This week, in our check in, Jason shares with us some challenges he has been having with his daughter and his concerns about it triggering him. Jason’s daughter has been shutting down recently. Sometimes when there’s conflict or uncomfortable situations that come up. Jason talks to us about being triggered and how he is experiencing the situation emotionally. Jason relates to us how being triggered compounds and already complex situation, and how he is getting assistance so that he can be more support to his daughter.

This week’s Deep Dive is a promised topic mentioned last season. Edward and Jason explore the world of procrastination. Our procrastination can be rooted in many issues. Edward found one that resonated with him and shares it in the form of a discussion around Self Worth Theory. Related to Self-Actualization, Edward and Jason discuss emotional triggers, patterns of thought, and leave us with some coping mechanisms to work through the procrastination that plagues many of us.

Our Check-In this week is a fun life update for Jason and Edward. Jason has another adventure kayaking with the family on the river again. Having learned their brutal lesson from their last adventure, the family shortened the trip and went with the current. This of course made for a more pleasant experience. Edward’s week involved pulling a muscle in his side not just once, but three times. He did not let that stop him from putting in a container garden, which will be bearing vegetables soon. Edward also shares an update about his cats. Jason and Edward finish off talking about Jason’s cats, litter box training, and Edward reminisces about the cats who shared his life in the past.

In our Deep Dive Jason and Edward explore the concept of mindsets as found in the book “The Scout Mindset: Why Some People See Things Clearly and Others Don't” by Julia Galef. Jason found the information from a podcast that interviewed the author. The idea of mindset coloring the way we process information is nothing new. But the way it is explained by the author is a perspective that we found interesting enough to share.

Jason starts us off this week with a check-in around his work with the family videos. He shares with us the effect it has had on his perceptions of growing up, and his insights into how it has affected his life. We talk in detail about the experience, both pro and con, and how he is processing with his therapist.

Edward announces 2 new editions to his home. A friend of his is currently fostering a mother cat and her newly born kittens. Edward tells us about his first meeting with the kittens and his choice. At this point, he still is unsure of names for them. We have decided to post pictures on our Facebook Page and ask for suggestions.

In this week’s Deep Dive we explore the world of Psychedelics as a therapeutic tool. Edward has been reading the book “How to Change Your Brain” by Michael Pollan, which covers the history of Psychedelics as well as the new research being conducted. We discuss some of the research trials currently taking place in the United States and around the world. We provide preliminary findings as well as the struggles of building on the old research. We also discuss the effects of micro-dosing as laid out in James Fadiman’s book “The Explorer’s Guide to Psychedelics”. Along the way, Edward and Jason share their own experiences with LSD and Psilocybin.

For more information about the test trials being conducted, as well as the chemicals themselves, please visit MAPS.org

In this week’s episode, Jason and Edward find themselves in a good space. The weather being warm, and spring turning to summer has brightened both Jason’s and Edward’s mental space. Edward starts out talking about his realization that his outside life is starting to be ok, but that he is feeling that a good spring cleaning of his house is needed. Edward and Jason talk about a new project Edward just completed and the relationship dynamic with a long-time friend. We check in with Edward about ADHD and relay some stories about our experiences. Lastly, we talk about changes in perceptions and growing up.

In our Deep Dive this week, we look at the working theories around co-regulation and self-regulation. We discuss the science and psychology of these two related states of being, as well as how they relate to trauma, maturity, and our own personal lives. Within the discussion, there are some tips on identifying deep-rooted issues and challenges, as well as some resources on how to overcome challenges in these areas.

Edward checks in about his depression and some of the work he has been doing. Edward shares with us a difficult topic in his life. Relationships as a whole and romantic relationships specifically are difficult areas in his life. Edward shares his anxieties about, the prospects. Jason and Edward talk about the feelings associated and the need for growth. Jason tells us about his week and some good feelings around the weather, and some projects he has been working on.

This week’s Deep Dive is all about Cognitive Dissonance. In a bonus episode, Jason shared with us a very personal experience with his reaction to the protest outside the capital. We take this time to expand on his experience as he checks in about it and how he combats cognitive dissonance in his daily life. Edward shares a few stories, and together with Jason they navigate some situations and how they dealt with them.

In this week’s check-in we talk about the homework Jason was given by his therapist. Jason speaks about watching videos from his childhood: His memories around the situations, what he sees with his adult experiences, and how he reacts emotionally. We discuss mutual perceptions and the dangers of quantifying experience. Lastly, we have a little fun at Edward’s expense, over a recent, ironic, situation.

Our deep-dive this week covers Religious Trauma. Edward takes the lead, due to his interest in his own religious trauma. Edward speaks about his personal experiences and how they shape his life. Jason offers some keen observations, advice, as well as experiences of his own. We then discuss situations we know to exist. If you are living with spiritual trauma please reach out to someone.

This week’s episode fonds Jason dealing with a situation that leads to a full-on panic attack. Jason has been preparing himself for an inevitable situation that has caused him stress due to his past traumas. Now he is confronting the real-life situation with his wife and learning how to cope as well as being gentle with himself. We talk about strategies and our learning experiences as Edward draws a few correlations to his life. We finish off talk about dealing with multiple situations at once, and the importance of having a good support network, especially a good therapist.

Jason starts this week’s Deep Dive with a question about the possible mental health benefits of BDSM and kink to a trauma survivor. We explore this topic from a theoretical point of view. The discussion covers some basics about the Kink community and our discoveries from looking into the lifestyle. We talk about our personal views on the subject as well as a few studies and anecdotal evidences for pros and cons, as well as precautions for looking into this form of relationship.

Episode 55 – Spiritual Bypassing

Our Episode this week starts with Edward uncovering the truth about his nature. Caught in a space of avoidance he starts to see a pattern in his work history that was dormant due to the seasonal work he did for so long. When Jason asks about his avoidance behavior it comes out that maybe Edward might have ADHD. We discuss the possibilities and some of the symptoms. We also discuss a plan of action and possible treatment options that are available.

In this week’s Deep Dive we review the book “Spiritual Bypassing: When Spirituality Disconnects Us from What Really Matters” by Augustus Masters Robert. We mentioned the book in a previous podcast. Jason read the book about a year ago and Edward just finished the book. Together we share our insights and struggles to accept those insights as we take accountability for parts of our life where we have been bypassing through spirituality.

We start our episode this week with stories of the changing seasons. Edward shares with us the adventure he had cleaning his car out after the winter. Prompted by Jason he tells of the grossest and greatest things he found and shares a mystery too. Jason explores with us a new interest in the form of Stained Glass. He has not only learned new words but a bit about his own behaviors. We round out the Check-In with a conversation about COVID Vaccinations and homework that was given to Jason by his therapist.

Our Deep Dive this week is a very controversial topic right now. We explore what it means to live as a white male in these times. In a world that is angry for so many reasons, we discuss how our privilege gives us the responsibility to frame the conversation in as empathetic a way as possible. We learn how to ask about someone’s experience in a way that does not victimize but empowers and invites them to discuss their experiences in a safe environment. We also talk about how to navigate painful areas without negating our own hurts and traumatic experiences.

This season starts out with Jason and Edward talking about the transitions from last season. Edward gives us an update on Boundaries and the surprising events that have occurred in his life while he has learned to set them. Jason finds himself in his springtime purge. We talk about the purging of emotional and physical items and working to create better places for ourselves.

Today we ask ourselves if some of the talents and "Super Powers" we have come from our trauma. Jason and Edward discuss their "Super Powers" and the trauma that spawned them.