The Aware Show

How is it that some people can perform moving pieces of music, or write a thrilling manuscript, or create a deeply emotional piece of art? What is the secret to artistic genius? Today’s guest is Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and iconic drummer of The Doors, John Densmore. In this uplifting interview, he talks about his latest book, “The Seekers – Meetings with Remarkable Musicians (and Other Artists).” Inspired by mystic G.I. Gurdjieff’s classic work, “Meetings with Remarkable Men,” Densmore’s latest book is a collection of short vignettes of his encounters with musicians such as Patti Smith, Lou Reed, and Janice Joplin, as well as spiritual teachers like Ram Dass, the Dalai Lama, and Joseph Campbell. Each a luminary in their own right, Densmore shares stories of the creative thread that runs through each mystic, musician, and teacher as he searched for the origin of creativity and artistry. He shares several experiences he’s had with LA Philharmonic conductor Gustavo Dudamel and how so much can be learned in the moments of silence between notes. The universal language of music is always a direct connection to one another’s heart. This is Part 1 of the interview. Info: JohnDensmore.com

So many of today’s diseases and ailments actually stem from inflammation in our bodies.  And what is causing all this inflammation?  You might be surprised how much your everyday choices are contributing to your pain.  Today author and dietitian Shelly Malone elaborates on her book, “Inflamed,” and gives us a roadmap for ways to calm and eliminate inflammation. A conventionally trained nutritionist, Shelly has spent more than 20 years working in the healthcare and nutrition industries. She is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and a member of the Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine practice group within the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She holds a B.S. in Nutritional Science and a Master’s in Public Health (MPH). Inspired by her own diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and symptom management with diet and lifestyle, she is on a mission to help others understand and reap the benefits of an anti-inflammatory lifestyle.  Info: www.inflamedbook.com

Host Lisa Garr continues the conversation today with our guests, NYT best-selling author of “Happy for No Reason” Marci Shimoff and scholar, philosopher, and researcher Jean Houston, Ph.D, as they further delve into the idea of finding possibility, even in the face of deep suffering. Through the crisis of recent years, we are also preparing for a new way of being. They discuss the idea of how we can be supported now, as “future humans.” We hold access to powers that have never before been united in the human heart. If we stay united together and realize we are part of the cosmos, we can bond in unity. We have the power within us to access cosmic tools of consciousness. It involves a change of perspective and accessing our “cosmic heart” to recreate our mind/body/spirit relationship. As we wake up, we are weaving a new pattern of consciousness with Spiritual Activism. Jean talks about her experience in Africa of being shot at by child soldiers and how she calmed the situation. She shares a meditative exercise to send love and a heart connection to individuals by visualizing every person on this earth connected in love. We CAN create a planet of peace. Info: JeanHouston.com and YourYearofMiracles.com

Throughout millennia, human beings worldwide have asked why must there be so much suffering. With the pandemic, wars, climate change, shifting financial markets, and so much more, we may be asking ourselves, how can we get through this and how can we help in this time of world crisis? Must we always have crisis before we experience evolution? Our guests today, NYT best-selling author of “Happy for No Reason” Marci Shimoff and scholar, philosopher, and researcher Jean Houston, Ph.D, delve into the idea of finding possibility, even in the face of deep suffering

Jean is a foremost visionary in the field of human potential, and she asks us to recognize that we are in the midst of an evolutionary shift in consciousness. These crisis points occur just prior to humanity making major revolutionary leaps. Marci discusses Einstein’s famous quote which asks if the universe is benevolent, while Jean shares a personal story of her relationship with psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl. They further discuss how there is an unconditional place of peace and well-being, even in the midst of immense suffering. 

Jean believes we are in a renaissance period now and although we’ve experienced the pandemic, wars, and scenes of outrage, we’ve also seen the linking of hearts, which is indeed the gestation period of a New Humanity. People want peace worldwide.  We can do this by accessing the very depths of the human spirit which is available to all of us. This is the first of a two-part discussion. Info: JeanHouston.com and YourYearofMiracles.com

Do you know where plastic garbage actually goes? It not only fills our landfills, but so much ends up in our oceans. Dr. Marcus Eriksen is on the show today to discuss the film, “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.  This will severely impact both the fish and ultimately us. Marcus Eriksen is currently the Executive Director of the 5 Gyres Institute. He received his Ph.D. in Science Education from 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

Do you want to radically change your life for the better? What if you knew you held the power of destiny in your hands and could create your own vibrant future? Well, according to today’s guest, best-selling author Katherine Woodward Thomas, M.A., MFT, it is indeed possible! Katherine is the author of the New York Times bestseller “Conscious Uncoupling: 5 Steps to Living Happily Even After,” and the national bestseller, “Calling in “The One:” 7 Weeks to Attract the Love of Your Life.” She is a licensed marriage and family therapist and has taught thousands of people worldwide.  Today Katherine explains a very powerful technique whereby you look to your ideal future, then live from that future backward. She invites us to ask ourselves, “Who am I called to become,” then begin living from that place. Who would you need to be now to become that person? She explains how we can start from the future, to essentially create that future by practicing acting as our possible self. What’s possible? What do you need to let go of? She further discusses how this is different from hope. It’s about purposefully living through intention and alignment. Katherine teaches us that it is possible to evolve beyond our painful past and truly create a life we love! She will be discussing these ideas in upcoming, free online webinars. Info: theawareshow.com/KWT

Where does inspiration come from? It’s not from the intellect. It’s about the power of intuition and imagination. Today’s guest is Michael Tamura, Master Teacher, Visionary, Spiritual Healer, Clairvoyant, and Pioneer in the field of psychic development. Michael and Lisa talk about the importance of a meditation practice to get in touch with your intuition. He talks about how we communicate with one another, especially spirit to spirit, and how heartfelt exchange is an offering. He further talks about his prediction that the youth will lead the way, especially through the next millennium. Although they may be young physically, they are “older souls” who have an advanced understanding of spirit. With the media and technology available, they will offer new perspective and insight to further advance human understanding and compassion. He further describes “super psychics” who are naturally gifted with powerful healing abilities. His award-winning book, “You Are The Answer,” helps guide people to true destiny and life purpose. Info: MichaelTamura.com.

Would you like to stop your cravings for sugar? Do you feel you need to strengthen your willpower? Have you tried everything to lose weight and feel fit including exercise, meal plans, diets, and more?  Maybe you’ve tried, but do you know how your unconscious mind is really the one in control? Many of us love sugar – it’s a comfort food and makes us feel good. But, it really can be toxic. Today’s guest Rena Greenberg approaches health from the subconscious perspective. She is an expert in hypnosis and her Gastric Bypass Hypnosis method has been taught in hospitals for more than 30 years.  She is a trained biofeedback therapist and renowned hypnotherapist, whose program called Easy Willpower transforms the way patients think about food, by tapping into the power of the subconscious mind. Rena is passionate about helping others learn how to eat to live, not live to eat, and she’s helped hundreds of people reach a healthier weight. Today she discusses her “Sugar Divorce” program and how to eliminate the cravings. She is the author of several books, including "The Right Weigh" and "The Easy Sugar Break Up." Info: EasyWillpower.com

 Do you know there’s a “secret key” to unlock the best place for you to thrive? It can be done by astrology! Three dimensions can be explored by astrology which can be accessed via three questions: what, when, and where. Most people just have their birth chart done. But Astrocartography works with the “where” dimension or Astrology of Location. It’s often overlooked, but plays an important role in either our success or failure to thrive. Guest Scott Wolfram is an expert in this type of astrology and is on the show today to explain its merits. Wolfram’s personal journey and passion as an astrologer involve exploring the soul’s journey and learning how to move in harmony with the sun, moon, and stars. In his teens, he met his guru Swami Rama of the Himalayas and also began studying astrology. In 2003, Scott established The Traveler’s Well Astrology and attained certifications as an Evolutionary Astrologer in Astro*Carto*GraphyTM by Continuum and in 2004 by Jeffrey Wolf Green.  Info: astrologyoflocation.com