The Gris Alves’ Podcast Tales of Recovery

In this episode of the Tales of Recovery Podcast, I sit down with my friend and former megachurch pastor Ryan Meeks and Michelle to talk about his painful, public journey out of evangelical certainty — through theological doubt, cancer, and the slow return to embodiment and intimacy.

Together we discuss his new book, the gruesome process of awakening, psychedelics, therapy, community, and the couple’s work at Nautilus Integration helping people navigate transformation, relational healing, and spiritual integration rooted in love and presence.

You can order his book their  https://nautilusintegration.com/ 

Here are my thoughts on his written story:

It is a difficult enough process to get out of, or under the constructions and pressure of cultural upbringing and religion. 

The questioning, lifting and removing of belief systems is a gruesome, almost pathological fear process in the journey 

This book seemed so personal to me- not just because I know Ryan and Michele, and the fact that they completely opened, supported and held 

To be right alongside and behind them during this process of awakening, doubts, fear, grief, what seems like betrayal, and a deeper longing and connection to our true nature and most of all Love, is a treasure I dearly hold on to. 

Ryan explains himself in this book with such beauty, compassion and simplicity through this absurdly difficult process.  

How he walks through it, and then, on the other side writes about the continuous connection to spirit or to the miraculous unknown that is this beautiful mystery that we are and have the opportunity to experience with such compassion and love. 

Life is a Gift and Love is the point was not only a phenomenal reliving of my last 10 years of processing, growth and settling into my body- but an encouragement to anybody out there who’s still in the middle of deciding whether they need to stay under beliefs or become the compost that rebirths, a new breath of understanding how simple life can really be.

Welcome to this episode of the Tales of Recovery Podcast, where we dive deep into a conversation about life's challenges and the beauty of embracing its messiness. Our guest shares their journey through the struggles of winter's harshness, the transformative power of polyamory, and the revelations of self-discovery. Listen as we explore the significance of breaking free from societal conditioning, finding creative outlets, and the importance of self-compassion.

Join us as we discuss the transition from a structured life to one filled with creativity and exploration. We reflect on the necessity of integration, understanding personal limits, and the vital role that somatic work plays in healing and growth. This episode offers candid insights into parenting, questioning established norms, and nurturing individuality in ourselves and our children. Tune in to hear about the power of change, resilience, and the journey toward a more authentic life.

You can get Sunny's book here:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1864479142/clowns-off-duty-adult-coloring-book-kids?etsrc=sdt

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FGWCW1W4?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_Y41DM2JF03G5ZP27YAKA&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_Y41DM2JF03G5ZP27YAKA&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_Y41DM2JF03G5ZP27YAKA&bestFormat=true&csmig=1

Yasmin Beydoun shares about her journey from growing up during the Lebanese civil war to becoming a trauma-informed consciousness coach trained in Compassionate Inquiry and Dr. Shefali’s work.

Gris and Yasmine discuss childhood neglect and abuse, therapy and somatic healing, her son’s autoimmune illness and recovery through diet and lifestyle, and how those experiences shaped her coaching with mothers and Arab women.

The episode explores resilience, community, and practical wellness tools for emotional and physical healing while living and practicing in Portugal.

You can follow Yasmine on IG @with.yasmine  and reach out to her at www.withyasmine.com

Welcome back to another episode of Tales of Recovery, where host Gris sits down in the South Park studio with the insightful Katie Dove. In this engaging conversation, Katie shares her journey into the transformative world of cranio-sacral therapy and reveals how it has influenced her life and healing practice. Together, they discuss the essence of slowing down, connecting with the heart, and embracing authentic storytelling.

Katie recounts her upbringing and how it shaped her path towards becoming a healer. Through personal experiences and family influences, she developed a deep connection to intuition and space, guiding her through various healing modalities including telepathic communication and somatic insights.

Join them as they explore the significance of water, both physically and spiritually, and how it can be a conduit for healing. Katie highlights the importance of receiving life with openness and stepping away from the societal expectations that often confine us. The conversation delves into the need for a collective awakening, nurturing our own sovereignty, and embracing the gifts we possess.

This episode invites you to reflect on your own journey of self-discovery and the power of slowing down to truly live the life you’re meant to live. Don't miss this enriching discussion on healing, intuition, and the magic that unfolds when we embrace our true selves.

This episode explores how to follow up a powerful retreat where mushrooms and temazcalli were experienced in a supportive and compassionate community — the challenges of returning to everyday life and the isolation that can follow profound group experiences.

Gris Alves shares practical integration tools: remembering the felt sense, breath-work, simple daily mindfulness, sleep and nutrition aligned with our body’s design, grounding in nature, movement, and community support.

She emphasizes self-care, healthy boundaries, compassionate witness work, and patience — small daily practices that help embody ceremony insights and make lasting change.

May this be helpfull to you all!

Hoy en Recuperando La VIDA, acompaña a Gris Alves y a su invitada especial, la Dra. Violeta Velasco, en una charla profunda sobre el mundo del Bienestar Global. Juntas exploran cómo los problemas de salud crónica y mental impactan no solo a nivel económico, sino también en lo social, y por qué es tan urgente un cambio en el sistema y más participación de la comunidad en temas de salud pública.

La Dra. Velasco nos cuenta su inspiradora historia: desde que estudió medicina en México, pasando por su especialización en salud pública global en Israel, hasta su trabajo actual creando intervenciones de salud dentro de empresas. Habla sobre la importancia de construir comunidades saludables y de fomentar hábitos de bienestar que sean sostenibles en el tiempo, invitándonos a pasar del “yo cuido de mí” al “todos cuidamos de todos”.

En este episodio, también se abordan los retos y posibles soluciones para manejar la salud pública a nivel global. Escucharás ideas sobre cómo educar y empoderar a las personas para que se hagan cargo de su propio bienestar. Gris y la Dra. Velasco conversan con mucha pasión sobre la necesidad de cambiar nuestra forma de pensar en cuanto a la salud, poniendo el foco en la prevención, la sostenibilidad y la conexión entre la salud mental y física.

Gracias por escucharnos, leernos y por tus comentarios!

Bienvenidos a un episodio fascinante de "Recuperando la Vida". Acompáñanos mientras exploramos las profundas enseñanzas de Martín Garcia Zen Yaotl, un maestro de la sabiduría ancestral y la iluminación. En esta conversación envolvente, Martín comparte un poema de Quetzalcóatl, ofreciendo reflexiones sobre el amor, la sabiduría y el camino hacia la libertad interior.

Sumérgete en las verdades ocultas de la historia de México, la colonización y la resiliencia de la identidad cultural. Descubre el impacto de las narrativas coloniales y la importancia de comprender nuestras raíces y herencia genética. A través de un rico intercambio, adquiere una comprensión más profunda de cómo las estructuras sociales modernas se infiltran en las prácticas ancestrales y cómo una reconexión con los valores originarios puede guiar el despertar personal y colectivo.

Abraza el reto de la transformación interior mientras hablamos del papel de la conciencia, el poder del sonido y la necesidad de un enfoque holístico de la vida. Este episodio es una invitación a cuestionar, explorar y encontrar unidad en nuestro viaje humano compartido.

Puedes pedir su libro "Malinalco Origenes" aqui

https://www.facebook.com/share/1ZUBnpC7Sf/ 

On the Tales of Recovery Podcast today:

Join Gris and Tiffany as they explore the incredible potential of microdo&ing as a tool for healing, creativity, and breaking the shackles of a mundane routine.

After 16+ years in corporate healthcare leadership, Tiffany turned to microdosing to overcome burnout, anxiety, and depression — successfully tapering off Adderall and Lexapro and transforming her life. She left corporate to build a microdosing business and has become a trusted voice in psychedelic leadership.

Tiffany now supports individuals, executives, and teams in reaching peak performance through neuroscience-backed microdosing strategies and leadership development. She currently serves as the Microdosing Advisor and Head of Partnerships at Golden Rule Mushrooms, where she leads education, partnerships, and community initiatives.

Here's the link to the free community workshop link we mention in this conversation, it is free and set for August 7th 11AM PST, I will see you there!

You can find her on IG @

On her website 

https://tiffanyhurd.com 

and here is the link for Golden Rule Mushrooms. You can use the code GRIS10 to get a discount and start (or continue) your microdo&sing journey~

https://goldenrulemushrooms.com/?coupon-code=gris10&sc-page=shop

Welcome back to the Tales of Recovery podcast! Join us in this revealing episode as we delve into the inspiring recovery story of Mika Chait, a wellness coach who was sober by age of 17. 

Mika opens up about her struggles with addiction, depression, and anxiety, shedding light on the challenges that many youths face in today's world.

Discover how Mika transformed her life, navigating through a tumultuous journey of substance abuse, mental health challenges, and recovery. Her candid discussion covers the importance of self-discovery, forgiveness, and the power of support systems in overcoming adversity.

This episode highlights the possibilities of recovery, offering hope and encouragement for anyone battling similar issues. Whether you're a parent, friend, or someone seeking your path to healing, Mika's story is a testament to resilience and the potential for a brighter future. Tune in and be inspired by her incredible journey.

You can follow Mika on IG @coachhmikaa and message her directly for her coaching practice. 

Welcome back to Tales of Recovery.

I’m honored to welcome today’s guest, Kale Kaalekahi — a Hawaiian cultural artist, ceremonialist, and devoted grief tender. Kale’s work is deeply rooted in the practices of Reindigenization and what he calls the Art of Human Making — guiding people back to their humanity through culture, ceremony, and collective healing.

In this powerful conversation, Kale shares his journey growing up in Hawai‘i, navigating cultural identity, and healing intergenerational wounds. He speaks to the transformative power of grief, the importance of spiritual practice, and the sacred role of community in the healing process.

We also dive into how his path became intertwined with Sacred Sons, and how part of his purpose now is to help prepare men to meet and support the feminine in sacred space — which led to the co-creation of Remembrance 2, a ceremonial retreat centered on rites of passage, healing, and deep reconnection.

Together, we explore the importance of honoring ancestry, offering our grief as a sacred gift, and reclaiming our shared human experience — rooted in love, land, and and truth.

In deep gratitude for this connection and shared words, may this land on your hearts with the opening of possibility for a better humanity. 

Gris

@kale.kaalekahi 

www.kahukaalekahi.com