In this episode of Thusly, David Santana moves from the leap of the Fool to the forge of the Magician. Moving from the "Zero" to the "One" isn't just about picking up the tools—it's about surviving the crushing weight of the "Expert Trap."

David opens up about the "static" of his old life, the physiological toll of transition, and the specific failure in a dark, silent room that almost stopped this podcast before it started. We dive deep into the shadow of the Magician: the seductive loop of "How-To" binging that feels like progress but is, in fact, a slow-motion surrender.

Through the lens of Neo's "Jump Program" failure in The Matrix and the humble "broom" labor of a Ngueyo in the Palo Monte tradition, we explore why you have to sound like an idiot before you can sound like a leader. David bridges the mysticism of manifestation with the neuroscience of Hebb's Law and the "Illusion of Competence," proving that your brain only grows when you lean into the struggle.

The episode concludes with the Magician's Protocol: A strict lifestyle ban on tutorials and the "One-Take Manifestation" ritual designed to reclaim your agency and wire your brain for action.

Stop looking at the manual. Start the work.

This is Thusly.

My name is David Santana, and I am a traveler on a path that is both ancient and deeply personal.

In the debut episode of Thusly, we open the gates. Before we dive into the mechanics of the spirit, we have to address the "Zero" state—The Fool. This isn't just a card in a deck; it's the moment of total risk where you choose to reclaim your soul from the static of the Matrix.

In this episode, David explores:

• The Prologue: A formal invitation into the Kimbiza branch of Palo Monte and the landmark system of the Tarot.
• The Leap: The visceral reality of turning your back on corporate "security" to find your footing in the ancient world.
• The Shadow: Dealing with the "Expert Trap" and the fear of being seen as a beginner.
• The Mechanism: Understanding the psychology of the "Leap of Faith" and the biological necessity of the fresh start.

This is not a polished lecture. This is a record of a transformation. Whether you are an initiate or a seeker, you are invited to join the journey as a peer. We are building this bridge as we walk across it.

Welcome to Thusly.

I'm David. I study herbal medicine, I practice magic, and I'm obsessed with the esoteric.

I started Thusly because I wanted a place to talk about the occult, alchemy, spirituality, and self-mastery without the theatrics or the guru complex. I'm not here to teach you the "secrets of the universe"—I'm here to learn more about them, right alongside you.

This is a podcast for practitioners and students who want to explore the mysteries of life with a grounded approach. No gimmicks. Just the work.

Welcome to the conversation.