00:00 Introduction01:13 Who is Gabi Varga?06:05 A Holistic Approach to Fitness10:51 The Imprint of Trauma on our Bodies12:18 Nurturing Our Nervous Systems20:38 When Clients Feel Safe Even Tears May Come23:16 Understanding What Dysregulation of The Nervous System Is37:15 Fight, Flee, Freeze or Fawn Responses.40:41 What Trauma-Sensitive Personal Training May Look Like52:00 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

00:00 Introduction01:00 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 consciousness08:00 Moving from the Law of the Fishes to the Law of Manu10:30 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 descent22:30 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 - Hafiz40:30 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 life46:00 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 wisdom50:45 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 songs1:01:00 The Origin of Healing Rituals and Songs1:04:00 The importance of standing in the Not-Knowing and tolerating the Chaos1:08:00 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/MichaelMeadeMosaicInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelmeade_mosaicYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLw8wVAkj4OB4QL93nQu0fYRoBJj1IURriMichael DeMaria's Links:https://michaeldemaria.com/https://www.facebook.com/DrMichaelDeMaria/https://www.instagram.com/drmichaeldemaria/Music Links: https://listen.michaeldemaria.com/mbdAll Michael's Links: https://michaeldemaria.com/michaels-links/

00:00 Introduction01:17 Who is Alyssa Morin?02:22 Michael's early trauma03:35 Gwyneth Paltrow Love, Sex and Goop04:00  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 Return11:00 Caffyn Jesse and healing circumcision trauma13:00 Zen practice as a prelude to SSE14:50 The power of lineage and containers15:45 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 teachers32:30 Sexuality, Trauma and Initiatory experiences and finding meaning in the suffering36:00 Art as Ritual/Ritual as Art37:40 Self-designed Ceremony41:00 Losing the Sacred42:00 The Verdant Collective 45:11 Women exploring their belonging and regulating their nervous systems47:00 Pleasure and Please have the same root word - does this please you?48:50 The power of listening49:30 Your sexuality is yours!50:00 Somatic Sex Education in more detail51:40 Your arousal IS the event55:30 Closing Comments and ThoughtsI 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/

00:00 Introduction01:40 Who is Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer?03:10 All The Honey04:20 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 survive29:00 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 Twilight50:35 Living with a foot in both worlds51:37 Rilke and the Darkness - Faith in Night54:20 Endarkenment 58:30 Wanting to Die1:03:00 Poignant Mysterious Synchronicities with Finn1:06:00 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 Heart1:18:55 Being Carried1:22:00 NEW BOOK: "The Unfolding" comes out in OctoberI 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/rosemerryPodcast on creative process: Emerging Form http://emergingform.com/Newest Book: All the Honey https://bookshop.org/p/books/all-the-honey-rosemerry-wahtola-trommer/18666020TEDx: The Art of Changing Metaphors https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXC3-ZFkhDoPoetry album on “Endarkenment”: Dark Praise https://rosemerrywahtolatrommer.bandcamp.com/album/dark-praiseUpcoming Book: Unfolding https://wildhousepublishing.com/the-unfolding/Michael's website: https://michaeldemaria.com/

00:00 Introduction01:37 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/

Psychotherapist and author Jessica Fern discusses polyamory, paradigms in relationships, dealing with jealousy, and parenting in non-traditional structures. The conversation explores the spectrum of polyamorous relationships, legal challenges, and the importance of secure attachments for children. Jessica also shares insights on personal growth, finding purpose, and overcoming self-doubt in pursuing dreams.

00:00 Intro06:04 How we met and how he finally published his book07:30 Madness and Alternative states of reality11:00 Mad in America and Others Stories13:04 A Fight To Be - his book14:07 Ron's 23rd Birthday in the Psych Ward16:26 "You don't look schizophrenic."17:00 Auntie Ray, Ron's Mentor17:33 Fugitive Literature18:28 Insulin Shock19:01 "Coming Out" as a psychiatric survivor AS a psychologist19:51 Michael's Soulchosis at 1822:00 Being a Double Agent24:42 What is psychosis? 27:12 Madness as a search 29:37 Neurodiversity33:37 Underworld Journey34:27 Soul Initiations40:00 Exquisite Sensitivity, Empathy and Intuition41:11 Intuitive Feelers42:32 Reliance on Feeling is discouraged in our culture45:33 Ron's visit to a Zen Ashram48:21 Working with Families - Ron's new project49:00 Typical Trajectory of someone who may be headed towards psychosis50:00 Importance of a supportive family52:00 Open Dialogue58:14 The problem with trying to control what isn't controllable1:06:00 Each person is on their own journey1:10:00 Jesus vs Christ Consciousness1:11:51 What truly heals?1:12:00 Don't Push the River and Windhorse1:17:00 The Ocean, The Mystic, The Madman and Swimming Lessons1:19:00 Mind Freedom1:25:00 Hearing Voices Network1:30:00 Mad Pride and David Oaks1:35:00 Ron's current workRon 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/0979626609Mind Freedom's website: https://mindfreedom.org/Hearing Voices network: https://www.hearing-voices.org/Mad in America: https://www.madinamerica.com/

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.