Candid Conversations by Cultivating Connections

There is value in vulnerability. That is what I have learned since beginning this podcast. Still, I doubt it. I doubt if people will understand, if they will accept me and the things I've done. But so far they have. People have embraced it, and showed understanding and compassion. I'm tremendously grateful for the love and compassion I've received.  

"I rather live telling the truth and be judged for my mistakes, than falsely held up..."

Hi guys, I'm so grateful for all of our listeners. When my brother and I started this podcast I was still struggling with my mental health, even though I had been clean from opiates for a few months I still had so much of my unconscious mind to uncover. This podcast has been one of the ways for me to do that. 

Your support means so much to me! 

We just added a new member to our Sunday ritual/integration practice. Her name is Samantha and we talk about what that experience was like for us, and what it looks like going forward. 

Make sure to check out our website! https://www.cultivatingconnectionsvt.com/

This was my favorite episode to record thus far. I hope you all enjoy - Rory

In this episode we talk about what life was like growing up and how we felt ashamed of things we couldn't control, in a sense life was happening to us. As we age and mature, we realize we have more control of how we think and deal with our thoughts than when we were younger. Freeing us from shame of our loved ones.

We just uploaded our first Video/ Audio episode of 'Candid Conversations' onto our youtube Cultivating Connections. We hope you get a chance to check it out and let us know what you think of it! 

Enjoy the episode!

This week is the first week in a long time where we had our Sunday ritual practice without our dad there, we talk among other things, about that and what affect that had on the set and setting. We also talk about this past year, and how far we've each come in just one year. A lot of times it's difficult to see just how much one has accomplished, but we realize, when it comes time to look back on this year, it may be one of the best years of our lives. Thanks for listening, hope you enjoy!

In this episode I talk about my best friends suicide and the guilt from my inability to act on the warning signs he exhibited before his suicide. I also talk about an experience when/where I overdose and with no one home but my brother, I left my life into his hands to deal with. But after all the shame and guilt I love this community here and I’m so grateful for everything that has transpired in the past to get me here today.

Ryan asks me if I consider myself cured from addiction, we talk about toxic vs non toxic substances

This episode is really important to us. We discuss drug education reform, alternate perspectives catalyzed by altered states of consciousness, the importance of one’s relationship to substances, and holding a reverence for sacred substances.

Today we talk with Matthew Simpson author of the book, Worth The Fight: Acting for a Better World, A Guide to Spirituality, Psychedelic Medicines and Overcoming Trauma, and host of the podcast Worth The Fight. Matthew has done work for Veterans for entheogenic Therapy INC. Matt has been an advocate for proper integration of psychedelic experiences. Some topics we discuss include psychedelic integration, pre frontal cortex, and drug reform. Hope you enjoy!

In this episode we talk with  Tom Morano, he's a very close friend and the third member of our little ritual we do on Sundays, we talk about our experiences with him and his own life experience and his relationship to psychedelics and other substances. 

On this episode we have our good friend Gina join us to tell us about her experiences. We talk about rituals, psychedelics, mental health and more. Many thanks to Gina for being open and sharing with us, it was an absolute pleasure and definitely my favorite episode to record so far.  

If anyone else listening wants to share their experiences and connect (either on or off camera) with us send us an email. We would love to connect! Thanks for listening.