We’ll be back with regular Beyond 80% episodes in April. 

In the meantime, this final episode of the Beyond the Brain series steps back to reflect on the journey we’ve taken together.

Across eight episodes, we explored near-death experiences, neuroscience, philosophy, and firsthand accounts from people who have been to the edge of death. From scientific research to spiritual interpretations, the series examined multiple perspectives on one of humanity’s oldest questions: what happens to consciousness when we die?

Rather than offering a final answer, this episode asks a deeper question: What does thinking about death teach us about how to live?

Because whatever the truth may be about what comes next, one thing becomes clear—life itself is extraordinary, and how we live it might be the most important question of all.

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In this episode of Beyond 80%, host Ryan Olexson is joined by Gretchen Jones, a death doula who supports individuals and families through the final stages of life, and someone who has personally experienced profound shared death experiences. While much of this season has explored near-death experiences from the perspective of those who return, Gretchen offers a different lens: the experiences of those who remain and those who sit with the dying and sometimes cross the threshold alongside them. Gretchen shares what she has witnessed at the bedside, including common patterns in the dying process, moments of unexpected clarity, and the extraordinary phenomenon of shared death experiences, where loved ones or caregivers briefly experience non-ordinary states of consciousness during another person’s death. Through deeply personal stories, Gretchen invites us to reconsider our cultural relationship with death, and how embracing mortality can transform the way we live. This conversation explores death not as something to fear or avoid, but as a sacred transition, one that reveals connection, compassion, and a deeper understanding of consciousness itself.
 

Timestamps: 
01:00 – Introducing Gretchen Jones and death work
02:15 – What is a death doula?
04:00 – How Western culture became disconnected from death
07:45 – Being present at the bedside and what it reveals
10:00 – Rituals that help families reconnect with dying
12:10 – Near-death experiences vs. shared death experiences
15:30 – Common features of shared death experiences
18:30 – Consciousness beyond the physical body
21:45 – A powerful shared death experience with Mr. Virgil
32:00 – What dying teaches us about love and acceptance
35:00 – Terminal lucidity and final moments of clarity
38:00 – How facing death changes how we live
41:30 – Letting go of fear and reframing death
44:00 – Final reflections on death as a doorway

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In this episode of Beyond 80%, host Ryan Olexson explores the profound nature of consciousness with Dr. Susan Blackmore, a psychologist and philosopher renowned for her work on out-of-body experiences and the nature of the self. Dr. Blackmore recounts her own transformative experiences and discusses how neuroscience and zen practice converge in understanding consciousness. The conversation delves into the concept of the self as a dynamic process rather than a fixed entity, the brain's role in constructing reality, and the implications for how we live and face mortality. Listeners are invited to reconsider deeply entrenched notions of identity, free will, and the mystery of being conscious at all.

• 00:00 Introduction: The Mystery of Consciousness
• 00:36 Exploring Near Death Experiences
• 00:56 Meet Dr. Susan Blackmore
• 02:48 A Life-Changing Out-of-Body Experience
• 06:52 Skepticism and Parapsychology
• 11:26 The Self as a Process
• 18:17 The Neuroscience of Consciousness
• 25:42 Near Death Experiences and the Brain
• 31:24 Altered States of Consciousness
• 35:53 Living Without Free Will
• 40:19 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

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In this episode of Beyond 80%, host Ryan Olexson speaks with Dr. Kevin Nelson, a neurologist and author of 'The Spiritual Doorway in the Brain,' about the neurological underpinnings of near-death experiences (NDEs). Dr. Nelson explains how extraordinary experiences during NDEs, such as tunnels of light and out-of-body sensations, can be traced back to brain physiology. He discusses the role of REM intrusion and the brain's intricate wiring in merging different states of consciousness. The conversation explores whether NDEs are supernatural or if they reveal the brain's profound ability to generate reality, even at its limits. Dr. Nelson also shares compelling anecdotes from his career and offers insights into the ongoing debate over whether consciousness can exist independent of the brain.

• 00:00 Introduction: The Extraordinary Claim of Consciousness Beyond the Brain
• 01:02 Experiencers' Stories and the Skeptical View
• 01:35 Introducing Dr. Kevin Nelson: The Neurologist's Perspective
• 02:26 Dr. Nelson's Journey into Near-Death Experiences
• 04:10 The Brain's Role in Near-Death Experiences
• 05:13 REM Intrusion and Its Connection to NDEs
• 07:22 The Spiritual and Mystical Aspects of NDEs
• 10:13 Common Features of NDEs Explained by Neuroscience
• 21:41 The Brain's Primitive Functions and Evolutionary Purpose
• 22:34 The Debate: Consciousness Beyond the Brain
• 27:19 The Importance of Understanding the Brain
• 37:43 The Ongoing Mystery of Consciousness
• 38:47 Conclusion: NDEs as Windows into the Mind

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In part 2 of the Experiencers episode, host Ryan Olexson examines the challenging aftermath of near-death experiences (NDEs) through the personal stories of five individuals. The episode chronicles the painful and transformative journey of reentry into life, highlighting the physical, emotional, and spiritual adjustments each person undergoes. From medical recoveries to existential realizations, it delves into the messiness of living with the profound insights gained from near-death experiences.

• 00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer
• 01:18 The Journey Back: Awakening in a Body
• 02:21 Ash Perrow's Return: From Surgery to Suffering
• 03:44 John Davis: From Marble Halls to Recovery Lights
• 05:14 Christina Duffy: An Eight-Year-Old's Transition
• 06:29 Kathy McDaniel: From Coma to Consciousness
• 07:17 Rosemary's Miraculous Healing
• 07:58 The Challenges of Reentry
• 11:49 Personal Transformations and New Purposes
• 21:38 Catholic Near-Death Experiences
• 22:45 Skepticism from Friends and Family
• 24:29 Life Review and Its Lessons
• 28:46 Past Lifetimes Revealed
• 32:43 Free Will and Negative Energy
• 33:36 Healing Through Compassion
• 34:47 Living with a New Compass
• 44:40 The Brain's Role in Near-Death Experiences

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In this episode of Beyond 80%, host Ryan Olexson explores profound Near Death Experiences (NDEs) through the stories of five individuals: Ash Perrow, John J. Davis, Christina Duffy, Kathy McDaniel, and Rosemary Thornton. In part one of a two-part series, each recounts their unique journey beyond death, from tranquil voids and realms of light to darker, heart-wrenching experiences. These narratives provide compelling insights into the continuity of consciousness, the universal essence of love, life reviews, and the redefined meaning of self. The episode also traces the emotional and spiritual transformations faced upon returning to the physical world. Themes of fear, love, interconnectedness, and the purpose of life are examined, challenging conventional views on life and death.

• 00:00 Awakening to the Afterlife
• 01:46 Experiencer Stories Introduction
• 03:27 Ash Perrow's Near-Death Experience
• 05:50 John J. Davis' Journey Beyond
• 08:20 Christina Duffy's Childhood Encounter
• 09:16 Kathy McDaniel's Descent and Ascent
• 10:39 Rosemary Thornton's Peaceful Void
• 11:48 Lessons from the Other Side
• 13:01 Life Reviews and Soul Lessons
• 14:18 Messages from Beyond
• 22:31 Returning with Purpose
• 24:24 Living with Newfound Wisdom
• 36:14 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

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In this episode of Beyond 80%, host Ryan Olexson delves into the profound phenomenon of life reviews within near-death experiences (NDEs) with Dr. Robert Coppes, a seasoned researcher in the field. Dr. Coppes shares his journey from an economist to a leading figure in NDE research, and discusses the pivotal influence that Raymond Moody's pioneering book had on his career. The conversation covers various aspects of life reviews, highlighting the interconnectedness and impact of our actions on others, the omnipotence of consciousness, and the common themes across different cultures and religions. Dr. Coppes' insights provide a nuanced understanding of how NDEs challenge our views on consciousness, morality, and life's purpose.

In this episode of Beyond 80%, host Ryan Olexson delves into the profound phenomenon of life reviews within near-death experiences (NDEs) with Dr. Robert Coppes, a seasoned researcher in the field. Dr. Coppes shares his journey from an economist to a leading figure in NDE research, and discusses the pivotal influence that Raymond Moody's pioneering book had on his career. The conversation covers various aspects of life reviews, highlighting the interconnectedness and impact of our actions on others, the omnipotence of consciousness, and the common themes across different cultures and religions. Dr. Coppes' insights provide a nuanced understanding of how NDEs challenge our views on consciousness, morality, and life's purpose.

• 00:00 Introduction to Life Reviews in Near-Death Experiences
• 00:49 Exploring Consciousness and Near-Death Experiences
• 01:49 Introducing Dr. Robert Coppes and His Research
• 02:51 Dr. Coppes' Journey into Near-Death Experience Research
• 05:27 Understanding the Life Review Phenomenon
• 10:28 The Mechanics and Impact of Life Reviews
• 32:16 Cultural and Religious Perspectives on NDEs
• 35:50 Distressing Near-Death Experiences
• 41:22 The Omnipotent Nature of Consciousness
• 43:36 Concluding Thoughts and Future Research

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In this episode of Beyond 80%, host Ryan Olexson sits down with neurosurgeon Dr. Eben Alexander to explore the near-death experience that radically reshaped his understanding of consciousness. Once a firm materialist, Dr. Alexander recounts how a severe case of bacterial meningitis left his neocortex shut down. Yet during that time, he experienced a vivid realm of profound love, meaning, and awareness. The conversation examines whether consciousness can exist independently of the brain, the idea of the brain as a filter or transceiver, and how meditation, spirituality, and altered states of consciousness may reveal deeper truths about who we are and what lies beyond physical life.

Dr. Eben Alexander is a board-certified neurosurgeon, author, and consciousness researcher, known for his transformative near-death experience following a coma caused by bacterial meningitis. Formerly a staunch materialist, Dr. Alexander’s experience profoundly altered his understanding of the mind, leading him to explore the relationship between neuroscience, consciousness, and spirituality. He is the author of the bestselling book Proof of Heaven, and his work focuses on the idea that consciousness may exist independently of the brain, positioning him as a prominent voice at the intersection of science, philosophy, and spiritual inquiry.

• 00:00 Introduction: The Brain as a Transceiver
• 01:16 Dr. Eben Alexander's Near-Death Experience
• 03:20 Exploring Consciousness and Materialism
• 07:48 The Impact of Meningitis on the Brain
• 12:36 Navigating Spiritual Realms
• 15:21 The Role of Meditation and Binaural Beats
• 26:40 Scientific Insights on Consciousness
• 31:02 Quantum Physics and the Nature of Reality
• 41:23 The Power of Love and Spiritual Connection
• 47:21 Conclusion

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What happens when we die — and what does that question reveal about being alive?

For as long as humans have existed, we’ve wrestled with the mystery of consciousness and death. Across cultures, religions, and time, people have reported profound near-death experiences: leaving their bodies, moving through light, meeting loved ones, feeling peace, and sometimes reliving every moment of their lives. Are these glimpses of an afterlife…or the brain’s final attempt to make sense of the unimaginable?

Beyond the Brain is not about proving one side right. It’s an exploration.

Across this multi-episode series, we’ll journey through science, spirituality, skepticism, philosophy, and lived experience. You’ll hear from:

• Scientists rigorously researching near-death experiences
• Neurosurgeons and neurologists who have seen the brain on the edge of life
• Authors and researchers who collect firsthand accounts
• Philosophers who question whether the “self” even exists
• Death doulas who walk people through their final moments

By the end of the series, you may not walk away with one definitive answer.
But you will walk away with:

• Evidence to consider
• Perspectives to challenge your assumptions
• Stories that might forever change how you see consciousness, death…and life

Most of all, you’ll be invited to ask:
What do you believe about consciousness — and how does that belief shape the way you live today?

Welcome to Beyond the Brain, a special series on Beyond 80%.
Let’s begin.

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In the premiere episode of 'Beyond 80% Near Death Experience mini-series,’ host Ryan Olexson discusses the mysteries of consciousness, near-death experiences (NDEs), and reincarnation with Dr. Marieta Pehlivanova from the University of Virginia's Division of Perceptual Studies. Dr. Pehlivanova shares her journey into this esoteric field, the transformative power of NDEs, and the necessity of studying these phenomena with scientific rigor. The discussion delves into the universality of NDEs across cultures, the integration of psychedelic experiences, and compelling cases of children recalling past lives. Whether viewed through the lens of science or spirituality, these conversations challenge our understanding of life, death, and what lies beyond.

Dr. Marieta Pehlivanova is a research assistant professor at the University of Virginia’s Division of Perceptual Studies, where she investigates near-death experiences, after-death communications, and past-life memories in children. Trained in both psychology and consciousness studies, her work bridges rigorous scientific inquiry with some of the most profound questions about human existence. Dr. Pehlivanova is known for approaching anomalous experiences with intellectual humility, emphasizing cross-cultural research and careful empirical methods, while exploring the possibility that consciousness may extend beyond physical life.

• 00:00 Introduction to Near-Death Experiences
• 00:32 Exploring Consciousness Beyond Death
• 01:07 Scientific Research on NDEs
• 01:31 Meet Dr. Marietta Anova
• 08:43 Understanding Near-Death Experiences
• 25:58 Cross-Cultural Perspectives on NDEs
• 29:31 Reincarnation and Past Life Memories
• 37:59 Concluding Thoughts on Consciousness

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