In this episode I revisit the topic of Non-Violent Communication (NVC) a communication framework developed by Marshall Rosenberg that helps people connect their needs and express them to others. This method of expressing one’s feelings, needs and making requests has been pivotal to my own healing journey as well as a valuable tool for millions of others who desire connection and understand with their loved ones. I’m also drinking some cacao, so bear with my occasional sips and swallows.

Subtopics that arose:

- Introducing Marshall Rosenberg and NVC

- Needs and learning about our needs

- The intention behind expressing our unmet needs

- The desperation in meeting our needs

- Reflecting on attachment and language

Audiobook for NVC:

https://www.audible.ca/pd/Nonviolent-Communication-Audiobook/B072LG72D3?eac_link=T1vwkcQqwZQJ&ref=web_search_eac_asin_1&eac_selected_type=asin&eac_selected=B072LG72D3&qid=Jw2WAcbI2x&eac_id=131-1357949-0759106_Jw2WAcbI2x&sr=1-2

YouTube Video by Marshall Rosenberg:

List of words that express Needs and Feelings:

https://www.changethegameacademy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/Toolkits/Feelings%20and%20Needs%20inventory%20-%20CNVC.pdf

Song in the intro- “Light of the Mountain” by Brandon Tilt

Huy ch q’u (thank you) to those who support the indigenous communities and actively decolonize their minds and spirits.

Ways to support indigenous communities:

* Recommended Readings:

⁠⁠https://ojibwe.net/resources/⁠⁠

- ”Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer

- Any books written by an indigenous author about the Indian Act, eg, “First Nations 101” by Lynda Gray

* To learn the unceded land you are on:

⁠⁠https://native-land.ca/⁠⁠

* Ask yourself…

Who are the hereditary chiefs or elected council members of that nation?

What language do they speak?

What does this nation represent?

Where does their name come from?

Are these your teachings to share?

* I recommend you find Facebook events which are supporting the nation; there are many, especially around Orange Shirt Day, September 30th.

* DO NOT purchase traditional medicines from outlet stores, gift shops or any location where it is unclear if these profits are taking away from Indigenous people. Similarly, avoid events that monetize stolen teachings. If they do not have permission, this is cultural appropriation.

- Questioning what it means to be a good/bad person

- We all possess the capacity for evil

- Are “good people” truly good?

- Altruism and humanity

- The Stanford Prison Experiment

- Contextualizing evil on a continuum

- Can we acknowledge personal “evil-doing”?

Song in the intro- “Light of the Mountain” by Brandon Tilt

Huy ch q’u (thank you) to those who support the indigenous communities and actively decolonize their minds and spirits.

Ways to support indigenous communities:

* Recommended Readings:

⁠⁠https://ojibwe.net/resources/⁠⁠

- ”Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer

- Any books written by an indigenous author about the Indian Act, eg, “First Nations 101” by Lynda Gray

* To learn the unceded land you are on:

⁠⁠https://native-land.ca/⁠⁠

* Ask yourself…

Who are the hereditary chiefs or elected council members of that nation?

What language do they speak?

What does this nation represent?

Where does their name come from?

Are these your teachings to share?

* I recommend you find Facebook events which are supporting the nation; there are many, especially around Orange Shirt Day, September 30th.

* DO NOT purchase traditional medicines from outlet stores, gift shops or any location where it is unclear if these profits are taking away from Indigenous people. Similarly, avoid events that monetize stolen teachings. If they do not have permission, this is cultural appropriation.

In this episode, I take some space by the ocean on a rainy afternoon near the Nanaimo ferry terminal to reflect on where I’m at with my healing journey. Fresh out of my 10th and 11th ayahuasca ceremonies (the first 9 were almost 2 years ago), the first time sitting with the medicine in over a year and a half, I didn’t really have a topic aside in mind. So these raw reflections were just a helpful way to ground, to settle, and to capture some of the magic I felt that day. Enjoy the gentle rain sounds!

Subtopics that arise:

- Surrender, release and change

- Owning our darkness

- Sitting with discomfort

- Showing up when all hope is lost

- Getting to know “The pregnant void”

- Filling the void with love

- Re-envisioning your dream

Song in the intro- “Light of the Mountain” by Brandon Tilt

Huy ch q’u (thank you) to those who support the indigenous communities and actively decolonize their minds and spirits.

Ways to support indigenous communities:

* Recommended Readings:

⁠https://ojibwe.net/resources/⁠

- ”Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer

- Any books written by an indigenous author about the Indian Act, eg, “First Nations 101” by Lynda Gray

* To learn the unceded land you are on:

⁠https://native-land.ca/⁠

* Ask yourself…

Who are the hereditary chiefs or elected council members of that nation?

What language do they speak?

What does this nation represent?

Where does their name come from?

Are these your teachings to share?

* I recommend you find Facebook events which are supporting the nation; there are many, especially around Orange Shirt Day, September 30th.

* DO NOT purchase traditional medicines from outlet stores, gift shops or any location where it is unclear if these profits are taking away from Indigenous people. Similarly, avoid events that monetize stolen teachings. If they do not have permission, this is cultural appropriation.

After nearly 5 months of doing podcast episodes out in nature or with guests (outside of my studio space) I’ve returned to my crisp audio quality condenser mic to talk about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). I’ve mentioned being neurodivergent in past episodes and most of my friends/colleagues probably know this about me, but this is the first time I’ve dedicated the space to reflecting and sharing pieces of wisdom I’ve read in Dr. Gabor Maté’s book “Scattered Minds”. Here’s the thing, I’m no expert and you can learn a ton about ADHD from schooling, researchers, authors or maybe even content creators who dedicate themselves to sharing their tools/resources. I don’t believe I need to be an expert or hold a credential to understand my own mind and feel like my 23 years of being aware of my neurodivergence has taught me enough to speak to about this topic to some extent.

Link to “Scattered Minds” by Dr. Gabor Maté: https://drgabormate.com/book/scattered-minds/

Subtopics that arose:

- My story of being diagnosed at age 8

- The theory of “being normal” and ADHD

- Attunement and parenting styles

- What even is ADHD?

- Prioritizing socialization over attachment needs

- The role of fostering Autonomy

- Discipline vs control

Song in the intro- “Light of the Mountain” by Brandon Tilt

Huy ch q’u (thank you) to those who support the indigenous communities and actively decolonize their minds and spirits.

Ways to support indigenous communities:

* 1. Recommended Readings:

⁠https://ojibwe.net/resources/⁠

- ”Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer

- Any books written by an indigenous author about the Indian Act, eg, “First Nations 101” by Lynda Gray

* 2. To learn the unceded land you are on:

⁠https://native-land.ca/⁠

* 3. Ask yourself…

Who are the hereditary chiefs or elected council members of that nation?

What language do they speak?

What does this nation represent?

Where does their name come from?

Are these your teachings to share?

* 4. I recommend you find Facebook events which are supporting the nation; there are many, especially around Orange Shirt Day, September 30th.

5. DO NOT purchase traditional medicines from outlet stores, gift shops or any location where it is unclear if these profits are taking away from Indigenous people.

In this episode, I spent about 25 minutes hanging out at one of my favourite spots by “Bunzten Lake”, watching the waves ripple and birds fly. Here I begin reflecting on “cheap intimacy” or this social-media-based delusional imaginary intimacy coined “Instamacy” and tying in some reflections about comedy performances, or the idea of laughter as medicine. I suppose it’s worth pointing out the subtle irony of my creating content, such as this podcast, where I’m also creating a digital relationship with my listeners. But that’s just the nature of this digital world; we are all developing these forms of connections, and I propose we develop deeper awareness around who our real friends are.

Subtopics that arise:

- Reciprocity and online influencers

- Meeting people in the real world vs online

- Don’t take life so seriously

- Placebo vs Nocebo effect

Song in the intro- “Light of the Mountain” by Brandon Tilt

Huy ch q’u (thank you) to those who support the indigenous communities and actively decolonize their minds and spirits.

Ways to support indigenous communities:

* Recommended Readings:

⁠https://ojibwe.net/resources/⁠

- ”Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer

- Any books written by an indigenous author about the Indian Act, eg, “First Nations 101” by Lynda Gray

* To learn the unceded land you are on:

⁠https://native-land.ca/⁠

* Ask yourself…

Who are the hereditary chiefs or elected council members of that nation?

What language do they speak?

What does this nation represent?

Where does their name come from?

Are these your teachings to share?

* I recommend you find Facebook events which are supporting the nation; there are many, especially around Orange Shirt Day, September 30th.

* DO NOT purchase traditional medicines from outlet stores, gift shops or any location where it is unclear if these profits are taking away from Indigenous people.

In this episode, I’m sitting on a stump next to Buntzen Lake, and I begin this episode with a land acknowledgement, which I no longer include in the show notes (which I felt were empty acknowledgements) and will periodically do as part of my introduction, with some resources linked in the description. The topic for this episode is about healing family wounds, in my personal case, by trying to actively teach, demonstrate, and model healthy boundary setting, which I feel my parents lacked. It’s hard to teach your children things you were never taught, and usually, these skills are what create a healthy foundation of safety within a relationship. I strongly believe that without boundaries, authentic safety cannot exist; instead, a kind of superficial safety emerges. One based in passive aggression, avoidance of conflict and people pleasing, often leading to gossip, division and resentment.

Ways to support indigenous communities:

* Some suggested readings:

⁠https://ojibwe.net/resources/⁠

- “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer

- Any books written by an indigenous author about the Indian Act, eg, “First Nations 101” by Lynda Gray

* To learn the unceded land you are on:

⁠https://native-land.ca/⁠

* Ask yourself…

Who are the hereditary chiefs or elected council members of that nation?

What language do they speak?

What does this nation represent?

Where does their name come from?

Are these your teachings to share?

This includes songs, stories or anything that you acquire online, ask questions, do not assume.

* I recommend you find Facebook events which are supporting your local nation; especially around Orange Shirt Day, September 30th.

* Lastly, DO NOT purchase traditional medicines from outlet stores, gift shops or any location where it is unclear if these profits are taking away from Indigenous people.

Subtopics that arose:

- What happens when we fail to access our anger

- Healing with IFS and plant medicines

- When conflict becomes unsafe

- “Containing our sacred fire”

Song in the intro- “Light of the Mountain” by Brandon Tilt

Huy ch q’u (thank you) to those who support the indigenous communities and actively decolonize their minds and spirits.

teve Chapman is a seasoned outdoor adventurer who has been climbing mountains for over 45 years, driven by a deep respect for nature and a passion for exploration. For the past 12 years, he has served as a dedicated volunteer with Coquitlam Search and Rescue, where his experience and leadership have been invaluable.

Stephen also heads up the community education program, empowering others with the knowledge and skills to stay safe in the wilderness. His lifelong commitment to adventure and public service continues to inspire those around him. In this episode, we have a pleasant chat about hiking, exploring trails, and Steve shares some stories from his time with CSR. Throughout his lifetime of exploring various mountain ranges worldwide, he has developed a wise and cautious method to hiking, which he generously shares in this podcast.

Some Subtopics that arose:

- Having an overnight kit (foil blanket/ bivy sack/ poncho) - Carrying the 10 essentials, more here:

https://www.coquitlam-sar.bc.ca/wilderness-education/ten-essentials/

- The whistle protocol : 3 long blasts to call for help

- Things to consider when hiking with dogs

- Assessing a rockfall hazard

- Being self-reliant and self-responsible when group hiking

- Being graceful when you face challenges on or off the mountain

Song in the intro- "Light of the Mountain" by Brandon Tilt

Huy ch q’u (thank you) to those who support the indigenous communities and actively decolonize their minds and spirits.

In this episode I'm hanging out on a mossy log on a surprisingly rainy, yet sunny day near Buntzen lake formly named Beautiful Lake, near the Tseil-Watuth ancestral village of təmtəmíxʷtən (Tum-tum-e-wht-ten). There was a path of stormy clouds, thunder booming, with a beautiful sunny sky shrouding the distant mountains, a magical day indeed, with dozens of ravens abound.

Here was a perfect place to integrate some of my experience of Firekeeping my first Sundance. This was my first experience of attending Sundance at all, and it was equally powerful, humbling and astonishing in its cultural expression. The Lakota Sundance is a part of the Dakota people's ceremonies and has ancient roots as the most sacred of their 7 ceremonies gifted to them by their ancestors. The teachings brought forward by these traditions are not mine to share, and I will draw from my direct experience, reflecting on what is mine to share and recalling anecdotes from my 9 days on the Sundance grounds.

The George Family's Sundance is held on the ancestral territory of the St'at'imc indigenous nation and the Xaxli'p band. The Tseil-Watuth nation are honored guests on these sacred lands and I am a settler and a guest on these lands, as well as the territories where I live, and where I recorded this podcast.

Subtopics that arose:

- Coming together in community

- What is a Sundance Chief? (from my limited lens)

- Revival of traditions

- Elders and sharing teachings in the community

- Addiction and grief in indigenous communities

- Experience vs Prayer

- Honouring teachings as a Settler/Guest/Ally

Song in the intro- "Light of the Mountain" by Brandon Tilt

I acknowledge that I learn, grow and heal on the unceded ancestral lands of the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm , the Katzie, the Stó:lō and the Tseil-Watuth First Nations. These lands were never abandoned nor surrendered by those with the ancestral rights to steward and protect these lands.

I honour and respect the elders, the children, the land stewards, the land protectors, the medicine keepers, and the men and women of all Indigenous nations.

Huy ch q’u (thank you) to those who support the indigenous communities and actively decolonize their minds and spirits.

Aho Mitakuye Oyasin, All my relations.

In this episode I reflect on community accountability, drawing from my personal accounts of having conversations around safety, accountability, ethics and what I personally define as "embodying integrity" (the definition varies for each person).

I'm not proposing I have it all figured out, surely I don't. However, actively avoiding difficult conversations about people who are a risk to the public, for fear of causing drama/backlash, or risking our reputation or whatever, leads to a social climate where pretty much anything goes as long as it's challenging to directly confront. And I propose that operating like this isn't functional or safe, and at the very least, conversations around ethics and accountability need to be normalized.

Subtopics that arise:

- Anger isn't the enemy

- "Healers" who harm

- When people deny ownership of their actions

- Normalizing uncomfortable conversations

- How do we learn about this stuff?

- Keeping vulnerable people safe

- Popping the spiritual bypass bubble, being real

Song in the intro- "Light of the Mountain" by Brandon Tilt

I acknowledge that I learn, grow and heal on the unceded ancestral lands of the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm , the Katzie, the Stó:lō and the Tseil-Watuth First Nations. These lands were never abandoned nor surrendered by those with the ancestral rights to steward and protect these lands.

I honour and respect the elders, the children, the land stewards, the land protectors, the medicine keepers, and the men and women of all Indigenous nations.

Huy ch q’u (thank you) to those who support the indigenous communities and actively decolonize their minds and spirits.

Aho Mitakuye Oyasin, All my relations.

In this episode, I announce my podcast's new name, "On Healing with Brandon Tilt", clarifying a clearer intention for how my podcast is developing. I spend time monologuing whilest hanging in my hammock atop Eagle Mountain, Kwikwetlam territory, along the ridge of a sacred mountain which neighbours the Kwiwetlam Nation's Watershed.

It's been nearly a month since my last episode, which is a decent break for me. I've experienced a lot in this past month and felt called to explore various topics.

Subtopics that arise:

- Foreshadowing for a future guest

- Anticipation of attending Sundance next week

- Checking in around Allyship/reconciliation

- AI and potential end games

- Questioning the "superiority" of Western thought

- Philosophizing around interconnectedness

Song in the intro- "Light of the Mountain" by Brandon Tilt

I acknowledge that I learn, grow and heal on the unceded ancestral lands of the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm , the Katzie, the Stó:lō and the Tseil-Watuth First Nations. These lands were never abandoned nor surrendered by those with the ancestral rights to steward and protect these lands.

I honour and respect the elders, the children, the land stewards, the land protectors, the medicine keepers, and the men and women of all Indigenous nations.

Huy ch q’u (thank you) to those who support the indigenous communities and actively decolonize their minds and spirits.

Aho Mitakuye Oyasin, All my relations.