book:  Facing The ShadowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, my friend Jordan Gray joins me for a conversation about addiction, recovery, and healing the wounds that bind us. Jordan's wealth of experience and knowledge comes clear in this engaging conversation about whataddiction really is, and how some people are able to treat it and recover. Jordan is a sex and relationship coach who helps his clients zero in on whats holding them back, and at lightning speed. He is a no BS coach who gets straight to the root of an issue without delay. He can do in 1 hour what some therapists take 100 hours to do, which is why he is in such high demand. Check out his coaching page at jordangrayconsulting.com/work-with-jordan/Jordan is a recovering sex addict, and he is a powerful coach for people looking for support in their recovery. Jordan's story is a raw and inspiring message of hope for those suffering from addiction. In this episode we cover: What qualifies as an addiction? Habit vs Dependency vs Addiction Sex addiction and how it compares to drug addictions Cannabis/Marijuana addiction The 5 elements of holistic addiction recovery See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it take to create lasting change? What are the elements that help a man succeed at building the life he wants? In this episode, Nick Solaczek and I distill the key factors that help a man rise to his highest potential. We discuss: - VISION - Hard Work - knowing your WHY - doing DEEP WORK - finding support from COMMUNITY.  - The seductive trap of booze, women, games, and porn.  - Marijuana and the brain fog that can come with it. This episode is packed full of personal stories and relatable examples of personal growth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will black is a wilderness guide who takes young men out in to the mountains of Alberta as a treatment for addiction. He works for a treatment camp called Shunda Creek, which is a 90 day government funded program for men aged 18-25. The program uses curated experiences combined with intention to carve new pathways in the brain. Will has a wealth of experience in activating change mechanisms in his clients, through challenge in the wilderness.  Topics covered in this podcast: The value of wildnerness therapy and the original classroom Experience as a doorway to embodiment Trauma locked in to the body What does an empowering experience do in the body Addiction: Choice vs. Disease - Dr. Kevin McCauley Addiction and reward system dysregulation Serotonin and the benefits of recovering from something together. Adventure Thresholds: How to design an experience to create optimal change through perceived risk.  Aligning attention with intention to match consciousness with the unconsciousness  The 3 brains: Reptilian, Mamillian, Human Stigma and the shaming of addiction Mindfulness and the key to rewiring the mind See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve and I discuss the classic "burnout then recover" pattern that many men fall in to. We talk about "the dopamine train" and how many of us get caught spending 99% of our time chasing small dopamine hits. This kind of behavior can be unconscious and harmful to a man achieving his goals. We discuss ways of breaking out of the patterns that hold us back. Topics covered in this episode: Free will or no free will Breaking out of the patterns that seem unconscious The power of making small yet important choices every day The importance of mentors, guides, and coaches.  Steve is a cryptocurrency lawyer, the Co-Founder of Heart Homes Travel, and a coach. He helps new businesses in the cryptocurrency space lay their legal foundations. https://www.parrbusinesslaw.com/    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason Marr is a Naturopath doctor in Vancouver, BC. His practice - Evoke Medicine - addresses the holistic health of the individual, with a tailored approach to medicine. He strives for "Integrative Health" with each of his patients, drawing on the best of various healing modalities. In this episode we talk about: -The caffeine gene -Diet and Nutrition, and the difference between them -Nutrigenomics and leveraging DNA testing to maximize productivity -The refuelling principle.  -Nootropics, optimization, and BDNF Jason Marr's website is www.evokemedicine.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.