Dr. Bob's unconventional path toward wisdom began with a Christian upbringing in small town California. The path widened during his collegiate years when he began a lifelong meditation practice. His focus sharpened as a result of the calamitous alcoholic bottom he hit in midlife. Since then he's become a devoted practitioner and teacher of recovery built on the principles of Integral Theory. Our conversation was wide ranging.

Mark Yablonski's experience of being seen with eyes of compassion in the midst of degradation changed his life and opened his heart. His thoughtful answer to the question of why there is such misery in the world is just one of the insightful gems in this episode. You won't want to miss the humbling and inspiring prayer he shares at the end of our conversation.

Duke Tufty's childhood in small town South Dakota was steeped in a stern Lutheran upbringing. He quickly rejected that life as a young adult. When material success rang hollow, he went wayward with alcohol and cocaine. A near overdose event began his initially reluctant path toward ministry.

Pat generously shares his story of climbing the career ladder while simultaneously crashing his inner life. He also details the simple formula for mastery of anything - practice, practice, practice. His honest, humorous, curious, humility is infectious in the best way.

In this episode Liz generously reveals her awakening to the limits of intellect and her courageous movement toward intuitive loving. This conversation delves into the perils of reacting against others and the power of knowing your inner self.

Melissa shares her stories, experiences and practices that help connect her to her ultimate inner resource - her higher power. 

Rose's acting career took her all over Europe and showed her the highs and lows of that path. Then her seeming calamity of psychiatric hospitalization in France provided a surprising glimmer of conscious contact with a previously neglected inner resource. She's now using those experiences and her natural gift of empathy to help others heal.

Laura and I visit about her love of all things natural - especially her friends.

Lisa and I talk about her courageous journey through trauma and addiction into an amazingly inclusive spirituality

Janice and I talk about learning to love yourself and the importance of letting go of old ideas about God.