The Lighter Mind

SummaryIn this episode of the Lighter Mind Podcast, Kyle, Alan, Cro and McRae delve into their personal journeys of healing and recovery, discussing the impact of trauma, spirituality, and self-acceptance. They explore the challenges of navigating trauma work, the importance of understanding different types of trauma, and critique various approaches to healing, particularly in the context of addiction recovery. The conversation highlights the diverse experiences of each participant and their unique perspectives on the healing process. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the complexities of trauma, recovery, and personal growth. They discuss the varying effectiveness of therapy, the importance of self-reflection, and the distinction between different types of trauma. The dialogue also touches on spirituality, the role of literature in recovery, and the significance of finding purpose in life. Throughout the discussion, they emphasize the need for appropriate support and the personal nature of recovery journeys. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the nature of awareness, the relationship between pain and emotion, and the importance of curiosity in managing pain. They explore various healing modalities, including cranial sacral therapy and the emotional release that can occur through physical work. The discussion also touches on the search for meaning in life and the acceptance of uncertainty as a path to personal growth. In this conversation, the participants explore themes of personal growth, the importance of male connection, and the need for safe spaces for men to discuss their experiences. They reflect on their survival patterns, the significance of honesty and accountability among friends, and the responsibility each individual has for their own life. Gratitude is expressed for the connections formed through shared experiences, highlighting the value of community and support in personal development.TakeawaysAlan shares his journey of healing through trauma work.Cro discusses his decade-long sobriety journey and self-discovery.The importance of spirituality in recovery is emphasized.Participants reflect on their experiences with trauma and self-acceptance.Critiques of trauma approaches highlight potential risks for early recovery individuals.The conversation reveals personal biases and perspectives on healing.Understanding different types of trauma is crucial for effective healing.The impact of early recovery on trauma work is discussed.Participants acknowledge the need for individualized healing journeys.The role of community and connection in the healing process is explored. Your experience in recovery may not be the target audience for some self-help books.Trauma work is essential for personal growth and understanding oneself.There is a distinction between big T and little t traumas, but both affect us similarly.Not all recovery literature is suitable for everyone, especially those in early recovery.Spirituality can evolve from a religious experience to a more personal understanding of self.Pain can be a visitor that we should welcome and understand.Curiosity about pain can change our relationship with it.Emotional release is often tied to physical pain.The journey of self-discovery often involves uncertainty.Everyone needs a moment of catharsis or ego death.Mindfulness can help us embrace uncertainty in life.Finding peace often comes from accepting what we cannot control. Personal growth often involves revisiting difficult material.The importance of male connection cannot be overstated.Honesty among friends fosters accountability.Taking responsibility is crucial for personal growth.Shared experiences can deepen connections.

In this engaging panel, the hosts explore the delicate balance between mindfulness, goal-setting, and planning for the future. They share personal stories, insights on living in the moment, and strategies for managing anxiety and expectations.key topicsBalancing mindfulness and future planningManaging anxiety and expectationsStrategies for living in the present while preparing for the future resourcesThe Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle - Buy HereThe Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078G9V4X4Mindfulness Meditation Techniques - https://www.mindful.org/meditation/mindfulness-getting-started/The Hero's Journey by Joseph Campbell - Buy HereThe Science of Happiness Podcast - https://www.ted.com/podcasts/the_science_of_happiness

This episode explores mindfulness, stoicism, dealing with grief, and understanding death. The hosts share personal insights and practical strategies for managing thoughts, emotions, and the fear of the unknown, emphasizing the importance of presence and self-awareness.Additionally we explore profound topics such as grief, mortality, emotional vulnerability, and the importance of authentic connection. We share personal stories and insights on embracing pain, feeling emotions, and living intentionally in the face of life's inevitable challenges.Key TopicsThe role of mindfulness and stoicism in managing emotionsUnderstanding and processing grief and deathTechniques for controlling thoughts and narrativesThe impact of fear of the unknown on mental healthPractical strategies for staying present and grounded The experience of grief and processing lossUnderstanding mortality and its impact on life perspectiveThe importance of feeling emotions versus thinking through them

This episode explores the profound principles of stoicism, its relevance in recovery, and how it can help us manage control, acceptance, and inner peace. Join us as we delve into ancient philosophies and practical applications for modern life.Key topics:History and principles of StoicismControl and acceptance in recoveryMindfulness and emotional regulationThe role of purpose and 'why' in lifeThe connection between ancient philosophy and modern mental healthResources:The Daily Stoic - https://dailystoic.com/Ryan Holiday's Books - https://www.amazon.com/s?k=ryan+holiday&ref=nb_sb_noss_2Meditation and Mindfulness Apps - https://www.headspace.com/Stoic Philosophy by Marcus Aurelius - https://amzn.to/4b4uyv6The Serenity Prayer - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serenity_Prayer

Summary:In this episode, the boys discuss the experience of public speaking at a mental health symposium, reflecting on personal growth and the challenges of overcoming fear. They explore the concept of the Hero's Journey, the importance of flow state in engaging with meaningful activities, and the role of community in personal development.The conversation emphasizes the need to push beyond comfort zones and engage in self-discovery, culminating in a discussion about the book 'Claim Your Power' and its focus on addressing internal barriers. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the complexities of personal trauma, the importance of self-work, and the power of reframing perspectives on life's challenges.They discuss the significance of confronting one's past, the role of anonymity in sharing experiences, and the necessity of setting boundaries while harnessing one's inner strength. The dialogue emphasizes the ongoing journey of personal growth and the value of community support in navigating these challenges.Takeaways:Public speaking can be a transformative experience.Overcoming fear is essential for personal growth.The Hero's Journey is about facing and conquering fears.Flow state enhances creativity and engagement in activities.Community support is vital for personal development.Engaging in meaningful activities leads to fulfillment.Self-discovery is a continuous journey.Pushing beyond comfort zones fosters growth.Reflection on past experiences can inform future actions.Claiming your power involves addressing internal barriers. Being open about trauma reduces stress and anxiety.Anonymity can encourage honest sharing of experiences.Confronting the subconscious is essential for personal growth.Trauma affects how we perceive and engage with life.Reframing challenges can change our experience of them.Claiming your power involves addressing childhood traumas.Self-care is crucial for helping others effectively.Avoiding issues only prolongs their presence in our lives.Harnessing our inner strength is vital for setting boundaries.Personal growth is a lifelong journey, not a destination.

In this episode of the Lighter Mind Podcast, host Kyle welcomes McRae, a seasoned professional with over 40 years of experience in mental health and recovery. The conversation dives deep into McRae's journey, starting from his childhood surrounded by self-help literature to his experiences with addiction and recovery. McRae shares his insights on the importance of mindfulness, the hero's journey, and the challenges of emotional regulation in recovery. He emphasizes that suffering often stems from being lost in thought and highlights the significance of being present in the moment. The discussion also touches on the role of community and the necessity of helping others as a means of personal growth and breaking free from selfish tendencies.As the conversation unfolds, McRae reflects on various psychological and philosophical concepts, including the idea of identity and the nature of thoughts. He introduces the concept of being 'headless'—a perspective that encourages individuals to focus on their surroundings rather than their internal narratives. This approach aims to alleviate the burdens of self-identity and promote a more profound sense of connection with the world. The episode concludes with a discussion on practical methods for fostering mindfulness and emotional awareness, making it a rich resource for anyone interested in personal development and recovery. In this episode, the conversation delves into the complexities of emotional experiences and the importance of feeling deeply, even in the face of suffering. The speakers discuss how detachment from emotions, often seen as a spiritual ideal, can be misguided. They emphasize that experiencing anger, joy, and other feelings is essential for personal growth and understanding. The dialogue also touches on the role of mindfulness and the challenges of navigating emotions in recovery, highlighting the need for self-awareness and acceptance of one's feelings as part of the healing process.The discussion transitions into the therapeutic use of psychedelics and their potential to enhance mindfulness and emotional awareness. The speakers share personal anecdotes about their experiences with psychedelics, emphasizing the importance of being spiritually prepared before engaging in such practices. They explore the balance between seeking transformative experiences and remaining grounded in reality, ultimately advocating for a mindful approach to both life and recovery. The episode concludes with reflections on gratitude and the significance of sharing personal stories to inspire others on their journeys.

In this episode we discuss how to stop running from one's problems and face them. Although the saying goes you can't run forever the boys know it's not true and the sooner you stop the better.

We revisit The Hero's Journey, based on Joseph Campbell's seminal book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces. We initially talked about this concept in the second episode of season one back in January of 2023.

We discuss shadow work, and movies that use shadow work for the plot including The Fight Club, Black Swan and The Dark Knight. The conversation was inspired by the Youtube channel, the Modern Intuitionist. We also revisit our conversation about mindfulness versus watchfulness.

In the episode we follow up with Kyle on the previous episodes conversation about guilt, shame and anxiety as well as discuss surrender, control and stoicism as well as the difference between mindfulness and watchfulness.

In this episode we discuss how we address dealing with guilt, shame and anxiety through different means.

Though focused on dealing with compassion fatigue and burnout for working in a recovery centers this episode has tolls and concepts for anyone, working or not, on how to keep from being overwhelmed by life in general as well as stressful work environments.

The crew return to podcasting after an extended hiatus. Kyle moved from Colorado to Georgia and it took us a while to get the train rolling again. In this we catch up and have a discussion about life in general.

After a bit of a break we've returned with guests Darci Nealeigh MA, LPC, EMDR and Mariah Devenish MSW, LSW, EMDR in a wide ranging conversation where we discuss trauma, attachment, adoption, third culture kids and much more.

Cro and Kyle discuss their experiences and share what' it's like to work in the world of addiction recovery.

This episode is with Dani, a Licensed Addiction Counselor, Licensed Personal Counselor, and neurofeedback therapist who Kyle has worked with and has been a client of. It's a wide ranging and interesting conversation. Dani can reached at (719) 259-4913 0r [email protected]

Cro leads a discussion on spirituality in general and how it can help with recovery. We get close to the woo-woo edge a couple times...

Kyle educates his Co-hosts on Gary Chapman's best selling book The Five LOve Languages.

For our first listener request episode we discuss sleep, sleep hygiene and our hacks, tips and tricks to get the most out of the third of your life spend in the sack.

In this psychoeducational episode we discuss self compassion and self forgiveness, and tools to help you do these,

In this psychoeducational episode we discuss the value of boundaries, the different types of boundaries and tools to help you have healthy boundaries,

Raquel has been an entrepreneur of multiple successful businesses in the health and wellness industry over the course of 27 years. Her businesses of Breakthrough Neurofeedback and Breaking Barriers Coaching are the culmination of over 30 years of studying human behavior in the midst of her journey of some of the greatest extremes of trial and tribulation, yet blessings beyond measure.

We're joined by mixed martial artist Adam "Unbreakable" Vigil who shares his inspiring story of rising above his troubled and addicted youth and a stint in prison to become a rising MMA star and man who lives in service to God and his fellow men.

In the episode we are joined by Jill McCormick of Sirius Pathways to Healing, Therapy and Counseling Services. Jill is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) through the International Association of Trauma Professionals. She is trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT), Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, and MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. She draws from different modalities and approaches as needed, respecting each client’s individuality. She loves to explore using “Internal Family Systems” and parts work. Mindfulness, body work and the exploration of “parts” of the self all inform her approach.Jill holds a Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, a Juris Doctor, Lewis and Clark Law School, Portland, OR and a Master in Social Work, California State University, Long Beach, CA.Additionally, she is trained and certified in:EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Mailberger InstituteSensorimotor Psychotherapy Level I, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy InstituteTrauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Institute of Behavioral ScienceCertified Clinical Trauma Professional, International Association of Trauma ProfessionalsKetamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) for Clinicians, Center for Optimal LivingKriya Institute Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Group Consultation ParticipantInternal Family Systems Training, IFS Immersion and Treating Complex Trauma (PESI)Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, PRATI GroupMDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy, MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies)

In this episode the Kyle, Cro and Alan, recap, compare and contrast their stories, and discuss the what their maintenance programs and daily routines to stay on the path are like.

In this episode Alan recounts his path though years of rage and binge drinking that led him to the point in his life where he wanted to make changes and work towards becoming a better human.

In the episode Cro recounts his journey from his childhood at an orphanage to his later in life alcoholism and getting the call at age 52 to sober up and give in to a life of service.Engineers note: We had a recording computer glitch at one point so the audio is a bit different for a few minutes in the middle.

The continuation of the episode where Kyle recounts his journey from his youth, through his depths of addiction to his recovery and gives hope to all who are struggling with addiction.

Trailer for Episode 6

In this episode Kyle recounts his journey from his youth, through his depths of addiction to his recovery and gives hope to all who are struggling with addiction.

In this episode we welcome a special guest and recovering addict to share thoughts on radical acceptance and surrender. NSFW.

In this episode we delve into attachment - both healthy and unhealthy.

In this episode we discuss Joseph Campbell's seminal book The Hero with a Thousand Faces and the concepts of the Hero's Journey.

In this episode we discuss personal growth, recovery and spirituality.

In this episode we are joined by our friend Alex and we talk about the road to recovery, radical acceptance and surrender.