Imagine Paradise Podcast (Levi Kreis)

Dale G takes you on a remarkable journey of what life was like before sobriety and what life is like now.  If you need to be reminded of your ability to overcome addiction and build a new life for yourself that is happy, joyous and free, do not miss this episode.

Remember to subscribe to this podcast and visit youtube.com/imagineparadise for daily motivational/spiritual content.

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Scott L reminds us of the power of community and how isolation is death for those of us struggling with addiction and alcohol.  A great conversation of what life was like before addiction and what life is like in sobriety.  

Remember to subscribe to this podcast and visit youtube.com/imagineparadise for daily motivational/spiritual content.

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As so many of my interviews this season, this is another fascinating true story of a phoenix rising from the ashes of addiction and making a new life for himself.  This is Steve on how he found sobriety, beat cancer and found a purpose for life.  We also have a great conversation about the transformative power of surrender.  Be sure to subscribe to the podcast and visit youtube.com/imagineparadise for daily motivational/spiritual content.

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We cannot attract that which we are not a vibrational equivalent to.  Therefore, in order to attract love and manifest the relationship of your dreams, we must do the work to become a vibrational match to the kind of love we desire.   Today's episode and conversation is inspired by the lyrics of Timeless (We Are) from the album Imagine Paradise available on all streaming platforms.  Don't forget to subscribe to youtube.com/imagineparadise for daily inspiration and motivation.  

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If you want to know how to optimize the quality of your romantic relationships and come to the table fully equipped to build something meaningful and fulfilling, there are three key non-romantic relationships you might want to get in order.  The Spiritual Doula Anjie Hosley is back with some real life applications that will get you maximum results in your relationship endeavors.  

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Focused on the liberating nature of letting your guard down and just being yourself, Anyway You Wanna was a song written for our LGBTQ+ youth to inspire and encourage them to know self-love on the deepest possible level.  But the message of valuing who we are is not just for the young, for many of us still carry deep wounds that linger still from a long arduous journey of coming out.  This episode not only tells the backstory of how the song came to be, but seeks to move us from pain into power.  

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Matt Gilhooly takes a moment away from The Life Shift Podcast to talk with me about his story, the importance of your story and how we are all on a journey to transmute pain into power.  We cover a few topics here with some great ah ha moments to enjoy. This episode will leave you inspired and hopefully make you more certain of your own ability to make good of broken things.

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We become who we spend most of our time with.  It's important that those who make up our inner circle are living out the same high vibration lifestyle that we expect of ourselves.  Surrounding yourself with disciplined, positive, motivated individuals only supports your own efforts to be the same. Today's episode welcomes back the spiritual doula Anjie Hosley to discuss the important of quality friendships and how to attract them, cultivate them and be supported and empowered by them.  

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My guest, Caroline Shores Thrush, shares her dynamic story about discovering her need for sobriety at twenty years old and learning the power of self love, service to others and finding her own spiritual solution.  Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast and head over to youtube.com/imagineparadise for videos of each episode.

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Recovering addicts here in San Francisco will tell you first hand there is a direct correlation between homelessness and substance abuse.   Local ex-homeless/ex-addicts will attest that 8 out of every 10 people on the street are struggling with addiction.  Over 75% of unsheltered have a drug or alcohol addiction and a similar number have a severe mental health disorder. So why are we constantly marketed the idea that this is primarily a poverty problem and housing is the solution?  You can build all the housing in the world and get homeless off the street so you don’t have to look at us, but if we are struggling with drug addiction and mental illness, we're just housed dealing with drug addiction and mental illness.  In 2020, the death rate among San Francisco homeless doubled.  They condone this behavior and even help promote it with harm reduction policies that blur the line between harm reduction and drug promotion.  Caroline Shores Thrush is back and we’re giving you a recovering addict’s perspective on the “compassionate” policies she witnessed while working in the non-profit sector with transitional housing here in San Francisco.  

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If you know my story of sobriety, you know that Leslie Jordan was one of the first fellow southerners I met when moving to Los Angeles and had a key influence on me getting sober.  Join Leslie and I as we reflect on our stories of sobriety and how it has elevated everything in our life including our careers.  We also spend a bit of the conversation talking about our craft and ways he's influenced my own take on acting.  Head over to youtube.com/imagineparadise to subscribe and see video of this episode.

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This week I am joined by one of my long time friends writer/director Del Shores who offers a unique perspective as a perpetual lover of immensely talented actors who often had their own journey towards sobriety.  A very necessary episode for those of you who love an addict or alcoholic and want to know more about how to love them without enabling them.  Watch video of this episode at yt.com/imagineparadise  

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All of us find ourselves in a perpetual loop of negative thinking sometimes.  Knowing how to create distance between you and a pattern of negative thinking will allow you to toss out those limiting beliefs, assert spiritual principle in their stead and start creating a different quality of life.  Today I discuss a few ways to make that happen.  Become a member of the LK Crew at levikreis.com/join - being a member helps the ongoing creation of the podcast, music and theatre projects.  

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In this episode, you will learn about Jason Antone's experience as a gay man in the classical crossover genre, the message of Antone's song "Inside My Heart" and Antone's perspective on why he believes it is important to be authentic in his art.  Your voice matters in this world and this episode is a good reminder to stand in your authenticity, speak from your own unique perspective and know that someone is in need of hearing what you say specifically the way you say it.  Powerful stuff.  Powerful self-confidence.  Click here to watch the new video for Antone's song "Inside My Heart". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xdm0cRlyTHM

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Ahbra Schiff is production manager of the REEL Recovery Film Festival, an annual event that celebrates stories of addiction and recovery.  In this episode, she shares her own story about what life was like before sobriety and how getting sober has changed her life.  

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The Spiritual Doula returns for a poignant conversation about making new friends in adulthood and how to maximize the quality of those relationships.  We are who we hang around.  When those we spend most of our time with are actively upleveling their life, it only reinforces our own spiritual and personal development.  On the other hand, if they're clowning, it will only lessen our own ambition.  Please consider supporting the podcast by making a one-time donation or becoming a member today at levikreis.com  

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Welcome Lindsay P to the podcast! Lindsay is gracious enough to share not only her journey to sobriety, but how the spiritual principles she encounters along the way have also helped her cope with cancer.  I personally love the back end of this conversation when Lindsay and I spill over into our shared love and knowledge of metaphysics and new thought.  I hope this conversation is encouraging to you this week. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and consider going to levikreis.com to become a member or simply offer a one-time donation to help support the ongoing creation of this podcast along with future music and theatre projects.  

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What is spirituality?  Why are you interested in starting a spiritual journey?      There is a reason you are asking this question and I want to tell you the very best place to start.  If you feel a radical transformation calling you to explore something deeper, then congratulations.  I believe this desire shows up at the perfect time and comes fully equipped by the universe to guide you to a spiritual awakening.  I also think that spirituality doesn't have to be so somber and serious.  Holding lightly to the process and laughing through the learning allows us to enjoy our personal and spiritual awakening without self-criticism and perfectionism.  
Your radical transformation is calling you and I hope you let me be a friendly guide through the process of personal rebirth.

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There is one spiritual discipline that is often considered the gateway to lasting enlightenment.  Through this, we can be free from the enslavement of the overactive mind and cultivate a life of Oneness.  In the last episode, I started our conversation about spirituality by asking you what is it and why does it matter.  I don't think it matters if it is not tangibly and measurably improving your life.  I like talking about this first step towards enlightenment because it tangibly creates little moments of heaven throughout the day and if incorporated into your daily life, will inevitably shift your consciousness.   

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Most of our society suffers from an addiction to compulsive thinking.  The mind is always reevaluating the past or strategizing for the future -a constant loop of conflict/solution - but very seldom are we ever in the present moment. Identification with the mind is the single greatest obstruction to our enlightenment.  So what is identification with the mind and how do we found our way out?  I want you to know that you can be free from the enslavement of the mind.  It is not some distant, woo woo goal that only a spiritual guru can attain.  Let's start a conversation on how you can free yourself from compulsive thinking and discover the bliss of beingness.

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Many spiritual gurus say that the identification with the mind is the greatest obstacle to our enlightenment, but what the crap does it mean?  In this episode, I help us pull this concept out of the self-help books and into a tangible understanding of when we are using the mind and when the mind is using us.  Continuing our conversation from previous episodes, we learn this nuance so that we may be free from compulsive thinking, move into the space between thought and discover what communing with our own Divine Beingness feels like.  

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With the last few episodes focusing on freedom from compulsive thinking and identification with the mind, I turn my gaze towards the body-mind connection.  All of us need to learn how to create more space between ourselves and the emotions that we so strongly identify with.  In this episode, you will learn how to become the observer of your emotions rather than becoming your emotions.  I also talk about how to connect with emotions that seem hard to reach.   Join me as I break down principles from the book The Power Of Now and strive to make them easily understandable and immediately applicable.  

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Continuing our discussion on enlightenment, we take some time this week to understand the emotional pain body and how to free ourselves from its compulsive, controlling reactions.  Understanding your triggers and learning how to dis-identify with the pain body is essential to enlightenment and will help free you from identification with the mind.

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After weeks of evaluating various kinds of dysfunctions related to compulsive thinking and the identification with the mind, we begin exploring the one thing that will allow us to move deeply into the now moment -letting go of the concept of time.  Identification with the mind is intrinsically connected to either the past or the future.  When we can let go of the illusion of time, we discover the space between thoughts and are invited to be completely present in the now moment. 

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Welcome to the inaugural episode of The Church Of Kreis Podcast.  This week we roll back the mythology and cultural layers of the worlds religions to uncover the practical science behind spirituality - the creative power of the mind. 
Join our Facebook group to participate in this weeks discussion.  We're choosing an area of our life where we want to experience radical self-improvement and getting familiar with the thoughts, feelings, and beliefs that are currently creating our experience.  It's time to get rid of every thought that does not serve you or move you towards your highest good!  Come join us!
Support my podcast at www.patreon.com/levikreis
Introduction music: Three Words by Levi Kreis
Featured song: Ain't Nobody from the album Where I Belong
Fun hashtags you can use when posting about the podcast: #churchofkreis #kreistian

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In order to use the law of attraction intentionally, it helps to first look at how we've been using the law of attraction unintentionally - creating our current life from a place of limitation.  Sometimes those limiting thoughts, feelings or beliefs are not as obvious as we'd like.  After all, some weeds have deeper roots than others.  This episode talks about how to use your feelings as an internal guidance system that will lead you right to the place where we need to do the work.  Join The Church Of Kreis Facebook group to participate in this week's discussion.  Introduction music is Three Words by Levi Kreis.  Our featured song is Not Afraid from the album Where I Belong.  #churchofkreis #kreistian

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There is so much freedom waiting for us on the other side of resentment.  In the first two episodes, we uncovered some limiting thoughts, feelings, and beliefs that we've been carrying around for years.  In the process, we may have resurrected some painful past memories.  Today, we depersonalize these moments and see them from a broader metaphysical perspective, making room for forgiveness and in turn, our own liberation.  Join The Church Of Kreis Facebook group to participate in this week's discussion.  Introduction music is Three Words by Levi Kreis.  Our featured song is Liberate You from the album Liberated.  #churchofkreis #kreistian

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This week we discuss what I believe to be a vital key to personal transformation, being able to forgive your past mistakes.  It is time for you to forgive the one who matters most...yourself.  There is a fire in you that no past can put out and I want to see you let go of the past and let your future shine.  Join The Church Of Kreis Facebook group to participate in this week's discussion.  Introduction music is Three Words by Levi Kreis.  Our featured song is Let It Go from Imagine Paradise.

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Broadway sensation Eden Espinosa joins me for a candid conversation about her newest album Revelation and how she braved her own radical life shifts.  We talk about the importance of obeying that gentle whisper we all get but often ignore until the pain is too great.  Lot's of great nuggets in here for you guys.  Join us at The Church of Kreis Podcast FB group to participate in this week's conversation.  Revelation by Eden Espinosa is streaming everywhere.  Follow @edenespinosa on all socials.  

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It's week two of a national quarantine in response to the spread of COVID-19 virus and I step away from our regular conversation to provide a broader spiritual perspective on what we are going through.  In this episode, I discuss practical actions we can take daily to protect your mental and emotional stability.  I also focus on a greater spiritual emergence that is happening across our planet and how we can be a vibrational contributor to it's expansion.  Join the conversation at The Church of Kreis Facebook Group.

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On this episode, I am joined by Theo Tilton, a certified Life Mastery consultant, speaker, educator, and a highly sought after transformational coach. He shares his own powerful story of radical self improvement along with some exciting spiritual principles that are very relevant for all of us as we continue to steady ourselves during the current global pandemic.  Join the conversation on The Church Of Kreis Facebook Group.  

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When having the conversation about forgiveness, we inevitably run into the topic of soul agreements, soul contracts, and pre-birth agreements.  This episode provides a broader spiritual perspective to your hard-to-process relationships and circumstances, revealing the origin of your most life-altering moments.  Understanding soul contracts will invite you to a new level of acceptance, forgiveness, and ultimately profound gratitude for the things that have brought you the greatest pain.  Join the conversation at The Church Of Kreis Podcast Facebook Group.  Consider becoming a patron at Patreon.com/levikreis.

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I am joined by motivational speaker, transformational coach and Spiritual Doula Anjie Hosley for a powerful conversation about the necessity of boundaries when nurturing a stronger sense of self and creating rich relationships.  We also discuss how to not take it personally when someone draws a boundary with you.  A perfect example of the sacred balance between Love & Law, this is one you don't want to miss.  Contribute to the conversation on The Church Of Kreis Podcast Facebook Group.  

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I am joined by the creator of A Life Of Spiritual Power, Rev. Denise Schubert as she discusses the powerful relationship between context and the content in your life.  A context is decisive, so if you aren’t liking what you’ve got around your money, relationships, your body, or your body of affairs - don’t spend time trying to fix anything, learn how to create a new context.  Therein lies your power.  I'm excited to share with you one of my favorite teachers this week.  Join the discussion at The Church Of Kreis Facebook Group and learn more about Rev. Denise at http://www.deniseschubert.com/

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My follow-up conversation with the creator of "A Life Of Spiritual Power", Rev. Denise Schubert, invites us to explore exciting new possibilities.  Did you know that you don't have to "fix" everything behind you to start creating the vision you see in front of you?  You will enjoy how freeing and personally advancing this conversation is.  Join us at our Church Of Kreis Facebook Group to contribute to the conversation.  

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This week I am joined by classical crossover recording artist Jason Antone.  Hearing his rebirth from 3 X Billboard Charting dance artist to, as he says in the interview, “finding his fear again” is an inspiring conversation about being accountable to your dreams, to yourself, and as we dive deeper, being accountable to those you love.  Be inspired by Jason’s strength, resolve, and commitment to a life of accountability.  I hope you enjoy our conversation.  Join us at The Church Of Kreis Facebook Group.

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We spotlight Mental Health Awareness Month with a topic that can truly optimize both your mental and physical health.  As the medical community accumulates more and more clinical evidence that meditation can assist with depression, anxiety, and cognitive/behavioral functions, it's time for you to take it seriously.  Rev. Lee Wolak is a rockstar when it comes to this topic and by the end of it, you will have a real reason to make meditation a part of your lifestyle.  Join the conversation at The Church Of Kreis Facebook Group.

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Rev. Dr. Derrick Wells provides a moment of mentorship around the topic of today's masculinity and emphasizes our first responsibility - root yourself in the spiritual truth of who you are.  From there, we can learn how to balance both love and law.  He also discusses how to pursue mentorship from men who are modeling the same values you seek to acquire.  Every solution is first and foremost a spiritual solution, so I hope this episode encourages every man who is suffering from the purpose-void created by our current pop culture.  Join the discussion at The Church Of Kreis Facebook Group. 

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Awakening Essence creator Michele Roberts joins me this week with an invitation to learn, love and appreciate our truest nature.  We all seek to express authentically in the world and Michele's approach takes us into the topic of body intelligence - the inherent wisdom of our bodies. She talks about the importance of listening to our body signals and choosing to be in integrity with them no matter what.  I found her work very practical and effective.  Join the conversation at The Church Of Kreis Facebook Group.

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I begin a series of episodes where I invite the men and women in my music family who are part of the black community to share their stories, their convictions and to discuss ways that we can be a part of the solution and build a world that works for all of us.  You’ve heard my guest, Pam Trotter, on some of my most familiar recordings like Gonna Be Alright, Nothing At All, and No Apologies. You’ve seen her do a ton of tour dates with me including the most recent west coast dates of my annual Home For The Holidays Tour.  But she is also a brilliant film, tv, and stage actress whose credits include Dreamgirls, My Name Is Earl, The Color Purple, and a new film release Pencil Town coming soon. Pam brings me back to the one thing that all else is built upon.  Without a relationship with God, the world will only deteriorate underneath growing darkness.  We are in a spiritual warfare like we've never known.  How do we fight the spiritual forces of hatred when we won't even fight for your own spiritual health? Thank you, Pam for bringing us back to the basics.  

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My guest this week is hip hop artist, producer and author Wordplay T. Jay whose rise began when MTV's RapFix Live debuted his single "Breakfast & Biggie".  His new album Overtime hit me hard - not just because it's fresh, but as you know, I respond when people use their platform to encourage and inspire others.  I sat down with him to get the backstory on this new collection of songs.  How is it that every song is literally programming positivity into my brain?  We also discuss his most recent book Fake Blues: Creating in the Face of Anxiety and how metaphysics, meditation and the law of attraction is helping him live each day from a place of vision rather than living from the past.  Join the discussion at The Church Of Kreis Facebook Group.

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Did the religious community shun you for your divorce? Shame you for your interracial marriage? Condemn you for being LGBTQ+? Have your religious wounds kept you from developing a healthy spiritual life?  Well, today's the day you can leave that all behind!  Rev. Dr. Joe Hooper of the Center for Spiritual Living in Palm Desert pulls no punches about what it takes to forgive the past and move boldly into our spiritual greatness.  Join the discussion on The Church Of Kreis Facebook Group.  

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Meet more of my band! You've seen Ameerah and Simbryt on stage with me multiple times but as black women in the current social climate, they were all in with me to share their convictions about race relations and how we can back this whole thing up to what is first and foremost a spiritual solution.  So grateful to share with you all the beautiful hearts and minds within my musical family.  They're going to bless you.  Join the conversation at the Church Of Kreis Facebook Group.

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This week, musician and Reverend Doug Lebow joins me to discuss what it means to have a vision for your life.  This does not have to be a lofty concept with enormous goals, ya'll!  Your vision can be as simple as having a bit more joy in your life.  This is one of those meat and potatoes episodes with fundamental wisdom that will help you move into that new idea you have.  Join the discussion at The Church Of Kreis Facebook Group.  

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Change is the only constant, my friends.  And whether it’s good or bad, there’s always a moment when we can let go and remind ourselves that the universe always has our highest good in mind.  Welcome back the Spiritual Doula AnJanette Hosley to talk with us about the Spiritual Law of Detachment.  Join the conversation at The Church Of Kreis Facebook Group.  

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One of the fundamental principles of metaphysics is that our thoughts become things.  Yet using our thoughts and feelings with intention escapes most of us and then we wonder why we have so many negative experiences.  The Spiritual Doula AnJanette Hosley is back to remind us of the power of one simple choice to feel good and how it tangibly impacts the quality of our life. Join the conversation at The Church Of Kreis Facebook Group. 

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There is a reason why some of our greatest spiritual minds consistently emphasize the law of least effort. The universe is intelligent - it knows the path of least resistance and will always guide us if we are willing to let it.  The Spiritual Doula Ms. AnJanette Hosley joins me again today to help us all turn our boat downstream.  Join the conversation at The Church Of Kreis Facebook Group.

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Having a habit that makes your life unmanageable is a conversation that really can extend beyond my sober community to the rest of you.  If we were all honest, many of us would find there are behaviors we hold on to that simply make life more difficult, if not significantly compromised.  The good news is that there is freedom in self-awareness.  Rev. Soni Cantrell-Smith and I start a six week series on the practical wisdom of The 12 Steps.  This week, steps one and two.  Join the conversation at The Church Of Kreis Facebook Group. 

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We are back with Rev. Soni Cantrell-Smith, the founding minister of Ahava Center for Spiritual Living in Lexington, Kentucky.  Last week we started a six week series on the twelve steps. There is practical wisdom here that's applicable to all of us and just might change your life for the better.  You’ll love today’s conversation on steps three and four.  Join the conversation at The Church Of Kreis Facebook Group. 

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The beauty in the twelve steps is that they are an invitation to return to innocence, transparency and a childlike joyfulness.  Nothing feels better than a life of inner cleanliness.  Rev. Soni Cantrell-Smith joins me again for a conversation about steps 5 and 6 from the twelve step program.  This wisdom is applicable to all of us.  Join the discussion at The Church Of Kreis Facebook Page.  

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Ego is also broken down as Edging God Out or Edging Good Out.  The point is our ego keeps us from being the brightest light we are called to be and steps 7 and 8 are all about the power of humility.  Rev. Soni Cantrell-Smith, founding member of the Ahava Center for Spiritual Living in Lexington, KY joins me again for our twelve step series.  Please go to https://www.ahavacsl.com/give to send a love offering to Ahava for letting us borrow Rev. Soni for this series!  

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It feels good to feel clean and clear inside of yourself and that’s exactly what we’re doing with this work.  We are approaching the finish line to our six week series on the twelve steps with my guest Rev. Soni Cantrell-Smith, founding member of the Ahava Center for Spiritual Living in Lexington, KY.  We are diving into steps 9 and 10 today. Go to https://www.ahavacsl.com/give if you wanna help support the Avaha Center.

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This is it!  The final episode in our six week series on the twelve steps and today I'm back with Rev. Soni Cantrell-Smith to discuss steps 11 and 12.  Rev. Soni is the founding member of the Ahava Center For Spiritual Living in Lexington, Kentucky.  If you want to show some love for her participating in this series, go to  https://www.ahavacsl.com/give and make a tax deductible donation.  All that you provide will be multiplied - and that's just how the universe works.  Enjoy the episode! 

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I'm excited to introduce you to Lando, Dan, and Geoff - the group BadCameo.  We talk about the impact of the arts on their lives and how the arts in general help to facilitate greater spiritual and personal growth.  Be sure to follow @badcameomusic on ALL social media platforms and check out their new music on your favorite streaming service.  Ya'll know it's rare for me to share musical guests on this podcast, so you know they're some good duded.  Go check'm out.

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Author and spiritual teacher Reverend Mark Anthony Lord introduces us to his new course called Alchemical Prayer and invites us to learn a new way to pray by awakening to the vibration of heaven within.  Rev. Mark gives us a glimpse of how we can let the Holy Spirit dissolve the subconscious lies and fears, establish an undeniable connection to Heaven within through the use of the ancient Chakra system, and in that vortex of Oneness, speak the word and your prayers are instantly fulfilled!  Go to www.markanthonylord.me for more info on Rev. Mark and any classes he may have available.  

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Often considered esoteric and previously understood by only a small number of men, the practices of semen retention and sexual cultivation combined with tantra, yoga, qigong, or other healing modalities, are absolutely the best kept secrets on the planet in my opinion.  Nothing will supercharge your sexual, spiritual, professional, and personal life more than diving into these concepts and finding what works for you.  I am joined this week by Sexual Kung Fu Master Johnathan White as he shares his wisdom and experience on the topic of Sexual Mastery.  Learn from Johnathan personally by visiting www.johnathanwhitelifestyle.com.  Follow Johnathan on Instagram at @sexual.kungfu  You can also find free instructional videos on his Youtube channel entitled Sexual Kung Fu.  Learn more about his Multi-Orgasmic Man 6-week course: (registration will be open October 13th-19th) here: https://www.johnathanwhitelifestyle.com/multi-orgasmic-man

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Reverend Roderick Norton, Spiritual Founder/Director of Empowerment Center for Better Living, joins me today for the final episode of season one of The Church Of Kreis Podcast.  As we reflect on the year, we take a moment to affirm the one overriding truth we believe here at the podcast.  Matthew 6:33 says "Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you."  Translation, if your first discipline, if your first priority is taking care of your Spirit, everything, and I do mean everything, falls right into place.  Always.  All the time.  It's a truth you can't prove wrong.  Learn more about Rev. Rod at www.empowerliving.org.

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Every experience serves a divine purpose.  Every pain is waiting to be transmuted into spiritual power.  When we stop demonizing what is painful and we become curious about the personal growth opportunity, we invite profound expansion into our lives.  In the inaugural episode of season 2, I explore the deeper meaning behind my song Dawn Of A New Day  from the album Liberated and encourage you to celebrate the contrast!  For it is knowing clearly what we do not want that invites us to a greater vision of what we do want!  

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Successfully managing our relationship agreements is a tangible way to build self-pride.  Keeping those agreements can take powerful self-governing skills.  Changing those agreements when they no longer reflect how you feel can take impressive courage.  Either way, honoring your word nurtures self-worth.  In this episode, we uncover the deeper meaning behind my song Too Deep To Go Down, face temptation and learn the value of self-awareness.

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What are you getting from staying in a broken relationship?  Financial security?  Managing your image?  Afraid of being alone?  Then let me ask.  How much value do you place on yourself that you're willing to nurture ego over self-pride?  In this episode, I dive into the deeper meaning of my song Wanted and dismantle your fears.  Fear is being out of alignment with your true spiritual nature.  When you know what that is and rest in it daily, you'll never feel disempowered again.

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When sexual shame isn't dealt with, it can manifest in our physical body as any number of diseases.  Many of us have developed deep shame around our genitals because of abusive relationships, religious wounds, authority figures, or societies condemnation of alternative lifestyles.  Inspired by my song Summer Rain, I see what Louise Hay says about the physical conditions that can result from years of sexual shame and I invite you to reclaim your sexual innocence.  Furthermore, I also discuss how sex energy can super-charge your manifesting ability when combined with meditation and the law of attraction.   Truly, this profound gift from God is unlimited in its ability to enrich our lives when we let go of the past.  

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When relationships get difficult, most of us become consumed with how we are hurting without understanding the essential need to develop the skill of empathy.  And no, being an empath is not necessarily synonymous with having consciously developed the skill of empathy towards people who think differently from you.  In this episode, I go behind the lyric of Worlds Apart (duet with Jason Antone) and look at a few key "empathetic listening skills" you can start practicing today with your partner.  That, and a great conversation about simple humility.  If you are two broken hearts making good of broken things, this is a great episode for you.  

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When your vision is sharp and you can feel every detail of the future you within your body, synchronicity lifts the veil and reveals that which you desire to manifest.  It cannot help but do so.  That is the magnetic power of your vibration.  This week, I dive into my song Not Afraid  from the album Where I Belong.  This message is all about learning to work the law of attraction with maximum intention.  And seeing results!  

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Who are you in the midst of dire circumstances?  What belief do you have that allows you to move from despair to hope?  The lyrics of one of my most loved singles, Gonna Be Alright, will help you remember that in the dead of night there is always a shining light.  Not only that, our pressure points are always a pathway to greater personal power.  We just have to train ourselves to see the inherent opportunity in trying times.

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Have you noticed that whatever group, community, or professional world you live in that the collective body has created a set of limitations everyone arbitrarily bows down to?  This episode is for you rebels, determined to make your own rules and trust your own vision.  It's time to stop giving credibility to these collective agreements of limitation.  My song Ain't Nobody from the album Where I Belong is the perfect backstory and message to encourage you to keep believing in the importance of your contribution to this world...at any age.  

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The life you desire, the world doesn’t give it to you and the world can’t take it away!  You are the Metaphysical Master of your life experience regardless of what a spiritually desolate society is collectively creating around you.  After all, you are a microcosm of the Macrocosm - a little God - lacking in nothing!  On this episode, I dive into the meaning behind my song No Apologies from the album Where I Belong and come out with pure conviction about creating our own freedom in the face of hate.   Remember, darkness is not a spiritual entity.  Only Light, only goodness, is a spiritual entity and all that doesn't reflect this light is merely the absence of light.  The darkness can never withstand the light.  Be the light. 

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So many of us have allowed our past religious wounds to keep us from reclaiming our spiritual health.  Finding my way out of cynicism and blame - discovering forgiveness and real peace - allowed me to redefine God in a way that invites me to engage daily with my spirit.  The message behind my song Stained Glass Window is not only one of unity in diversity, but also a declaration that no past can take away your spiritual joy.  For YOU are embraced by the light of It's Love.

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Reframing regret and seeing purpose in our past mistakes are essential to moving forward.  For me, the key to unlocking this ability was forgiving the one who matters most - me.  There is a fire in you that no past can put out and nothing can stop you from reclaiming your life.  On this episode, we dive into the lyric of Let It Go from my album Imagine Paradise and discuss what it takes to turn a past of self-loathing and self sabotage to surrender and self-forgiveness.  

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You give so much of yourself to everyone else that you are constantly depleted and often resentful.  Boundaries were crossed so long ago that to even think about giving yourself what you need is illogical and a waste of time.  If this is you, then a look into the meaning of my song Deeper Love from my album Imagine Paradise may motivate you to be more mindful of your mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health.  And most importantly, to start taking little actions in the right direction. 

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Life is more graceful and easy when we point our boat downstream.  So Much Better from my album Imagine Paradise was written with the sole intention of reminding you that the universe desires to work in your favor.  When we let go of micromanaging and allow this Divine Intelligence to do Its thing, things work out.  And it feels so good to let go.

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Tanya Tucker may have had it right when she sang "If It Don't Come Easy, Better Let It Go".  The universe loves grace and ease and Taking Back My Boogie from my album Imagine Paradise celebrates that moment when you decide to retire the old habit of looking for complicated relationships.  

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Whatever dream has found its way to your soul, it is your responsibility to envelop it with the vibration of infinite possibility.  So often we hold so tightly to our dreams that we operate from a vibration of lack and not enough-ness.  And at times, our ego can become attached to a particular outcome and become resentful when things do not out-picture as we imagined.  In this episode, we dive in to the lyrics of Corner Of The Sky from my album Broadway At The Keys and create a sacred space where dreams can grow and thrive.  

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When shame and guilt infect areas of our life, it can encourage self-destructive choices, depression, anxiety, and worse.  Bringing every part of ourselves into the light of love is not only healing personally, but can be of service to others as well.  In this episode, we look at the lyrics of Living In The Shadows from my album Broadway At The Keys and shine the light into all the dark spaces.

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We have the power to create our own individualized experience of the world based on how intentional (or unintentional) we are with the quantum laws of the universe.  As a matter of fact, the things that trouble us the most will never enter our matrix if we are not a vibrational match to them.  We will always find what we're looking for - it's quantum law.  The universe only knows one word - yes.  And in response to your thoughts, your feelings, your beliefs, the universe will faithfully send back to you the experiences that are a perfect vibrational match.

This week, I riff on the message found in the song In My Own Lifetime from my album Broadway At The Keys  and explore what possibilities exist in this conversation.  I also talk about our broader contribution to the world.  When we understand that every solution is first and foremost a spiritual solution, we start to operate from a place of Divine identity, informed by universal spiritual principles rather than a limited secular viewpoint.  This transforms the way we go about making change in the world and inspires ideas that are more elevating than destructive, more loving than not. 

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The first responsibility you have to your dreams is to ensure that you are not enveloping them with a vibration of lack, a belief in not enough-ness, or an egoic desperation.  The work begins by affirming your spiritual identity and knowing the spiritual principles that govern this opulent, infinite universe.  But this episode really gets good when I start exploring the profound work of neuroscientist Dr. Joe Dispenza and his book Breaking The Habit Of Being Yourself.  These scientific concepts will make tangible the possibility of becoming the person you dream of, but haven’t yet actualized.  Really good concepts all inspired by the song Neverland from my album Broadway At The Keys.  

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When I first wrote my song We're Okay, featured on the album The Gospel According To Levi, it was an attempt to reunite my mother and I after coming out to her.  This podcast goes back to the moment when I became willing to build a bridge between myself and those who couldn't have more different views.  Being committed to love is easy when we are isolated by like-minded individuals.  It's only when we reach across the great divide that we truly discover what it means to be humble and empathetic.  Our desire for true Unity will eventually require us to know what it's like to walk in someone else's shoes.  

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I never like to present a problem without a solution and for my album The Gospel According To Levi, there were plenty of problems articulated.  However, the song Futurelove was a shift in the tone of that controversial album.  And in this episode, it is the catalyst for a conversation around learning to talk to others who may share a completely different world view than the one we value.  There is a willingness to come together in this lyric  - and I hope our passion for a world of unity inspires us to do the work that such a selfless and humble mission requires.  

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For decades, monotheistic religions have managed to use their holy books as a reason to drive up the body count of nonbelievers.  As a matter of fact, you will be hard pressed to find many examples of religion-inspired violence and bigotry before monotheistic religions  came to power.  From the twin towers, to slavery, to condemning interracial marriage, to withholding black men from positions in the priesthood, to women's suffrage, to same sex marriage and so much more, the common thread is men using "sacred" passages from their holy books to justify their violence and bigotry.  The song In The Name Of God features a myriad of transgressions justified by "righteous anger".

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Continuing with our featured conversations around songs from my album The Gospel According To Levi, I give the backstory on what became one of my most triggering songs for religious communities, Bittersweet Salvation.  The lesson for us is to never stop being a seeker.  Never stop questioning, reading and reaching beyond what is comfortable.  If our thirst for spiritual wisdom never ventures beyond what is familiar to us, chances are there is so much more to discover.  Best quote - if anyone is using fear to sell you a spiritual narrative, tell'm to get to steppin'. 

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If you know what you were called to do, it makes no difference if the people around you get it.  Let it confuse them.  Let them judge you.  Stand in your truth and stop waiting for others to give you permission to use your anointing!  Allow every obstacle to re-invent you.  Your anointing has come fully equipped to find its path.  Trust and believe in your inner compass.  I wrap up this month's focus on my album The Gospel According To Levi with a deep dive into my song Say It Out Loud.  

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Something about surrendering to a higher power in the face of our most intense challenges causes synchronicity to meet us right where we are.  Countless times I have seen something beyond me carry me through moments I thought I would surely fail.  In this episode, I riff a bit about my song Bad Habit and explore the power in the simple act of surrender.

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You heard Rev. Denise say it last season..."The context of our life creates the content of our life." Once we take a closer look at the old paradigms that give us the same disappointing experiences over and over, we are  free to create new paradigms that will create better circumstances.  In this episode I use my song Three Words as an example of how I wrote down all the old paradigms I had around relationships and created a list of new beliefs that actually worked to my benefit.  This concept applies to anything we desire to create - counter old life-denying beliefs with new life-affirming beliefs, work with them and watch them create new experiences in time.  

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Are you exhausted by how much weight we as a society put on virtually everything these days?  There is a real joy in holding things lightly, staying loose and allowing circumstances to go where they will with the inner assurance that the universe always has your back.  In this episode, I discuss how liberating it was to let go of my overly serious attitude around music and give myself permission to simply experience laughter through my song Tell Me Twice from my EP Bad Habit.

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We all gotta stumble before we're standing tall.  It's part of the learning process.  If recent failures have you feeling hopeless and loosing perspective,  be reminded that you have the power to transform any experience and there is nothing to be alarmed about.  You are lacking nothing.  In this episode, I do a deep dive into my song Standing Tall from the EP Bad Habit and review the four stages of spiritual awareness.

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Emotions are our internal guidance system.  They are to be observed and evaluated, but not necessarily absorbed as our identity.  Becoming the observer of our emotions creates a healthy distance between feeling and "being" that feeling.  "I am angry" vs "I have anger" is notably different vibration.  Instead of identifying with every rush of emotion we have, it is possible to become the thoughtful observer of our feelings and follow them down to the fundamental belief that is supporting that feeling.  In this episode, discussion is inspired by my song I Should Go from my debut album One Of The Ones.  

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Did you know that those of us who are prone to addiction are a special little breed with a natural inclination towards spiritual transcendence?  The problem is that we are seeking that transcendental experience through false substitutes.  When we realize that spirituality is the door to that transcendence, something clicks for us and we find a profound power.  If we daily invest in a spiritual solution, life can be a daily high that only Spirit can provide.  In this episode, I use my song Love In Another Light from my debut album One Of The Ones to tell my own journey from addiction to recovery.

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Forgiveness is not easy to come by sometimes, but nine times outta ten we are the ones that are still suffering - not them.  We are the only ones hurting by holding on to it.  Sometimes all the universe needs to hear is that little whisper from us that says "I am willing".  Just asking the universe to show us what we need to let go of - to show us who we need to become in order to forgive - it sets things in motion.  In this episode, I discuss the experience that informed my song Left Over and encourage all of us to lay claim to our own personal freedom through the power of forgiveness.  

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This episode is a great review of the four stages of spiritual awareness that I've referenced in previous podcasts.  I use my song Man Outta Me to transport me back to a time in my life where the journey from victim to victor was new and unfamiliar to me.  This conversation will remind you of your spiritual identity and the power that is inherently within you as a Divine expression of Infinite Potentiality.  

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It's the final episode of Season 2 and we have a bit of light discussion around my song Lonely Sunday Morning from my debut album One Of the Ones.   If there is any sort of offering this episode gives is just to encourage you to savor every experience you have in life - it makes us who we are.

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