"I've Learned The Antidote For Addiction Is Connection..." (Shawna)

Shawna, started her path to recovery at the age of 24 after battling an addiction with heroin and methamphetamines. As is often the case, those of us who have struggled with addiction to a substance, also have been challenged in personal and intimate relationships. Shawna shares here journey to finding rich and fulfilling friendships and a very deep connection with her husband Dustin.

Searching for a sense of purpose Shawna began working at a non-profit child abuse & neglect prevention agency supporting young mothers with their path to recovery.

In 2018, after witnessing her beloved father succumb to the disease of Young Onset Alzheimer’s, Shawna began working as a Behavior Consultant specializing in supporting older adults with neurocognitive and physical disabilities to improve their quality of life and quality of care.

Shawna has a passion for advocacy and community collaboration to better support disenfranchised individuals, families. She provides guidance so families and the team of care providers better understand how to support their loved ones, build community, and access resources. Shawna is also a powerful advocate to help amplify the voices of her clients, helping them feel heard and seen.

Shawna's vulnerable and courageous story is hope for many.

Until Next Time, PEACE with....

Greg

This 2nd Installment of my conversation with Avery Grace will NOT disappoint.

Avery and their partner Mati' are voices of a generation, maybe THE generation that is standing in the gap. Avery's statement in the waning seconds of the podcast says it with eloquence and power and wrap in their heart of love; " There isn't a part of our lives that's NOT this work".

It is with my heart full that I include Avery & Mati's Invitation to contribute to their desire to birth and raise a child together.

The Invitation From Avery & Mati'

We would like to invite you with our full hearts and bodies to be a part of our fertility community.

We are two queer, gender-expansive humans with deep roots in social justice and service to our communities in

Central Oregon and beyond. One of us is BIPOC, multiracial, and non-binary. Another is transfemme and white. We are both neurodiverse. We are survivors of many stripes, and actively promote the well-being and safety of the most marginalized and in-need of our communities.

We each have led lives committed to the well-being and growth of children and young people—from teaching, mentoring, facilitating youth creative communities, and serving as a youth and adolescent family therapist, to previous co-parenting experiences in non-traditional, non-monogamous, and non-nuclear family formats. We both have manifested our commitment to the future in the form of youth for some time, and now feel called to do so in the form of a biological child, together.

DONATE: Our Goal Is To Raise $7,000

In Peace,

Greg

This week, I had the privilege of sitting down with Avery Grace. The tagline on their website is: Daringly Tender. Vulnerably Raw. Cuttingly Honest. This couldn’t be more spot on. 

Avery Grace (they/she) is a queer/trans self-taught poet-playwright. They have been an NGO worker in refugee camps, a an educator for ESL kids in LA, and taught traditional Chinese medicine to master students. They are also an integrative Chinese Medicine doctor and an herbalist.

Toward the end of the show, Avery said, "it’s not about changing people's minds, it's about making people feel things." 🤯 This concept holds untold power: as our world faces so much division and focus on our different beliefs, it seems clear as day that the antidote to coming back together as humans is to unite on the feeling level. 

Avery also unpacked the idea of “radical presence…the enduring ability to show up and to stay.” Wow. Let that one land. So much of what we struggle with (individually and as a collective) is the inability to be present to our present. Instead, we use the phone or food or substances or social media to escape. Turns out, the key to getting over is going through. Powerful stuff.  

Avery and their partner Mati are pursuing fertility in order to have their first child together. I am including their invitation to support them, including a link to their fundraising page.

The Invitation From Avery & Mati

We would like to invite you with our full hearts and bodies to be a part of our fertility community.

We are two queer, gender-expansive humans with deep roots in social justice and service to our communities in Central Oregon and beyond. One of us is BIPOC, multiracial, and non-binary. Another is transfemme and white. We are both neurodiverse. We are survivors of many stripes, and actively promote the well-being and safety of the most marginalized and in-need of our communities.

We each have led lives committed to the well-being and growth of children and young people—from teaching, mentoring, facilitating youth creative communities, and serving as a youth and adolescent family therapist, to previous co-parenting experiences in non-traditional, non-monogamous, and non-nuclear family formats. We both have manifested our commitment to the future in the form of youth for some time, and now feel called to do so in the form of a biological child, together.

We are asking for your support.

Our goal is to raise $7,000

Tune in for more!

Peace,

Greg

"...A Revolutionary Act!" Indeed

This episode may just inspire you to live your life as a "Revolutionary Act"; a revolution of love and contribution.

As I mention in the Intro PLEASE take a minute to watch the trailer for "The Creative High" Then join Adriana Marchione, Diane Griffin and me as we explore the miracle and mystery of the creative process, and the healing power of living an authentic life.

Follow "The Creative High", Adriana and Diane from the links below.

Website: www.thecreativehigh.com

Trailer: https://vimeo.com/625997823

Email: thecreativehighfilm.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCreativeHigh

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecreativehigh/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-creative-high/

For those of us living in Central Oregon, don't miss SriPonya's Screening of

"The Creative High" along with a panel of local artists In recovery living their

unique expressions of creative genius and "The Revolutionary Act".

Until Next Time; Peace!

Greg

John Charles, JC shares the story of his life and, because of his profound ability to transform his circumstances his story is powerful.

JC grew up in East Palo Alto in the 90's, one of our countries most dangerous cities. He rose to athletic renown culminating with him arriving in Atlanta, GA as a quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons. But as life sometimes does, John's career was short-lived due to an injury.

After the NFL, life brought JC the opportunity to experience homelessness. Yes you read that correctly. But instead of becoming despondent, John's powerful positivity and determination to be a force for good inspired him to explore the deep desires of his heart and his 'why' for being here, for his purpose.

He soon found his 'calling' as a leader and mentor of young people. JC drew upon his platform as a former NFL quarterback and his early upbringing to form a sports academy and football camp program for youth.

JC's presence in a room is power and light. Listen and allow that power and light to inspire you to explore the questions "who am I?" and "why am I here...how can I serve?"

John is also an entrepreneur and has launched "John John BBQ Sauce".

And then join the movement of "Becoming A Heart" and discover SriPonya (Beautiful Healing)

Lastly - Breathe!!!

In Service,

Greg

In addition to being a close friend and brother in recovery for over 20yrs, Charlie Spencer is a man devoted to touching the lives of many. Using his magic and skills with the basketball and as a motivational speaker, Charlie has been and is a force for change.

Charlie has lived in the bright lights of the public eye for decades as a performer and gifted communicator. He has also known the darkness, isolation and loneliness of addiction.

His courage and eternal message of living an empowered life - no matter where life and your choices have taken you - can inspire us all.

Charlie is a staging a 'come back' after a several year-long recovery from a complex knee injury, including multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation. Please consider donating to Charlie's 'GoFundMe' project to support him on his path back to standing again and speaking his message and inspiring thousands to live their very best LIFE.

As you listen, I'm sure you'll see why this man is know as "Magic Charlie"

Also contact Charlie @ [email protected] to schedule a presentation.

Again, Charlie's 'GoFundMe'

Magic Charlie's Website 'Magic Charlie'

And Then Join 'The SriPony Collective'. A community to resource your commitment to living who you truly are; out loud.

Until Next Time, Peace

Your Host, Greg Mead

Episode 12 begins, with Greg sharing a bit of his story...Please forgive him, but he couldn't resist sharing with Rita how he arrived here from whence he'd come.

Rita noticed the inlay of a beautiful guitar Greg keeps in the studio...He tells the story of how it came to him..

In this weeks episode Rita and Greg speak into the world of recovery and plant medicine, social justice and the need for people who consider themselves walking a spiritual path to walk in THIS world as contribution.

Rita brings their quick wit, huge heart and articulate voice without compromise and with courage.

Rita and Greg have come to refer to there ongoing conversations (there will be more) as Rita's Corner.

Rita, continue to shine your brilliant light. We are all gifted by who you are in the world

How can we liberate ourselves — and truly care for each other?

Our guest, Will Hall is a counselor and facilitator working with individuals, couples, families and groups via phone and web video (Zoom). He has taught and consulted on mental health, trauma, psychosis, medications, domestic violence, conflict resolution, and organizational development in more than 30 countries, and been widely featured in the media for his advocacy efforts around mental health care. His work and learning arose from his own experiences of recovery from madness, and today he is passionate about new visions of mind and what it means to be human.

Please listen. And if you are suffering consider reaching out for more information from Will @ https://willhall.net/

Ashley is a motivational speaker, spiritual counselor, teacher, and intuitive healer that has been practicing ancient and modern healing techniques since 2004. She facilitates in-person healings and workshops in Bend Oregon, as well as remote healings and reading sessions for people throughout the world.
Her passion is assisting people in becoming the best versions of themselves by identifying and overcoming trauma and limiting beliefs; healing chronic pain and disease; restoring health and wellbeing; igniting passion and joy; solving problems; setting and achieving goals; and learning how to use the technology of the mind, body, and soul to manifest their greatest reality.
Her work is a blend of techniques from cultures across the globe that combine science and spirituality to access alternate states of consciousness for information, problem-solving, power, protection, and healing.

You can find out more about Ashley:

Website: https://www.bonesoftheearth.org

Email: [email protected]

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ashley.brothers.9887

Facebook 2: https://www.facebook.com/instituteofconsciousevolution

Instagram: alivingprayer1978

We are grateful we had the opportunity to sit with Speakthunder Bruce Tealawai Berry.  

Speakthunder was born on the land of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, which was his Father's tribe.  At a young age, he moved to Tacoma, Washington to be with his Mother and her tribe, the Puyallup Nation. 

At an early age he began to attend an all Native school where in second grade his talents were discovered by his teachers. He then was referred to gifted and talented classes where his abilities flourished and grew over the next several years.

Speakthunder has made a living selling his artwork, including carvings and hand drums, has sat on the art committee board for installation of new coastal art and designs in the New Emerald Queen casino where his art is featured. Mr. Berry has taught introductory coastal art classes to youth, and educated the public on past and current cultural beliefs, way of life, and issues.  Mr. Berry knows many common Coastal songs, 7 Drums songs, Shaker, and NAC songs, and is requested to sing at events, funerals and sweat lodge.

Currently Mr. Berry is an active drum maker, logo designer, graphics designer, pen & ink artist, wood worker, painter, and is considered to be a master Salish artist (20+ years coastal designing).  He is passionate about his art, culture, spirituality, recovery, his people and his daughters.  

Facebook and Instagram @Speakthunderart and his website is here.