Live Into Your Brilliance

Most of us avoid thinking about death. Not because it isn’t coming, but because it scares us. We don’t know how we’ll handle it. We don’t want to imagine life without the people we love. But what if the stories we tell ourselves about death are far from the reality?In today’s episode, we’re joined by Sue Carl—author of Life, Death, and Snowflakes: No Two Are Alike. After witnessing her father’s passing, Sue was struck by how profoundly different the experience was from what she had imagined. Instead of fear, she found presence. Instead of despair, she found love. And instead of an ending, she found something she never expected—peace.We explore:The paradox of death—how it can be heartbreaking and deeply meaningful at the same time.The strength we find in moments we never thought we could face.The power of recording our experience—not just for ourselves, but for those who follow.What happens when we let go of the fear of death and truly embrace what’s on offer.This isn’t a conversation about loss. It’s a conversation about love, presence, and what it means to truly be there in life’s most defining moments.Life, Death & Snowflakes: No Two Are AlikeLife, Death & Snowflakes: No Two Are Alike (Cover Page)produced in partnership with http://www.podlad.com

You know that feeling—standing at a crossroads, torn between holding back and diving in? Whether it’s hesitating to have the hard conversation at work, reaching for the snack when you’re stressed, or chasing the next job, the next deal, the next achievement—there’s a pattern at play.Fear keeps you stuck. Temptation keeps you chasing. One holds you back, the other pulls you in—but both come from the same illusion. The belief that something out there will finally give you what you’re looking for.In this episode, Bilos and I dig into:Why fear and temptation are two sides of the same coin.Why temptation often disguises itself as wisdom.The sneaky ways we defend the very beliefs that keep us from what we truly wantWhat it really takes to break free and create meaningful changeThe patterns we live in aren’t random. They’re built from the stories we tell ourselves—stories we don’t even realize we’re fighting to protect. But when we see them for what they are, everything shifts.Referenced in this episode:Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg – A deep dive into how our language and thought patterns shape our reality, and how shifting them opens the door to real change.Produced in partnership with www.podlad.com

We think we need the right circumstances to enjoy life. The perfect plan, the ideal setting, everything just so. But what if that’s an illusion?In this episode, Bilos returns from a trip to Japan that could have easily been a disaster—budget accommodations, unexpected surprises, and plenty of reasons to complain. Instead, it turned into one of the best experiences of his life. Why? Because of how he and his friends chose to experience it.We dive into:✅ How your attitude—not your environment—shapes your experience.✅ Why resisting reality creates suffering, and surrender creates freedom.✅ The hidden brilliance in life’s so-called imperfections.✅ A simple practice to shift from frustration to playfulness in any situation.This episode is a masterclass in the art of fully living. If you’ve ever found yourself waiting for the “right” moment to enjoy life, this one’s for you.produced in partnership with http://www.podlad.com

After four ceremonies, a Bufo toad experience, and a profound journey through fear, love, and surrender, Al has returned—transformed, but not in the way he expected. In this final installment of the Ayahuasca Trilogy, he and Bilos unpack the last days in the Amazon, the lessons that stayed, and the ones that are still unfolding.In This Episode:The Darkest Night – How Tuesday’s ceremony turned into a deep lesson in discomfort, testing Al’s ability to stay with fear rather than run from it.The Path That Was Always There – Seeing that the way forward isn’t about looking for answers—it’s about accepting what’s already clear.The Bufo Toad Experience – A completely different kind of journey—ego death, overwhelming emotion, and the moment Al realized he was still here, even without his body.A Gift from the Amazon – The unexpected gifting ceremony and how it mirrored the deeper realization about connection and love.Returning Home – What’s changed, what hasn’t, and how the real journey starts after the ceremonies end.Final Thought:Life will find you exactly where you are—you don’t need to go looking for it.

Al is back from the Amazon jungle, intact, transformed, and still very much himself—though who knows what shifts have truly taken place? In this third installment of the Ayahuasca Trilogy, Al shares the raw, unfiltered experience of stepping into the medicine.In This Episode:The journey deep into the jungle—canoes, pink-nosed dolphins, and the Shipibo tribe’s powerful welcome ritualThe retreat itself—what it’s like to live in the heart of the Amazon, surrounded by sacred ceremony and tribal wisdomFirst encounters with plant medicine, including the rapé ceremony and its mind-clearing effectsThe first ayahuasca ceremony—plunging into the unknown, the descent into fear, and the breakthrough moment of pure love and gratitudeThe shamanic rituals—smoke ceremonies, Icaros (sacred songs), and the surreal presence of children in the malokaThe question that hit Al like a lightning bolt: "How many times do you need to hear the truth before you’ll accept it?"Seeing the illusions of fear and temptation for what they really areLinks & Resources:🔗 Arkana International – Ayahuasca RetreatsAnd we’re not done yet—this journey has one final chapter. Join us next time for Ayahuasca Series Part 4, where Al dives into the Bufo Toad medicine, the unexpected twist on his final night, and the experience of reintegrating into the world.Until then, keep Living Into Your Brilliance!Produced in partnership with http://www.podlad.com

Al is broadcasting from Iquitos, Peru, the gateway to the Amazon, just hours before heading into the jungle for his ayahuasca retreat. This second installment of the Ayahuasca Trilogy explores what it’s like to step into the unknown, meet fear with curiosity, and navigate the inner dialogue that arises when we step beyond the familiar.In This Episode:Al’s 30-hour journey to the Amazon and what he noticed along the wayThe moment fear showed up on the plane—and the practice that helped him return to calmArriving in Iquitos, the world’s largest city inaccessible by road, and the wild sensory experience of exploring itThe difference between real wisdom and fake wisdom—and how DJ Ego plays his tricksThe power of simply keeping going when the mind is tempted to retreatReflections on stepping into life as a living practice, rather than seeking theoretical answersThe bigger question: What if this trip isn’t about ayahuasca at all?Links & Resources:🔗 Arkana International – Ayahuasca RetreatsJoin us next time where we’ll hear what Al actually experienced in the jungle. Until then, keep Coddiwompling and Live Into Your Brilliance!produced in partnership with http://www.podlad.com

In This Episode:Join Al and co-host Bilos as they dive into Part 1 of The Ayahuasca Trilogy. This episode unpacks Al’s motivations, fears, and preparations for an upcoming ayahuasca retreat in the Amazon jungle.What We Explore:Why Al decided to take this leap and what led him to it.The power of letting go—of expectations, meaning, and control.The preparation process: physical, emotional, and mental shifts.Insights from The Salt Path by Raynor Winn and parallels with surrendering to life’s unpredictability.The lighter side of exploring what truly brings happiness in the moment.Resources Mentioned:Arkana Spiritual Center – Ayahuasca retreats in Peru.Raynor Winn – The Salt PathQuote of the Episode:"The jungle will do what the jungle does." – Al KennyStay tuned for Part 2: A live check-in with Al from the Amazon jungle, just before his first ceremony.Produced in partnership with http://www.podlad.com

This week, we dive deep into the messy, unpolished truth of life's challenges in a candid, raw, and thought-provoking conversation about gold-plated grit.Inspired by Brené Brown's concept from Rising Strong, we unpack the tendency to sanitize struggles, skipping over the messy middle in favor of a polished, digestible narrative. We explore why this illusion is so tempting—and why it does such a disservice to real connection, growth, and freedom.What You’ll Discover in This Episode:Gold-Plated Grit vs. Raw Truth: Why glossing over the "mud" robs us of the profound insights waiting in the discomfort.The Myth of "Fixing It": How relying on the ego only deepens the quicksand and why letting go of the story is key.Personal Struggles, Universal Lessons: Al shares an unvarnished account of a tough week leading up to his ayahuasca retreat in Peru, from emotional lows to unexpected moments of clarity.The Nature of the Mud: Why resisting life's challenges only creates more suffering and how to embrace the discomfort as the natural rhythm of being alive.From Mud to Lotus: How seeing the mud and lotus as one opens up a radically different experience of life—one that’s less about "overcoming" and more about being.This episode isn’t about strategies or formulas. It’s a raw, honest exploration of what happens when we stop resisting, let go of our stories, and sink into the mud to discover the rise.References and Resources:Brené Brown – Rising Strong: Explore Brené Brown's insights on vulnerability and resilience in her book Rising Strong. Learn more at Brené Brown's official website.Thich Nhat Hanh – No Mud, No Lotus: Discover Thich Nhat Hanh's teachings on transforming suffering into joy in No Mud, No Lotus. Details available at Plum Village's official website.Michael Neill and Rob CookDive deeper into transformative coaching with Michael Neill and discover Rob Cook's powerful story of resilience and insight.Explore Michael Neill's WorkAyahuasca Retreats with Arkana InternationalCurious about ayahuasca retreats? Learn more about Al's upcoming retreat and the transformative experiences at Arkana International.Discover Arkana InternationalProduced in partnership with http://www.podlad.com

In this powerful episode, we’re joined by the incredible David Staunton, a man who has turned life’s hardest moments into transformative gifts. Together, we explore the simple yet profound truth: Are you happy?David takes us on his journey, from the breaking point of an unexpected revelation to his fight for happiness, health, and self-love. He shares the grit behind choosing joy over ease, the courage it takes to say yes to life, and the faith required to step into the unknown—even when it feels terrifying.Key Takeaways:Ask Yourself the Big Question: “Am I happy?” If not, what’s your plan to change it?Faith Over Fear: Trust that stepping into the mud leads to growth. No mud, no lotus.Prioritize Yourself: Self-love is not selfish. It’s the foundation for loving others and living a meaningful life.Simplicity is Genius: The path to transformation isn’t about complexity—it’s about clarity and commitment.David’s story is a testament to the power of awareness, the importance of essential selfishness, and the beauty of embracing life’s unfolding, no matter how uncertain it feels.Connect with David:https://www.instagram.com/theradicalhealthcoach/www.theradicalhealthcoach.comPodcast Production provided by www.podlad.com

This episode marks a double celebration—the start of 2025 and the 50th birthday of our very own Mark Bilbe! 🎉Our exploration today dives into why letting go of expectations & surrendering control doesn’t mean passivity—it’s about opening space for deeper joy, creativity, and wonder. By silencing the noise of our “DJ Ego,” we step into flow, allowing life’s events to align naturally and effortlessly.We also discuss the profound shift that comes from fully embracing desires in the present moment. Instead of deferring fulfillment to an uncertain future, we front-load our experience, finding joy, peace, and connection right here and now.Key Takeaways:Surrender Creates Space: Letting go of rigid expectations frees you to experience life’s unfolding beauty.Say Yes to Life: Embrace what shows up with openness, even when it doesn’t match your initial vision.Front-Load Your Joy: Feel the richness of your desires now, rather than waiting for them to manifest.Flow Over Force: Trusting the process allows life to align in surprising and magical ways.Join us as we celebrate Mark’s milestone and explore how letting go allows us to live with greater freedom, wonder, and delight.Produced in partnership with http://www.podlad.com