ZION 2.0

This week, I am with complexity scientist and systems thinker Jordan Hall.

I first heard Jordan on a podcast a number of years ago and feel like I’ve been mulling over his ideas in my head ever since.

Do yourself a favor and check out his work on Medium.

Today’s episode is with a bad ass neuroscientist who offers a refreshing perspective on the healing power of cannabis!

Dr. Michele Ross is the sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll scientist.

We talk early childhood stories about drugs, the blindspots of Western medicine, and the profound mystery of psychedelic experiences. Oh, and her role on the reality TV show “Big Brother.” Apparently she’s the first scientist to do reality TV?

Get it, Dr. Ross.

This episode is a live recording of the ZION2.0 launch party.

I play some silly music, give a brief history of how the podcast came about, and settle in for an expansive conversation with Thomas McConkie.

Thomas is a Salt Lake City native with deep wisdom to share. He tells his story on leaving the Mormon church at an early age, moving to China to study Buddhism, and eventually returning to Salt Lake to launch Lower Lights Sangha, a non profit that teaches mindfulness, meditation, and developmental psychology to curious seekers.

Thomas offers us a window into what the future of religion could look like- organizations that celebrate the wholeness of all human beings, regardless of where they stand in their own development.

While his context deals with Mormonism, this conversation is relevant for anyone who has ever felt exiled from family, culture, society, or religion.

This week I am with the lovely Zach Schlosser.

Zach studied religion at Brown, launched an online school, and writes for a variety of publications about the future.

We discuss integral theory, the optimal digital future, and our relationship with relationship.

He is doing big, exciting things. Follow him.

This week I sit down with Caitlin Kinnunen, star of the new Broadway musical “The Prom.”

Caitlin Kinnunen is a talented performer living in New York City with a very cool story. She was home schooled on a small island in Washington state, booked her first Broadway gig when she was 16, and moved to NYC.

Caitlin and I reflect on our history together, discuss how to grapple with anxiety and depression, and how her own spirituality has grown and developed.

She is just the best. Check her out on Instagram: @caitlin.kinnunen.

This week I sit down with a talented healer and shamanic practitioner. Jonathan is a former actor turned bad ass medicine man. He lives in and runs a practice out of Manhattan.

We talk show business, visions in Hawaii, and what it takes to tap into the creative force of nature. Strap in baby, you’re going to like this one.

You can learn more about Jonathan and his work at mindbodyspiritnyc.com.

This week I sit down with an advanced spiritual being hailing from Fargo, North Dakota.

John Ford-Dunker is an actor, musician, Christian, and a very good friend. He packs a heavy punch.

We talk social media, religion, and why we can’t change anyone but ourselves. I hope you have a mirror while you listen to this episode. Get ready for some deep sea soul diving.

The new intro music?

Courtesy of JFD.

After discovering his beautiful Instagram, I reached out to an old high school friend. We hadn’t spoken in around 6 or 7 years. This is us catching up.

Alex Dickinson is a copywriter, competitive runner, yoga teacher, and an all around lovely person.

We discuss the advertising industry, why you should travel to Oaxaca, Mexico, relationships with moms, and why you should not put your leg over your head on the dance floor.

Enjoy lovelies!

I sit down this week with a seriously bad ass woman. Jane is a psychoanalyst, holistic health practitioner, business owner, and a serious integral thinker.

We talk New Orleans Jews, Freud’s couch, and the fact that your SKIN is an EYE.

Buckle up babes.

First episode! I feel like a baby deer stumbling out of his mother on an inviting spring morn.

This week I am with Colin Pugh of the Brooklyn Psychedelic Society.

We talk about Blockchain technology, the value of religion, porn, and whether or not Evil exists. This is a fun one folks. Expect this gentleman to be back at some point.