Next Level Human

Send us Fan Mail

Niyc Pidgeon believes, all the way down, that she is always going to be okay. That belief carried her through more than most people will ever name out loud. It also got her comfortable holding more pain than she needed to, for longer than she needed to. She calls that her survival story, and it is the one she says she is ready to put down.

We spend the first half on something I have never heard anyone explain this cleanly. When life hits and you still have twenty people waiting on a Zoom call, what are you actually doing when you put the game face on? Niyc names it as dissociation and does not apologize for it. Her point is that dissociation is not the failure. Not going back is the failure. She schedules the return trip. Music, usually, at the end of the day, to get out of strategy and back into her body.

I put a generalization to her and she pushed on it. Men tend to regulate so well they slide into suppression. Women are more often described as flooding. Niyc does a third thing, which is regulate on purpose and then return on purpose. She added the part I had missed, which is that this depends on capacity, and there have been long stretches where she did not have it.

Niyc has a masters in positive psychology, wrote Now Is Your Chance, built the Positive Psychology Coach Academy, made a course with Tony Robbins, and has done policy work on suicide prevention. She is also in the same PhD program I am in, studying integral and transpersonal psychology. Her research question is what commonly stops people and what it actually takes to become unstoppable, with a focus on the trauma people carry behind a business nobody sees the back of.

She talks about her mother's nervous breakdown when Niyc was five, and what it does to a kid who learns she has to fight to be loved. Everyone said she would be all right. She was. That is exactly the problem she is unpicking now.

Then the second half turns, and we get into the part she is genuinely great at. Surrender, the dark night of the soul, why she loosened her grip on a life she was obsessed with, and the difference between being it and faking it.

A note before you listen. Niyc speaks openly about a suicide attempt as a child, about losing twelve friends before they turned thirty, and about suicidal ideation returning during hard seasons. She is careful and clear about all of it. If that is a difficult subject for you right now, please take care of yourself. Resources are at the bottom.

IN THIS EPISODE
0:00

Welcome And Why Nick Stands Out

7:35

Trauma History And The Unstoppable Question

13:30

Dissociation Versus Healthy Resilience

20:05

Making Space To Feel Again

26:00

PTSD Capacity Limits And Honest Mirrors

32:05

The Stories That Drive Survival

37:45

Strengths With Shadows And Radical Honesty

44:30

Surrender Dark Night And Changing Environment

51:35

Compounding Habits And Audacious Goals

58:30

Reading Alignment Intuition And Opportunities

1:02:35

Where To Find Nick And Closing

FIND NIYC PIDGEON
Instagram is where she actually hangs out: @niycpidgeon
Website: niycpidgeon.com
Book: Now Is Your Chance
Certification: Positive Psychology Coach Academy

FIND ME
Take the free quiz that names the pattern running your life: https://quiz.humanuniversity.com
Join a free Wednesday room at 3:30pm ET: https://nextlevelhuman.com/human-conversations
Read the newsletter: https://substack.nextlevelhuman.com

If you are struggling, you can reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in the US by calling or texting 988. In the UK, Samaritans is free on 116 123. Nothing in this episode is medical advice or a substitute for care.

Connect with Next Level Human
Website: www.nextlevelhuman.com
[email protected]

Connect with Dr. Jade Teta
Website: www.jadeteta.com
Instagram: @jadeteta

Send us Fan Mail

Dr. Chloe West is a neuroscientist who studies psychedelics. She explains being stuck like this: your brain guesses at the world and hands you the guess as if it were the world. When that guess gets rigid enough, no new evidence can get in and change it.

Your brain runs a prediction of reality and checks it against what comes in through your senses. Most of the time, what you experience is the prediction. Chloe walks through what happens when a prediction about yourself gets so locked down that nothing can touch it. That, in this model, is depression. It is also why you can read every book, do every protocol, and still not move.

Chloe grew up evangelical in the South and was taught she had to pick between science and religion. She went and got a PhD in neuroscience. When it came time to choose a dissertation, she chose psychedelics. She is early in her career, and the direction she wants to take her research is belief, particularly what happens to your beliefs about yourself. She also calls herself "a hard materialist most of the time," and says her skepticism comes and goes. That made the middle of this conversation a lot of fun.

We get into what the default mode network actually is, why your sense of self comes apart at higher doses, and why the further that dissolution goes the better the outcome tends to be. Then I asked her the thing I could not work out on my own. If the brain is getting MORE disorganized under a psychedelic, why do people come back describing the most vivid and connected experience of their lives? You would predict the opposite. That question is where the whole filter debate lives, and neither of us pretended to have it settled.

Then we told each other stories we cannot explain. Mine involved my grandmother, my sister, and a phone call. Hers involved a dream she asked for and did not get.

If you have done the healing work and still feel stuck in the same loop, the mechanism in this episode is the one to understand.

IN THIS EPISODE:
0:00

Welcome And Guest Introduction

4:00

Chloe’s Path From Faith To Science

9:10

Defining Psychedelics And Classic Compounds

10:55

Default Mode Network And Ego Death

17:30

Filtered Perception And The DMT Realm

27:35

Dreams Synchronicity And Meaning

35:30

Where Psychedelics Show Real Benefits

38:20

Predictive Processing And Belief Revision

49:20

Dosing Set Setting And Microdosing

57:15

Safety Religious Trauma And What’s Next

FIND DR. CHLOE WEST
Substack: Born Again Again
YouTube: @DrChloeWest
Instagram: @dr.chloewest

FIND ME
Take the free quiz that names the pattern running your life: https://quiz.humanuniversity.com
Join a free Wednesday room at 3:30pm ET: https://nextlevelhuman.com/human-conversations
Read the newsletter: https://substack.nextlevelhuman.com

Connect with Next Level Human
Website: www.nextlevelhuman.com
[email protected]

Connect with Dr. Jade Teta
Website: www.jadeteta.com
Instagram: @jadeteta

Send us Fan Mail

Money is the one job that scares and confuses me most — so I brought in the person I go to when I need to understand it: my friend Brandon Belk.

A few years ago, right as my business collapsed and I was starting over at 50, I gave Brandon $6K and forgot about it. Two years later it had become $60K. This episode is me dragging his thinking into the open so you can listen in on the conversation we keep having off-air.

In this conversation, we get into:

• Why fear might be a compass pointing toward opportunity rather than away from it
• Why Brandon invests in infrastructure and scarcity instead of the shiny objects everyone argues about
• What XRP and XLM are actually doing underneath the noise
• Decentralization as a multi-century meta-trend — in knowledge, power, and money
• The K-shaped economy and the "mud" that keeps so many of us stuck
• Why he believes the next two years are the window

Brandon is on Substack @brandonbelk you can also find him at growinnerouter.com.

This is a conversation between two friends, not investment advice.

Chapters:

0:00

Welcome And The Four Jobs

6:41

Business Collapse And The 10x Wake-Up

10:05

Why The Fourth Industrial Shift Matters

14:59

Betting On The Infrastructure Layer

20:11

Scarcity Trades Energy Metals Commodities

28:52

Reading On-Chain Data And Adoption Signals

36:56

XRP And XLM Explained Simply

45:48

Do Banks Die Or Adapt

52:57

Inflation And The K-Shaped Economy

1:01:24

The Next Two Years And 2028

1:09:13

A Practical Contrarian Playbook

1:13:29

How To Reach Brandon

Connect with Next Level Human
Website: www.nextlevelhuman.com
[email protected]

Connect with Dr. Jade Teta
Website: www.jadeteta.com
Instagram: @jadeteta

Send us Fan Mail

Unlock the transformative power of plant medicine and deep psychological insight with Dr. Jeff McNairy, a pioneer in psychedelic-assisted healing. Discover how ayahuasca and other psychedelics are not just tools for addiction recovery or trauma release but keys to profound self-awareness, expanded consciousness, and emotional resilience. 

Jeff’s incredible journey from UCLA researcher to Costa Rica retreat founder reveals how these natural medicines can unravel subconscious blocks, rewire the brain, and catalyze lasting personal growth.You’ll learn:

• The science behind how psychedelics alter brain networks, specifically the default mode network, to foster openness and connectedness.
• The vital role intention, set, and setting play in shaping healing experiences—why environment is everything. 
• How plant medicines help dissociate ego-tethered patterns and facilitate emotional release, leading to clarity and inner peace.
• The difference between trauma and ongoing emotional drama—and how psychedelics can accelerate breakthroughs in both realms.
• The importance of integrating insights post-journey to turn breakthrough into sustained transformation. 

For spiritual seekers, mental health practitioners, and curious skeptics alike, this episode offers a compelling look at the intersection of science, spirituality, and healing innovation. Jeff shares both his personal awakening and the powerful protocols that make Rhythmia one of the world’s most advanced and compassionate retreat centers.In a world starved for genuine connection and emotional mastery, Jeff’s insights provide a blueprint to navigate the subconscious mud—those misguided, unresolved stories that keep us stuck. 

Whether you’re contemplating your first psychedelic experience or deepening your journey, this conversation can help you approach these medicines with clarity, respect, and intention—unlocking not just new insights but a higher way of being.Tune in for a conversation that will challenge your perceptions, deepen your understanding, and inspire you to take your next step toward emotional freedom. Because when we heal ourselves, we change the world—one purpose, one insight, one awakening at a time.

Perfect for: seekers, healers, skeptics, high performers, and anyone curious about the future of personal transformation through sacred plant medicines.

Chapters:

0:00

Welcome And Why Jeff Matters

4:16

From UCLA To Building Rhythmia

12:10

How Psychedelics Shift The Ego

19:39

Trauma Storage And Emotional Release

24:42

Intention Setting And Inherited Patterns

30:22

Set And Setting Inside Rhythmia

35:24

Spiritual Insight And The Pink Cloud

45:27

Empaths Boundaries And Energy Hygiene

49:41

Final Takeaways And Farewell

Connect with Next Level Human
Website: www.nextlevelhuman.com
[email protected]

Connect with Dr. Jade Teta
Website: www.jadeteta.com
Instagram: @jadeteta

Send us Fan Mail

Most of us underestimate how common toxic and narcissistic personalities really are—and how deeply they disrupt our teams, relationships, and lives. What if the biggest key to handling these challenging individuals isn’t fighting them, but understanding their roots and mastering the game of influence and boundaries? In this episode of Next Level Human, Jade Teta and Danny Coleman dive into the dark triad—narcissism, psychopathy, and sadism—and reveal surprising insights that can change how you deal with difficult people.

You’ll discover:
The startling statistics behind psychopathic traits in the general population, and why most manipulative people aren’t serial killers but everyday bosses, friends, and partners.
A powerful framework connecting childhood security issues to adult control-seeking and narcissistic behavior—plus practical strategies to identify these traits early.

The "White Pawn Principle"—a tactical approach inspired by chess—to test, call out, and position yourself strategically against toxic personalities without giving away your power.

How self-awareness, situational awareness, and unwavering boundaries can protect you from manipulation and chaos—especially in the workplace or personal relationships.
The importance of playing the long game: building your inner strength and values so that you lead from a position of integrity, even in the face of chaos and toxicity.

Why most high performers labeled as “dark personalities” actually underperform over time and don’t add long-term value—yet remain in leadership roles because of their knack for creating chaos.
If you’re tired of feeling powerless over toxic people, this episode is your roadmap to understanding where these behaviors come from—and, more importantly, how you can outsmart them. Whether in work, love, or politics, mastering the art of influence, boundaries, and self-ownership empowers you to turn chaos into clarity—and even become a hero in your own story.

This isn’t just theory—it’s actionable insight that can help you spot, confront, and outlast the destructive patterns you encounter daily. Perfect for leaders, coaches, and anyone determined to elevate their influence and protect their peace, this episode will leave you with a clear, three-step formula to handle toxic personalities with confidence and grace.
Why this works:

The opening hook immediately taps into a common yet overlooked reality—how prevalent and damaging toxic personalities are—while creating curiosity around practical strategies. The body presents specific frameworks and actionable steps, appealing directly to listeners seeking empowerment and control. By highlighting surprising data, practical tactics, and the emotional stakes, the description fuels curiosity and promises transformation, making it irresistible to hit play.

Chapters:
0:00

Welcome And Today’s Topic

3:30

Dark Triad And The Numbers

9:05

Why Power Seekers Are Made

16:20

Self Awareness Against Manipulation

21:30

The White Pawn Trust Test

28:30

When It Feels Too Late

36:35

Bad Apples Hurt Team Output

44:20

Control Looks Like Performance

50:35

Rain Your Rain And Exit Plans

56:45

Stop Enabling At Work

1:01:35

Politics And Divisive Leadership

1:04:35

Personal Standards And Closing

Connect with Next Level Human
Website: www.nextlevelhuman.com
[email protected]

Connect with Dr. Jade Teta
Website: www.jadeteta.com
Instagram: @jadeteta

Send us Fan Mail

Unlock the secret link between your heart and mind that can transform stress into resilience, clarity, and even elevate your spiritual connection. If you’ve ever wondered how your emotional states literally shape your health and your thoughts, this episode is your essential guide. Deborah Rozman, PhD, co-CEO of HeartMath Incorporated, reveals groundbreaking insights into how your heart’s electromagnetic field influences every cell in your body—and how cultivating heart coherence can rewire deep-seated beliefs and emotional patterns.

In this powerful conversation, Deborah shares the science behind heart rate variability and how it reflects your emotional flexibility. You’ll discover simple, scientifically validated techniques to shift quickly from chaos to calm—no matter how stressful life gets. We break down how heartfelt intention combined with specific breathing techniques creates a “flow state” that entrains your nervous system and even impacts your brain’s higher functions, activating creativity, intuition, and higher cognitive processes.

Deborah also unveils the profound influence of the heart’s magnetic and energetic fields—how they broadcast and receive signals that can extend several feet beyond your body, influencing others and even the planet. Learn how these fields underpin phenomena like collective coherence, intuitive insights, and non-local connections. And if you’re curious about the cutting-edge quantum biology aspects—such as heart-brain synchronization, the role of microtubules in consciousness, and how your heart’s electromagnetic field interacts with the Earth’s geomagnetic and even cosmic fields—this episode dives into those mysteries with clarity and excitement.

This episode is perfect for anyone eager to harness scientific tools to master their emotional and physiological well-being, elevate their intuitive capacity, and participate in a global movement toward higher consciousness. Whether you’re a health professional, a biohacker, or simply someone seeking true resilience and purpose, Deborah’s insights offer a revolutionary perspective: your heart is not just a pump, but the true command center for optimal health, heightened awareness, and spiritual evolution.

Visit heartmath.com to explore tools, training programs, and to join a community working toward global coherence. This isn’t just science—it’s a new way of being, where your heart’s intelligence guides you to a life of greater clarity, connection, and purpose.
Why this works:

The opening hook immediately teases a transformational link between heart and mind that appeals to health-conscious, spiritually curious, and scientifically inclined audiences. The description simplifies complex concepts into digestible insights with clear benefits, emphasizing practical tools and profound implications, ensuring high curiosity and engagement.

Contact HeartMath:
https://www.heartmath.org/
E-mail: [email protected]

CHAPTERS:
0:00 Welcome And Guest Introduction

3:35 HeartMath Origin And Deborah’s Story 

7:30 HRV Explained In Plain Language

14:20 Coherence Through Breath And Feeling

21:25 Training Tools And Real World Use

27:05 Changing Emotional Imprints In The Brain

33:45 Regulation Versus Relaxation And Willpower

40:35 How The Heart Communicates Four Ways

46:15 Heart Field Research And Group Effects

50:55 Global Coherence Quantum Links And Next Steps

54:00 Where To Start With HeartMath

Connect with Next Level Human
Website: www.nextlevelhuman.com
[email protected]

Connect with Dr. Jade Teta
Website: www.jadeteta.com
Instagram: @jadeteta

Send us Fan Mail

In this conversation, Jade Teta discusses the concept of nervous system regulation and its place in the broader context of health and wellness. He argues that while nervous system regulation is important, it is not the root cause of health issues. Instead, he emphasizes the significance of identity and consciousness in shaping our experiences and health outcomes. The discussion explores the evolution of health trends, the impact of childhood experiences on identity, and the importance of integrating stories and beliefs to facilitate personal transformation. Teta also highlights the limitations of traditional therapeutic approaches and advocates for a more holistic understanding of health that incorporates both psychological and physiological aspects.

takeaways

• Nervous system regulation is a popular trend but not the root cause of health issues.
• Identity and consciousness play a crucial role in health and wellness.
• Childhood experiences significantly shape our identity and perceptions.
• The stories we tell ourselves influence our reality and health outcomes.
• Integration of identities and experiences is essential for personal growth.
• Understanding, believing, and knowing are different stages of personal transformation.
• Traumas are events, while dramas are our interpretations of those events.
• Books and logical explanations alone do not lead to lasting change.
• The subconscious mind plays a key role in shaping our identities and behaviors.
• A holistic approach to health must consider both psychological and physiological factors.

CHAPTERS:

0:00

Solo Setup & Bold Thesis

3:48

Career Roots & Functional Medicine Path

6:45

Diet Fads To Hormones To Nerves

10:31

Materialism vs Idealism Explained

13:30

PNEI System Reframed Through Identity

16:37

Identity Shapes Filters And Physiology

19:09

Justin Joins: Identity vs Psychology

22:30

Parts, Personality, And The Default Mode

26:00

Understanding, Believing, Knowing

29:29

Hidden Patterns And Subconscious Change

33:41

Dimmer Switch: What Regulation Means

36:30

Rewriting Stories And Boundaries

40:41

Rewrite, Rewire, Retrain Framework

44:45

Therapy, EMDR, And Practice Gaps

47:30

Integrating Coaches And Therapists

Connect with Next Level Human
Website: www.nextlevelhuman.com
[email protected]

Connect with Dr. Jade Teta
Website: www.jadeteta.com
Instagram: @jadeteta

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, Jade, Danny, and Ray dive deep into the power of stories, subconscious change, and how personal transformation truly happens beyond just information. Whether you're exploring psychedelics, habits, or mindset shifts, these insights will help you understand and engineer lasting change.

Key Topics

• The difference between information and real transformation rooted in the subconscious
• How life crises and big disruptions catalyze deep change
• The role of stories, both macro and micro, in shaping behavior and identity
• Practical frameworks for rewiring beliefs: rewrite, rewire, and retrain
• The importance of safety, connection, autonomy, and their influence on motivation
• How psychedelics can loosen identity patterns and facilitate integration
• The concept of integration versus retraining in personal growth
• Success rates of habit-based change vs. emotional and story-based approaches
• The significance of ownership and acceptance of all past stories to create authentic change
• Using stories to influence perception and behavior in everyday life

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction: The power of conversations on personal transformation

2:50

Setting The Stage: Transformation

4:13

Information Is Not Transformation

5:34

Stories In The Subconscious

7:26

Rock Bottom Vs Chosen Disruption

9:53

Environment As An Identity Lever

13:44

The Trap Of Book Knowledge

16:27

Aligning Narratives With Action

18:57

Macro And Micro Stories

21:22

Choosing Better Driving Stories

23:30

Fictional Selves And Real Behaviors

26:19

Suffering, Insight, And Choice

28:21

Rewrite, Rewire, Retrain Framework

32:32

Four Motivational Dials

36:45

Safety, Belonging, And Autonomy

39:25

What

Connect with Next Level Human
Website: www.nextlevelhuman.com
[email protected]

Connect with Dr. Jade Teta
Website: www.jadeteta.com
Instagram: @jadeteta

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, we navigate the nuances of men's self-development, emotional connection, and cultural influences shaping masculinity today. Join us for candid insights, personal stories, and actionable tips to foster growth and authentic relationships.

Key Topics:

• The gender dynamics in self-development: Why women seem more engaged than men
• The role of cultural and biological factors in emotional expression among men
• Practical steps for men to start their self-improvement journey
• The importance of brotherhood, vulnerability, and connection in masculinity
• How understanding archetypes and balancing masculine and feminine energies enhances relationships
• Micro-learning and simple routines for ongoing self-growth
• Overcoming societal norms and models that hinder emotional awareness
• The impact of role models and shared experiences in fostering self-awareness

Timestamps: 

0:00

Framing The Men And Self-Development Debate

6:35

Ray’s Origin Story And Early Lessons

14:55

Do Men Count Gym Gains As Growth?

20:05

Interests, Archetypes, And Emotional Gaps

28:05

Nature, Nurture, And Masculine Conditioning

35:25

Models, Mentors, And Male Role Shortage

42:55

Getting Started: Just-In-Time Micro Learning

50:55

Mindfulness For Men: The 4R Process

59:45

Radical Responsibility And Pattern Repair

Resources & Links:

• Lean Learning by Pat Flynn (search for exact link)
• The Five Love Languages
• Jordan Peterson's work on archetypes
• Attachment Styles Explained
• Tony Robbins
• Psychology research on gender differences

Connect with the Guests:

• Danny Coleman - Instagram | Substack
• Ray Hinish - Substack
• Justin Janoska - 

Connect with Next Level Human
Website: www.nextlevelhuman.com
[email protected]

Connect with Dr. Jade Teta
Website: www.jadeteta.com
Instagram: @jadeteta

Send us Fan Mail

Discover how quantum principles are transforming our understanding of health beyond traditional biochemistry. In this episode, Dr. Catherine Clinton shares insights into the energetic layers of the body, the role of water, fascia, and light, and practical principles for optimizing vitality naturally.

Key Topics:

• The foundational role of quantum biology in health and longevity
• How water’s structure and electromagnetic fields influence cellular function
• The fascia as an energetic communication network and its connection to emotion and trauma
• The impact of light, grounding, and natural environments on vitality
• Seven principles to harness energetic health: water, light, water, coherence, fascia, microbiome, and nature
• Practical strategies for enhancing biological water and electromagnetic energy
• The significance of EMFs, cellular biophysics, and energetic scaffolding
• Emerging research on energized water, structured water, and biofield communication
• The power of mindset, emotion, and consciousness in health optimization

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to quantum biology and its role in health
2:50

Meet Dr. Catherine Clinton

4:45

Why Quantum Biology Matters

10:05

Beyond ATP: Light And EMFs

11:45

Heart Coherence And Mitochondria

15:55

EZ Water As A Battery

23:02

Bioelectric Fields Guide Cells

27:20

Can You Drink Structured Water

35:20

Sun, Grounding, Fruit, And Flow

42:45

Thoughts, Safety, And Healing

53:40

Fascia As An Information Network

58:25

Summary And Where To Learn More

Resources & Links:

• Optimize: A Groundbreaking 7-Step Plan to Health and Longevity through Quantum Biology
• Dr. Catherine Clinton - Website
• Dr. Catherine Clinton on Instagram

Connect with Next Level Human
Website: www.nextlevelhuman.com
[email protected]

Connect with Dr. Jade Teta
Website: www.jadeteta.com
Instagram: @jadeteta