The Observatory | Discovery of Consciousness & Awareness (The Observatory Podcast)

The idea of a podcast was an idea that we have wanted to do for a long time and now here we are, with a few more years of learning under our belt, which has helped because over the last 5 years we have gone through a lot, including Covid, a lot of world change, and change within our families. There has been some heartache, a lot of laughter, and every day we learn to love a little bit deeper. Larae led the corporate warrior life and Scott worked in finance, but in 2016 we decided to make a change and pursue a more meaningful path where we could discover more purpose. We’re excited to explore and share the deep insights and learning we experience with you.

Who we are 1:10
A big turning point for us in 2016 5:50
Coaching and mentoring 12:01
Music 14:06
Sharing the principles we have learned 24:44

“We want to plant seeds that point in the direction and for each one of you to just have more the courage and the strength to find those answers and to know that the journey into that discovery, the dark cave that you don’t want to go into, holds that treasure and that the treasure is really worth putting in the time and the effort to find it.” 19:24

This podcast actually started 5 years ago, when Larae bought the equipment to start recording, knowing that this was something they would do. While knowing this is what we wanted to do, life got in the way and things just stayed stagnant. Together we will explore stories, emotions, relationships, experiences, music, and anything else that will take us to that place of being. To who you have always been. We want to meet and talk with people who can challenge and push us to ponder and question what we thought was truth. We look forward to learning with you!

We have a good friend of ours on the podcast today, Mr. Hugh Vail. We’ve known Hugh for about 4 years or so and when we were introduced to one another, he began this process of working with wild mustangs. He was on his own journey of healing, which is something that really connected us. We discuss how horses are so similar to humans in various ways and how they are able to help us understand our own internal feelings. Our most profound messengers from inside of us are our emotions, and if we have resentment in our life or feel we’re carrying it, it’s because we have pain that has been avoided and ignored. “Don’t seek for peace because when you seek for it, all you get is non peace. Seek to just be OK with what is, and then you will all of a sudden have peace.” -Eckhart Tolle

What Mustang Medicine is 7:19
Horses are 99.9% the same as humans 20:53
Avoiding shadow emotions 26:15
Willful surrender 37:33
The rewilding event 44:09
The spiritual aspect to the event 54:57
Changing his belief that he was not a good man 71:07

“[Horses] are 99.9% the same as humans. There’s a couple things, obviously they’re on 4 feet, we stand up right, but when you get into the skeleton, they only have 2 more bones than we do because one of the joints in their feet moves differently. Other than that they’re the same, the same digestive system, the same reproductive systems, the same everything. The human body has 11 major systems and horses have the same systems.” 20:53

www.mustangmedicineevents.com
@hughvail

Today we sit down with our good friend, Jeffrey Olsen, to have a conversation with him about many different subjects. We delve into his near death experience, his book, his concept of wellness, connection to nature, indiginous ways, and all sorts of wonderful things. Jeff tells us his amazing experience he had when he died for a short time and the feelings and thoughts that went through his mind and heart during this occurrence. We discuss how you can look within yourself and find answers you may be searching for. We are constantly changing and learning, and realizing our own motivations can lead us to better understand who we are and why we do what we do.

How we met Jeff 1:00
Larae realizing she was very similar to everyone else 7:07
His experience in death 12:26
Acknowledging feelings 18:54
Guiding people to live in their moment and continue to turn inward 27:28
Finding answers within 39:24
Jeff’s process 41:51
International Association for Near Death Studies 56:05

“Everything had perfect order. Suddenly I was experiencing no judgment, in fact I was even judging saying ‘Wow, I hope I can be forgiven.’ and it was almost as if my judgment was the only judgment. There was no judgment in the universe, there was no divine judgment. It was just my own experience and my own judgments of it…We are divine beings. We’re having different experiences. All of our experiences are vastly different, but our emotions around those things is what connects us and unifies us if we’re willing to feel and experience that.” 15:52

Today we are delighted to have our guest, Shannon Bahrke Happe, join us and you’re going to hear a lot about her experiences as an olympian, an entrepreneur, a mother, a wife, how she navigates the public speaking world, and what has really changed in her life since Covid, how that impacted her business, as well as changed her perspective about what people are looking for or needing in their lives. As you’ll see, she’s a bundle of energy that is forever thinking and giving. Shannon talks about the importance of breath and how to use it to destress, re-center herself, and focus, which she has done to drastically improve her calmness in life. We hope you enjoy this episode.

The thing that has proved the hardest 2:27
Dealing with suicide 7:19
Her amazing training program 9:38
The importance of breath 11:58
Getting into the flow state or the zone 15:56
The ebb and flow of Shannon’s and Matt’s relationship 21:46
Becoming great at something 30:37
How her message/audience has changed since Covid 35:24
How the connection to nature has impacted her 40:42
Her mother and her strong role model 50:19

“Breathing is one of the things that we can do consciously and subconsciously, and with intention, and just with no intention. It all happens whether we’re exercising or sleeping, or in yoga, or whatever we’re doing, we have to breathe. It’s one of the things that when we talk about mindfulness, it is one of the sole things that can bring us truly back into our body.” 12:10?

@shannonbahrke

Today our guest is Dicken Bettinger, author of the book “Coming Home.” In his life he had the opportunity to work with and rub shoulders with Sidney Banks. Sidney had a moment of enlightenment in his life where he understood some universal principles of what life is, and it changed his life forever. We are pretty passionate about this and really it is the foundation of why we’re doing what we’re doing, so we invite you to sit back, take a moment, listen with your heart, don’t be attached to the words and just allow this message to flow through you.

Dicken’s background 1:51
Everyone is connected to cosmic energy 11:58
The 3 principles: thought, consciousness, and mind 18:41
For those who haven’t heard about this 24:06
Understanding the principles and putting them to work 37:47
Nature’s influence 48:33
People are beginning to understand 60:38
Feeling grief 63:44

“We are intimately a part of that dimension of life in the same way a wave is intimately a part of the ocean. We’re not separate from the other forms of life. It’s living us, creating us, breathing us, pumping our blood. We can’t not be that.” 15:54
“Insight learning is different than information learning. Information learning is memorization of facts, but it’s insight that changes people. Not information.” 24:38

Today we talk to a good friend of ours, Justin Swensen. He lives in Kanab, Utah and works in the wilderness therapy realm, working in a number of different ways and using other different methods, which we get into in this episode. Justin tells us about the positive effects that prolonged time in nature has on their clients and how they’re able to go and find that same connection with nature when they return home where you might not think nature or the same peaceful elements can be found. He has been able to see multiple young people experience the healing power that nature can have when prolonged time is spent there. “That cave you fear to enter holds the treasure that you seek.”

What drew him to this line of work 2:50
The value of being out in nature 9:42
An impactful story 14:51
How this work has impacted how Justin works and approaches the youth 25:03
Making the decision to go on the journey of wilderness survival 33:29
Finding good relationships 38:47
Music and its influence in therapy 46:16
How this has shaped him as a parent 58:13
Where he sees himself going from here 62:39

“He still struggled with his temper issue after that, but his desire to connect really depended in those moments and he started, when he would get upset, he would start looking for things in the desert that he found interesting and it would help him calm down.” 18:09

Today we are so excited to have on the podcast a dear friend, the lovely Courtney Anderson, owner of Spa Trouve, the premiere med spa in Utah where they offer services such as laser hair removal, Cool Sculpting, Botox and filler treatments, and medical grade skincare treatments. She is a very talented entrepreneur that Larae has spent a lot of time with and she currently has 6 locations, with a 7th coming March 1st. Courtney talks about the great many things she has learned on her business journey and how she has been able to overcome all kinds of obstacles both in her own personal life and in her business, constantly adjusting to scale whatever mountain of challenges she is faced with.

How life changing skincare can be 1:40
Are you where you expected to be? 8:00
Courtney’s dad and his influence he has had on her 15:24
Finding feminine and masculine balance 21:18
The role her husband has played in her life as an entrepreneur 26:27
When her husband wanted to change things up 34:48
Going to the next layer of Courtney 41:05
The old paradigm of male and female roles 50:51

“I thought ‘Oh, I can change the world with this manager. I’ll partner her in, and then this esthetician will grow and we’ll make her the manager and I soon learned that even the people closest to you leave and you can’t bank on the people you work with. You have to bank on your vision. You have to hold tight to your vision, and you have to implement processes and systems to keep that vision progressing.” 11:58

Today we welcome to the podcast Dr. Reid Robison, who is the Chief Clinical Officer for Numinus and also has several local clinics known as Cedar Psychiatry. He has his own podcast and Instagram, and talks about this subject at great depth there, which we’re going to get into today. We talk about the world of psychedelic therapy, how music is important in what we do and how it is really having a powerful effect in the lives of people who are dealing with difficult things such as anxiety, stress, PTSD, suicidal thoughts, and all sorts of things that are widespread today. This is ancient medicine for today’s medicine and we hope this can be something that will help those who are struggling.

How he’s incorporating this medicine into his practice and his backstory 5:26
Common ways people get stuck 13:25
The harm chart 19:33
What has drawn him to this 23:48
Coming in for a ketamine treatment 29:36
The importance of music as medicine 35:52
What medicine is to the mind 42:54
The Marsh Chapel experiment 47:34
What Dr. Reid gives to people and microdosing 48:55
Some of the success stories he has seen 52:09

“So far it is synthetic Psilocybin that is still, like at the studies at Johns Hopkins, like in the ones we’re doing, still at this dose, bringing about a very strong, mystical type experience, but we would love to use naturally derived Psilocybin from mushrooms, and that’s coming I believe.” 49:10

www.reidrobison.com

We are joined today by Gary and Leesa Price. Gary and Scott have known each other for a very long time and we’re excited to share this conversation we had with them. These two are a couple that really does like each other who have a strong belief that things happen for a reason and that their journeys are often the very thing that make us who we are. Leesa was widowed at the age of 26 and left with 4 children under the age of 6 when her husband took his own life and went through a really difficult time as she tried to adapt to this new phase of life, but as she was able to work through things, she eventually came to realize that she loved helping other women who were going through difficult times similar to the journey that she had just been down and navigate it better than she did. Gary and Leesa found each other 14 years ago and have loved every minute of their journey as they have grown together.

About Gary and Leesa 1:33
Divine Turbulence: Navigating the Amorphous Winds of Life 9:48
Talking non stop and experiencing synergy 19:48
The Statue of Responsibility 21:14
Where they are with this project 25:17
The gift of giving 35:43
The scope of Gary’s work 40:00
Gary’s belief in a higher power 48:50
TP nights 67:43

“For a lot of years Gary worked on this before we even met, and then as we came together we realized that it wasn’t just an idea, it was actually his destiny. When something becomes that significant to you, it’s no longer a hobby. It becomes something that you’re compelled to do, so quitting has never been an option for us and it never will be.” 25:58

statueofresponsibility.org
garyleeprice.com

We’re delighted to welcome Sheldon Lawrence, author of “Hearts of the Fathers,” to be here with us today. He’s a great guy and you’ll enjoy listening to him talk and explain his vision of this book that came through him. We discuss his book he wrote that really expands the idea of the afterlife and what it may actually be like, and that our learning and growth won’t end with death, but will continue into the next life. We will be our own judges and determine where we go and who we dwell with based on who we are or who we have become.

About Sheldon 2:14
Diving into “Hearts of the Fathers: A story of Heaven, Hell, and the hope of new life after life” 6:26
Sheldon’s intentions for the reader 14:31
The reasons that he was drawn to writing the book 21:55
Using anger as the metaphor 27:56
Forming the concept of how feelings would be explored 33:02
How the book has changed Sheldon 37:13
Plant medicine and their benefits 43:22
Escaping to nature 55:55

“It’s who we are. What do we resonate with? What are we drawn to? That’s the judgment that’s going to happen. I don’t believe in this judgmental God that’s going to be sitting there with a gavel ready to exercise some kind of judgment and here you go. But rather we are judging ourselves. Our very presence, our very being is its own judgment and that will determine the kind of spiritual society that we are drawn to.” 15:57

Today we have David Wise on the podcast, a very fierce competitor when it comes to the world of halfpipe skiing. He’s a 3 time medalist, 2 gold, and 1 silver in the Olympics, a 6 time X-Games medalist, and a world champion, but we talk more than sports. We talk about the sport of skiing and how his life has unfolded and all the things going on that make him wise beyond his years as a husband, a father, an author, and a competitor. We talk about hunting and the respect David has developed for nature, switching from using firearms to archery.

Introduction to David 2:20
How he was able to center himself with all his stress in life 9:08
How his mantra, “I cannot fail” came about 16:49
I choose joy 20:24
Hunting and working in a balance with nature 34:08
You have to adapt to nature and become one with it 42:11
The message David hopes to convey to the younger generation 50:54
Joys and challenges of being a parent and father 54:30
What’s in the future for David 58:06
Starting the new season 63:43

“There’s a difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is kind of a reaction to good times. Like ‘Oh this is a lovely morning hike I’m on, I’m happy about it.’ But joy is a deeper, almost more soul deep just contendant with where you’re at, even though you may want to be somewhere else, even though you may be headed in another direction, if you can find joy in the moment, then the world’s power over you is so much less.” 21:15

mrdavidwise.com
@mrdavidwise
@wiseotg

Today we welcome our dear friend, Kate Strong. She gets vulnerable as we talk about single motherhood, giving back to women, and her own transformation, which is a powerful story that has layer after layer. We love our conversation with Kate because it will resonate with anyone who is going deeper for themselves. We discuss the importance of self care and how important it is to make sure we are taken care of and being present. It can become so easy to find fault and blame the other person, but owning up to your own mistakes and imperfections will make your own life better and everyone around you will be able to see this positive change and benefit from it. “If we stop being curious, perhaps we’ll die.”

Starting at the beginning 1:37
Who Kate is 11:30
Self care can appear selfish 18:19
Life happening to you vs for you 23:41
Protecting your children from fallout 28:03
Not having to fix anything 41:18
Becoming a shaman 48:20
Imposter syndrome and knowing all the answers 59:48
The 5 pillars of self care 60:27

“I decided I would do a pajama drive for the local yoga studio where I started practicing, and at the end of that experience I had a girl walk up to me and said ‘You know Kate, I was there last year.’ and I said ‘What do you mean?’ and she said ‘I was at the shelter last Christmas.” I got in my car and I thought ‘How are she and I different?’ and it was powerful. I sat there and I just started crying and I said ‘You know what? I have resources and money, and that’s the only difference. So in that moment I committed that I would show up and I would help women.” 13:47

mystrongworld.com
@katestrongworld

Today we welcome our guests, Betsy and Gentry Mikesell who are not only amazing entrepreneurs, and you’re gonna hear about Beddy’s, which is an amazing bedding company that really changed the world in terms of making beds with ease. But you’re going to hear a life changing event that has filled their hearts with gratitude, and as we enter the Thanksgiving season, this story will warm your heart and inspire all of us to reach out to family, friends, and loved ones with gratitude. “It was the worst thing to happen to our family, and yet the best.”

Being an entrepreneur and the start of Beddy’s 2:15
Snapshot of what Beddy’s looks like today 9:53
The plane crash 16:29
Gaining consciousness 20:52
Having to wait for Gentry to heal 26:39
Fearing he might not make it 37:01
Learning to not be judgmental or critical 40:39
Where Alyssa was and how this experience touched her 42:10
Moving to Tennessee and how life was later 48:54
One final nugget of truth 52:10

“There were just so many things that came into place, like if we had crashed 20 seconds earlier, we wouldn’t have crashed near campers. We would have been so remote that nobody could get to us. So we feel super lucky for the way it turned out.” 19:30

Today our guests, Adam and Sashleigha Hightower are a dynamic couple navigating life through ups and downs, turns and twists, and the usual things that come with a new family. Adam and Sashleigha have both come from backgrounds where they have learned to navigate the trauma, the healing process, and really looking to find out who they are. Together they are actors that not only act together in movies, but are creating a real life story of their own and building a castle. Please tune in today and enjoy our conversation with these two lovely individuals.

About the Hightowers 2:18
Not being defensive in marriage 13:37
Adam and acting 17:10
Toxicity in a relationship 32:14
Communicating with your children 53:09

“People will stop a relationship because it’s ‘Toxic,’ But we did that and I believe that there are some toxic relationships, but I believe that a lot of them are just kind of, it’s a cool word to say, like ‘Oh he’s toxic’ so it’s giving that person permission to exit the relationship.” 32:18

sash@riseupphoenix.com

In this episode, our guests, Caitlin and Adam Heaps, will take you on a journey of where they as a couple have been in their lives. From early beginnings and early passion to all the lessons that they have learned, this is one to keep close because it shows up as a mirror to so many things that we navigate as couples. They were thrown into a more responsible life when Caitlin got pregnant and they decided to get married to raise a family together. They ran into a lot of issues and sort of lost sight of that which brought them joy in their relationship, eventually having some frank conversations and discussing how they could get back to a more happy place.

What makes them a dynamic couple 1:32
Getting pregnant and married 8:03
Finding patterns and trying to fit back into the story 18:00
Building family based on a fantasy 22:01
A traumatic experience with their daughter 24:57
Looking at how far they’ve come 34:20
Cultivating Conscious Couples 45:40
What lies ahead for Caitlin and Adam 55:42
Connect with them 65:25

“He was going out into the world and collecting money for us and coming home, and I would be sitting there like a puppy dog at the front door like, the house was clean and dinner was on the table, and it was like ‘Praise me.’ and he was like ‘Praise me. I’ve been out gathering.’ And so we were puffing our chests to each other, like look at what I’m accomplishing, and there was no fun. There was no joy. We were just so stuck in those roles of what it was supposed to look like.” 12:38

Today we met with our good friend Che Ernest. He has worked in the scientific world and has also worked in the spiritual world. We’re honored to have him on today for this amazing conversation, and we go over a lot of what he’s done in his life and the science that he’s worked with. Che worked in the Star Wars program that President Reagan started during his presidency, but Che later became disenchanted with weapons of mass destruction, so he moved on to study light and became a light scientist for 40-45 years. We discuss this planet, light, and how all these things work together to create the amazing foods and plants in this world that science can’t replicate, which help us live better.

Who Che is 1:58
Holographic technology that hasn’t been released 8:52
Che’s career 18:56
The natural growth of food vs artificial growth 22:00
A large lesson in light 28:17
Colonization and immune responses 38:55
What we can do differently 41:58
Unconditional love 47:19
Music 56:34

“That’s part of my story is how light and plants make perfect food and medicine, and they’re working in the light domain and the frequency domain, and the physicists are making drugs and pharmaceuticals, and processed food in this time and history domain where they can’t make things come together the way that plants can.” 19:54

We’re so happy to welcome our guest, Dr. Melvin Morse, who is a former physician that worked in a children’s hospital in Seattle, and he has a lot of stories to tell about children having near death experiences. We talk about that as well as music and frequency, and some beautiful things that he can share as only he can. He tells us about various patients they interviewed and did studies on to try and understand what was going on with the brain while it was so low on oxygen, during these moments that the patients temporarily died, and their findings on consciousness and the brain were pretty remarkable. Things don’t always seem to make sense, at least scientifically.

Dr. Melvin’s background and experiences 1:45
Being awake and aware at the time of death 8:33
How this has changed what he believes 13:02
Be kind and how this has profoundly affected Melvin 20:20
Near death experience of a young boy underwater for 45 minutes 28:10
1 over F Music (1/F) 31:19
Bathing the brains of autistic children with this music 38:19
Experiencing the vibration and rhythm 49:51

“She was 7 years old. She said she went to a place that she called heaven and she met Jesus, and I’ll never forget. She looked at me and said ‘I wasn’t dead. I wasn’t dead at all. Some part of me was still alive’ and she said it with such wonder. I feel so grateful that I’m able to hear these stories for the very first time because there’s such a sense of awe and wonder in the look in their eye.” 4:24

Today the tables are turned when Sasha and Adam Hightower interview Scott and LaRae, asking them about their relationship and how their lives came together. This will be an interesting way for you to get to know the hosts a little bit better as they are able to draw out some beautiful stories that Scott and LaRae got to experience together. They tell about their beginnings before they met each other, and then go into how they began the dating process. LaRae was not ready at all to date Scott when they got reconnected, but Scott had other plans. LaRae was a little skeptical at first and not sure about things, like how his sense of humor didn’t always line up with hers or he would say things that would catch her off guard, but she felt like being with him was an adventure and she soon was able to develop a good interest.

• The beginning, where they met and got married, Scott’s story 1:30
• The Facebook post 10:46
• LaRae’s story 13:53
• Taking care of her father using online dating 19:11
• Meeting with and starting to date Scott 23:20
• Determining the relationship 30:36
• Progressing the relationship in the right way 33:09
• Big shifts they had to make together 37:35
• Discussing and working through patterns, being a better communicator 45:03
• Having an argument and experiencing too much pressure 49:42
• Creating healthier patterns 60:30
• What they’re looking forward to in this upcoming retreat 64:13

“I walked her to her Mercedes and opened the door, and then I just took a hold of her and gave her a little kiss, and she had this really shocked look on her face, but she smiled. I knew from the smile that I had a little chance.” 24:53

Welcome to another enlightening episode of The Observatory podcast! In this episode, renowned social anthropologist, consciousness researcher, professor, and author Dr. Marilyn Schlitz joins hosts Scott and LaRae Wright. Get ready to embark on a fascinating journey as they delve into topics such as consciousness, transformative experiences, and integrating these practices into daily life.

Main Topics Consciousness and Transformative Experiences

• Dr. Marilyn Schlitz shares her vast research experiences and the current focus on studying the psychomanteum, a unique exploration of consciousness.
• The hosts discuss their personal journey of embracing a broader perspective on death and the natural processes of life, influenced by Dr. Schlitz's work.
• Reference to "The Toltec Art of Life and Death" by Don Miguel Ruiz highlights the significance of releasing past traumas and fears.

Transforming Fear and Integrating Transformative Practices

• Dr. Schlitz outlines the five essential elements of transformative practice: intention, attention, repetition, guidance, and surrender.
• Emphasizing seeking guidance through teachers, books, or podcasts and integrating transformative principles into various institutions and communities.
• Intention's role in communication and integration's power in personal growth and development.

COVID-19 and Personal Transformation

• The profound impact of the pandemic on personal growth and shifting perspectives is explored.
• Discover the positive aspects of introspection, utilize the time for creative and educational pursuits, and find inner strength during challenging times.
• Cultivating loving-kindness, empathy, and compassion in relationships and communication, particularly during disagreements, is highlighted.

Themes of Resilience and Conscious Relationships

• Gain insights into recognizing personal patterns and habits to facilitate positive change, along with the role of language and self-talk in personal growth.
• Explore "Love Study," the speaker's novel, which focuses on cultivating conscious couples and enhancing mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual communication.
• Hear personal anecdotes of transformative moments in diverse group settings and engaging scientific debates.

Coupling Beyond Physicality and Self-Actualization

• Discover the speaker's perspective on the importance of emotional, mental, and spiritual connections in relationships, recognizing the sacred power of physical union.
• Insights from the book "Living Deeply: The Art and Science of Transformation in Everyday Life" and practices like gratitude and mindfulness bring awareness and transformation into daily experiences.
• Addressing loneliness in the digital age, promoting compassion, empathy, and the power of community to elevate collective consciousness.

Exploration of Consciousness and Grief Processing

• Uncover the frontier of consciousness research and the speaker's involvement in evaluating theories beyond the brain.
• Learn about the speaker's current research on the psychomanteum, a sensory deprivation procedure used for grief processing, and its profound impact on grief and bereavement.

Surrender, Safety, and Technological Advancements

• The importance of surrender and inner safety in practices like hypnosis and creative thinking is explored.
• Discover different avenues to achieve transformative experiences, including drum circles and the potential benefits of psychedelics.
• Gain insights into the speaker's interest in the research and therapeutic use of psychedelics, approaching artificial intelligence without fear and focusing on elevating consciousness.

Notable Quotes

• "So those are the five elements of the transformative practice. And then finding a way to ground that in community, being able to live in the sense that we are part of a greater whole, being part of the natural environment, I think it's really important for people." - Dr. Marilyn Schlitz (Timestamp: 12:47)
• "And the most powerful union we can have as human beings is that physical union that we have. It creates life. And I think it's important that we hold that sacredness, not in the old dogmatic religious way, but in the essence of what it actually truly is." - Scott, 27:50.
• "Curiosity, I think, is what if people can stay curious and then they want to engage in what comes next? Yeah, I love that. Curious is the perfect word. I like that word too, because curiosity is the root of the beginning of creation." - Speaker 1, 43:17
• "But let's step into and elevate this consciousness to a higher level so that we're in a higher vibration or frequency of loving each other instead of being fearful of each other. Love and fear are the two really counter energies that we're really seeing now on the planet." - Scott, 48:41

Conclusion Prepare to be captivated as the Dr. Schlitz recalls an intriguing interview with an android named Sophia, contemplating death and consciousness. Stay tuned as they express their curiosity about experiencing a black hole. To explore more of Dr. Marilyn Schlitz's work, visit their website and check out their thought-provoking books: https://marilynschlitz.com/

Welcome to The Observatory podcast! In this episode, hosts Scott and LaRae Wright are joined by Mimi and Chase from The Medicin Podcast. Discover their personal journey of faith, spirituality, and thriving business centered around medicinal mushrooms. Explore beyond dogmatic religion and embrace a holistic spiritual and physical health approach.

Main Topics

Journey Beyond Dogmatic Religion: Mimi and Chase share their exploration of Christianity and expansion beyond dogmatic religious beliefs. Join them as they discuss the transformative power of exploring different spiritual practices and embracing a broader perspective.

The Medicin's Vision and Mission: Learn about Mimi and Chase's business venture, The Medicin, which promotes healthier living through medicinal mushrooms. They introduce their rare and effective product, Immune Intel AHCC, and express their disappointment in the lack of therapeutic doses of mushrooms in many products on the market.

Importance of Structure in Health: Discover the significance of structure in both spiritual and physical health. Mimi and Chase emphasize the role of structure in personal growth, relationships, and overall well-being.

Action Items for Listeners:

• Explore different spiritual practices beyond dogmatic religion.
• Prioritize structure in both spiritual and physical health.
• Look for mushroom products with therapeutic doses and adaptogenic properties.
• Visit www.themedicin.com/ for their products and recommended items.
• Subscribe to the Medicin Drop newsletter for ongoing information and updates.

Notable Quotes:

• "We just spent three years figuring out that we had nothing figured out." - Mimi (07:14)
• "Everything is a relationship, and mushrooms are a perfect mascot for this idea." - Chase (12:14)
• "We often say that human relationships are just mirrors for our own self-development. And if we can start to look at not just romantic partnership, although that can be a domain that's maybe the most profound and provides the most opportunity for learning about oneself and integrating shadow and these projections that you put on others, but it can be every relationship as well." - Chase (14:55)
• "The new medicine will be sound medicine and earth medicine. As we go forward, that will become the predominant medicine for humanity." - LaRae (44:39)
• "Mushrooms are adaptogenic... they assess the needs of the body and they adapt to those unique needs." - Chase (57:36)

Conclusion: Join Mimi and Chase as they share their inspiring personal journey, business venture, and passion for medicinal mushrooms. Connect with them on Instagram at @Mimi_theMedicin and @the_chasen_one. Explore their website, for their products and recommended items. Don't forget to subscribe to their newsletter, the Medicin Drop, for ongoing insights and information. Remember to prioritize structure in your spiritual and physical health, explore different spiritual practices, and seek mushroom products with therapeutic doses. The Medicin Podcast and its offerings are here to support your journey toward a healthier and more balanced life.

https://www.themedicin.com/

Revisiting one of our favorite episodes with Hugh Vail and his powerful message. Hugh is hosting ReWilding, a 4-day immersive experience July 6th-9th.

We have a good friend of ours on the podcast today, Mr. Hugh Vail. We’ve known Hugh for about 4 years or so and when we were introduced to one another, he began this process of working with wild mustangs. He was on his own journey of healing, which is something that really connected us. We discuss how horses are so similar to humans in various ways and how they are able to help us understand our own internal feelings. Our most profound messengers from inside of us are our emotions, and if we have resentment in our life or feel we’re carrying it, it’s because we have pain that has been avoided and ignored. “Don’t seek for peace because when you seek for it, all you get is non peace. Seek to just be OK with what is, and then you will all of a sudden have peace.” -Eckhart Tolle

What Mustang Medicine is 10:11
Horses are 99.9% the same as humans 23:45
Avoiding shadow emotions 29:07
Willful surrender 40:25
The rewilding event 47:01
The spiritual aspect to the event 57:49
Changing his belief that he was not a good man 72:59

“[Horses] are 99.9% the same as humans. There’s a couple things, obviously they’re on 4 feet, we stand up right, but when you get into the skeleton, they only have 2 more bones than we do because one of the joints in their feet moves differently. Other than that they’re the same, the same digestive system, the same reproductive systems, the same everything. The human body has 11 major systems and horses have the same systems.” 23:45

https://www.instagram.com/mustangmedicine
Instagram @hughvail

Welcome to another enlightening episode of The Observatory podcast! Our guest this week are Nick and Vileena Peterson, facilitators of the sweat lodge experience in the ReWilding event. Here we speak of the power and transforming of the Native American Sweat Lodge Ceremony. It is a cleansing ceremony, a purification ceremony, cleanses and purges the unwanted. The Sweat Lodge experience is not only a physiological journey, but also a journey filled with emotion and spiritually. In addition to the Sacred Salmon Run, traditional food gathering, and the importance of spending time outdoors.

Topics discussed on this Episode:

• The Sweat Lodge Ceremony
• Sacred Salmon Run
• Traditional food gathering
• Importance of spending time outdoors
• Reconnecting with Nature

Memorable Quotes:

• “We are nature, nature is who we are… there is not one lesson we cannot learn from nature.” LaRae, 53:55
• “Whenever we finish a prayer or finish a statement or finish speaking we close 'To all my relations' — to all my relations means the food in my belly, to the ancestors that have come before me, to the posterity that is yet to come, to the tree that is providing me shade and shelter. It’s all of it, it’s understand the connect in relationship that we have is what makes us rich existence, that were we feel wholeness and the greatest peace.” — Nick, 1:03:55

Welcome to the Observatory Podcast with your hosts, Scott and LaRae Wright. In this episode, we dive into the captivating world of primitive skills and the extraordinary experiences shared by our guest, Dave Wescott. Join us as we explore the origins of the Rabbit Stick gathering, its profound impact, and the enchanting journey of friendship and exploration with David Holladay. Prepare for an inspiring conversation that ignites your passion for nature, traditional skills, and human connection.

Episode Summary In this episode of the Observatory Podcast, we embark on a fascinating journey through primitive skills and the incredible bond between our guest, Dave Wescott, and David Holladay. As we delve into their shared experiences, we uncover the origins of the renowned Rabbit Stick gathering and its role in fostering collaboration among skilled individuals. We also explore the enduring legacy of Larry Dean Olson's influential book, "Outdoor Survival Skills," and its impact on our hosts' fascination with primitive skills.

Main Discussion Points: The Birth of Rabbit Stick and the Need for Collaboration

• Discover the origins of Rabbit Stick and its connection to the Boulder Outdoor Survival School.
• Explore the challenges faced by skilled individuals before the internet era.
• Highlight the significance of Rabbit Stick in facilitating learning and teaching primitive skills.

Rabbit Stick: Fostering Principles and Camaraderie

• Dive into the story of Rabbit Stick's evolution, from "rabbit stick rendezvous" to the "wood smoke rendezvous."
• Emphasize the importance of maintaining core principles and camaraderie among instructors.
• Reflect on the loss of original members and the goal of fostering instructor interaction and recognition.

The Beauty and Success of Rabbit Stick

• Explore the picturesque location of Rabbit Stick along the Snake River in Eastern Idaho.
• Appreciate the enchanting setting and its contribution to the gathering's continued success.
• Highlight the admiration for Dave Wescott's dedication to preserving the gathering's essence.

Lessons from David Holladay: Drumming and Shared Interests

• Uncover the deep friendship and shared interests between Dave Wescott and David Holladay.
• Discuss David Holladay's ability to ignite interest in various subjects, particularly drumming.
• Share memorable moments from Rabbit Stick and the profound influence it had on the guest.

Bridging Cultures Through Primitive Skills

• Explore the importance of engaging in conversations with different perspectives and values.
• Emphasize the value of learning from others without conflicts.
• Discuss the significance of Rabbit Stick in preserving and passing down primitive skills.

Notable Quotes

• "He's [David] a muse to me. I think he's a muse to a lot of people. He creates an interest in something, and then you just kind of go for it." Dave, 18:37
• "Those two skills that divide us from everything else on the face of the earth is fire and the cutting edge. And those two things are magical... You have to hold your mouth right. I mean, everything goes into that whole process to make it work. But it's those two things that I think we have a unique connection to just because... it's built into us." Dave, 29:10
• "There is no rush. Take time to slow down, take time to be present with whatever it is that you're doing, do it intentionally, observe it." Scott, 34:17
• "The depth of knowledge is more important to me in an instructor than breadth of knowledge, that they've spent time, that they've invested time, sweat and... and they know what works and what doesn't work from experience." Dave, 41:47

We invite you to reflect on the transformative power of primitive skills, the beauty of shared experiences, and the magic within our connections. Join us next time as we continue to explore living life from the inside out.

www.Rabbitstick.com

Introduction

Welcome to an engaging episode of The Observatory podcast! In this edition, we have the pleasure of introducing Jeff and Robyn Kirkham, an extraordinary couple who share their captivating journey, diverse experiences, and profound insights. Joined by your hosts LaRae and Scott Wright, who are dedicated to exploring the transformative journey of living life from the inside out, this episode delves into the Kirkhams' military backgrounds, entrepreneurial ventures, and the transformative power of drumming. Get ready for an inspiring conversation filled with personal growth, resilience, and the pursuit of purpose.

Main Topics Unconventional Journeys and Military Experiences

• Jeff's unconventional journey in the military, from a young recruit to a Green Beret serving in special operations.
• Post-military ventures, including creating a successful business around a tourniquet invention.
• Robyn's surprising path from a Jewish New Yorker upbringing to joining the ROTC program and pursuing a military career.
• Challenges and experiences faced during their military service, including deployments and near misses.

Transitioning Careers and Building a Business

• Robyn's transition from military police officer to joining the Coast Guard and eventually finding her way into the intelligence community.
• Meeting Jeff in the DC area and their instant connection leading to engagement and marriage.
• Settling in Utah and deciding to take a break from their military careers to focus on business ventures.
• Robyn's involvement in the Bundy standoff and its impact on her career choices.

Purpose, Resilience, and the Three Pillars of Well-being

• Importance of purpose in people's lives, especially during significant life changes.
• Exploring the concept of rewilding and its relation to finding purpose and balance.
• Discussion on the three pillars of resiliency: physical, psychological, and emotional.
• Understanding the interconnectedness of these pillars and practical tools for managing reactions and emotions.
• Emphasizing the role of community in personal development and well-being.

Managing Triggers and Difficult Conversations

• Strategies for managing triggers and difficult conversations with certain individuals.
• Recognizing and understanding personal physiological responses to triggering situations.
• Reframing experiences and relationships to reduce stress and anxiety.
• Importance of teaching children about emotions, reactions, and resilience from an early age.
• Expanding the discussion to holistic approaches to well-being and the significance of the spiritual or energetic connection.

Drumming Circles and the Therapeutic Power of Music

• Benefits of drum circles and creating a safe space for participation.
• Overcoming initial hesitations and experiencing the joy of playing without worrying about synchronization.
• Importance of balance in life and using drum circles as a tool to manage stress and improve well-being.
• The transformative power of drumming and its communal and therapeutic aspects.
• Introduction to the handpan and its ability to add beauty and tranquillity to their lives.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• "So right as I finished nursing school that Hugh reached out to me and said, hey, I'm thinking about starting this mental health retreat and, you know, do you want to get involved? And I was like, yeah." - Jeff, 11:45
• "I had him on the rails a little bit stressing because I was like, called him out on a few things. And I was like, your life, I don't think you're being fully honest with me about what you do." - Robyn, 20:00
• "You know, addiction is so rampant everywhere, all different kinds and forms that that takes. And if you don't change your environment when you're stuck in that pattern of your life or that habit of your life, then it feeds itself, right? In so many different ways that we see that happening." - Scott, 37:50
• "But you have community, your family, your friends, or whatever that's around you. And everybody starts getting into sync. And so it's like, it's as therapeutic as hitting a heavy bag times a hundred." Jeff, 58:12
• "So the balance is really creating where those legs of the stool are all very strong versus one is strong and the other have, you know, not the same amount of strength. So it's creating tremendous balance in their life." LaRae, 01:00:34

Introduction: Welcome to the Observatory Podcast, where hosts Scott and LaRae Wright dive into the depths of personal growth and self-discovery and explore living life from the inside out. In this episode, they share their transformative experiences at a Vipassana meditation retreat. Join us as we explore the power of observing sensations, releasing mental patterns, and cultivating awareness. Get ready to embark on a journey of mindfulness and reflection.

Summary: In this episode of the Observatory Podcast, hosts Scott and LaRae Wright take you on a profound exploration of their recent experiences at a Vipassana meditation retreat. LaRae's 10-day silent retreat shattered preconceived notions and provided unexpected personal growth. Throughout the episode, they discuss the significance of silence as a catalyst for transformation and delve into the practice of scanning the body for sensations. The power of observation and the importance of breath in anchoring oneself to the present moment are highlighted. By cultivating awareness without judgment, they share how they navigate life's challenges with a newfound sense of calm and presence.

Key Points:

• The transformative power of Vipassana meditation retreats.
• The significance of silence as a container for personal growth.
• Exploring the practice of observing sensations and using the breath to anchor oneself.
• Releasing mental patterns and navigating challenges with presence.
• Addressing the root cause of emotional experiences for effective clearing.
• Uncovering hidden aspects through deep self-exploration and compassion.
• Embracing love, compassion, and appreciation for others.
• Inviting listeners to embrace Vipassana meditation and attend a retreat.
• Paying it forward: Sponsoring others to experience the transformative journey.
• The growing demand and evolution of Vipassana centres.

Notable Quotes

• "Comparison is the thief of joy." - Scott (07:05)
• "It was nothing that I thought it was and absolutely everything that I needed." - LaRae (10:49)
• "And suddenly getting into that space and being in that space, just how deep that settles and rests the body and rests the mind." - LaRae (26:07)
• "You get rid of the nanosecond where you just react to understand the stage between observation and reaction." - LaRae (30:19)
• "And finally, we, we ended and, and this was what was the unique part is you ended, and you stand up to have a small break, and the pain is gone.” - LaRae (37:13)
• "The cave we fear to enter holds the treasure that you seek." - Scott (58:53)

https://www.dhamma.org

Welcome to another insightful episode of the Observatory Podcast with your hosts, Scott and LaRae Wright. In this episode, they sit down with LaRae's nephew, Nathan Chase Plummer, who is also the producer of the podcast.

Topics Covered in the Podcast: Nathan Chase Plummer's Journey:
From coming out as gay at 30 to building a thriving career as a published book author and podcast producer, Nathan shares his inspiring journey full of growth, resilience, and acceptance.

The Role of Family: Scott and LaRae explore the impact of having gay family members on their perspectives, and the love and acceptance that has shaped Nathan's life.

LGBTQ+ Representation in the Media: The conversation delves into the portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters on television, discussing its role in influencing understanding and acceptance.

Challenges within Society and Religion: They discuss societal biases and the need to challenge these perceptions for greater inclusivity. Nathan opens up about his interactions with religious leaders and the contradicting attitudes he has encountered, particularly within the Mormon church.

Mental Health in the LGBTQ+ Community: The conversation shifts to the serious issues of suicide and homelessness among LGBTQ+ youth, underscoring the urgent need for compassion and support.

Encircle's Impact: Nathan reflects on his participation in an event organized by Encircle, an organization dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ youth.

Importance of Pride Parades: The hosts respond to criticisms of Pride parades being overly flamboyant, highlighting their significance in promoting visibility and inclusivity.

Immigration and Education: The USA's shortcomings with international education policies.

Key Lessons from the Podcast:

• Unconditional love and acceptance within families can be transformative for LGBTQ+ members.
• Media representation plays a key role in expanding understanding and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community.
• Addressing societal biases and promoting inclusivity is crucial for a more accepting future.
• The importance of support organizations like Encircle in addressing issues like suicide and homelessness among LGBTQ+ youth.
• Pride parades play a significant role in promoting visibility and inclusivity for the LGBTQ+ community.

Additional Discussions: The inspirational journey of Zaid, from facing challenges in Honduras to establishing a successful life in America. The hosts' personal stories, including the origin of the nickname "Aunt Rae," and the children's book "The Boy Who Loved Unicorns." The professional contributions of Nathan in creating the podcast's branding and managing the production process.

Connect with Nathan Chase Plummer:

• Website: www.NCP.media
• Instagram: @NatersAdventures
• Email: productions@ncp.media

Notable Quotes:

• "I've realized looking back that my life really didn't start until I did come out." - Nate (08:46)

• "And nowadays like there's mainstream gay movies. Like it's just in the last 10 years, the world's so different than it used to be." - Nate (15:44)

• "Do we love one another? It should be that simple. And love one another regardless of the differences. You know, as I get older I am noticing a not of critizisem for my age. But it really makes you stop and wonder, what must exist in people that prevent them from loving people and being accepting of things that they may not know or that are just different from them. Because if we all had more curisotiy, I think it would be so much easier to love one another." - LaRae (32:22)

• "But there's a judgment, it seems, around gay pride parades and that when they're doing the same kinds of things. Well, and when I've heard people say that, why do they have to be so flamboyant? Like my question is, well, why do you have a problem with that? - Scott (40:30)

Nate's books & audio books: https://amzn.to/3GBp7nZ
www.NCP.media | productions@ncp.media
www.instagram.com/NatersAdventures

Today we are revisiting one of our highest downloaded episodes with our dear friend, Jeffrey Olsen. We delve into his near death experience, his book, his concept of wellness, connection to nature, indiginous ways, and all sorts of wonderful things. Jeff tells us his amazing experience he had when he died for a short time and the feelings and thoughts that went through his mind and heart during this occurrence. We discuss how you can look within yourself and find answers you may be searching for. We are constantly changing and learning, and realizing our own motivations can lead us to better understand who we are and why we do what we do.

How we met Jeff 1:00
Larae realizing she was very similar to everyone else 7:07
His experience in death 12:26
Acknowledging feelings 18:54
Guiding people to live in their moment and continue to turn inward 27:28
Finding answers within 39:24
Jeff’s process 41:51
International Association for Near Death Studies 56:05

“Everything had perfect order. Suddenly I was experiencing no judgment, in fact I was even judging saying ‘Wow, I hope I can be forgiven.’ and it was almost as if my judgment was the only judgment. There was no judgment in the universe, there was no divine judgment. It was just my own experience and my own judgments of it…We are divine beings. We’re having different experiences. All of our experiences are vastly different, but our emotions around those things is what connects us and unifies us if we’re willing to feel and experience that.” 15:52

Revisiting one our favorite episodes with guests, Betsy and Gentry Mikesell who are not only amazing entrepreneurs, and you’re gonna hear about Beddy’s, which is an amazing bedding company that really changed the world in terms of making beds with ease. But you’re going to hear a life changing event that has filled their hearts with gratitude, and as we enter the Thanksgiving season, this story will warm your heart and inspire all of us to reach out to family, friends, and loved ones with gratitude. “It was the worst thing to happen to our family, and yet the best.”

Being an entrepreneur and the start of Beddy’s 2:15
Snapshot of what Beddy’s looks like today 9:53
The plane crash 16:29
Gaining consciousness 20:52
Having to wait for Gentry to heal 26:39
Fearing he might not make it 37:01
Learning to not be judgmental or critical 40:39
Where Alyssa was and how this experience touched her 42:10
Moving to Tennessee and how life was later 48:54
One final nugget of truth 52:10

“There were just so many things that came into place, like if we had crashed 20 seconds earlier, we wouldn’t have crashed near campers. We would have been so remote that nobody could get to us. So we feel super lucky for the way it turned out.” 19:30

Revisiting a powerful episode with our guest is Dicken Bettinger, author of the book “Coming Home.” In his life he had the opportunity to work with and rub shoulders with Sidney Banks. Sidney had a moment of enlightenment in his life where he understood some universal principles of what life is, and it changed his life forever. We are pretty passionate about this and really it is the foundation of why we’re doing what we’re doing, so we invite you to sit back, take a moment, listen with your heart, don’t be attached to the words and just allow this message to flow through you.

Dicken’s background 1:51
Everyone is connected to cosmic energy 11:58
The 3 principles: thought, consciousness, and mind 18:41
For those who haven’t heard about this 24:06
Understanding the principles and putting them to work 37:47
Nature’s influence 48:33
People are beginning to understand 60:38
Feeling grief 63:44

“We are intimately a part of that dimension of life in the same way a wave is intimately a part of the ocean. We’re not separate from the other forms of life. It’s living us, creating us, breathing us, pumping our blood. We can’t not be that.” 15:54
“Insight learning is different than information learning. Information learning is memorization of facts, but it’s insight that changes people. Not information.” 24:38

Join Scott and LaRae Wright on another intriguing episode of the Observatory Podcast. This time, they delve into an enriching conversation with their guest Amy Wood. With Amy’s unique experiences and thought-provoking engagements, the topics from the episode range from holistic health, personal evolution, to forming conscious and supportive communities.

Topics Covered in the Podcast: Exploring Breathwork: Amy discusses her insights around facilitating breathwork events in Salt Lake City and St. George, as well as her forthcoming breathwork facilitator training at the Homestead Ranch.

Facing Personal Struggles: Amy opens up about her struggles and how they have shaped her. Amy's journey is a testament to resilience and growth from being married for 13 years, dealing with divorce, conscious uncoupling, and co-parenting three children.

Power of Community: Amy emphasizes the importance of community support and love, especially when going through challenging times.

Amy's Present Outlook: Citing a connection with what she terms as "forgotten parts," Amy discusses how she lets her pain teach her, and how that enables her to remember and reconcile with those parts of herself.

Music and Its Nuances: An interesting dive into how sometimes the 'space between notes' is just as vital in music, perhaps a metaphor implying the importance of one's journey as much as the milestone moments.

Key Lessons from the Podcast:

• Importance of connecting with forgotten parts of oneself and letting pain be a teacher.
• Embracing the power of the community for support, love and understanding.
• Recognizing that struggles never equate to being alone, and reach-out is always possible.
• The depth in considering 'spaces between notes' in music and how that reflects in life's narratives.

Connect with:
Amy Wood: Instagram @amylorraine.iam
Event Ranch: Instagram: @thehomesteadranch

Notable Quotes:

• "It really feels like just forgotten parts of me. And when I can take that pain and let it teach me what it wants to teach me it feels like I've I can remember those parts of me." - Amy Wood (35:55)
• "What comes from my heart is whoever's listening if you're struggling, like I have or felt alone, that that you're not alone, and that the community feeling supported and loved and community, it's, it's out there." - Amy Wood (50:13)
• "The most important, well not, a very important part of music that gets looked over is the fact that the space between the notes is also part of the music."- Scott (41:42)

The Observatory podcast, hosted by Scott and LaRae Wright, welcomes Derek McLaughlin as a special guest in this episode. The hosts first encountered Derek at a rewilding event in Vallejo, Utah. In this meaningful conversation, Derek shares his significant experiences and the wisdom he's gained throughout his life journey.

Topics Covered:

• "The Hero's Journey" (00:18) - Derek dissects his personal experiences filled with challenges and victories, interpreting it as his version of the "hero's journey."
• The Rewilding Event in Vallejo, Utah (00:41) - Insights and experiences on the rewilding event hosted in Vallejo, Utah, are provided, emphasizing its impact and influence.
• Conversation over Formal Coaching (01:14:56) - Derek discusses his preference for casual conversations over formal coaching and how that connects with the theme of rewilding his life.

Key Lessons

• Embrace Vulnerability - Derek's willingness to expose his vulnerabilities enriches his personal growth, underscoring the significance of openness in self-development.
• Importance of Conversation - Authentic conversation is emphasized to be as valuable as formal coaching, fostering deep human connection.

Notable Quotes

• "The hero's journey, dude. Hero's journey is you. It's me too. It's all of us. And that's the power of this because every person here, including all the attendees, have that hero's journey aspect to them." (33:41)
• A year, two years, a month, whatever it is. So I have a love of learning. It's one of my character strengths in the virtues and action survey. I love learning is always in my top five. (44:06)
• "I don't formally coach, but I'm always up for conversation. So just through rewilding, you can reach out." (01:15:05)

Welcome to the Observatory Podcast with hosts Scott and LaRae Wright. In this episode, they are joined by their friends, Kelly and Jessica Devenish to discuss their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and other topics.

Topics Covered: Transition with Your Spouse Kelly and Jessica share their insights on working together as spouses and how to maintain a healthy work-life balance. They emphasize the importance of communication, having separate roles within the business, and finding time for personal hobbies and passion projects.

Navigating Life Changes The Devenish family opens up about a significant life change involving their youngest daughter's mental health struggles. They discuss the emotions, worries, and challenges they faced as parents and entrepreneurs during this difficult time.

Reiki and Healing Kelly and Jessica talk about the role of Reiki in their lives and how it helped them navigate through challenging times. They also touch upon the complexities of family dynamics and the support they received from Reiki.

Key Lessons

Balancing Personal and Professional Life Kelly and Jessica emphasize the importance of setting boundaries and roles within their business while prioritizing personal and family needs. They highlight the value of open communication and finding time for self-care and hobbies.

Embracing Change and Resilience The Devenish family's experience with their daughter's mental health struggles taught them the importance of resilience, adaptability, and seeking support from various healing modalities like Reiki.

Notable Quotes:

• "And it was just a few months later that he had another heart attack while he was driving, crashed his car and died. My gosh." [25:47]
• "And I've told you this before because, you know, I know the experience that I went through, but especially the experience that my parents went through and the sacrifices that they had to make in order to be able to be parents for those other four children." [41:05]
• "Kelly wants to do more reiki. He's been doing more appointments than, you know, I think were before, but he just decided he wanted to do more and they start showing up. Isn't that kind of interesting how that works?" [01:14:57]

www.devenishduo.com

Instagram ::
@jessica.lee.devenish
@kelly.dev
@redneck_reikimaster

Thank you for listening to the Observatory Podcast. Please subscribe so you don't miss any of our future episodes.

In this episode of The Observatory, Jenn Drummond joins the show to talk about choosing the life that we live. As a devoted mom of seven, successful entrepreneur, and extreme athlete, Jenn has achieved significant business success as the founder and CEO of a thriving financial services company. After surviving a horrific car accident in 2018 that should’ve been fatal, Jenn set out to live an authentic and adventurous life. Now, Jenn holds the world record as the first female to climb the second highest summits on 7 continents, she is a successful business owner, mom of 7 children, international speaker, author of Quit Proof, and host of the Seek Your Next Summit Podcast. Hear about how all the 7’s aligned in Jenn’s life, the biggest struggles that she had to overcome, the lessons learned from her K2 summit, and learning how to trust her inner voice.


Timestamps

[03:45] Let’s get to know Jenn.
[22:28] The Sevens.
[32:07] Jenn’s biggest struggle.
[38:25] QuitProof.
[41:03] Learning from the mountains.
[52:41] Learning to trust the inner voice.

Notable quotes:

• “We do not get to choose how we die, but we sure get to choose how we live.” - Jenn Drummond [10:32]
• “Who we are as people is way more important than what we achieve.” - Jenn Drummond [48:31]
• “The hardest person for you to know is yourself.” - Scott Wright [55:13]

Relevant Links:

Website: jenndrummond.com.
Instagram: @thejenndrummond.
YouTube: Jenn Drummond.
TikTok: @thejenndrummond.
LinkedIn: Jenn Drummond.

In this episode of The Observatory, Wendy Wylde joins the show to talk about transformations and ReWylding. An entrepreneur to the core, Wendy has been a small business owner for more than 20 years. During those years she has mastered the ability to balance a thriving business and a fulfilling personal life. She is passionate about sharing the techniques she has developed with others who want to step out from behind their desk and back into the sunlight.

Hear about the story of Holmstead Ranch, Tony Hsieh’s impact, the labyrinth that Wendy designed, going through a journey of transformation, the kinds of retreats that happen at the ranch, how to book a stay at Holmstead Ranch, and why Wendy changed her name.

Timestamps

[01:46] A bit about Wendy
[06:15] Tony Hsieh
[10:03] Holmstead’s name change
[10:48] A magical labyrinth
[22:19] Wendy’s path of transformation
[27:05] Changing relationship patterns
[31:59] Healing retreats.
[35:08] A bit about Bob
[41:02] What’s next for Wendy?
[42:54] Hugh Vail and his Mustang
[50:54] Walking the labyrinth at night
[51:43] Staying at Holmstead Ranch
[53:08] Wendy’s breath-work events
[54:06] What’s in a name?

Notable quotes:

• “Choose different to get a different result.” - Wendy Wylde [24:35]
• “Names matter. Words matter.” - Wendy Wylde [55:31]

Relevant Links:

Website: wendysminks.blogspot.com. holmsteadranch.com.
Facebook: Holmstead Ranch Resort.
Instagram: @wendywokeup.
LinkedIn: Wendy Wylde.

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcasts.

Episode Summary

In this episode of The Observatory, Tessa Arneson joins the show to talk about how she’s creating a lasting impact on the world around her. Tessa Arneson is the co-founder of Maven District, a neighborhood of locally-owned businesses in downtown Salt Lake City, 75 percent of which are women-owned. She’s an entrepreneur, girl mom, angel investor, and real estate developer who builds community-driven spaces for founders.

Tessa feels fortunate to have spent the majority of her career working in her purpose: helping women lead brave and intentional lives.

Hear about how Tessa opens spaces for people, what it’s like to work with her partner Tim, the importance of advocating for entrepreneurs, the wisdom that Tessa has picked up along her journey, being the person that makes an impact in other people’s lives, embracing our big feelings, and Tessa’s traumatic brain injury story.

Timestamps

[02:06] A bit about Tessa.
[10:39] Tessa’s impact on people’s lives.
[17:35] Working with Tim.
[24:37] Becoming advocates for entrepreneurs.
[28:55] Tessa and LaRae’s
[28:55] Tessa and LaRae’s history.
[35:19] The new knowing generation.
[36:52] Tessa’s lessons to share.
[44:43] You make a difference.
[49:52] Being vulnerable together with others.
[58:48] Embracing big feelings.
[62:16] Tessa’s brain injury.
[74:21] What’s coming up?
[77:44] Expanding Maven.

Notable quotes:

• “We are so connected and so one, and more alike than we are different.” - Tessa Arneson [41:41]

• “Most people, most situations, even the ones that don’t work out, they’re there to teach you something.” - Tessa Arneson [46:25]

• “A lot of times, the impact you have, you’re never going to know about.” - Scott Wright [46:38]

Relevant Links:

Website: mavendistrict.com. mavenslc.com.
Instagram: @tesslaa1.
LinkedIn: Tessa Arneson.

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcasts.

In this episode of The Observatory, Barbara Bartolome joins the show to talk about near death experiences. Barbara is the Founder and Director of IANDS Santa Barbara. She has experienced two near death experiences. She has talked about her experiences in videos, documentaries, podcasts, radio and TV shows, and at conferences, symposiums, hospitals, hospices, colleges, churches, and at various groups all over the country, and beyond. Hear about Barbara’s two near death experiences, how her gifts have manifested throughout her life, experiences vs religion, the moment that changed her life forever, and her mission to help others.

Timestamps:

[03:24] Barbara’s experiences.
[26:17] Barbara’s gifts.
[42:27] Going to church.
[44:16] Experiences vs religion.
[53:08] Sharing her gifts with the world.
[54:04] Divine intervention.
[60:10] A new love story.
[68:50] The IANDSSB.
[70:53] No fear about dying.

Notable quotes:

• “The one who’s creating the separation is us.” - Scott Wright [44:36]
• “It’s in everyone’s life, whether you realize it or not.” - Barbara Bartolome [46:08]
• “When you ask for things, they do give it to you.” - Barbara Bartolome [65:11]

Relevant Links:

Website: www.iandssb.com. iandf.org. nderf.org.
SoundCloud: IANDSSB.
LinkedIn: Barbara Bartolome.

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcasts.

In this episode of The Observatory, Dr Ben Sessa joins the show to talk about healing with psychedelics. Dr Sessa is a trained MDMA, Ketamine, and Psilocybin Psychotherapist, Medical Cannabis Prescriber, and published author. He formerly served as the Co-Founder and Head of Psychedelic Medicine at AWAKN Life Science Inc. Hear about the research into psychedelics, how psychedelics affect the brain, bridging the gap between science and the ethereal, psychedelic music and art, the importance of non-drug sessions, the intelligence of the medicine, creating a sense of safety around psychedelics, and Dr Sessa’s contribution to this space.

Timestamps

[01:25] A bit about Dr Sessa.
[04:54] Getting into psychedelics.
[08:12] The science of psychedelics.
[10:08] Reframing the stress and anxiety experience.
[14:34] Bridging the science-ethereal gap.
[16:36] Accelerated healing.
[17:49] Psychedelics and terminal illnesses.
[19:23] Psychedelics and music.
[22:13] Frequency and vibration.
[24:58] Pre- and post-work.
[27:00] Should clinicians have experience with psychedelics?
[32:33] Dr Sessa’s pivotal moments.
[35:27] The intelligence of the medicine.
[41:13] Creating security.
[44:25] Cannabis research.
[50:37] Dr Sessa’s work in Australia.
[52:15] Dr Sessa’s words of wisdom.

Notable quotes:

• “Once those narratives are formed in early childhood, they tend to stick.” - Dr Sessa [13:44]
• “He who dies before he dies, does not die when he dies.” - Buddha [18:46]
• “Music is enhanced by psychedelics, and psychedelics are enhanced by music.” - Dr Sessa [21:10]
• “It’s never just taking the drug.” - Dr Sessa [25:19]
• “Our brains are constantly dynamic, and changing, and in flux.” - Dr Sessa [41:00]
• “All drugs have a benefit and a place.” - Dr Sessa [45:13]

Relevant Links: Website: www.drsessa.com.

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcasts.

In this episode of The Observatory, Venessa Dobson joins the show to talk about growing and learning through spiritual practices. Venessa is the Co-Founder and CEO of Pop Art Snacks, a gourmet snack brand found in over 1500 stores nationwide. Hear about Venessa’s journey through motherhood, her life-changing cleansing experience, how to reframe negativity, exploring the important life lessons from mystical teachings, and Venessa shares what the future holds for her.

Timestamps

[02:13] A bit about Venessa.
[04:59] The motherhood journey.
[10:35] The Goldman Sachs Program.
[15:50] Venessa’s life-changing experience.
[33:24] The fire metaphor.
[36:08] Reframing negativity.
[47:26] Vipassana. Can you do it?
[55:04] Mystical teachings.
[56:34] What’s on the horizon for Venessa?

Notable quotes:

• “Entrepreneurships is the perfect opportunity to understand who you are.” - Venessa Dobson [04:08]
• “The more that you’re putting out there, the more that you’re receiving.” - Venessa Dobson [57:26]
• “Take care of others and all of your needs will be met.” - Venessa Dobson [62:32]

Relevant Links:


Email: venessa@popartsnacks.com
Cell: 310-500-9033
Website: popartsnacks.com
LinkedIn: Venessa Dobson

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcasts.

In this episode of The Observatory, Amayra Hamilton joins the show to talk about re-growth through the grieving process. Amayra previously served as the owner of the Angel Valley Retreat Center in Arizona. Hear about the different layers that we work through during our journeys, the sacredness of the Angel Valley land, the concept of following your excitement, the transition that happens at 52, the importance of being present, how to process the human experience of grief, and Amayra’s commitment to helping others work through grief.

Timestamps

[02:33] Amayra’s annual travels.
[08:50] The layers of our lives.
[23:21] Perspectives on safety.
[25:35] The sacred land.
[26:31] Following your excitement.
[32:00] The Mayan life cycle of 52 years.
[41:17] Impactful moments in Angel Valley.
[52:42] Dealing with death and grief.
[66:48] Transformation of Angel Valley.

Notable quotes:

• “If you follow your heart, that will take you where you need to go.” - Amayra Hamilton [27:43]
• “Don’t try. Do it.” - Amayra Hamilton [50:19]
• “Every person, at some point in their life, has to deal with grief.” - Amayra Hamilton [61:24]

Relevant Links: Email: amayrahamilton@gmail.com.

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcasts.

In this episode of The Observatory, LaRae and Scott talk about the life of Arlo Jay Kunz. Hear about overcoming the many challenges of life, coming to terms with what was to come, the importance of how we frame life, processing the loss of a last parent, living a life of generosity, and preparing for the next steps of life.


Timestamps

[01:48] Towards the end.
[03:37] Losing a parent.
[09:25] Life challenges.
[12:09] Coming to terms with what was ahead.
[15:37] Framing life.
[20:50] Losing a last parent.
[28:17] A life of generosity.
[32:47] Thinking about the next steps.
[38:05] Words of encouragement.

Notable quotes:

• “The frame that you view life through is not what is important. It is what you feel and carry in your heart.” - LaRae Wright [15:44]
• “No act of charity is too small.” - LaRae Wright [30:17]

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcasts.

In this episode of The Observatory, Carol Lynn Pearson joins the show to talk about the search and advocacy of the feminine. Carol Lynn is a poet, author, playwright, screenwriter, performer, speaker, and philosopher. Hear about Carol Lynn pioneering gender issues, nurturing the mother energy, searching for the feminine face of God, when in history the goddess was taken away, shifting from patriarchy to partnership, and Carol Lynn reads poems from her book, Finding Mother God.

Timestamps

[01:34] A bit about Carol Lynn.
[20:46] Carol Lynn, the pioneer.
[27:15] The mother energy.
[30:52] In search of the feminine face of god.
[37:25] Where the goddess was taken away.
[41:03] Shifting the structure of patriarchy.
[42:17] Poems from Finding Mother God.
[60:15] Getting involved with Carol.


Notable quotes:

• “Strength is not owned by the male corporation.” - Carol Lynn Pearson [28:10]

Relevant Links:

Website: carollynnpearson.com.
Facebook: Carol Lynn Pearson.

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcasts.

In this episode of The Observatory, Taylor Cooper joins the show to talk about The Evolution of Taylor. Taylor is the Creator and Founder of the Conquer You Experience, the Medicine Wheel Drummers, and Conquer You Cacao, and co-creator of the REVERB Sensory Sound Ceremony. Hear about Taylor’s healing community, the pushback against his drum circles, finding relationships after his divorce, the REVERB healing events, the enhancing qualities of cacao for all ages, and the importance of taking a leap of faith.

Timestamps

[02:23] A bit about Taylor.
[05:12] How we first met.
[12:40] Taylor’s drum circles.
[19:53] Is Taylor appropriating culture?
[32:12] Relationships after Taylor’s divorce.
[36:55] Finding trust in another relationship.
[38:40] REVERB.
[44:17] Conquer You Cacao.
[49:59] The different cacao blends.
[54:18] What’s next for Taylor?
[55:27] Cacao for children.
[58:12] Taking the leap.
[60:28] Taylor’s words of wisdom.

Notable quotes:

• “Time is the illusion. The now is the only thing there is.” - Scott Wright [31:06]
• “It is in the leap that you find the reason to leap.” - LaRae Wright [58:44]
• “Make yourself uncomfortable.” - LaRae Wright [62:53]

Relevant Links: Website: www.conqueryoucacao.com.

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcasts.

In this episode of The Observatory, James ‘Fish’ Gill joins the show to talk about leading a life with heart and love. James is a heart coach, yoga teacher, and transformational facilitator based in Perth, Australia. He supports couples, businesses, and community groups to regrow trust, connection, and understanding. Hear about the truth about conflict in relationships, how James helps others let go of their traumas, how the world around us trains us to face pain, learning from our expression of emotions, the deeper language behind our pain, and recognizing the real experiences on both sides of a conflict.

Timestamps

[01:38] A bit about James.
[03:49] Relationships and conflict.
[05:48] James’ relationship blueprints.
[08:04] Helping others let go of trauma.
[13:37] Looking inward at pain.
[17:39] Relearning to trust our emotions.
[30:30] The language of our pain.
[35:22] De-escalating conflict.
[43:20] James’ 4 questions.

Notable quotes:

• “Conflict is the uprising of unmet needs.” - James Gill [04:27]
• “Our world trains us in dismissing pain.” - James Gill [14:46]
• “You can’t give to anyone what you don’t already have for yourself.” - LaRae Wright [25:06]
• “Compassion requires safety.” - James Gill [56:33]

Relevant Links: Website: www.leadbyheart.com. Instagram: @james_fish_gill.

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcasts.

In this episode of The Observatory, Jeremy and Karenin Robinson join the show to talk about their journey with psychedelics and plant medicine. Hear about reconciling psychedelics and LDS practices, moving away from religion, how plant medicine helps to let go of trauma and negativity, finding comfort in not knowing, what to expect with psychedelics for the first time, and their experience with Katy Perry and the Kardashians.

Timestamps

[01:47] About Jeremy and Karenin.
[05:46] Karenin’s journey through trauma.
[09:19] Plant medicine and forgiveness.
[10:38] Letting go of hate.
[20:20] Psychedelics and the LDS.
[42:50] The comfort of mystery.
[53:00] Experiencing psychedelics for the first time.
[64:24] "The Katy Perry thing"

Notable quotes:

• “Impermanence is a very real thing.” - Karenin Robison [12:35]
• “There’s power in saying ‘I don’t know.‘” - Jeremy Robison [22:12]
• “The next message you need is always right where you are.” - Jeremy Robison [63:40]

Relevant Links:

Website: www.flexliving.net. shroombeach.com.
Instagram: @flexliving.

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcasts.

In this episode of The Observatory, Hugh Vail joins the show to talk about how Rewilding is evolved. Hear about the magic of photography and art, defragging the mind, the benefits that people can derive from Rewilding, challenging the fear of letting go, the power of curiosity, the difference between feelings and emotions, the future of Rewilding, and how Rewilding has transformed Hugh’s life.

Timestamps

[03:53] What is Rewilding?
[08:49] The magic of photography.
[14:53] What is Rewilding?
[27:03] The mind.
[29:30] Who goes to Rewilding?
[36:27] Why we’re afraid of letting go.
[46:29] The life of Jeff.
[54:09] Being curious about ourselves.
[62:46] The people who have the biggest takeaways.
[67:48] Feelings vs emotions.
[77:26] Upcoming Rewilding events.
[79:28] How has Hugh changed since Rewilding?

Notable quotes:

• “Just be you.” - Hugh Vail [14:00]
• “Anything that you’re missing is inside of you.” - LaRae Wright [33:18]
• “People are afraid of what they’ll see when they see their whole self.” - Hugh Vail [37:33]
• “Curiosity is what turns the torture into the teacher” - Jeff [56:10]
• “Rewilding is for you.” - LaRae Wright [58:52]
• “The Greek word for vulnerability is a willingness to be wounded.” - Hugh Vail [82:22]

Relevant Links: Website: mustangmedicine.com.

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcasts.

In this episode of The Observatory, Angela Kirkham Goff joins the show to talk about the journey into awakening. Hear about the concept of spontaneous healing, finding stillness, how Angela found rich insights during her awakening, the importance of being mirrors for others, and the nature of twin flames and gematria.

Timestamps

[02:19] A bit about Angela.
[05:53] Spontaneous healing.
[12:33] Finding stillness.
[18:40] Angela’s rich insights since her awakening.
[27:15] Human Design.
[44:22] Being a mental projector.
[47:23] Being mirrors.
[55:33] Twin flames.
[57:57] Gematria.

Notable quotes:

• “Everything is a choice.” - Angela Kirkham Goff [16:49]
• “If you’re focused on the end or the beginning, it’s exhausting.” - Angela Kirkham Goff [18:26]
• “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” - Angela Kirkham Goff [52:11]

Relevant Links:

Email: angeladawn@inlightenyou.com.
Instagram: @angeladawnkirkham.
Facebook: facebook.com/aksmart.

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcasts.

In this episode of The Observatory, Lark Dean Galley joins the show to talk about living life after suicide. Hear about how losing a son has changed Lark’s life, the major contributing factors to suicide, how Covid provided a wake-up call, the importance of taking time, the power of living in the moment, and leading a life of grace.

Timestamps

[02:29] A bit about Lark.
[05:20] Losing a son.
[11:10] The Live On campaign.
[17:13] Reacting to the news as a couple.
[32:28] The Covid wake-up call.
[35:35] Changing life goals.
[40:29] Navigating the path as a family.
[45:14] Presence.
[53:20] Lark’s current relationship with Christian.
[55:58] Learning to Breathe.

Notable quotes:

• “Suicide is the number 1 killer of youth in Utah.” – Lark Dean Galley [07:00]
• “Everyone is affected by suicide in some way.” – Scott Wright [32:07]
• “When we make choices, we’re choosing our teachers.” – LaRae Wright [62:05]

Relevant Links:

Website: larkdeangalley.com.
Instagram: @larkgalley.

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcasts.

In this episode of The Observatory, Adam Sherman joins the show to talk about his journey of healing and transformation. Hear about Adam’s upbringing in love, his coming out story, how horses mirror our energy, going through a spiritual journey, making sense of chakras, healing through sacred medicine, and Adam shares a vocal tone message.

Timestamps

[01:57] A bit about Adam.
[07:23] Adam’s coming out story.
[11:09] How horses mirror us.
[12:51] Adam’s spiritual journey.
[23:06] Finding the frog-shaped stones.
[24:19] Integrating the messages.
[25:40] Connecting to vocal music.
[26:51] What are the chakras?
[35:56] Healing through sacred medicines.
[46:17] The Bufo Experience.
[58:18] Adam’s upcoming retreat.
[60:15] A vocal tone message.

Notable quotes:

• “We are the temple.” – Adam Sherman [21:23]
• “You’re the hardest person for you to know.” – LaRae Wright [34:41]

Relevant Links:

Email: adam51280@icloud.com
Website: www.letsgoquantum.com
Instagram: @adamcsherman
TikTok: @adamcsherman

Subscribe to the podcast:
Apple Podcasts

In this episode of The Observatory, Carol Lynn Pearson joins the show to talk about the doctrine of plural marriage in Mormonism. Hear about how the doctrine of polygamy developed, how polygamy causes irreversible damage, the importance of resonating with love, practical solutions to the problem, and Carol’s upcoming books.


Timestamps

[03:53] Have Carol Lynn’s views changed on the doctrine of polygamy.
[10:14] Mormonism and polygamy.
[18:00] How the doctrine changed over time.
[21:11] How polygamy showed up in Carol Lynn’s story.
[26:54] The damage that this doctrine causes.
[44:27] Resonating with love.
[51:30] Carol Lynn’s favorite passages.
[70:41] Solutions to the problem.
[74:15] Carol Lynn’s diaries.

Notable quotes:

• “It benefits no one.” – Carol Lynn Pearson [04:27]
• “However we deal with the past, it is the past.” – Carol Lynn Pearson [26:48]
• “Society must move historically into more and more of a place of light.” – Carol Lynn Pearson [72:15]

Relevant Links:

Website: carollynnpearson.com.

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcasts.

In this episode of The Observatory, Beau Oyler joins the show to talk about expanding his spirituality in the LDS church. Hear about Beau’s journey to his awakening, growing and healing with psychedelics, living in the Middle Way, expanding spirituality within the church, and his transformational experience in the Himalayas.

Timestamps

[01:56] Beau in the Himalayas.
[06:15] A bit about Beau.
[18:35] Breaking down the orthodoxy.
[21:44] The awakening.
[30:49] Beau’s changing perspective.
[39:14] The psychedelic experiences.
[57:26] The Middle Way.
[67:06] Expanding spirituality.
[79:48] Reflecting on the Himalaya trek.

Notable quotes:

• “We can decide to live in fear, or we can decide to live in love.” – Scott Wright [28:05]
• “It isn’t about the answers. It’s about the exploration.” – LaRae Wright [72:02]
• “To see and be seen. That’s what we want.” – Beau Oyler [77:59]

Relevant Links:

Website: www.enlisteddesign.com.
LinkedIn: Beau Oyler

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcasts.

In this episode of The Observatory, Roseann Higgins joins the show to talk about matchmaking. Hear about how Roseann ensures successful matchmaking, how she starts the conversations with candidates, her high success rate, the secret relationship sauce, how our requirements change over time, and how to start working with a matchmaker.

Timestamps

[02:08] A bit about Roseann.
[04:44] Matchmaking Success.
[15:37] Finding candidates.
[19:10] The success rate.
[21:37] What’s the secret sauce?
[39:43] Roseann’s love life.
[41:25] Revisiting our requirements.
[52:48] Working with Roseann. Notable quotes:

• "Trust that what they are telling you, and who you are Is enough." – Roseann Higgins [10:19]
• “Everyone wants to find someone and just not have their heart broken.” – LaRae Wright [14:25]
• “Find those ways to desire your partner.” – LaRae Wright [24:58]
• “Follow your bliss.” – Scott Wright [65:02] Relevant Links: Cell: 602-241-1800

Website: especiallyselective.com.



LinkedIn: Roseann Higgins.
Instagram: @roseannhiggins.

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcasts.

In this episode of The Observatory, experienced yoga teacher and recovering introvert, Adrienne Isbell joins the show, to talk about healing through meditation. Hear about Adrienne’s experience getting into drumming, her transformation through vipassana meditation, the misconceptions around meditation, and how to start liking things after letting go.

Timestamps

[02:08] A bit about Adrienne.
[06:13] Adrienne’s drumming.
[18:26] Adrienne’s call to healing.
[32:31] The vipassana experience.
[55:38] Getting lost.
[63:07] “I could never…”
[74:38] How to start liking stuff.

Notable quotes:

• “Discomfort isn’t discomfort once you get away from that idea.” – Adrienne Isbell [20:44]
• “Anything that’s coming up is there to teach you.” – LaRae Wright [47:40]
• “In that space of the stillness is where we find where everything is.” – Scott Wright [82:18]

Relevant Links: Instagram: @yoga_adrienne_2.0.

Subscribe to the podcast:
Apple Podcasts.

In this episode of The Observatory, Krista James joins the show to talk about reclaiming your truth. Krista is an intuition coach, helping guide people to reconnect with their inner knowing and reclaim their truths. Hear about how Krista became interested in exploring tarot, her significant faith transition, the freedom that came from letting go, the widespread purity culture, Krista’s experience getting into burlesque dancing, and the power of doing shadow work.

Timestamps

[03:13] A bit about Krista.
[07:40] Exploring tarot.
[12:01] Krista’s faith transition.
[28:51] Knowing what to keep and what to let go.
[33:26] Krista’s wild self.
[36:17] Permission to express fully.
[40:20] Exploration and curiosity.
[45:44] Purity culture.
[56:31] Doing shadow work.
[61:57] Challenging our own conditioning.

Notable quotes:

• “Instead of leaning away from discomfort, what if you lean in?” – Krista James [56:39]
• “Be curious about the meaning that you tie to things.” – Krista James [62:09]
• “It’s a constant journey.” – Krista James [70:36]

Relevant Links:

Website: yourintuitivealignment.com.
Instagram: @yourintuitivealignment.

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcasts.

In this episode of The Observatory, Jessica Darrow joins the show to talk about healing with CBD and plant medicine. Jessica is the co-partner of Bode Wellness, a certified organic, full-spectrum CBD company. Hear about Jessica’s transition out of Corporate America, the accident that changed her life, how our lives are like a solar system, how she is educating others about CBD and plant medicine, overcoming the biases that society has around cannabis and plant medicine, and how people could start using plant medicine and CBD for their own healing.

Timestamps

[02:22] A bit about Jessica.
[14:01] Jessica’s life-changing Africa trip.
[20:30] A life-changing accident.
[37:40] The solar system of life.
[42:00] Getting into CBD.
[60:50] Jessica’s words of encouragement.

Notable quotes:

• “You change the world everyday with how you interact with people.” – Jessica Darrow [13:51]
• “What you resist will persist.” – LaRae Wright [48:52]
• “Cannabis has been talked about enough that a lot of people see it now for the medicine that it is.” – Scott Wright [63:27]

Relevant Links:

Email: jessica@bodewellness.com.
Website: bodewellness.com.

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcasts.

In this episode of The Observatory, Jake Wiseman joins the show to talk about overcoming addictions. Jake is the Owner of Lift at Station Park and a Realtor with Realtor Rodger. Hear about Jake’s journey out of opioid addiction, finding himself through psychedelic therapy, living from the inside out, how the body holds on to emotion, and the power of living in authenticity and with vulnerability.

Timestamps

[01:58] A bit about Jake.
[03:31] Jake’s changing life.
[10:59] Opioid losses.
[13:55] Making a change.
[44:34] What makes the journey worthwhile?
[53:16] Living inside-out.
[55:42] Ice baths.
[63:42] Emotions held in the body.
[71:55] Self-awareness and authenticity.

Notable quotes:

• “You don’t know you’re addicted until it’s too late.” – Scott Wright [13:19]
• “The only way past is through.” – Jake Wiseman [52:46]
• “It is harder to change if you’re not trying to become more self-aware.” – LaRae Wright [72:02]

Relevant Links:

Website: liftatstationpark.com.
Instagram: @wisjak_/.

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcasts.

In this episode of The Observatory, Woniya Thibeault joins the show to talk about her journey connecting to nature. Woniya is best known for her appearances on Alone, on the History Channel, which has been referred to as the Olympics of Survival. Hear about how Woniya became drawn to nature, the power of connecting with our ancestral roots, how Woniya is helping others experience transformations in the wild, the power of a positive mindset, surviving with humility, building a daily routine with connections to nature, and Woniya reads from her book.

Timestamps

[02:20] About Woniya.
[04:08] Being drawn to nature.
[06:33] Learning ancestral skills.
[09:53] The teaching community.
[18:37] The story behind the book.
[23:26] Woniya’s most profound process.
[26:55] Living on beauty.
[30:03] The power of mindset.
[35:47] A lesson in surrender.
[43:19] Being Never Alone.
[51:26] Woniya’s daily routine.
[55:36] Becoming Ancestor.

Notable quotes:

• “You’re always vulnerable to the environment you’re in.” – LaRae Wright [41:45]
• “Don’t be afraid to be alone.” – Scott Wright [49:21]
• “There’s something powerful about what we ingest.” – Woniya Thibeault [53:48]

Relevant Links:

Website: www.woniyathibeault.com.
www.buckskinrevolution.com.
Patreon: Woniya, Buckskin Revolution.
Instagram: @buckskin_revolution.

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcasts.

In this episode of The Observatory, Dustin Grigg joins the show to talk about overcoming addiction. Hear about Dustin’s journey through addiction, when he realized it was a problem, the decision to make a change, the relapses, how his daughter caused a shift in his life, and dealing with loss.

Timestamps

[03:53] Dustin’s journey.
[10:44] When it became a problem.
[13:35] Finding light in the dark.
[21:12] The intervention.
[32:15] The next lesson.
[41:40] The big shift.
[54:59] What was it all masking?
[75:14] The blue feather.
[84:56] How many losses are there?

Notable quotes:

• “Everything life puts in front of you is a lesson for you to learn.” – Dustin Grigg [10:20]
• “Follow yourself. Follow what you want to do.” – Dustin Grigg [69:29]

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcasts.

In this episode of The Observatory, Dustin and Rachel Grigg join the show to talk about overcoming addiction and the part your spouse plays in that journey. Dustin and Rachel are a married couple with one daughter. Hear how they met, how Rachel felt about Dustin’s addiction when pregnant, what it was like when the daughter was born, and the changes that Dustin had to make to become sober and closer to the family. Dustin also advises people with an addiction who can’t go past the pain of stopping and shares the importance of transparency in a relationship.

Timestamps
[02:29] How Dustin and Rachel met
[08:28] How Rachel felt about Dustin’s addiction when pregnant
[10:00] What it was like when the daughter was born
[16:04] What prompted the deeper conversation on life
[20:23] Advice to people with an addiction who can’t go past the pain of stopping
[24:04] The changes that Dustin had to make to be sober and closer to family
[29:21] How the marriage survived
[33:51] The importance of transparency in a relationship
[36:54] The things that help Dustin and Rachel in their marriage
[46:04] How Rachel dealt with Dustin losing his brother
[56:55] The process of grief
[01:00:40] What’s next for Dustin and Rachel?


Notable quotes:

• “You are never going to stop whatever substance you are on unless you are 100% truly ready for the pain, withdrawal, and emotional distress you have to go through, and that’s why most people don’t stop doing things.” - Dustin Grigg [19:09]
• “You are only as sick as your secrets. To have that transparency with each other in a relationship becomes important so that you know when to help and give that extra support.” - LaRae Wright [33:26]
• “It’s so important to create time for each other in a relationship because life is so busy, and you can lose your connection.” - Rachel Grigg [45:12]
• “The only thing that matters in this world is not worldly things. It’s your relationships and the people that you hold close to you. - Scott Wright [51:00]

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcasts.

In this episode of The Observatory, James ‘Fish’ Gill joins the show to talk about love and awareness, conscious communication, and how it helps transform relationship conflicts. Jame Gill is a heart coach, yoga teacher, and transformational facilitator based in Perth, Australia. He supports couples, businesses, and community groups to regrow trust, connection, and understanding. Hear the simple practices for evoking safety during conflicts, including the art of validation. James also talks about the things that stop us from being masterful when validating others and the three questions to lead us deeper behind what we might assume to be malicious intent.

Timestamps

[02:10] The practice of conscious communication
[08:26] Simple practices for evoking safety in us during conflicts
[08:32] #1 The art of validation
[11:25] Validation 101, which supports emotional intimacy and safety
[15:07] The things that stop us from being masterful when validating others
[27:16] The threats that are vacuumed out by validation
[37:11] The ability to validate your intentions
[40:42] Fighting for mutual understanding
[46:40] Tapping into the neutral space in a relationship
[57:38] The homework for the week
[01:06:30] Three questions to lead us deeper behind malicious intent
[01:20:25] Bringing love and awareness to the very places it’s most ached for

Notable quotes:

“The more hyper-irrational we become, and the more engaged we become around firing off our little Facebook messages that are oppositional, the more we create the culture of opposition and judgement.” - James Gill [08:54]

“If someone has to be wrong in repair, then it’s not repair.” - James ‘Fish’ Gill [35:25]

“If I am holding in my left my experience and in my right your experience, and if I am really committed to bringing love and awareness to both, it’s only a matter of time for things to open between us.” - James ‘Fish’ Gill [01:01:35]

Relevant links:

Website: https://www.leadbyheart.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/james_fish_gill/

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcast

In this episode of The Observatory, Chris Wright joins the show to discuss the world of AI and how it can be used more positively, incorporating the best parts of humanity, love, and compassion. Chris is the Founder of The AI Trust Council, whose mission is to restore trust and authenticity in the digital world. Hear the meaning of AGI and ASI, the digitalization of humans to interface with the advanced technology and the super AI data collection system. Chris also talks about the defense AI systems that countries are buying, the critical things to raise awareness of in the world of AI, and how people can understand AI on a personal level.
 
Timestamps

[01:53] Chris Wright’s background information
[03:00] What got Chris in the space of AI
[07:05] What is AGI and ASI?
[09:46] The digitalization of humans to interface with the advanced technology 
[14:48] The digital track and trace system in Dubai
[16:08] The super AI data collection system 
[20:32] How AI recognizes changes in patterns in the human race
[22:00] The fundamental principle of the AI Trust Council 
[28:12] Who is in charge of the AI systems? 
[34:13] The defense AI system that countries are buying
[37:29] The critical things to raise awareness of in the world of AI
[40:03] How people can understand AI on a personal level 
[47:40] Aligning AI with the values of humanity 
[58:00] The best way to get more education on AI and its impacts on humanity 

Notable quotes:

• “AI has the power to take in information from the body and use it to manipulate you and sell you for profit.” - Chris Wright [19:11] “AI can predict your future as long you follow it.” - Chris Wright [23:58]
• “We have the opportunity today to build a system that controls AI and keeps it in line with humanity through human opinions.” - Chris Wright [45:46]
• “All great changes are preceded by chaos.” - Scott [47:14] 

Episode resources: Website: https://theaitc.com/

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcast

In this episode of The Observatory, Greg Jensen joins the show to discuss internal and external poverty and how we can help eradicate it. Greg Jensen is the Co-founder and Director of Cultiva International, which eliminates internal and external poverty by teaching people how to grow their own food and thereby showing them that they have the power to improve their own lives. Hear the unique philosophy that Greg uses to help people living in poverty and the importance of community in fighting internal poverty. Greg also talks about the misunderstanding of poverty and the biggest lesson he learned from moving to Guatemala from the USA.

Timestamps:

[01:53] The story behind moving to Guatemala from the USA
[06:27] The biggest lesson from moving to Guatemala
[09:47] The fear of the unknown
[12:16] The transition from trail running to starting Cultivate Institute and Cultiva International
[17:39] How Greg started helping people living in poverty
[22:10] The unique philosophy that Greg uses to help people living in poverty
[30:21] The misunderstanding of poverty
[32:37] The internal poverty
[38:42] How Cultiva International is helping fight internal poverty
[40:08] The importance of community in fighting internal poverty
[46:51] The story of the youth who fought internal poverty in Guatemala
[50:21] The type of groups that Greg works with
[59:50] The importance of reading books like a song

Notable quotes:

• “There is never a perfect time to do the thing that you always want to do.” - Greg Jensen [07:37]
• “It’s hard to separate ourselves from the service, especially if what we are doing is wrong and causing more harm, yet on the surface, it looks right and makes us feel good.” - Greg Jensen [24:33]
• “People with a lot of things and who have no worries about the financial aspects always live in internal poverty.” - Scott [37:38]
• “You can’t jump from seed to flower. You have to go through the whole process of the seed growing and going through the entire process to the point where it blooms flowers.” - Scott [01:00:30]

Relevant links:

Cultiva International: https://www.cultivainternational.org/
Cultivate Institute: https://www.cultivateinstitute.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CultivaInternational

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcast

In this episode of The Observatory, Lauri Poldre joins the show to discuss going within and learning how to live your life from the inside out. Lauri is a Healer who helps people regain inner peace, clarity, and harmony through sound, meditation, and breathwork. Hear what led Lauri into spirituality, his first experience with singing bowls, and how he got into helping people in their healing journey. He also talks about the role of nature in the healing journey and the different healing modalities you can use in your journey. 

Timestamps

[02:40] Lauri Poldre’s background information 
[05:07] The origin of spirituality in Lauri’s life
[06:47] The experience that led Lauri into spirituality
[11:07] What led Lauri into music, frequency, and sound healing
[12:16] The first experience with singing bowls 
[14:47] The festivals that Lauri attended in the USA
[19:06] Does sound healing help in the alignment of the Chakras? 
[21:31] How Lauri got into helping other people using sound healing 
[24:26] How the healing journey has helped Lauri find his true self
[29:08] Balancing the intellectual side with the conscious side 
[34:06] The different healing modalities that helped Lauri in his journey
[41:57] Joseph’s concept of the hero's journey 
[50:19] What the future of technology looks like

Notable quotes:

• “The answer is right here within us. We just need to sit in silence and allow those answers to come to us.” - Lauri Poldre [04:32]
• “Your family will always support you in your journey to finding your true calling and happiness in life.” - Scott [26:16]
• “If you want to upgrade humanity, you need to connect more with nature.” - Lauri Poldre [27:49]
• “Just keep going because eventually, it is going to unfold for you.” - Scott [36:54]
• “We all have a hero’s journey where we must leave what was once comfortable and face our mythical dragons.” - LaRae Wright [42:15] 

Relevant links:

Website: https://lauripoldre.com/
Facebook: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauripoldre/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauri.poldre/

Subscribe to the podcast:  Apple Podcast

In this episode of The Observatory, Dr. Madolyn Liebing joins the show to discuss the wilderness as an active participant in recovery that naturally facilitates healing, balance, and health. Dr. Madolyn is a renowned Wilderness Psychologist, Therapist, and Outdoor Behavioral Health Eagle Award Recipient. She is also the clinical director at Juniper Canyon Treatment Center and Legacy Treatment Center. Hear what drew Dr. Madolyn to nature, how she got into wilderness therapy treatment, and the results of the initial wilderness therapy experiment. She also talks about how humanity has moved away from nature and the five areas in which wilderness therapy treatment develops.
 
Timestamps

[01:32] Dr. Madolyn Liebing’s background information
[07:00] How Dr. Madolyn got into thewilderness therapy treatment
[11:30] The origin of the Aspen Achievement Academy 
[14:21] The results of the original experiment of wilderness therapy 
[16:30] What Dr. Madolyn did during her time out from the practice 
[21:07] The average length of the wilderness therapy treatment
[22:39] The inspiration behind Dr. Maddy’s passion for nature and its healing methods 
[26:28] What drew Dr. Maddy to nature
[29:29] How humanity has moved away from nature 
[33:17] The initial signs that show the treatment is working 
[34:57] The different types of trauma and different ways to treat them 
[42:36] The Right Of Passage (ROP) experiment 
[43:08] The five areas that the wilderness therapy treatment develops
[48:05] The importance of ceremonies and rituals in our lives
[53:00] The Clan of the Hand
[01:03:20] What the future holds for Dr. Maddy

Notable quotes:

• “Nature is one of the most amazing healing containers to spend time in.” - LaRae Wright.
• “Nature is so healing. Finding yourself in those challenging places is where a lot of that healing takes place.” - Scott.
• “Ceremonies and rituals are important in our lives because they can create an opening, an envelope, or a closing depending on what you are doing.” - Dr. Madolyn Liebing.
• “No one should stop you from loving. You should love no matter what.” - Dr. Madolyn Liebing.

Relevant links:

• Legacy Treatment Center: https://legacyoutdooradventures.com/
• Juniper Canyon Treatment Center: https://junipercanyonrecovery.com/

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcast

In this episode of The Observatory, Nick and John McGill join the show to share their touching surrogacy journey, from choosing an egg donor to the surrogate's pregnancy and the support they received. Nick and John have been married since 2013 and have two kids. Hear the process of choosing a surrogate mother, the challenges that Nick and John experienced with the surrogate mother and the experience of having a child two weeks early. They also talk about the finances that come with surrogacy, the challenge of states changing the laws of surrogacy on same-sex couples, and the organizations that support gay couples looking to have surrogacy. 

Timestamps:

[03:50] Nick and John’s wedding in December 2013
[08:05] The experience of getting kids through surrogacy 
[13:16] The challenges that Nick and John experienced with the surrogate mother
[16:57] The process of choosing a mother for the kids 
[24:07] The experience of Asher coming two weeks early
[30:00] The challenge of states changing the laws of surrogacy 
[34:46] How it felt to start the surrogacy process all over again 
[36:57] The finances that come with surrogacy 
[42:39] The exciting thing about the second surrogacy 
[52:00] The sacrifice that surrogate mothers make in carrying a child for nine months 
[59:00] The organization that supports gay couples looking to have surrogacy 

Notable quotes:

• “Love is love.” - Scott [04:04]
• “The reason why we went to Bosie is that in Utah, the whole thing about surrogacy with same-sex couples was black and white. There was no grey area.” - Nick McGill [26:42]
• “For somebody to be able to carry a child for you, nine months of their life, knowing it’s not their child, is something special.” - Nick McGill [51:39]
• “If a husband and a wife have a kid, their experience is different from somebody who is going through surrogacy because you are on the sideline.” - Nick McGill [57:51]

Relevant links: Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcast

In this episode of The Observatory, Benjamin Brown, aka The Fresh King Benjamin, joins the show to discuss how people can survive high-demand religious cults and rebuild their lives. Benjamin Brown escaped a Polygamist compound (an offshoot of Mormonism) at the age of 20 and struggled for years feeling so different from everyone in the “normal” society. Finally, he realized that his “freshness” is a gift that allows him to experience all the delights of this beautiful world. He now helps cult survivors to rebuild their lives. Hear what motivated Benjamin to leave the ploygamist world, the most important thing you can learn from leaving a high-demand religious cult and the wisdom that comes with having different experiences in life.
 
Timestamps

[01:31] Fresh King Benjamin’s background information
[08:28] The most important thing you can learn from leaving a high-demand cult
[12:48] The wisdom that comes with having different experiences in life 
[14:49] What motivated Benjamin to leave the polygamist world.  
[20:20] The polygamist Mormonism experience
[23:20] The origin of polygamist Mormonism ideology
[29:54] The untrue things that the church and Joseph Smith did 
[34:58] What the American Christianity has manipulated Christianity
[36:00] The transition from the religious cult into creativity and comedy
[44:00] How Benjamin uses comedy to heal from childhood trauma 
[49:00] The importance of letting people be their authentic selves 
[56:33] Other things that Benjamin is doing to overcome his trauma
[01:01:08] Where Benjamin does his comedy and events 
[01:09:20] The different cults that were created in the 1980s 
[01:10:49] Healing from abusive religions

 Notable quotes:

• “One of the most important things you can learn from leaving Mormonism is your inner knowing.” - Benjamin Brown [08:28]
• “Too many high-demand religious cults systematically break the spirits of those who are in them, and they do it on purpose.” - Benjamin Brown [09:45]
• “There is a lot of wisdom in allowing humans to have different experiences and the space to grow.” - Benjamin Brown [12:48]
• “You cannot make fun of something or someone unless you love them.” - Benjamin Brown [41:51]

Relevant links: Website: https://www.thefreshkingbenjamin.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefreshkingbenjamin/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefreshkingbenjamin/?hl=en

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcast

In this episode of The Observatory, Gabriel Logan Braun joins the show to discuss music and sound healing and how they promote inner peace, relaxation, and overall well-being. Gabriel is a world musician, sound healer, and life coach who has worked in recovery centers for over 14 years, teaching different healing modalities. Hear what drew Gabriel into music, how he became aware of the healing side of music, the transformation of music into a connecting place, and the role that music plays in the healing journey. He also shares what he does to prepare people to get into the space of presence and connection.
 
Timestamps

[01:25] How Scott first met Gabriel Logan
[02:48] Gabriel Logan Braun’s background information and how he was drawn to music
[06:12] The kind of work the Gabriel does in recovery centers
[09:30] The transformation of music into a connecting place 
[09:55] How Gabriel became aware of the healing side of music
[19:55] How Gabriel operates when he goes into playing live music
[22:08] The role that music plays in the journey to recover from addiction 
[28:30] What Gabriel does to prepare people to go into the space of presence and connection [35:00] The different healing modalities that Gabriel teaches people
[38:31] The deeper meaning of the word emotion 
[46:25] The workshop that Gabriel is going to conduct in Utah on April 26, 2024

Notable quotes:

• “Music is medicine.” - LaRae Wright [01:51]
• “Yoga is not about everything being perfect but about your soul being able to express itself in a pure, authentic state.” - Gabriel Logan [11:23]
• “The opposite of addiction is connection and music gives you that.” - Gabriel Logan Braun [25:37]
• “The more you can allow energy to move through you freely, the more it helps you improve your health and creativity.” - Gabriel Logan Braun [39:08]

Relevant links: Website: https://www.gabrielloganbraun.com/
https://www.gabrielloganbraun.com/show/wildfire-an-evening-of-primal-cultivation-at-shade-wellness-utah/
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wildfire-an-evening-of-primal-cultivation-tickets-880602585037?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkeQ0YJnXpBXmljVL-6Nh1g
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabrielloganbraun/?hl=en

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcast

In this episode of The Observatory, Adam Heaps and Mike Canales join the show to discuss The Energy Stack and how it helps create a safe space to reset, receive, and just be. Mike and Adam are the founders of The Energy Stack, a mix of modalities offering conscious entertainment and conscious connection. Hear how Adam and Mike came up with the name The Energy Stack, the beauty of mixing the modalities, and how The Energy Stack evolved into retreats. They also share the impact of the Energy Stack in their lives and how you can observe energy sources and use them as a tool for creation.

Timestamps

[02:38] The story behind The Energy Stack
[08:43] The beauty of The Energy Stack
[09:39] The place that Adam and Mike do The Energy Stack consistently
[11:29] How The Energy Stack evolved into retreats 
[18:00] How Adam and Mike organize the retreats 
[20:23] How Adam and Mike came up with the word ‘The Energy Stack’
[25:11] The impact that The Energy Stack has had on the lives of Adam and Mike 
[35:10] The second album that Adam is creating 
[40:47] Observing energy sources and using them as a tool for creation 
[48:56] The release of Adam’s second album
[52:20] The Energy Stack’s upcoming events 

Notable quotes:

• “The Energy Stack is such a beautiful container because it’s not only for healing but also about community, honoring one another, and holding space for brotherhood and sisterhood.” - LaRae Wright [08:23]
• “Men should realize that they are the source of their healing.” - Mike [16:30]
• “Music is energy movement. It moves, creates and manipulates energy.” - Adam [39:16]

Relevant links:

Website: https://www.theenergystack.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theenergystack Mike Canales: https://www.instagram.com/mikecanales_/ Adam Heaps: https://www.instagram.com/adamheaps/?hl=en

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcast

In this episode of The Observatory, Dalton and Carly George join the show to discuss the importance of genuine intentions and vulnerability in young couples. Dalton and Carly are a young couple who are newly married and have spent a year together on the road. Dalton is an over-the-road truck driver. Hear how Dalton and Carly first met, the time they spent together on the road, how it influenced their relationship, and their biggest growth point in their relationship school. They also share how they navigated the time on the track when they almost parted ways and how their background, coming from divorced families, has influenced their relationship today.
 
Timestamps

[04:30] How Dalton and Carly first met
[10:41] Having real intentions as a young couple
[15:57] The time Dalton and Carly spent on the road together
[22:00] The strongest growth point of Carly and Dalton’s relationship school 
[30:55] The growth in Scott and LaRae’s relationship 
[40:00] How did their experience in the track affect their relationship?
[45:25] How Dalton and Carly navigated the time on the track and nearly parted ways
[49:18] Background of divorced families, has influenced their relationship today 
[53:49] The importance of vulnerability in relationships 
[01:01:07] Dalton and Carly’s journey into getting married
[01:11:12] The beauty of the place where the marriage ceremony took place 

Notable quotes:

• “Dalton is open-hearted and a safe person around whom you can be your true self.” - Carly [08:09]
• “So much intimacy comes from the repair, not the lack of conflict or turbulence.” - Carly [12:06]
• “Being able to face the tough things together is vital for a relationship to strive. Carly [10:13:05]

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcast

In this episode of The Observatory, Scott and Ann Webb join the show to discuss making the big transitions after retirement that infuse you with energy in this new chapter. Scott and Ann are a married couple who made a big transition, moving from Utah to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where they found the opportunity to rediscover themselves, explore new interests, and engage in activities that fill them with energy and joy. Hear Scott and Ann’s experience of moving to San Miguel, the safety of living in Mexico, the story of building a country home in an ecovillage, and the experience of living there. They also share the process of making the big transitions after retirement.

Timestamps

[03:35] The experience of moving to Mexico
[08:00] How Scott changed his mind about traveling
[15:00] The story behind San Miguel de Allende
[17:34] The safety of Living in San Miguel 
[22:12] How Scott and Ann got into art
[31:54] Starting a new chapter that infuses you with energy after retirement 
[34:14] The story of building a country home in Mexico in an ecovillage
[42:11] The experience of living in an ecovillage
[52:32] The process of making big transitions in life after retirement
[01:06:00] The importance of giving away the things that you don’t use while alive 
[01:11:41] The new chapter that Scott and Ann are looking forward to start 

Notable quotes:

• “People in Utah are far more aggressive and less kind than San Miguel. People in San Miguel let everybody in.” - Scott Webb [19:30]
• “The happiest people are people with a community. Old people who live in co-housing are happier than isolated old people who don’t have a community.” - Ann Webb [48:19]
• “If there are things that I don’t use anymore, even pieces of jewelry, I want to give them now to people who need them so that I can be alive when they enjoy them, and they can know that they came from me.” - LaRae Wright [01:06:08]

Relevant links:
Website: https://www.truenaturebreathingandsound.com/

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcast

In this episode of The Observatory, James ‘Fish’ Gill joins the show to discuss building healthy relationships, letting go of projections, and owning our emotional experiences. Jame Gill is a heart coach, yoga teacher, and transformational facilitator based in Perth, Australia. He supports couples, businesses, and community groups to regrow trust, connection, and understanding. Hear the dangers of projection and why it’s easy to condemn others and not honor our experiences and emotions. James also talks about the condemn-condone polarity in the world, the importance of trusting your emotional experiences in building relationships, and the right way to express our emotions and open a healthy dialog.

Timestamps

[05:57] The habitual patterns of communication
[08:56] Projection: how to know we are projecting and its dangers 
[12:00] The idea of toxic people and red flags
[14:54] An example of how false our projections are 
[20:00] Letting go of the projection that a person is toxic and recognizing your experiences [24:21] The condemn-condone polarity in the world
[27:36] Why is it easy to condemn others and not honor our experiences and emotions? 
[34:51] The importance of trusting your emotional experiences in building relationships 
[43:41] Gendered emotional suppression that has emerged in James’ coaching
[46:00] The final barrier to owning our emotional experiences 
[52:56] The right way to express our emotions and open a healthy dialog 
[57:03] The indicators that we are in the conflict mode 
[01:00:00] What makes big emotions?
[01:06:00] Tips to resolve conflicts and create healthy conversations 

Notable Quotes: 

• “There is nothing wrong with what we long for and the unmet needs underneath. It’s just the strategy to meet them that needs to change.” - James Gill [07:74]
• “The inner experience is true and accurate. The outer projection is always false” - James Gill [14:47]
• “There is no healing in making someone the villain. The healing comes in recognizing the pain and having it attended to.” - James Gill [26:06]
• “Unless we trust our emotional experience, we will be deeply unfulfilled in our relationships.” - James Gill [34:51] 

Relevant links:

Website: https://www.leadbyheart.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/james_fish_gill/

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcast

In this episode of The Observatory, Doug Barlow joins the show to discuss how meditation and past life regression can unlock past traumas, enhance self-love, and help you spread positive vibrations to those around you. Doug, a Past Life Regressionist, uses past life regression therapy, progression therapy, and compassionate listening to help you discover and release negative thought patterns, both conscious and subconscious. Hear the origin of Doug’s passion for psychology, the self-help books that changed Doug’s perspective of life and started meditation, and the changes that meditation made in his life. Doug also shares tips on starting meditation, spreading the vibrations of love, and sharing his story about past life regression therapy.

Timestamps

[03:00] Doug Barlow’s background information
[06:08] The origin of Doug’s passion for psychology
[13:15] The game of manipulation the people love to play
[24:54] The self-help books that changed Doug’s perspective of life and started meditation [30:24] Doug’s journey with meditation and the changes it made in his life
[34:35] Tips to get meditation
[40:00] Striving for commitment and not riches 
[52:10] How meditation affected Doug’s circle of friends
[55:46] What people thought of Doug during his big life changes 
[01:00:17] The angelic forces meditation
[01:08:44] Spreading the vibration of love with a quick stare and pure intentions
[01:10:37] The most powerful feelings of love that Doug experienced during the angelic forces meditation
[01:21:38] Past life regression therapy 
[01:37:34] How the regression experience changed Doug’s relationship with his ex-wife [01:39:33] Loving people and being of service in a way that helps relieve suffering 

Notable quotes:

• “The only way you can say something is bad is by looking at the tiniest slice of time. If you look at a bigger slice of time, you can’t call it bad anymore because there is good right alongside it.” - Doug Barlow [05:19]
• “Be aware enough that whatever you say or do, if one of you is not here tomorrow, you won’t regret it at all.” - Doug Barlow [13:00]
• “It’s how you react to things that create your suffering.” - Scott Wright [17:05]
• “We might go through fifteen lifetimes and not accidentally cross or discover the karmic pattern we are stuck in or struggle with. In past regression, we can find it and release it in seconds.” - Doug Barlow [01:23:03]

Relevant links:

The book: Journeys Out of the Body
The book: Many Lives, Many Masters
Doug Barlow Website: https://dougbarlow.net/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doug__barlow
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/plrdougbarlow
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@doug_barlow

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcast

In this episode of The Observatory, Scott and LaRae discuss the profound concept of healing, exploring what it truly means, emphasizing why we crucially need healing, and guiding us through the transformative journey to achieve inner healing. Hear why the healing journey is so personal, how your belief system impacts it, and the things in your life that can ignite it. They also share the steps to take in your healing journey and why it’s important to let go of the need always to be right. 


Timestamps

[03:44] What is a healing journey?
[10:58] Why the healing journey is so personal
[13:04] God is a mirror
[18:03] How your belief system impacts your healing journey 
[21:02] The book: Wonderland by Steven Johnson
[27:33] The evolution of taste, music, and fashion 
[34:00] How the mind works 
[43:03] The moments in your life that can ignite your healing journey 
[50:34] The steps to take in your healing journey
[53:34] The importance of letting go of the need to be right 

Notable quotes:

• “A healing journey starts from the desire to become more aware of yourself.” - LaRae Wright [05:12]
• “Everyone is a mirror, and we get to see different perspectives of other people’s lives.” - Scott [13:08]
• “Your belief system is going to limit your ability to see other things differently.” - Scott [18:05]
• “Just because we think differently doesn’t mean we can’t be friends.” - LaRae Wright [29:37]

Relevant links:

LaRae Instagram: @larae_wright
Scott Instagram: @scott_david_wright
The book: Wonderland by Steven Johnson

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcast

In this episode of The Observatory, Bob Coleman and Wendy Wylde join the show to discuss how adversity can strengthen relationships, helping partners support each other and thrive. Bob and Wendy are a couple who have gone through many struggles in their lives. They now help each other grow and thrive by offering a third eye. They enable each other to see the things in the shadows. Hear why most people are uncomfortable with being vulnerable and the magic of intimate relationships with a feminine partner. They also share the effects of suppressing and repressing your true emotions and desires and ways to find the deepest healing in our partnerships.
 
Timestamps

[02:24] Bob and Wendy’s background information
[10:17] How Wendy and Bob first met
[12:00] The good thing about dancing retreats
[16:33] Why most people are uncomfortable with being vulnerable
[19:07] The powerful energy of desire
[25:47] The magic of intimate relationships with a feminine partner
[31:09] Bob’s healing journey from porn addiction
[41:00] The effects of suppressing and repressing your true emotions and desires
[47:05] The book: The Alabaster Girl
[52:25] Wendy’s journey from being masculine to uncovering her femininity
[01:03:54] The divinity of our sexuality
[01:06:03] Finding the deepest healing in our relationships
[01:10:59] The importance of following your intuition

Notable quotes:

• “There are many ways to get to where you want to go.”- Wendy Wylde [11:31]
• “The magic of being in an intimate relationship with a feminine partner who holds such divine goddess space is life-changing.” - Bob Coleman [25:20]
• “Growth needs space. It doesn’t need judgment or rigidity.” - Wendy Wylde [27:11]
• “When you start to become soft and are open to receive, you can drop things like judgment and defensiveness.” - Wendy Wylde [58:58]
• “When we are not in the space of fear, we are in the space of the divine and love because those are the two energies. - Scott [01:14:32]

Relevant links:

Book: The Alabaster Girl
Book: Return To Eros
Wendy Wylde LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-minks-16a7b810/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendywokeup/
Bob Coleman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-coleman-97481b1b8/

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcast

In this episode of The Observatory, Brandy Vega joins the show to discuss how we can end suicide by helping people get through the hard times and find purpose. Brandy is an entrepreneur, military veteran, and humanitarian. She has been involved in broadcast journalism, public affairs, media, marketing, and advertising professionally since 1995. Her goal is to help end suicide through her non-profit “Promise2Live.” Hear the strong message that Brandy got in the hospital when the daughter was hospitalized for attempting suicide that changed her life and the power of connection, belief, and hope in overcoming hardships. Brandy also talks about acknowledging those around us and how we can stop band-aiding problems and get to the root cause. 

Timestamps

[03:00] Brandy Vega’s background information
[06:21] The times' Brandy’s daughter attempted suicide
[10:26] The strong message that Brandy got in the hospital that changed her life
[14:35] The data on suicide
[19:44] The epidemic of loneliness
[23:08] The story behind the Pocket Hag project
[30:51] The power of connection, belief and hope
[37:11] How to stop band-aiding problems and get to the root cause
[47:18] Choosing kindness, giving peace, and leading with love
[55:27] The definition of love that Scott loves the most 
[58:32] LaRae’s Goal in life
[01:04:22] The importance of acknowledging those around us
[01:05:03] The event on the world’s suicide prevention day

Notable quotes:

• “People don’t want to die. They just want to end the pain.” - Brandy Vega. [10:58]
• “Anyone listening today, stop what you are doing and check on the people you love.” - Brandy Vega. [11:46]
• “The promise to live is the promise to reach out for help.” - Brandy Vega. [16:59]
• “Just because we don’t see it doesn’t mean that it’s not there.” - Brandy Vega. [40:30]
• “The way people treat you has nothing to do with you. It’s a reflection of what they are going through.” - Brandy Vega. [47:02]
• “The greatest gift of this world is to give and get love.” - Brandy Vega. [59:44]

Relevant links:

Brandy Vega LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandyvega/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandyvega77/reels/?locale=en-GB
Website: https://promise2live.org/

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcast

In this episode of The Observatory, Robyn Kirkham joins the show to discuss the power of ReWilding, how it helps you break free from emotional wounds, and how it empowers you to embrace your true self with clarity and confidence. Robyn is a ReWilding facilitator and has over 18 years of intelligence, law enforcement, and military experience. Hear Robyn’s journey in ReWilding as a facilitator and how she shows up differently after discovering her true self. She also shares the power of the different modalities practiced in ReWilding, the first step to change and fulfillment, and ways to create a connected relationship.

 Timestamps

[03:31] Robyn Kirkham’s background information and why ReWilding is powerful for her
[10:03] Robyn’s journey in ReWilding as a facilitator 
[12:47] The emotional dowry
[15:33] How Robyn shows up differently after discovering her true self
[23:23] Making small changes to create bigger impacts
[27:01] Ways to know the things that matter the most to you
[30:00] Robyn’s summit statement in her journey of discovering herself
[37:27] Creating a connected relationship
[40:46] The power of the different modalities practiced in ReWilding
[46:48] Self fullness
[56:26] The other things that Robyn is pursuing
[01:06:40] The first step to change and fulfillment

Notable quotes:

• “You don’t have to stop doing, but you need to make sure your doings align with your being.” - Robyn Kirkham. [19:35]
• “You are the people you surround yourself with.” - Robyn Kirkham. [22:32]
• “One degree of change over 365 miles will get you seven miles away from where you would have been.” - Robyn Kirkham. [23:23]
• “To have genuinely connected relationships, you have to be authentic, vulnerable, and accountable.” - Robyn Kirkham. [37:27]
• “Your cup is not for anybody else. It is for you. Once your cup is full, everything that flows out of it is for everybody else.” - Robyn Kirkham. [48:54]

Relevant links:

Robyn Kirkham Website: https://mustangmedicine.com/

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcast

We have amassed so many new listeners that this week we are excited to reintroduce you to your hosts, Scott & LaRae Wright!

The idea of a podcast was an idea that we have wanted to do for a long time and now here we are, with a few more years of learning under our belt, which has helped because over the last 5 years we have gone through a lot, including Covid, a lot of world change, and change within our families. There has been some heartache, a lot of laughter, and every day we learn to love a little bit deeper. Larae led the corporate warrior life and Scott worked in finance, but in 2016 we decided to make a change and pursue a more meaningful path where we could discover more purpose. We’re excited to explore and share the deep insights and learning we experience with you. 

Who we are 1:10
A big turning point for us in 2016 5:50
Coaching and mentoring 12:01
Music 14:06
Sharing the principles we have learned 24:44

“We want to plant seeds that point in the direction and for each one of you to just have more the courage and the strength to find those answers and to know that the journey into that discovery, the dark cave that you don’t want to go into, holds that treasure and that the treasure is really worth putting in the time and the effort to find it.” 19:24

In this episode of The Observatory, Melissa Watts joins the show to discuss how to break free from the constant need for others' approval. She explains how many people tie their self-worth to things like social media likes or career success and introduces ways to cultivate unconditional self-worth. Melissa is a Personal and Business Growth Coach. She is also the Founder of Hello Darling and Lash Bar, a company that uplifts and empowers women locally and internationally. Hear how Melissa got to Maui, got into kiteboarding and ayurveda and the importance of feeling worthy of who you are. She also shares the importance of listening to your intuition and discovering new ways of being.
 
Timestamps

[01:54] Melissa Watts’s background information and why she got to Maui
[04:42] How Melissa got into kiteboarding
[07:13] The question that goes through Melissa’s mind every time she goes back to the outside world from Maui
[08:30] The biggest lesson for Melissa now
[11:26] Melissa’s journey of discovering new ways of being
[20:51] Listening to your intuition 
[30:00] Feeling worthy of who you are
[42:03] How today’s podcast actually happened 
[44:30] Being less about staying comfortable and more about the joy of discomfort 
[46:05] The type of coaching that Melissa does
[50:00] What’s next for Melissa?

Notable quotes:

• “We are not human doings. We are human beings.” - Melissa Watts [10:21]
• “Our minds and bodies are so powerful at keeping us safe.” - Melissa Watts [23:29]
• “When things are centred in love instead of fear, we don’t need governments and religions because love is self-organizing.” - Scott Wright [25:43]
• “If you are striving for something to make you worthy, you get damaged.” - Melissa Watts [28:21]

Relevant links:

Melissa Watts Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hellodarlinglife/
Website: https://hellodarlinglife.com/

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcast

In this episode of The Observatory, Michell and Shiloh Powers join the show to discuss the emotional and psychological impact of the Lahaina fire on its residents, how individuals and families are coping with their losses, the support systems in place, and the steps being taken to address their well-being in the aftermath of the disaster. Michell is a Spiritual Channel and Teacher who is now dedicated to helping families experiencing grief from losing loved ones, homes, and property. Hear how the fire started, how people managed to get out of Lahaina despite the heavy traffic, the state of Lahaina now, and how people are coping with life. 

Timestamps

[03:42] The Lahaina fire that happened last August
[09:08] How the fire started
[13:00] The first time Shiloh and Michell heard about the fire
[18:05] How people managed to get out of Lahaina despite the heavy traffic
[21:42] The state of Lahaina now
[23:39] The timeline for people to get back in and start rebuilding
[29:00] How people are coping with life after the fire
[33:58] How Michell got into volunteer work
[40:00] Government support, insurance companies, and well-wishers
[44:38] The work that Michell does to help the affected families
[47:09] The spiritual masterclasses that Michell offers
[55:26] Strengthening our intuition and following it

Notable quotes:

• “80% of the homes and 10-15% of the commercial businesses in Lahaina are now cleared.” - Shiloh Powers [22:00]
• “Everything around Lahaina is beautiful. You will almost think that the town was not burnt down.” - Shiloh Powers [27:19]
• “You cannot go anywhere on this island and not see how the fire affected somebody.” - Shiloh Powers [32:40]
• “Intuition is the most important thing we should focus on right now.” - Michell Powers [47:16]

Relevant links:

The book: Universal Human
Michell Powers Website: https://michellpowers.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellpowers/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichellPowersAngels

If you're able to help, please Support Lahaina families in need. This Link shares the Venmo's of over 900 families who lost their homes and loved ones in Lahaina! Go to @lahaina_ohana_venmo to support individual families or if possible, donate to feedmysheepmaui.com or mauifoodbank.org

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcast

In this episode of The Observatory, Scott and LaRae discuss their experiences in Maui. They share their experience on the road to Hana, their experience with the sunset crew, the conversations they had with the young women from the crew, and their most meaningful takeaways from the trip. They also talk about the book; Universal Human, the love-based community in Maui, and advise the younger generation.

Timestamps

[02:50] The people Scott and LaRae interviewed in Maui
[03:32] Their experience on the road to Hana
[13:14] Their experience with the sunset crew
[15:49] Their conversation with the young women from the crew
[22:17] LaRae’s most meaningful takeaways from her experience in Maui
[30:20] About the book: Universal Human
[32:26] The love-based community in Maui
[36:18] The layers of fear
[42:35] Advice to the yonder generation

Notable quotes:

• “Sometimes. We all reach that point where we are either too tired or too frustrated that we don’t act how we usually act.” - Scott [09:50]
• “Our goal as we age is to reach out more and have meaningful relationships.” - Scott [11:39]
• “We are more similar than we are different.” - LaRae [27:56]
• “The acute awareness of what we experience within ourselves is what life is, not the outside experience.” Scott [34:48]

Relevant links:

The book: Universal Human

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcast

In this episode of The Observatory, Glen Wright joins the show to discuss his battle with cancer—the physical and emotional roller coaster. Glen is Scott’s brother and has been battling cancer since his diagnosis in February 2023. Hear the methods they used to treat cancer, the physical and emotional changes throughout the journey, the experience of getting tattooed, and the most meaningful things that came to his mind when he heard the news of having cancer. Glen also shares his best experience during the treatment, the encounter with the Vietnam War veteran, and the moment he realized that there was light at the end of the tunnel. 

Timestamps

[03:03] The battle with cancer
[06:55] The emotional journey throughout the battle
[08:23] The three methods that they used to treat the cancer
[14:30] Glen’s experience of getting tattooed
[17:14] When Glen first heard the news of having cancer
[22:00] The experience with the Cardinals
[32:23] The best experience that Glen had during the cancer treatment
[40:00] The best encounter with the Vietnam War veteran
[46:20] The moment that Glen realized that there was light at the end of the tunnel
[52:36] The experience with the fireman in the hospital
[59:31] Glen’s final advice

Notable quotes:

• “The chemotherapy was part of the therapy that was difficult. It had a lot of side effects and other physical issues.” - Glen Wright [08:58]
• “It’s tough to be positive when you don’t know what the outcome will be.” - Glen Wright [13:13]
• “No matter what you are going through, there is light at the end of the tunnel.” - Glen Wright [45:45]

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcast