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Mike and Doug catch up after a break, covering everything from luggage durability tests to the strange world of TikTok rabbit holes. They dive into echo chambers, politics leading up to the election, and the odd realities of air travel. 

Highlights:

• Doug’s quest for the toughest carry-on luggage.
• Mike’s deep dive into TikTok, from Secret Lives of Mormon Wives to political spirals.
• The value of stepping out of echo chambers, and how air travel forces us to interact with different people.
• A chat on Trump, Kamala, the election landscape and feeling like elitists.
• Mike’s reflections on freedom after losing their Mormons on Mushrooms Instagram account.

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Mike is joined by Ann Amberg, M.C.S., M.A., depth psychology & ecopsychological scholar, and visionary guide, to explore how reconnecting with the Earth and its archetypal forces can transform our relationship with ourselves and the world around us. They dive into the erotic nature of the Earth, the power of longing, and the archetypal patterns that shape both personal and collective experiences.

Ann invites us to embrace the archetypal forces of Eros and Allurement, revealing how our culture's disconnection from nature has left us emotionally unfulfilled and spiritually disconnected. The conversation touches on everything from mythical understandings of Eros to practical ways of reconnecting with nature and the cosmos.

In This Episode, We Explore:

• The erotic nature of the Earth and the concept of Eros as gravity and attraction
• Archetypal patterns and their influence on both personal and collective experiences
• How to connect with nature through praise, deep imagery, and somatic practices
• Ann’s upcoming year-long immersion program, Powers of the Universe, exploring archetypal forces in a ritualistic and interactive format
• Reflections on longing, belonging, and the cultural disconnection from nature

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Powers of the Universe by Dr. Brian Swimme
• The role of ritual in eco-psychology and how archetypal awareness can heal our disconnection from the Earth
• Jungian concepts of the self, longing, and the collective unconscious as they relate to our connection with nature

Connect with Ann Amberg: Ann’s work centers on providing transformative depth learning experiences and eco-psychological guidance. To learn more about her upcoming program or work with her one-on-one, visit:

AnnAmberg.com

Instagram: @annlevallyamberg

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This episode is also available on YouTube

Mike is joined by Stephanie Brinkerhoff and Kelli Christine for a heartfelt and insightful discussion about their personal journeys out of Mormonism, the healing power of psychedelics, and navigating the complex emotions that come with deconstructing religious belief systems.

They explore topics like spiritual bypassing, the importance of embracing grief and anger, and how these raw emotions can lead to deeper self-understanding and growth. The conversation sheds light on the tension between wanting to leave the past behind and the continual process of healing from religious trauma.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Stephanie's and Kelli’s individual journeys of leaving Mormonism and how psychedelics helped them through their transitions.
• The concept of spiritual bypassing and why avoiding difficult emotions can block true healing.
• The role of anger and grief in personal growth, and how to honor these emotions rather than suppress them.
• How Mormonism’s focus on "happiness" as a measure of success can perpetuate emotional suppression.
• The importance of internal family systems (IFS) and parts work in healing from religious trauma.
• Breaking free from external validation and finding an authentic sense of self.

Notable Quotes:

• "I realized I've been giving myself love this whole time—I just thought it was Mormon God." – Stephanie
• "We have to be in that gestation period, in the cocoon, and trust that process before we can emerge on the other side." – Mike
• "Our souls want full participation in the human experience, and that includes both pleasure and pain." – Kelli

Recommended Resources:

• The Soul’s Code by James Hillman
• Perfect Love, Imperfect Relationships by John Wellwood (coined the term "spiritual bypassing")
• Francis Weller’s teachings on grief and the full spectrum of human experience.

Connect with Us: Follow Mormons on Mushrooms for more insights and episodes on spirituality, psychedelics, and life after leaving Mormonism:

• Instagram: @MormonsOnMushrooms
• Website: MormonsOnMushrooms.com
• YouTube:  @MormonsOnMushrooms

Support the Show: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and share it with others who may benefit from these conversations!

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Mike and Doug dive deep into the daily struggle of self-perception—are you a badass Samurai Warrior or... a Horny Santa Claus? Mike shares how his recent beach trip involved a self-baptism (because, why not?) and Doug introduces the golden rule: “You can’t force the night.” It's all about embracing your vibe, whether you're rocking the Samurai or channeling your inner Santa.

Key Topics:

• Samurai Warrior vs. Horny Santa Claus
• Mike’s coconut oil hair secrets 
• Why you can’t force the night—let it unfold naturally
• Boundary-setting and just rolling with the vibe
• A spontaneous ocean baptism

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Mike and Doug delve into deep reflections about self-love, body positivity, and the shame associated with personal pleasures rooted in their religious upbringing. The duo humorously tackles their experiences with masturbation, cultural guilt, and the journey of reclaiming self-compassion. 

Key Topics:

• Doug’s experience with self-love and the epiphany of slowing down in intimate moments.
• Overcoming religious shame tied to sexuality and body image.
• The interplay between physiological comedowns and spiritual guilt.
• Reflections on how the church influences feelings of worthiness, even after leaving it.
• Comparing how individuals inside and outside the church face the same emotions of shame, guilt, and worthiness.
• Realizing personal success and happiness outside of the church's teachings.
• Mike’s nostalgia for simpler times and how the longing for innocence intersects with spiritual freedom.
• Reflections on personal growth, aging, and the realization that life is full of endless possibilities.
• Creative exploration through songwriting and the importance of expressing oneself artistically.

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In this episode, Doug and Mike explore the dangers of taking things literally and how that impacts both religion and science. They also dive into the mysteries of the universe, share their thoughts on the recent presidential debate, and reflect on the cultural phenomena of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.

Key topics include:

• The Problem with Literalism: How taking things too literally, whether in religion or science, limits our ability to engage with deeper truths and mysteries.
• The Nature of the Universe: Mike reflects on the concept of an ensouled universe and the ways we engage with it—whether through science or personal experience.
• Presidential Debate Commentary: A humorous and critical look at the recent debate, touching on the absurdity of some of the comments made and the public's reaction.
• The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: An analysis of the show through the lens of Mormon culture, the Madonna-whore complex, and how the pressure of perfection plays out in the lives of its participants.
• Scarcity vs. Abundance: How Mormonism and capitalism create competition and scarcity mindsets, and why sharing and community might be the antidote.

Join Doug and Mike for an insightful and entertaining discussion that zigzags through thought-provoking ideas and cultural critiques.

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We are joined by Karlee Ana, host of The Big Seen Podcast! We delve into the intricacies of spiritual awakening, the challenges of navigating personal intuition, and the tension between ego and higher self, including: 

Key Takeaways:

• Spiritual Awakening: Karlee shares her intense spiritual experiences that began with a seemingly random event and evolved into a life-altering journey, highlighting the power of trusting the unknown.
• Intuition vs. Ego: The hosts discuss how to differentiate between the voice of the higher self and the ego, exploring the idea that true guidance often feels undeniable and comes from a place of deep inner knowing.
• Impact of Religious Conditioning: Mike and Doug reflect on how their Mormon upbringing continues to influence their ability to connect with their true selves, despite years of separation from the religion.
• Karlee's European Adventure: A spontaneous trip to Europe becomes a metaphorical and literal journey for Karlee, leading her to a place she envisioned in meditation and ultimately deciding to move there.

This episode offers a deep dive into the complexities of personal transformation and the courage it takes to follow one's true path.

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Here is a brief summary of the episode courtesy of our overlords at ChatGPT.

All hail:

Episode Description: In this episode, Doug and Mike take you on a wild ride from golf memes to deep ancestral connections, all while questioning why Doug is always off golfing alone. They dive into the weird and wonderful ways we project our expectations onto the dead, explore the possibility that goosebumps might mean someone’s thinking about you (in that way), and ponder if there’s a global conspiracy of people simultaneously fantasizing about Beyoncé. Whether you’re into ancestor work, feeling paranoid but sexy, or just wondering why your periods are syncing up with your best friend, this episode has something for everyone.

Show Notes:

• 00:00 - Doug kicks things off by getting distracted by a golf meme, leading to a humorous discussion about life's interruptions.
• 05:00 - The guys talk about the weird coincidences of life, including the universe’s timing and why Doug always seems to be missing out on life’s big moments.
• 10:00 - A deep dive into ancestor work: Mike shares his thoughts on how we’re all just trying to make the dead bend to our will and what happens when we stop trying to "save" them.
• 15:00 - "You’re Not Paranoid, You’re Sexy" – The guys explore the idea that when you get goosebumps, maybe it’s because a bunch of people are thinking about you... intimately.
• 20:00 - Sex Magic 101: Doug and Mike stumble into a discussion on sex magic, wondering if it’s the secret sauce behind creativity.
• 30:00 - The sanitized world of Mormon temple work versus the messy reality of death – why Doug and Mike think the dead deserve a little more chaos.
• 45:00 - The importance of a reciprocal relationship with the dead: Mike shares insights from his dissertation work and how it’s changing his perspective on life, death, and everything in between.
• 55:00 - Wrapping up with Doug’s dream: Why he feels like he’s always unprepared and what it might mean when the dead start making requests.

This episode is a hilarious yet profound exploration of the strange intersections between our daily lives, our ancestors, and those moments when everything just seems to line up… or go completely off the rails.

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Trigger Warning: This episode includes a brief discussion around the themes of sexual assualt and consent. Please make your personal mental health top priority.

Doug and Mike discuss the olympics, the last supper, American pride, J.D. Vance,  owning our shadow, their first masturbation stories, and give a loving tribute to all the couches they've f*cked along the way. Enjoy!

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Happy Pie N' Beer Day! In honor of our pioneer forebears, Doug and Mike question the concept of sacrifice, exploring its roots in religious teachings, cultural narratives, and personal experiences. They discuss the psychological impact of growing up with the idea that sacrifice is necessary for blessings and challenge the validity of this belief. 

Discussion Points:

• Sacrifice in Religious and Cultural Narratives
• The story of Ammon and other narratives of violence and obedience in scripture
• Mormon God: A Sadomasochist Kink Lord
• Depth psychological insights on sacrifice and its impact on the self.