Love, Loss & Hallucinations with Scott Schumaker

In episode 18, I talk with Jennifer Griffith, author of the memoir "Both Sides of Then: Finding Love After Abandonment." Jennifer's memoir uniquely intertwines her life with her mother's, exploring themes of identity, loss, and the complexities of family dynamics.  We discuss her transition from a successful tech career to writing, inspired by her father’s death and a pivotal moment at a Tony Robbins event. We get into the transformative power of writing, the healing that comes from sharing one's story, and how Jennifer's writing process helped her find empathy, acceptance, and a deeper understanding of her family's legacy. Whether you’re an aspiring writer or someone who is wanting to better understand your family’s story, this episode will inspire you.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

JENNIFER’S LINKS

SCOTT’S LINKS:

MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)” 

In this episode of "Love, Loss, and Hallucinations" you will discover how nature can serve as a guide and catalyst for change. Scott is joined by Michael Jospé, CEO of the Earth-Based Institute, and together they look at the transformative power of the outdoors. Michael shares his journey from wilderness adventures to founding a unique and powerful coaching program that integrates nature connection with personal growth. If you’re interested in coaching, having a coach, finding healing in nature, transformation, the importance of integration, processing grief, myth and storytelling, discovering your life’s purpose, or psychedelics, then this podcast is for you!

(This content is for educational and harm-reduction purposes. We do not promote or support illegal activity, the sale or use of restricted substances, or the use of associated tools or accessories. Not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional for health decisions.)

FREE NATURE CONNECTION COURSE HERE

You’ll hear about:

EARTH-BASED INSTITUTE LINKS

SCOTT'S LINKS

Website | Instagram | Tiktok | Facebook    

MUSIC – Wilderado: “Surefire (piano)”  

In this episode, Brittany Harris, a holistic wellness practitioner, joins Scott to take a deep look at a part of our body most of us ignore, our fascia. As a fascia expert, she discusses the important roles it plays for each of us, how it’s tied to our emotional, physical, and even spiritually well-being, and how it is connected to trauma and healing. Brittany also opens up about living with type 1 diabetes, the additional concerns around combining plant medicine journeys with diabetes, talking to her conservative family about her plant medicine path, and the challenges of self-love. Brittany, who is also a Reiki, sound healing and breathwork practitioner, highlights how important it was to her to find the right balance between Western medicine and alternative healing practices. 

In this episode you’ll hear about:

BRITTANY’S LINKS:

SCOTT'S LINKS

Website | Instagram | Tiktok | Facebook    

MUSIC – Wilderado: “Surefire (piano)”  

In this episode of Love, Loss and Hallucinations, executive coach and spiritual advisor Zev Schiller and I engage in a deep conversation with about the nuances of coaching, personal growth, the wisdom to be learned from loss, and the important benefits of men’s groups. Zev shares his journey from navigating personal challenges to helping others find clarity and purpose in their lives. We explore the differences between coaching and therapy, the importance of self-acceptance, and the transformative power of love and spirituality. Through personal anecdotes, Zev emphasizes the significance of gratitude and the continuous pursuit of a fulfilling life, even amidst adversity. Finally, we dive into how plant medicine can enhance spiritual journeys, as well as teach us valuable lessons about love and grief.

(This plant medicine content herein is for educational and harm-reduction purposes. We do not promote or support illegal activity, the sale or use of restricted substances, or the use of associated tools or accessories. Not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional for health decisions.)

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

👉The differences between coaching and therapy.

👉How plant medicine can enhance spiritual experiences and personal growth.

👉How loss can be a catalyst for profound change and self-discovery.

👉The ways men's groups can provide a unique space for emotional support and growth.

👉The importance of seeing the best in people.

👉How navigating interpersonal dynamics is key to personal and professional success.

👉How spirituality can be a personal journey and does not need to be dictated by traditional norms.

👉Why embracing vulnerability can improve your relationships.

👉How gratitude and presence can transform daily experiences.

ZEV’S LINKS:

Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 

SCOTT'S LINKS

Website | Instagram | Tiktok | Facebook    

MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)” 

Are you addicted to an unhealthy idea of love? Is our culture? Do you lose yourself in relationships, romantic or platonic, again and again? And, what does healthy love look like? Jodi White, a trauma therapist and love addiction expert, joins Scott in this lively episode to dig deep into L O V E. We get into the symptoms of love addiction, the cultural and familial influences that contribute to it, where it sits within co-dependency, and the pillars needed to nourish relationships with deep connection and boundaries. Whether you suspect you might be a love addict, you’re wanting to break your love addiction, or you simply want a better, stronger relationship, this episode is not to be missed.

JODI’S LINKS:

Website | Instagram | Journals of a Love Addict Podcast 

SCOTT'S LINKS

Website | Instagram | Tiktok | Facebook    

MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)” - https://ffm.to/surefirepiano

CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro

02:02 Jodi's Journey to Becoming a Therapist

08:11 Understanding Love Addiction

11:57 Cultural Influences on Love Addiction

16:50 Family Dynamics and Love Addiction

22:19 Codependency vs. Love Addiction

26:42 Steps to Recovery from Love Addiction

30:10 Breaking Free from Addictive Relationships

31:50 Detoxing from Love Addiction

33:06 Navigating New Relationships Post-Recovery

36:54 The Importance of Communication in Healthy Relationships

39:22 Understanding Intimacy vs. Intensity

42:57 Love Addiction Across Different Relationships

44:53 Cultural Influences on Love Addiction

44:53 The Impact of Shame on Relationships

45:46 Therapy vs. Coaching in Love Addiction Recovery

48:01 Defining Healthy Love

54:00 Becoming an Expert in Your Own Recovery

56:18 Family Dynamics and Love Addiction

Being human is messy, something Albert Strasser knows first-hand. As a coach who once studied to become a Tibetan monk, he was dealt a one-two punch of sorrow in recent years. First, his dad’s death, which broke him. Soon after, his brother flatlined during an iboga plant medicine journey, but was revived, only to go into a coma, and is still in an unresponsive wakeful or “vegetative” state. Albert, who now specializing in grief and depth work, brings all the wisdom he has gained from these experiences (along with a healthy sprinkling of irreverence) to clients and his workshop, “Good F*cking Grief.”

In this episode, we delve into the transformative power of grief, the healing potential and potential dangers of plant medicine, the importance of human connection, and how being "broken open" can be a gateway to deeper understanding of oneself and life. We also share our vision quest experiences, explore the role of nature in healing, and the art of turning life experiences into stories. Last but not least, we discuss the extra challenges men have in accessing their full range of emotions, and how embracing the human experience can lead to a more authentic and alive existence. This episode if chock-full of insights, humor, and truth. You don’t want to miss it.

(This plant medicine content herein is for educational and harm-reduction purposes. We do not promote or support illegal activity, the sale or use of restricted substances, or the use of associated tools or accessories. Not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional for health decisions.)

Albert's Links

Website | Instagram | Amazon

Scott's Links

Instagram | Tiktok | FaceBook | Website

MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)” 

CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro

02:51 The Vision Quest Experience

10:01 Navigating Uncertainty and Helplessness

11:15 The Role of Connection in Grief

18:20 Gifts of Grief and Sensitivity

20:06 Recovery vs. Integration in Grief

21:57 Gender Differences in Grief Processing

26:30 Cautions Around Plant Medicine

29:10 Completing the Vision Quest Journey

30:09 Embracing Discomfort and Finding Magic

32:45 The Messiness of Being Human

34:10 Lessons on Love Through Grief

40:31 Transmuting Life Experiences into Art

46:13 Understanding Depth Work

49:10 The Importance of Aliveness

51:57 Sacred Clowning and Full Expression

Anna Symonds, a national champion rugby player, has been face-to-face with intense grief, loss, trauma and evil. Fifteen years ago, her life was torn apart when a good friend and team member was brutally murdered. Anna’s journey since that day has been one of navigating the challenges of healing and forgiveness, finding her way through the pain of a divorce, and, with the help of plant medicine, discovering beauty in the world again.

Now the Executive Director of the Etheridge Foundation, which helps fund research on plant medicine treatments for opioid use disorder, Anna’s story is bound to move you. And her resilience and insights are bound to inspire you.

(This plant medicine content herein is for educational and harm-reduction purposes. We do not promote or support illegal activity, the sale or use of restricted substances, or the use of associated tools or accessories. Not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional for health decisions.)

Anna's Links:

Etheridge Foundation website | Etheridge Foundation Instagram |

Anna's Instagram

Scott's Links:

Instagram | Tiktok | FaceBook | website

MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)” 

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

02:02 The Etheridge Foundation's Mission

06:07 Research and Advocacy in Plant Medicine

09:56 Diverse Approaches to Opioid Use Disorder

12:00 Personal Healing Journeys with Plant Medicine

20:07 Grief, Loss, and the Impact of Trauma

29:54 The Nature of Forgiveness

34:27 Exploring Loss and Impermanence

39:00 The Role of Psychedelics in Healing

46:19 Honoring Memories and Celebrating Life

51:28 The Impact of Loss on Life Choices

Jimmy Riccitello is a triathlon legend, although he’d never use that term for himself. After falling into the sport almost by accident, he went on to become an XTERRA Off-Road Triathlon world champion, a 2x USA triathlon team member at the Goodwill Gamesone, and one of his era’s most fierce forces on the bike. He also happens to be funny as hell.

In this episode, we share tales from those earlier years in the sport, including the wild story of a man who wasn’t there and how Jimmy went from arguing with race officials to becoming the Director of Rules and Officiating for Ironman. Jimmy also shares lessons he earned from big losses, the importance of integrity and owning your sh*t, balancing training and life, the challenges pro athletes can face once they retire and lose that identity, and how his love of the sport has taken him on an unexpected career journey.

It may sound like this one is all about triathlons, but it’s really about life and how to handle challenges that come your way. Tune in.

Jimmy's Links:

Website | Instagram | Facebook

Scott's Links:

Instagram | Tiktok | FaceBook | website

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

02:57 Transitioning from Professional Racing to Coaching

05:49 Understanding the Sport's Politics and Rules

08:46 The Importance of Community in Triathlon

11:58 Finding Identity Beyond Competition

14:58 Motivation and Internal Drive in Athletes

17:59 Lessons from Mentorship and Experience

20:46 The Evolution of Triathlon and Its Community

24:02 Discovering the Love for Triathlon

27:02 Parenting a Future Athlete

31:53 The Importance of Communication in Relationships

34:07 Lessons from Racing: Enhancing Relationships

37:54 Balancing Life and Athletic Pursuits

39:51 Coaching with Realistic Expectations

41:39 Transitioning from Pro Athlete to Everyday Life

42:46 Learning from Disqualification: Life Lessons

49:36 Owning Your Mistakes and Moving Forward

55:55 Finding Joy in the Journey of Athletics

01:02:34 Experiencing the Unexplainable in Athletic Pursuits

In this wholly unique and wise episode, I talk with Sarah Hope, a psychedelic coach & earth-based healer. Through personal stories and profound insights, Sarah shares how her early fascination with mysticism and healing led her to embrace plant medicine and become a micro-dosing pioneer and shamanic guide. We also delve in the classic hero’s journey and contrast that with the heroine’s journey, and how both can be beneficial for women and men. And we discuss the transformative nature of grief—did you know it can be like a pineapple?—the power of storytelling and personal myth, the vital roles shamans and curanderos play across diverse cultures, and more. Tune in to explore this incredible intersection of spirituality, healing, and the power of nature.

(This plant medicine content herein is for educational and harm-reduction purposes. We do not promote or support illegal activity, the sale or use of restricted substances, or the use of associated tools or accessories. Not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional for health decisions.)

Sarah's Links:

Website | Instagram | Earth-Based Institute

Scott's Links:

Instagram | Tiktok | FaceBook | website

Half-male, half-female Hindu deity: Ardhanarishvara

MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)” 

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

04:46 Sarah’s Journey into Plant Medicine

09:51 Understanding Shamanism and Curanderismo

14:55 The Heroine's Journey vs. The Hero's Journey

19:47 Love, Longing, and Grief

24:54 Rituals and Community in Grieving

31:52 Grief and Celebration: The Pineapple Metaphor

34:18 Cultural Perspectives on Death and Rituals

37:26 The Journey to Paganism and Personal Rituals

42:43 Navigating the Path of Microdosing and Legitimacy

50:18 Finding Peace in the Journey of Healing

55:04 The Power of Personal Myth in Integration

In this wisdom-filled episode, Jeff Wright, a seasoned marriage and family therapist with 20 years of experience, shares insights he’s learned about love, loss, plant medicine and prayer as a therapist and from his own challenging life journey. Jeff and I delve into the intricate dance of vulnerability and love in relationships, the power spirituality and prayer can have in healing, the need to understand and process grief, and how ancient plant medicine practices can be therapeutic and facilitate profound personal growth. With humor and hard-earned insights into the human condition, Jeff talks about how embracing vulnerability can lead to deeper connections and a more fulfilling life. This episode will undoubtedly resonate with you no matter who you are or where you are in your own journey. You won’t want to miss this one.

(This plant medicine content herein is for educational and harm-reduction purposes. We do not promote or support illegal activity, the sale or use of restricted substances, or the use of associated tools or accessories. Not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional for health decisions.)

JEFF'S LINKS:

Website | Instagram | A Clear and Simple Prayer

Rosebud Reservation | Rosebud Girl & Boys Club

SCOTT'S LINKS: Instagram, Tiktok, FaceBook, website

MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)” 

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

02:01 Understanding Love Through Experience

05:36 The Dynamics of Vulnerability in Relationships

09:14 Navigating Vulnerability and Connection

12:48 The Role of Chaos in Transformation

20:28 Finding Meaning in Pain and Suffering

26:57 The Interplay of Joy and Pain in Life

30:54 The Power of Individual Happiness

32:55 The Legacy of George: A Warrior of Light

39:03 Healing Through Vulnerability and Love

44:51 Integrating Plant Medicine and Therapy

48:49 Understanding Prayer and Spirituality

54:00 The Continuous Journey of Healing

57:16 Navigating Grief and Loss

01:03:16 Honoring Love, Loss, and the Human Experience