Welcome to another episode! It is good to be back!

On Today's episode, I speak with Allie Butts. She talks about some of the struggles she faced growing up. She opens up about her family, and more in particular, her mother who passed away a few years ago due issues that stemmed from alcohol. We talk about family dynamics, not getting the attention we wanted or deserved growing up and how that can have longer lasting results. We also talk about mental health, depression, medications, etc. 

Check it out, and hope you enjoy! 

Welcome y Bienvenidos! It has been quite some time and it feels good to be back!

This is a solo episode, and I give a life update--The good, The bad, Parenting, What I am working on, A vice of mine from 2022, Goals, Work, Future podcast ideas, and talking shit about people at Disneyland. 

Show the pod some love by subscribing and all that jazz.

Don't be a stranger--[email protected]

On this episode, I am joined with Tiffany Mertens. 

Tiffany has been on a path the last several years of reflecting and healing from her past traumas. She had a mentor and coach and after that experience, it led her to start her own mentorship program. She is a coach and spiritual mentor. She teaches various classes and programs that cater to men and women's healing. And she is big into movement! 

We talk about:

Ecstatic dancing, sensuality vs sexuality, pleasure, and more! 

You can find Tiffany here:

https://www.instagram.com/mysticmentorship/ 

https://tiffany-mertens.mykajabi.com/mystic_mentorship

Welcome to episode 20, everyone! 

Afia Anim joins the podcast and shares her healing story. Afia joined what she thought was a normal Christian-based church, only to find out years later that it was a cult. In this episode, she shares her story of being involved in this cult, also known as the Potter's House CFM cult. Afia discusses her journey of leaving the cult, the challenges she faced, and talks about her healing process. 

Afia is a musician, and just released an EP entitled, "Healing In Her Eyes" and it is available on all major platforms. 

Please, give her a follow on Spotify and Instagram and check out her music! My personal favorite song is "Catching The Vibe" So, give it a listen!  

https://www.instagram.com/afiaxhealing/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4jyAPj6ZpTyvbFtqhLZIAu?si=Hg2YR19UTtmQT3j7U742qA&nd=1

Today's guest is Benjamin Hulleberg. Benjamin appears on the podcast and shares his story dealing with depression, anxiety and going through a faith crisis all at once while on his Mormon mission. 

in this episode, we discuss Mormon missions, depression and anxiety, going through a faith crisis and losing your faith while being a missionary, returning home from a mission early, and more!

If you suffer with mental health, please check out the website links below:

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

If you are struggling with your faith and need an outlet, or community to go to, see below:

https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/

Welcome back to another episode! This week's guest is Stephen Serrano from Temazcal Metamorphosis.  

Stephen comes on the podcast and shares his transformation story. He went from losing his father at the age of 3, not feeling connected to the religion he was raised in, dealing with some addictions, and then having a couple of impactful experiences with plant medicine that opened up his heart to forgive and make the necessary changes to become a better person and find more meaning and connection. 

Stephen now facilitates in Temazcal ceremonies, which are similar to what most people know as a sweat lodge. He explains what that is and what the benefits are, and much more! He has a deep love and compassion for others, and I am excited to share his story with you all. 

Please, show your support by following Stephen on Instagram linked below: 

 www.instagram.com/temazcal_metamorphosis

Music by: Coral Hampton

Continuing from part 1, Mary and I finish our conversation about my addiction/healing story.

We discuss my year long addiction to Oxycontin, withdrawals, quitting, going back out on a Mormon mission to New York City, seeking therapy, being on medications and then tapering off of them, the use of plant medicines and their impact in my healing process, and more! 

To help the show, please subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen to it, and give it a quick 5 star rating or review! I would love to hear your feedback, and it would also help the podcast to be seen by a larger audience. 

If any of you suffer with mental health, or addiction please visit the following links for more resources:

https://m.na.org/

https://www.aa.org/

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

In this episode of Evolving Minds, we switch roles and my wife, Mary, interviews me. 

We compassionately discuss a key chapter in my life that many people don't know about. I open up about some events and circumstances in my life that led me to an opiate addiction. I talk about serving a Mormon a mission in Peru, and having to come home early and navigate the cultural consequences. I also discuss other experiences including; being disfellowshipped from the LDS church, going through a tough break up, depression and eventually getting addicted to oxycontin. 

Shoutout to my niece, Coral, who wrote a song for the podcast. We play the song and discuss what it means in relation to the podcast.

If any of you suffer with mental health, or addiction please visit the following links for more resources:

https://m.na.org/

https://www.aa.org/

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

On today's podcast, I have the pleasure to speak with Mandy Valadez. 

Mandy was in a cult called, The Potter's House CFM. She joined as a young teenager when she was lured and manipulated into one of the cult's haunted (hell) houses during Halloween time. She went with a friend with the intention of going through a haunted house just for fun, but little did she know that she would end up inside this cult for nearly 18 years of her life. 

Mandy is a really powerful and loving person and has quickly jumped back into normal life after just leaving the cult about 3 years ago. She now has her own business called Tarot Readings by Mandy. She is a very spiritual person and is on a mission to help others heal from their trauma. She also has a podcast called, Mandy Speaks Up.

Please give her a follow, support her business and listen to her podcast:

https://tarot-readings-by-mandy.square.site/

www.instagram.com/tarotreadingsbymandy

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mandy-speaks-up/id1559726592

Welcome, welcome!

In this episode, my wife and I speak with JM and Brooke Holahan. JM was a missionary for the LDS church and he served where me and my wife both were attending church about 10 years ago. He was also one of the missionaries that taught Mary about Mormonism as she was converting. Brooke and JM come on the podcast to share their journey in and out of the Mormon church. We discuss their faith in the church as believers, and also the doubts that led them on a discovery of new information about their church and personal belief. 

As always, I would love to hear from you! Don't hesitate to send me a DM or an e-mail. Feedback is always helpful. Oh, and leave a 5 star review!

[email protected]

www.instagram.com/evolvingmindspodcast