The Passing Through Podcast

This week I'm still passing through Wrocław, Poland!Join me for a quick processing of some of the thoughts on my mind. I'm thinking about Palestine and Gaza, Palestinian protestors in the United States, my country's seeming descent into authoritarianism and how to sit with all of this as the Trump administration flirts with fascism. I'm thinking of Mahmoud Khalil, Kilmar Abrego García, and Mohsen Mahdawi. And I'm thinking of those whose names we do not know.I'm thinking of torture prisons in El Salvador, and what else is to come.I'm thinking of all the different ways there are to be good to one another.References:The Rise of End Times Fascism - Naomi Klein & Astra Taylor

This week I'm passing through Wrocław, Poland!Join me in the wine-barrel for a quick 52-minute ramble on animacy, story, and how we might deal with the madness."A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike. And all plans, safeguards, policing, and coercion are fruitless. We find that after years of struggle, that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us."— John Steinbeck, "Travels with Charley"

This week Zamir Dhanji is passing through!Zamir is a mystic, a yogi, a storyteller, change-maker, community-builder, educator and a whole lot more; a guest well-suited for this podcast! It was an absolute honor and pleasure to speak with him.We talk about mysticism, community, his work with Gabor Maté, life's interconnectedness, reciprocity, and in Zamir's words, "about how life isn't a problem to be solved: it's an ongoing mystery to be experienced." I loved this conversation, and I hope you will too.Zamir has two incredible upcoming offerings you can take part in:Patterns to Presence - a proven, step-by-step program to transform the patterns that keep you from creating authentic, secure relationships.The Gift - a beautiful, 21-day immersive course. From the website: "Imagine a school that balances inner and outer development, inhabiting the intersection of culture change, therapeutic work, environmental design, and social innovation."If you want to find out more about Zamir you can find him:On his website at https://zamirdhanji.comOr at Awake, the community he is part of in Costa RicaAt his yoga school, Mystic Yogi

This week, Sean Cusick is passing through!Sean's an artist, writer, musician and photographer with a unique articulation and passion. He's also an old and beloved friend. Over the years he's been like a crazy uncle to me, and it's always humorous and illuminating to speak with him. He talks a mile a minute and he's got stories to tell.Join us for some music history where he shares memories from his time in the dark and beautiful underbelly of the Rave scene as it blew up and blew out, his Door(s)way into music, Burning Man, the wisdom of making mistakes, and dance as liberation.You can find Sean on Instagram at realQ6.PLUR*Intro transition and outro clips by DJ Q6

This week Dr. Báyò Akómoláfé is passing through!Báyo is an author, educator, thinker, philosopher, poet, father, and all-around incredibly kind, soulful, and inspiring human being. It was an honor to speak with him and I think you're going to enjoy this episode.We speak about the disgusting and the monstrous, Báyo's first encounter with psychedelics, the soul, disability, human porosity, animism, meeting the climate crises without trying to "fix" it, and a bunch more.You can find Báyo on his website:https://www.bayoakomolafe.neton one of his many podcasts, or in his essays, articles, and books.

This week, Leah Song is passing through!This week’s guest is the Lovely, the Enchanting, the Amazing, the Humble, the magnetic Slow Music Movement Muse herself: Leah Song.Leah is co-founder and front-woman of Rising Appalachia, she’s an activist, a music-maker, poet and song-catcher, she’s a community-builder, a pioneer and a perfect guest for this podcast.In this conversation we build imaginal bridges between Lisbon and San Francisco while we talk about Portuguese folk music, community-building, The Slow Music Movement, the role of folk music in tending to the human soul, community as a mechanism to integrate the ‘monster,’ and the importance of story as an agent of relationship, and a bunch more.Check out the links below to learn more.Follow Leah:Later this summer Leah will be bringing her music back to Europe as part of her solo project - so be sure to follow her and stay tuned for when and where you can catch a show.⁠Leah Song⁠⁠⁠Rising Appalachia⁠InstagramLinks:Slow Music⁠Tending the BonesSongwriting Masterclass (Song Catcher & The Muse)Songs from this episode:Old Fashioned MorphineYou Don't Miss Your Water Till Your Well Runs Dry

This week I'm passing through with a special announcement on Valentine's Day.My partner and I are founding a non-profit organization here in Poland. I've been busy building the website with my bare hands, generating content and charging this initiative with love and care and kind intentions.Join me for a quick episode on what the organization is about and what we're trying to do.Join the global community dedicated to ecological and spiritual reconnection on our website at The Living Bridge or on our Facebook page.If you're in Europe and interested in attending one of our first events, please check our events page.

This week Brynna Campbell is passing through! Brynna is a naturalist, a musician, a songwriter, a community builder and an animator. She’s been someone I’ve been itching to speak with for some time now, so I’m glad to finally get the chance to sit down and speak with her. Join us for a wide-ranging discussion on topics from the LA fires to music and trauma, mutual aid and solidarity, and planting trees as an act of resistance! You can find Brynna at: Her website On Spotify Her YouTube Channel Instagram Twitter

This week my friend Iris is passing through! Iris is a facilitator-in-training in Scott Peck’s Community Building method. She’s an IFS therapist and a longtime-lover of nature. She lives off the grid in the wild-west deserts outside Barcelona where she harnesses the energy of the wind and the sun to power her earthen home. She’s one of those rare people who put her beliefs and values into practice. She’s a true inspiration and I loved talking to her about relationships and relationality. Join us for a chat on nature, enoughness, IFS, how to connect to your awful parts, and Community Building. Be good to one another, and enjoy this chat with Iris. Iris.Schmidt.Koopmann@gmail.com https://amedea-praxis.de/team/iris-schmidt-koopmann/

This week I'm passing through into the new year with a quick recap from southern Portugal. Join me for a brief reflection, a strong book recommendation, and an overall meandering ramble on nature, appreciation and reciprocity. Happy new year!