The Evolving Man Podcast

Alex Olshonsky, aka “Olo,” is a writer and the founder of Deep Fix - a newsletter, somatic coaching practice, and fast-growing digital community. He is also the co-founder of Natura Care Programs, an interdisciplinary entheogenic program combating addiction.

Alex is a former Silicon Valley executive at companies like Twitter, Salesforce, Copper, Slack, and VentureBeat. He joined me to share his story of his battle with addiction and his recovery. We also explored “Second Stage of Recovery” and the nuance of plant medicines, Ayahuasca, and the intentional use of psychedelics for healing. 

In this episode we discuss: 

• Alex’s upbringing in a culture of wealth and consumerist values
• Imposter syndrome
• The seeds of addiction
• Living a life for others, vs for yourself.
• The absence of mentorship for men
• Alex’s early work in finance which led to the tech start-up world
• Severe poly-substance addiction in Silicon Valley.
• “High-Functioning Addiction”
• Family intervention for addiction.
• Alex’s “bottom” which led him to recovery
• The value of AA and 12 step meetings 
• The limitations of the 12 step model and the disease concept of addiction
• Buddhism, Yoga, and plant medicines
• “Second Stage Recovery”
• Ayahuasca as a tool for healing and transformation
• The proper use of psychedelic therapy.
• The importance of leveraging counseling, groups, and ceremony when engaging plant medicines.
• Bringing about Natura - a holistic plant medicine recovery program for people suffering from addiction.

Links from this episode:

• Deep Fix - Alex’s website

• Alex’s Twitter 

• Alex’s Instagram

• Natura Care Programs

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Raphael Rowe is an investigative reporter, a BBC correspondent, and the host of Netflix’s “Inside The World’s Toughest Prisons”. At age 20, Raphael was falsely convicted of murder and given a life sentence in prison. He spent 12 years campaigning and fighting for his exoneration, and was released at age 32.

He joined me to tell his story, and talk about racial profiling, police corruption, and what works (and doesn’t work) in the prison systems we use to reform criminals.

In this episode we dive into:

• Caring for our criminals, mentally ill, and addicted populations.
• How Raphael became involved in prison work. 
• How Raphael got convicted for crimes he did not commit.
• The racism embedded in policing and prison systems. 
• Feeding societies’ collective shadows. 
• The good guy vs. bad guy mentality. 
• Understanding nuance and power. 
• How Raphael fought his own prison sentence. 
• The power of the media. 
• Covid restrictions vs. the constriction of prison.
• Raphael’s journey to hosting Inside the World’s Toughest Prisons. 
• What life really is like in prison. 
• How society views the prison system.
• Prison reform. 
• The importance of giving voices to prisoners. 
• Harm reduction and meeting basic human needs in prisons.
• Life-changing therapeutic experiences in prison.
• Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.
• Humanizing criminals.
• The cathartic power of connection and ritual. 
• What elements don’t work in the prison system. 
• Addressing needs of individuals with a humanistic approach. 
• Changing narratives and mindsets of the public to ignite change. 
• Supportive prison staff and educational resources in prison.
• Masculine wounds on personal and societal levels. 
• Facing resistance in rehabilitation. 
• The message behind the Raphael Rowe Foundation. 
• Wounds becoming gifts. 

Raphael’s Links:

• Website
• Facebook
• YouTube
• Notorious by Raphael Rowe
• Second Chance Podcast
• Raphael Rowe Foundation

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Preston Smiles exudes passion and commitment to healing. He is a Personal Freedom Coach,  a multi-millionaire, a conscious businessman, father, and author of Love Louder: 33 Ways to Amplify Your Life.

Preston joined me on the show to talk about his love of coaching, and what he has learned about building successful coaches.

In this episode we talk about these points:

• Life doesn’t come to you, it comes from you.
• Preston’s Kaboom Coaching and Elementum Coaching Institute. 
• Being a magnetic person.
• 4 aspects of what it means to be human. 
• Traditional schooling vs. lived experiences. 
• Trauma and shame. 
• The secret to working in business with your wife. 
• Leveling up with children. 
• Exploring inner needs and desires. 
• The journey of unlearning personal patterns. 
• How Preston gets support now that he is successful.
• What men’s work is really about. 
• The consciousness of abundance. 
• The inner laws of success.
• The responsibility of coaches. 
• Money as energy. 
• Changing limiting mindsets. 
• Why the world needs more coaches.
• The limitations of therapy. 
• Where men should go when they’re having trouble with romance. 
• “Proximity is power with and within” 
• How to manage social media when you have a large audience.

Links from this episode:

• Preston’s Website
• Preston’s Instagram
• Preston’s YouTube 
• Elementum Coaching Institute Website 
• The Conscious Relationship Council

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jayson Gaddis is an author, podcaster, speaker, and “personal trainer for relationships”. He is a global leader on interpersonal conflict and connection. He joins me on the show to discuss the keys to success in relationship, and his book “Getting To Zero - How To Work Through Conflict In Your High Stakes Relationships”.

In this episode we discuss:

• How to be better in relationships.
• The Relationship School.
• The one common denominator in relationship struggles – ourselves.
• Avoidance tendencies.
• How we learn to “do conflict”.
• Conflict as an inevitable part of a relationship.
• Conflict as a mirror.
• Honest and authentic interactions.  
• How to manage and navigate conflict.
• The “why” of relationships.
• Active listening skill development.
• The higher purpose of relationships.
• Relational blueprints.
• Attachment/Conflict Styles: Seeker and Avoider.
• Polarity and romance.
• Shadow Vows.
• How to handle your triggers and your partner’s triggers?
• Attuning to loved one’s nervous systems.
• What’s at the core of getting back to zero?
• Understanding the other person’s experience (LUFU).
• 10 Roadblocks to Reconnection.
• Where else can these tools be applied in your life?

Links from this Episode 

• The Relationship School Website
• The Relationship School Instagram
• Jayson’s Instagram
• Getting to Zero Website 
• Jayson’s Facebook
• Jayson’s Twitter
• Jayson’s YouTube
• The Conscious Relationship Council

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Isaac Cotec is a scholar of the subconscious and the creator of the HeroRise Archetype deck. He has dedicated his life to empowering others through art and creativity. Isaac joins me on the show to discuss the 5 mature masculine archetypes and their associated shadow elements.

This episode is a must-listen if you want to understand your own personal archetypes and learn how to manage them in your life. 

In this episode we dive into:

• The HeroRise archetype tarot deck.
• What are archetypes?
• Masculine archetype history and universality.
• The 5 different masculine archetypes: Warrior, Wizard, Lover, Father, Sovereign. 
• The art of understanding our own consciousness.
• How you can use the archetypes in your life.
• “King, Warrior, Magician, Lover“ by Robert Moore and Douglas Gillette.
• Methods of assessing self-improvement.
• A breakdown of each masculine archetype.
• The shadow sides of the  masculine archetypes: over and under-expression.
• Mature vs. immature expressions of archetypes.
• Sub-archetypes.
• Evolving within the triangle of archetype polarity.
• Elements and archetypes: Fire, Air, Water, Earth, and Spirit.
• Anger and our disconnection from healthy versions of it.
• Bringing the mature Lover into sex.
• Action steps to mature archetype embodiment.
• The Know-It-All shadow of the Wizard.
• How to find self-awareness, balance, and integration. 
• Doing shadow work with other people. 

Isaac’s Instagram

The Archetype Quiz

Isaac’s Website

Isaac’s Facebook

King, Warrior, Magician, Lover by Robert Moore and Douglas Gillette 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick Solaczek is a relationship coach and a men’s work leader who inspires men to find the things that are missing in their lives, and reintegrate them. He joined me to discuss men’s alchemy, integration, how men can find their personal power in the current times.

In this episode we discuss:

• Why Nick is involved in Men’s work.
• What is men’s work?
• Samurai Brotherhood and upcoming events.
• Integrity and integration.
• Group accountability.
• Online groups vs in person groups.
• Why is men’s work so important?
• Lighting a fire, and healthy challenges. 
• Creating safe spaces for men.
• Past, present, and future focused work in men’s groups. 
• The importance of consistency. 
• Men’s work as a mirror. 
• Drawing on the power of myth. 
• The Mythopoetic men’s movement. 
• Aligned books and courses (linked below).
• Archetypes in men’s work. 
• Defining your own masculinity. 
• The “Masculine core”. 
• Childhood wounding. 
• Parallels of Alcoholics Anonymous and Men’s Work Brotherhoods. 
• The 14 Point Code of the Conscious Warrior. 
• Rejection and ownership of anger. 
• The Warrior archetype. 
• Shadow expressions. 
• Alchemy - what is it?
• Honesty and inner-truth. 
• True Personal Growth. 
• Inclusivity in the Samurai Brotherhood.
  
  Links:
  

  Nick’s Website 

  Nick’s Instagram 

  Nick’s Facebook

  Nick’s Previous Evolving Man Episode 1

  Nick’s Previous Evolving Man Episode 2 

  Samurai Brotherhood's Upcoming Workshop

  Book - Iron John by Robert Bly

  Book - King, Warrior, Magician, Lover by Robert Moore and Douglas Gillette 

  Book - The Way of the Superior Man by David Deida

  Book - The Way of the Conscious Warrior by P.T. Mistlberger 

  The Integrated Man Course 

  Connor Beaton's Shadow Work Course 

  Jordan Peterson Self Authoring Course

  P.T. Mistlberger's Evolving Man Episode

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stefanos Sifandos is a relational alchemist who works with people to dissolve fear, find their power, and uncover their blocks to intimacy. He has also been working with men’s circles for years, with Sacred Sons and currently the MPowered Brotherhood in Austin, Texas. Stef joined me to talk about how people can heal their nervous systems using simple practices, ‘safe’ containers, and trauma-informed techniques.

In this episode we discuss:

• Maximizing human potential. 
• Clearing the clutter of the past.
• Putting on metaphorical masks.
• Are we making decisions from places of hurt?
• Unconscious responses in conflict.
• Challenging internalized beliefs.
• Environmental conditioning.
• Physiological habits.
• Feeling safe in chaos.
• Exploring the unknown.
• Mirroring in relationships.
• Self-regulation of the nervous system.
• Pendulation vs. Flooding.
• Therapeutic experiences in men’s group work.
• What spaces can help heal our nervous systems?
• The personal responsibility of doing inner work. 
• Self-soothing outcomes of psychedelics.
• Avoiding silence.
• Stef’s and Ben’s initiation experiences.
• Connecting with nature. 
• Simple practices to connect to our true selves.
• Getting comfortable in discomfort.
• Challenging ourselves in day-to-day life.
• Developing resilience through movement. 

Links

Stef’s Website 

Stef’s Instagram

Stef’s Twitter

Stef’s Facebook

1 on 1 Coaching with Stef

Be The Queen Program

Stef’s YouTube

The MPowered Brotherhood

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Scott Lyons is a Clinical Psychologist, Osteopath, and Mind-Body Medicine practitioner. His list of qualifications is extensive, and he joined me to discuss the power of somatic work to heal trauma and reconnect people to their bodies. If you are curious about somatic therapy, this episode is a must-listen.

Most importantly we discuss Scott’s upcoming training for practitioners to learn about Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy. We need more people doing this work!

In this episode we dig in to: 

• Trauma work.
• The definition of somatic therapy.
• Embodiment: working with the body to heal trauma. 
• Learning disabilities, and medication.
• Dance as a form of medicine.
• Scott’s journey to somatic therapy. 
• The Wisdom of Trauma. 
• How somatic therapy works and how it differs from other therapeutic practices.
• The first universal languages: sensation and breath. 
• The importance of touch, movement, and sound. 
• Education systems that disconnect us from our bodies. 
• Top/down vs. bottom/up healing approaches.
• Childhood experiences impacting adulthood behavior. 
• Building up “somatic resources”.
• Diagnosed PTSD and the potential to heal.
• Common somatic practices.
• Conflict resolution. 
• Ancestral medicine.
• Trauma sensitive yoga. 
• Childhood depression is linked to screen time. 
• Human beings are nature.
• The ticket to wellness is embodiment. 
• How to find a somatic therapist.
• Balancing fire with water.

Links:

Scott’s Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy Training Program

Scott’s Website

Scott’s Instagram

Scott’s Facebook

The Wisdom of Trauma 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adam Jackson is the co-founder of The Sacred Sons, a mens’ community devoted to masculine alchemy. He joined me to talk about the unique way that his community is helping men connect to each other, and find conscious healing.

In this episode we discuss:

• The history and mission of Sacred Sons.
• Masculine Alchemy.
• Diversity in men’s spaces.
• Embodiment - what is it?
• Healing from mental illness and addiction.
• Creating sacred, safe spaces.
• Confronting shadows, biases, and core beliefs to connect with others.
• Combating divisiveness created by the media.
• Resisting disconnection amidst COVID controversies.
• Outsourcing discernment to the media.
• Collective representation.
• What work is right in front of you?
• Self-sabotage.
• Learning to close relationships properly.
• The importance of gratitude and celebration.
• The Lover archetype and how the Sacred Sons conjure it.
• Brotherhood as medicine.
• MDMA and plant medicine.
• Using substances to open up vs. the “drugs” already inside of you.
• The lack of brotherhood spaces for teens.
• Mens’ personal responsibility to create connection and culture.
• Finding growth and space in fatherhood.
• The return of the Father archetype.
• Family is a spiritual practice.
• What is a Sacred Sons Embodied Masculine Experience (EMX). 

Links 

Sacred Sons Website

Sacred Sons Podcast 

Brothership App

Sacred Sons Facebook

Adam’s Instagram

EMX Fall ‘21 Schedule

Samurai Brotherhood Website

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Zach Bush is a multi-disciplinary physician of internal medicine, endocrinology, hospice care and an internationally recognized educator on the microbiome as it relates to human health, soil health, food systems, and a regenerative future. 

Zach joined me to discuss the current state of health in the world and how living in a toxic environment exacerbates the spread of disease amongst humans.

In this episode we discuss:

• The paradox of views surrounding COVID vaccines.
• How the immune system works.
• Flu vaccines increase coronavirus symptoms.
• GMO mechanisms.
• The definition of ‘vaccine’.
• Differences between the COVID vaccines.
• How spike proteins harm the body.
• Cas9: our bodies own vaccine cards.
• Will vaccines get rid of coronavirus?
• The history of coronaviruses.
• The flu vs. coronavirus.
• Myths about PCR and our relationship to coronaviruses.
• Personal responsibility over our immune systems.
• Genetic modification of food.
• What we can learn from the DDT ban.
• Creating a call to action for our future. 
• Is SARS Covid 2 a naturally occurring virus?
• A biological look on how the virus impacts each of our bodies.
• Histotoxic hypoxia, cyanide poisoning, and hospitalizations.
• The India outbreak.
• The importance of breath.
• Benefits of Vitamin D. 
• Racial and socioeconomic impacts on the pandemic. 
• The bottleneck of information on public health.
• The downsides to social distancing. 
• Response to critiques of Zach’s from the Conspirituality podcast.
• Changes in mortality rates and chronic diseases in children.
• Romanticization of nature.
• War-like mentality between nature and mankind. 
• Soil, water, and air systems collapsing modern society. 
• Intuitive knowing vs. science. 
• Macro and micro struggles during the pandemic. 

Links:

• Neurohacker Collective Podcast Episode 
• Rich Roll Podcast Episode
• Luke Storey Podcast Episode 
• Mark Groves Podcast Episode 
• Dr. Doudna’s TED Talk 
• Zach’s Website
• Zach’s Twitter  
• Zach’s Facebook
• Zach’s Instagram

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.