The Aware Show

 Would you like to lose a few stubborn pounds? Have you tried to eat less and work out more? Everyone knows how to lose weight. But we still don’t do what we know. Why not? Well, according to our guest today, Martha Beck, it’s because we don’t understand the brain-body dynamics of weight loss. Today Martha teaches us that we have to get lean from the brain outward. And in her book “The Four-Day Win” she tells us how to reverse the brain-body programming that makes us fat, so we can create a new, leaner, and healthier body…for good. Psychology Today, USA Today, and NPR have all referred to Martha Beck as “one of the best-known life coaches in America.” She is a monthly columnist for “O,” the Oprah Magazine, has been a contributing editor for Real Simple, Redbook, and Mademoiselle, and has written for many other national magazines. She appears frequently as an expert on “life design,” on programs such as Good Morning America.  She is the author of “Expecting Adam,” “Steering by Starlight,” “Finding Your Way in a Wild New World,” and more. Info: MarthaBeck.com

We live in a vibrational universe. You may have heard that sound and frequency can heal all wounds and offer solace, especially during times of grief. Today’s guest is Gary Malkin, the founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Wisdom of the World Wellness. Gary is an Emmy award-winning composer, public speaker, and music and health innovator who champions the power of music to promote health, wellness, and compassion. During his two decades as a nationally known composer and producer for film, television, and commercials, Gary received seven ASCAP Film and TV awards. Today he discusses his acclaimed series, “Graceful Passages,” co-created with the award-winning team Michael and Doris Stillwater. Considered the finest work of its kind, it was awarded the 2005 Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Award, while touching nearly a million people by offering support during the many phases of loss. Gary talks about redefining the role of music in life’s challenging transitions, both at the individual and institutional levels. His company, Wisdom of the World Wellness, has focused on developing music and related resources that serve four goals including easing the dying process, enhancing bonding with newborns, alleviating stress for healthcare providers, and deepening heart-centered mindfulness. He shares his music with us during the interview. Info: WisdomoftheWorld.com

Today’s show continues the conversation with the author of the mega-bestselling book, “The Four Agreements” don Miguel Ruiz, and his son, don Jose Ruiz. Together they talk deeply about truth, individuality, and belief systems. They ask us to enjoy life for the limited time we are here. Try to enjoy every moment, while also acknowledging that there is suffering and hardship. They talk about the power we have and how we can change “the story” through our awareness. They explain how the ancestors say we are living in a dream. It is up to us to decide, and to have courage and discipline to change the dream through our habits and by getting to the root of our truth. Don Miguel Ruiz was born into a family of healers and raised in rural Mexico by a curandera (healer) mother and nagual (shaman) grandfather. The family anticipated don Miguel would embrace their centuries old legacy of healing and teaching and as a nagual, carry forward the esoteric Toltec knowledge. Instead, distracted by modern life, Miguel chose to attend medical school and become a surgeon. A near death experience in 1970 changed his life and he began an intensive practice of self-inquiry.  He continues to devote himself to the mastery of his ancient ancestral wisdom.  His book “The Four Agreements”  has been a mega-bestselling book for years. Don Jose, his son, grew up in a long lineage of Toltec Teachers. His father, the Nagual don Miguel Ruiz, and his grandmother, Sarita, passed on their Toltec Teachings to don Jose, who carries on the family tradition of teaching Toltec wisdom. In 2010, don Jose Ruiz released his first book titled “The Fifth Agreement” in partnership with his father, don Miguel Ruiz.  Following this publication, don Jose began traveling around the US, Mexico, and South America.  Don Jose inspires people in many different ways including through his book signings, lectures, seminars, and hosting intensive journeys to Teotihuacan and other sacred sites around the world. This is Part 2 of the interview. Info: miguelruiz.com and theuniverseofnow.com

 How does a traditionally trained neuroscientist and self-described atheist become interested in spirituality? Today Lisa continues her conversation with guest Mona Sobhani, Ph.D. Mona is a classically trained neuroscientist who aggressively defended the dogma of scientific beliefs until a series of life-altering events caused her to reconsider spirituality and psi concepts and launched her into a two-year investigation into the ineffable mysteries of our world. By having unexplained spiritual experiences, she radically changed her life and her beliefs around the mysteries of the universe. Today they talk about how our brains can connect with different fields of consciousness. They discuss materialism vs. experiential realities and how to access these states in various ways. Mona is a former research scientist at the University of Southern California and holds a doctorate in neuroscience from the University of Southern California. She completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Vanderbilt University with the MacArthur Foundation Law and Neuroscience Project. She is the author of “Proof of Spiritual Phenomena: A Neuroscientist’s Discovery of the Ineffable Mysteries of the Universe.” Her work has been featured in the New York Times, VOX, and other media outlets. Today is Part 1 of her interview. Info: monasobhaniphd.com

 Are you familiar with the concept of “The Four Agreements”? Do you strive for personal freedom? Today’s special guests, Toltec masters don Miguel Ruiz and his son, don Jose Ruiz, talk about the power of The Four Agreements and the importance of awareness. The Four Agreements are a powerful code of conduct for attaining personal freedom, and awareness is the first step toward freedom because we cannot be free if we don’t know what we really are. Together they deeply discuss these concepts and how death begins at the moment of conception – your physical body can die at any moment. We must enjoy the preciousness of this life. Don Miguel Ruiz was born into a family of healers and raised in rural Mexico by a curandera (healer) mother and nagual (shaman) grandfather. The family anticipated don Miguel would embrace their centuries old legacy of healing and teaching and as a nagual, carry forward the esoteric Toltec knowledge. Instead, distracted by modern life, Miguel chose to attend medical school and become a surgeon. A near death experience in 1970 changed his life and he began an intensive practice of self-inquiry.  He continues to devote himself to the mastery of his ancient ancestral wisdom.  His book “The Four Agreements”  has been a mega-bestselling book for years. Don Jose, his son, grew up in a long lineage of Toltec Teachers. His father, the Nagual don Miguel Ruiz, and his grandmother, Sarita, passed on their Toltec Teachings to don Jose, who carries on the family tradition of teaching Toltec wisdom. In 2010, don Jose Ruiz released his first book titled “The Fifth Agreement” in partnership with his father, don Miguel Ruiz.  Following this publication, don Jose began traveling around the US, Mexico, and South America.  Don Jose inspires people in many different ways including through his book signings, lectures, seminars, and hosting intensive journeys to Teotihuacan and other sacred sites around the world. This is Part 1 of the interview. Info: miguelruiz.com and theuniverseofnow.com. 

How does a traditionally trained neuroscientist and self-described agnostic become interested in spirituality? Fully indoctrinated into the cult of science, today’s guest, neuroscientist Mona Sobhani, Ph.D., aggressively defended the dogma of scientific beliefs -- until a series of life-altering events caused her to reconsider spirituality and psi concepts and launched her into a two-year investigation into the ineffable mysteries of our world. By having unexplained spiritual experiences, she radically changed her life and her beliefs around the mysteries of the universe. Mona addresses the use of psychedelics in research while Lisa recounts her Near-Death Experience and the various states of consciousness which can be achieved. Mona is a former research scientist at the University of Southern California and holds a doctorate in neuroscience from the University of Southern California. She completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Vanderbilt University with the MacArthur Foundation Law and Neuroscience Project. She is the author of “Proof of Spiritual Phenomena: A Neuroscientist’s Discovery of the Ineffable Mysteries of the Universe.” Her work has been featured in the New York Times, VOX, and other media outlets. Today is Part 1 of her interview. Info: monasobhaniphd.com

What happens when you integrate elements of classical Chinese medicine, personalized nutrition, and extrasensory energy medicine, while inspiring, empowering, and teaching people how to attain balance in body, mind, and spirit?  You get “Whole Health,” which is the name and subject of the book for our guest today, Dr. Mark Mincolla.  Tune in and find out all about his system of health and how you, too, can achieve vibrant “whole health.” Mark Mincolla, Ph.D.  is a natural healthcare practitioner who has transformed the lives of thousands of people over the past thirty years. Dr. Mincolla has integrated ancient Chinese energy techniques with cutting-edge nutritional science in what has become his Whole Health Healing System, which includes the innovative Electromagnetic Muscle Testing system (EMT). He is the author of “Whole Health: A Holistic Approach to Healing for the 21st Century.” Info: www.MarkMincolla.com

Do you find yourself buying numerous supplements but not feeling like you are getting the maximum benefit? Have you or someone you know been to the doctor, had tests done, and yet you are still not feeling optimal? Would you like to take your health into your own hands and find tools to help feel better and stay healthy? Today’s guests, health expert Laura Kunces, and professional cyclist,  Cory Greenberg, offer answers to these questions and share their own personal stories. They discuss ways to be your own “health detective” and become empowered by taking self-tests which can determine the best supplements and nutrition for your individual needs. Many people wear devices to track their steps or monitor their sleep, but in addition, these accurate, at-home tests, which are as simple as small pinprick of blood or a sample of saliva, can further help you determine which dietary and nutritional supplements may work best for your individual body.   Laura Kunces is the Vice President of Medical Strategies at Thorne HealthTech, a health and technology company leading the industry of dietary supplements and personalized health. She has diverse nutrition and dietary supplement research experience in clinical and sport settings and has worked with clients ranging from children to adults and professional athletes, including those with chronic diseases. She received her PhD in Exercise Science with a nutrition focus from the University of Connecticut, an MS degree in Kinesiology from the University of Connecticut, an MS degree in Clinical Nutrition from the University of Memphis and is a practicing Registered Dietitian. She is an avid marathoner, ironman triathlete, and former collegiate swimmer.  Cory Greenberg is a professional cyclist living with Ulcerative Colitis. As a young cyclist, Cory was diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease and hospitalized. Doctors told him that a cycling career with IBD would be nearly impossible. Determined to overcome his condition, he spent time working with healthcare professionals, mentors, and coaches to develop a treatment plan. He became a professional cyclist in 2015 and is now living in remission. He is an advocate for those living with IBD and teaches how it is possible to achieve a dream of optimal health and fitness.  Info: TheAwareShow.com/Thorne and Ride4IBD.com  

Do you know there are millions of metric tons of plastic waste and microplastics floating in our oceans? This impacts both the fish and ultimately the food we consume. According to the EPA,  “Plastic particles are generally the most abundant type of debris encountered in the marine environment, with estimates suggesting that 60% to 80% of marine debris is plastic, and more than 90% of all floating debris particles are plastic.” Dr. Marcus Eriksen is on the show today to discuss the DVD “Our Synthetic Seas,” which covers the total issue about plastic and the garbage found in our seas and especially the problem of disappearing sea life as fish are now eating plastic, waste, debris, and more dangerous materials.  Marcus is currently the Executive Director of the 5 Gyres Institute. He received his Ph.D. in Science Education from the University of Southern California in 2003, months before embarking on a 2000-mile, 5-month journey down the Mississippi River on a homemade raft of plastic bottles. His experience on the river led to a career studying the ecological impacts of plastic marine pollution, which has included 8 expeditions sailing 25,000 miles through all 5 subtropical gyres to discover new garbage patches of plastic pollution in the Southern Hemisphere and beyond. With an affinity for rafting, his most recent adventure sent him and a colleague across the Pacific Ocean from California to Hawaii on a homemade raft floating on 15,000 plastic bottles and a Cessna airplane fuselage as a cabin. The journey, 2,600 miles in 88 days, brought tremendous attention to the plastic pollution issue.   Info: Algalita.org and MarcusEriksen.com