Voices of Esalen

John Bucher is a mythologist, storyteller, and writer based out of Hollywood, California. He serves as Executive Director for the Joseph Campbell Foundation and is an author, podcaster, and speaker. He has worked with government and cultural leaders around the world as well as organizations such as HBO, DC Comics, The History Channel, A24 Films, Atlas Obscura, and The John Maxwell Leadership Foundation. He has served as a producer, consultant, and writer for numerous film, television, and Virtual Reality projects. He is the author of six books including the best-selling Storytelling for Virtual Reality, named by BookAuthority as one of the best storytelling books of all time. He holds a PhD in Mythology and Depth Psychology and has spoken on 6 continents about using the power of story and myth to reframe how individuals, organizations, cultures, and nations believe and behave. Today he explicates the work of Joseph Campbell, focusing on the Hero's Journey, Follow Your Bliss, Bill Moyers, Jung's influence on Campbell, Campbell's love for Big Sur and his special relationship with Esalen, and much more. We're joined by a special guest: Cloned Joseph Campbell, who peppers John with several incisive questions. Tons of fun, kind of uncanny, and overall quite educational.

Sonya Renee Taylor is a renowned activist, best-selling author, and celebrated thought leader whose work in racial justice, body liberation, and radical self-love has reshaped conversations around identity and healing. At the heart of her groundbreaking book, “The Body Is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love” lies a transformative message that dismantles shame and oppression, offering a profound roadmap to reclaiming innate self-worth, and fostering a revolutionary connection with the world around us. Beyond her notable talents as a poet, writer and speaker, Sonya has a rich history in advocacy and activism, which including work as a sexuality health educator, therapeutic wilderness counselor; mental health case worker; Director of Peer Education at HIPS (Helping Individual Prostitutes Survive) in Washington, D.C.; and Capacity Building and Training Director at the Los Angeles-based Black AIDS Institute. She is a great follow on social media; her series "What's up Y'all?" features Sonya riffing extemporaneously on issues of the day, including abortion, climate change, AI, white supremacy culture, the Supreme Court, and a lot more. Above all, Sonya's journey has been marked by a dedication to reshaping narratives. Join us as we explore her journey, her insights, and her relentless pursuit of a world where self-love intersects with justice, redefining what it means to truly embrace others and ourselves. https://www.sonyareneetaylor.com/ Photo by Thais Aquino https://www.thaisaquino.com/

Congressman David Price is a veteran of American politics. He served North Carolina's 4th congressional district for over three decades, retiring recently in 2022. Price was a Morehead Scholar at the University of North Carolina and a graduate of Yale University, where he received a PhD in Political Science. In Congress, he was for many years a key member of the House Appropriations Committee, well-known for being able to work both sides of the aisle. In addition, he was an early opponent of the 2003 invasion of Iraq and a studied adversary of media consolidation. In recent years, he worked diligently to promote parliamentary democracy in other countries. Together we delve into the diminishing bipartisanship in the United States Congress, a topic that Price has experienced firsthand, and explore the nature of conflict and its resolution within the political landscape. We also take a deep dive into the intricacies of North Carolina's electoral politics, shedding light on how Price leveraged polling data to secure his initial victories in the 1980s. Finally, we will touch upon the ongoing battle against cynicism in politics, a struggle that the congressman has confronted throughout his career.

During the first wave of psychedelics in the 1960s, mind-altering substances played a significant role in challenging capitalist values and systems. However, in our current landscape, we are witnessing a different rollout of psychedelics, one that is predominantly medicalized and intertwined with traditional capitalist models. This raises an important question: Does this convergence of psychedelics and Western capitalism feel incongruous? And if so, what can be done about it. Jenny Stefanotti, the Founder and Steward of Denizen, a media platform and co-learning community dedicated to systemic change, explores this question in depth with us, utilizing her backgrounds in strategy, technology, business, philanthropy, design, policy, and economics. In this conversation, we’ll examine some models where for-profit enterprises navigate ethical considerations associated with psychedelic use, such as with companies like Journey Collab. We’ll explore whether psychedelics are by their very nature designed to be tools for social justice and instruments for political activism, and if they have a role in movements for equity and liberation, is that role undermined by the predominant mode of distribution? Join us as we navigate the intricate terrain where psychedelics and capitalism intersect, and explore the potential dangers and opportunities that arise from this convergence. For more thought-provoking conversations, visit Jenny and Denizen at https://www.becomingdenizen.com/

Rhonda McGee is the author of the book “The Inner Work of Racial Justice." She is a visionary law professor and mindfulness teacher who has dedicated her life and her work to integrating contemplative practices with issues of social justice. In this episode, we dive deep into the idea that inner transformation can serve as a useful and effective catalyst for societal change. We discuss how mindfulness practices can support individuals in recognizing and transforming their own internalized biases - although of course, it’s no guarantee. To this point, Rhonda touches upon some of the obstacles individuals may face when engaging in the kind of inner work designed to confront privilege. As Rhonda explores this interplay between compassion and fear, she highlights the dual nature of realizing our shared humanity - the complex emotions , the joys and fears that arise when acknowledging our interconnectedness - as well as the internal conflicts individuals face when confronted with the need for societal change and personal discomfort. Throughout this conversation, Rhonda emphasizes the importance of creating spaces, spaces like Esalen, where we can honestly explore and embrace our emotions. She urges us to examine this collective longing for a new way forward, one that transcends historical patterns of oppression, one that invites all individuals to a grounded and inclusive existence. We also get into the history of the human potential movement, and talk about how the focus from individual human potential is shifting to a collective vision, and we talk about how institutions can leverage mindfulness and compassion to create more inclusive and equitable organizations. https://www.rhondavmagee.com/

East Forest, multidisciplinary artist known for his immersive ambient music and interviews with Ram Dass, discusses the creative process, success, and the potential impact of AI on music. They also explore the power of the heart, their upcoming European tour, and the importance of creating space and actively listening for spiritual connection. They share insights into their creative rituals and discuss the challenges and excitement of being an artist.

Amber and Marcus Capone are founders of VETS solutions, a pioneering organization dedicated to supporting veterans struggling with the invisible wounds of war. Amber and Marcus's journey began with the often difficult reality of life after Marcus's retirement from the U.S. Navy SEALs, where Amber witnessed the devastating toll that Marcus's service had taken on him, as he battled depression, anger, addiction, and an array of mental health challenges. But when all hope seemed lost, a glimmer of possibility emerged—a potential solution that lay beyond the traditional bounds of medicine and therapy. In their quest for healing, Marcus's fellow Navy SEAL friend introduced them to Ibogaine, a psychedelic drug known for its ability to unlock deep-seated traumas and offer profound insights. While he was initially skeptical, Marcus embarked on this intense psychedelic experience, and what would become a life-altering journey, one where both Amber and Marcus would find a way forward, towards renewed clarity and purpose. Join us as Amber and Marcus share their courageous and deeply personal account of how psychedelic-assisted therapy changed their life, and paved a path to supporting veterans through their organization, VETS solutions. https://vetsolutions.org/

Stacia Butterfield is a somatic practitioner and a Holotropic Breathwork facilitator. Stacia's journey into Holotropic breath work started in 1999. Since then, she has been on a quest to explore the wisdom of the body and the intrinsic healing orientation of the psyche. She worked with Dr. Deborah Mash at Healing Visions, an early Ibogaine clinic in the British Virgin Islands and certified as a Holotropic Breathwork facilitator in 2005. She worked closely with Stanislav Grof for over 13 years. In this episode, we delve into Stacia's personal journey into this work, her experience with breathwork versus psychedelics, and the importance of set and setting in creating a safe and supportive environment for healing. We also discuss how she creates and uses an environment for integration after the breathwork sessions, and why Esalen, in particular, is such a significant place for integration.

Katy Bowman is a bestselling author and speaker who’s revolutionizing the way that we think about movement and our need for it in today’s modern culture. In this episode, we explore Katy's unique perspective on movement and discuss her upcoming book, "Rethink Your Position." We touch on topics such as "tech neck," junk-food movement, sedentary culture, furniture-free homes, minimalist footwear, the art of long distance walking, the benefits of hanging, dynamic workstations, your "sleep shapes" and how to change them, trampolines, jumping, creating movement-positive zones for children, and more. https://www.nutritiousmovement.com/ Katy's Podcast, "Move Your DNA" : https://www.nutritiousmovement.com/podcast/ Direct link to Rethink Your Position: https://www.nutritiousmovement.com/product/rethink-your-position-reshape-your-exercise-yoga-and-everyday-movement-one-part-at-a-time/ Check out Katy's website, her podcast, Move Your DNA, and her latest book My Perfect Movement Plan (July 2024). Photo by Mahina Hawley

Deborah Eden Tull is a spiritual activist, author, and sustainability educator who works to teach the integration of compassionate awareness into our everyday lives. For seven years, she trained as a Buddhist monk at a silent Zen monastery. She has been teaching engaged meditation for over 20 years. Her latest book, “Luminous Darkness: An Engaged Buddhist Approach to Embracing the Unknown” was released in September of 2022. She currently resides in the mountains of western North Carolina, originally Cherokee land, with her husband, offering retreats, workshops, classes, and consultations nationally and internationally, integrating presence and partnership with nature. Eden’s teaching emphasizes the personal, interpersonal, transpersonal, societal, ecological, mystical, and global impacts of awareness practice. She has worked with a wide range of audiences, from dharma students and people wanting to cultivate more compassion in their lives, to concerned citizens and activists, parents, schools, inner city youth, non-profits and corporations, and people who are incarcerated. Her current focus is training and empowering leaders and facilitators in conscious response and regenerative leadership as we collectively navigate the climate crisis. In this episode, we explore her childhood and her journey as a Buddhist monk, then discuss her longstanding interest in shadow work, the path by which she helps individuals release limiting beliefs, and how she believes mindfulness and meditation can help up tap into our full potential. We'll also explore her work on post-patriarchal thought and practices, her insights on relational intelligence, and principally, we discuss the major themes of her book, Luminous Darkness, focusing on her approach of "Endarkenment," which seeks to challenge traditional dualistic understandings of light and dark in spiritual practice. Eden’s work has been featured in The Los Angeles Times, Tricycle, Yogi Times, Shambhala Times, The Shift Network, Best Self, and The Ecologist. You can visit her and check out her books, upcoming retreats and workshops and many of her podcast interviews at https://www.deborahedentull.com/ Deborah Eden Tull's upcoming workshops and retreats: https://www.deborahedentull.com/retreats