Matt Vest (not on social media!) is an inner and outer-journeyman, and close friend. 

On today's episode, Matt digs deep and shares with us his Hero's Journey, from the initial Matrix-like call from the phone booth, to the lowest valleys in his life, to the various ceremonies and life-changing experiences he's participated in including Sessins, Vision Quests, and Shaman Rituals, and the wisdom he's encountered at every step along the way. We also dig into Elon Musk, the mind, and enlightenment!

Matt is a vulnerable and compassionate individual and I appreciate him opening up and sharing his life with us. If you are seeking change, Matt offers a beautiful example of someone who is taking his path seriously but also having fun doing so! 

So, without further adieu, please welcome my friend Matt Vest to the podcast!

Love,

David

Access Early Podcast/Blog Content:

• Subscribe to Patreon: bit.ly/twdpatreon
• Subscribe to the Blog: bit.ly/twdblogsubscribe

Connect with David:

• Blog, Stories, Podcast & More: thinkingwithdavid.com/
• Instagram: @stay.in.alive

Bradley Lovell (@bradleyjlovell) is a thru-hiker, vagabond, and manager for a meditation center.

The man, the myth, the legend returns! In this episode, Bradley and I begin by recounting our time spent on the Pacific Crest Trail, what we learned, why we did it, and end up sharing some fun stories along the way. Our original intention was to record two podcast episodes (one trail-focused episode and one current-life episode) but the two blended together into one epic, vulnerable and wide-ranging discussion. I know you will enjoy this one.

So, please welcome to the podcast, Mr. Bradley Lovell!

Love,

David

Show Notes:

• Richard Walker's Blog (PCT photos): http://thefakefacade.blogspot.com/
• Ido Portal's Movement Culture
• Leo Gura's Actualized.org

Access Early Podcast/Blog Content:

• Subscribe to Patreon: bit.ly/twdpatreon
• Subscribe to the Blog: bit.ly/twdblogsubscribe

Connect with David:

• Blog, Stories, Podcast & More: thinkingwithdavid.com/
• Instagram: @stay.in.alive

Alex Skold is a jiu-jitsu instructor, college friend, and flat-earther.

What follows is a discussion about conspiracy, flat earth, and beliefs/fictions. Alex is a good college friend of mine who has found himself entrenched in the depths of conspiracy thinking. I did my best to listen open-mindedly and question such thinking while also remaining unbiased and fair. I invite listeners to keep a similar, non-judgemental attitude. We finish the dialogue by talking about health, diet and lifestyle.

Strap yourself in for this discussion. I think you will enjoy it. Without further adieu, please welcome to the podcast, the strong, Mr. Alex Skold!

Love,

David

Show Notes:

• Follow Alex on Instagram (@skoldblooded)

Access Early Podcast/Blog Content:

• Subscribe to Patreon: bit.ly/twdpatreon
• Subscribe to the Blog: bit.ly/twdblogsubscribe

Connect with David:

• Blog, Stories, Podcast & More: thinkingwithdavid.com/
• Instagram: @stay.in.alive

Chuck Klinger is a man who has lived many lives.

Chuck is one of the most interesting people I’ve ever met. At 82 years of age, Chuck shares stories about his time spent as a Franciscan monk, serving in the army, traveling in the corporate world, starting a manufacturing business, building sandcastles on the beaches of South Padre Island, and more recently, living the full-time life of an artist and writer.

We discuss bridging the generation gap, the differences between “then and now”, success, death, legacy, and much more. I feel grateful to have had this conversation with Chuck and believe he has much wisdom to offer both young and old generations alike. I hope you listen and stay for Chuck’s final story about how to navigate and transcend conflict.

Without further adieu, please welcome to the podcast, the most interesting man in the world, Mr. Chuck Klinger!

Love,

David

PS: Full-disclosure, Chuck’s been a mentor to me in so many ways including the writing, business, and spiritual realms and we’ve been helping each other on our writing for the last year or so. Supporting his work is to support my livelihood, and vice-versa. Thanks for your consideration. :)

Show Notes:

• Follow Chuck on FB
• See Chuck’s books on Amazon (pen name = CJ Klinger)
• Chuck’s most recent sci-fi book: https://amzn.to/2OL8utg

Access Early Podcast/Blog Content:

• Subscribe to Patreon: bit.ly/twdpatreon
• Subscribe to the Blog: bit.ly/twdblogsubscribe

Connect with David:

• Blog, Stories, Podcast & More: thinkingwithdavid.com/
• Instagram: @stay.in.alive

Holden Gibson is a digital anthropologist, writer/reader/thinker, and college friend of mine.

I absolutely loved this fun and wide-ranging discussion! I was thrilled to discuss Holden’s fascinating dissertation about the logics of connection on using social media in National Parks. We then chat about the craft of writing, content creation, awesome books, and the creative process. Oh, and of course this seamlessly segued into topics like artificial intelligence, the future, politics, universal basic income and religion.

Holden is a bright mind, a caring individual, and a problem solver. I think you’ll enjoy this one. So, without further adieu, please welcome to the podcast, the wise and powerful, Mr. Holden Gibson!

Love,

David

Show Notes:

• Follow Holden on Instagram
• Holden’s Dissertation
• Holden’s Blog

Access Early Podcast/Blog Content:

• Subscribe to Patreon: bit.ly/twdpatreon
• Subscribe to the Blog: bit.ly/twdblogsubscribe

Connect with David:

• Blog, Stories, Podcast & More: thinkingwithdavid.com/
• Instagram: @stay.in.alive

David Sanchez was raised homeschooled and Young Earth Christian.

David is 17 years old and well ahead of his times. He’s most curious about religion, philosophy, and “truth”, and the two of us dig deep into David’s upbringing in a hardcore Christian family, his poor childhood behavior leading to exorcisms, demons, praying in tongues, phases of non-belief, and where he stands today.

I found this to be a fascinating discussion about science and religion, seeking scientific/historical truth in the Bible, the utility and confusion of interpreting stories as archetype, the importance of experience vs. intellect, and where we both stand on these subjects.

I enjoyed speaking with David about his ideas and religious path. We’d love to hear your thoughts too! So, without further adieu, enjoy this dialogue of me and my friend, David Sanchez!

Love,

David

Show Notes:

• Contact David Sanchez on Facebook

Access Early Podcast/Blog Content:

• Subscribe to Patreon: bit.ly/twdpatreon
• Subscribe to the Blog: bit.ly/twdblogsubscribe

Connect with David:

• Blog, Stories, Podcast & More: thinkingwithdavid.com/
• Instagram: @stay.in.alive

Matt McClendon (@matt11mcclendon) is a real estate agent and ayahuasca practitioner.

This dialogue was a deep dive into the ritual of ayahuasca. Sparked by my inexplicable curiosity of what drives the transformation of other beings, I talked to my friend Matt about his personal journey with psychedelics, how it relates to who he is today, and more broadly, the ability to continually fill up our metaphorical “cups.”

I had many concerns about ayahuasca and we discuss ideas such as the necessity of sacrifice for growth, shortcuts and unearned wisdom. I think these concerns of mine led to a fascinating conversation.

Matt’s outlook on life is brilliant. By asking of himself where he can selflessly serve others on a consistent basis, Matt has made a difference in my life and for so many others. For those seeking to reframe monotony and the repetitive nature of life, this podcast is for you. So, without further adieu, please open your mouths and sip from the medicine that is my conversation with Mr. Matt McClendon!

Love,

David

Show Notes:

• Follow Matt on Instagram

Access Early Podcast/Blog Content:

• Subscribe to Patreon: bit.ly/twdpatreon
• Subscribe to the Blog: bit.ly/twdblogsubscribe

Connect with David:

• Blog, Stories, Podcast & More: thinkingwithdavid.com/
• Instagram: @stay.in.alive

Jay Waxse (@waxsesun) is a fellow thinker, solar power advocate, and research assistant at NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory), a subsidiary of the U.S. Department of Energy.

This was a practical and optimistic dialogue! Jay and I begin our discussion on the topic of energy and the future of solar and renewables from a scientific perspective. We then transition into energies, those things that nourish us and detract from our overall well being, as well as meditation and consciousness. May your energy thrive by listening to this podcast!

Jay is an optimistic human, a vulnerable individual, and a great friend of mine. I’d been looking forward to this conversation for some time and I know you’ll enjoy his thoughts, knowledge and wisdom in the world of energy. So, without further adieu, please welcome the bright light that is my friend Mr. Jay Waxse!

Love,

David

Show Notes:

• Follow Jay on Instagram

Access Early Podcast/Blog Content:

• Subscribe to Patreon: bit.ly/twdpatreon
• Subscribe to the Blog: bit.ly/twdblogsubscribe

Connect with David:

• Blog, Stories, Podcast & More: thinkingwithdavid.com/
• Instagram: @stay.in.alive

Kaitlin Sullivan (@sullivankait) is a fellow thinker and host of the People, Hell & Angels podcast.Before my friend Kaitlin departed from Austin to the city of Denver, we caught up one last time with a chat that balances the beautiful line between being entertaining, silly, informative and meaningful. We talk about how your relationships change when you tell others you’re moving, the passing of time, mind-altering states of consciousness, lucid dreaming, and much more! Thanks to Kaitlin for sitting down and offering her time before “the move.” Kaitlin is a close friend, an inquiring mind, and a wonderful listener that always seems to bring out the talker in me. So, without further adieu, please welcome to the podcast, the Angel of Denver herself, Ms. Kaitlin Sullivan!

Love,

David

Show Notes:

• Follow Kaitlin on Instagram
• Listen to the People, Hell & Angels podcast on iTunes!

Access Early Podcast/Blog Content:

• Subscribe to Patreon: bit.ly/twdpatreon
• Subscribe to the Blog: bit.ly/twdblogsubscribe

Connect with David:

• Blog, Stories, Podcast & More: thinkingwithdavid.com/
• Instagram: @stay.in.alive

Conner Moore (@connerwanders) is the host of The Realness podcast.Conner is one rad dude! I've been listening to Conner sometime after he first launched his podcast in May 2017 under the name The Pleasure Monkey Podcast. A year later into this journey, he decided to change the name to The Realness to more accurately portray his ever-growing and expanding worldview. I sat down with Conner to chat about this decision, his truth, and to explore pleasure and realness.Conner is the first person I've interviewed having just met for the first time! Being much farther along the podcasting path than me, it was kind of him to take time from his day for a quick chat and have patience with me. Thanks to Conner, I had a breakthrough in this one: it's not necessarily our opinions that cause suffering, but our attachment to them.

Conner is a deep wellspring of vulnerability and self-reflection and I think you'll enjoy this one. So, please welcome to the podcast, Mr. Realness himself, Conner Moore!

Love,

David

Show Notes:

• Follow Conner on Instagram
• Listen to The Realness Podcast on iTunes!

Access Early Podcast/Blog Content:

• Subscribe to Patreon: bit.ly/twdpatreon
• Subscribe to the Blog: bit.ly/twdblogsubscribe

Connect with David:

• Blog, Stories, Podcast & More: thinkingwithdavid.com/
• Instagram: @stay.in.alive