Beyond the Self with Africa Brooke

Get ready for an engaging conversation as I sit down with my dear friend, Mark Vicente. Many of you might recognise him as the whistle-blower for the cult NXIVM, but there's so much more to him than that. Mark is not just a public figure; he's an author, a speaker, and the cinematographer behind the iconic film Sarafina!

Together, we explore the intense demands placed upon us by social media, our battles with how the public sees us, and being honest in our self-expression. Mark shares with us his experience of having a cult-like following, and we examine how historical patterns of coercion and censorship are repeating in our modern society.

If you're ready to explore the nuances of authenticity, the role of vulnerability in connection, and the importance of critical thinking in personal growth, tune in to this episode.

Connect with Mark:
Mark Vicente is an author, speaker, and filmmaker who played a key role in the creation of the sleeper hit "What The Bleep Do We Know?!” Born in Johannesburg - South Africa in 1965, he discovered his passion for cinematography early and made his mark as a Director of Photography in Hollywood with films like “SARAFINA” and “FATHERHOOD.”
Mark transitioned to directing with a focus on challenging and thought-provoking themes. His work includes “Encender el Corazon,” a film addressing Mexico's kidnapping crisis. Despite it touching many people deeply, he withdrew the film to expose the criminal activities of the NXIVM cult, detailed in the HBO series “THE VOW.” Today he continues to explore human stories through film, with the goal of shining a light on both the beauty and complexity of the human condition.

You can follow Mark Vicente on:
Instagram: @markvicente
Twitter: https://twitter.com/markvicente
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/markvicente/
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/MarkVicente
Website: https://www.markvicente.com
"WTF is on my Mind?!" Podcast available on all podcast platforms.
Also on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@markvicente7
His Next Film (2024 Release) www.empathynotincluded.com
Course with Richard Grannon DECODING CULTS & NARCISSISTS https://www.richardgrannon.com/narcissistic-cults-decoded-course

Don't forget to pre-order my book, The Third Perspective: Brave Expression in The Age of Intolerance

If you found this valuable - be sure to follow, RATE, subscribe, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, and share this podcast with your pals, family, and community - let's not withhold transformation from each other.⁣⁣⁣⁣

You can also connect with me directly over on Instagram, I'd love to continue the conversation with you - @africabrooke or you can email me at [email protected] with the subject line 'Beyond the Self'. I can't wait to hear from you!⁣⁣⁣⁣

PLEASE NOTE: I do not give advice in DM's, emails, or comments, but I'd love to hear your feedback and know what your lightbulb moments or breakthroughs were. It also lights me up when you tag me in the screenshots of you listening, do continue!

This is something I'm experiencing firsthand. It's tender, and while some of me still feels low, I'm driven to share my insights with you from my recent experience of rejection. From viewing rejection as feedback to cultivating resilience and prompting deep self-reflection, in this episode I share 5 learnings that have reshaped my perspective.

So, if you're facing rejection, remember—it's not defeat but a chance for growth and transformation.

Don't forget to pre-order my book, The Third Perspective: Brave Expression in The Age of Intolerance

Download The Third Perspective companion guide:

https://hachettebookgroup.formstack.com/forms/the_third_perspective_preorder_bonus

https://www.hodder.co.uk/books/2024/03/01/pre-order-the-third-persepctive-and-receive-an-exclusive-companion-workbook/

If you found this valuable - be sure to follow, RATE, subscribe, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, and share this podcast with your pals, family, and community - let's not withhold transformation from each other.⁣⁣⁣⁣

You can also connect with me directly over on Instagram, I'd love to continue the conversation with you - @africabrooke or you can email me at [email protected] with the subject line 'Beyond the Self'. I can't wait to hear from you!⁣⁣⁣⁣

PLEASE NOTE: I do not give advice in DM's, emails, or comments, but I'd love to hear your feedback and know what your lightbulb moments or breakthroughs were. It also lights me up when you tag me in the screenshots of you listening, do continue!

Today I want to revisit an episode I did that focused on the importance of rejecting urgency culture. I share some things I'm doing personally and riff out loud with you as well.

From honouring my own timeline and why it seems like we are all in such a rush, why I'm dedicated to simplifying and going deeper, to how I'm learning to set realistic expectations without compromising my standards.

Don't forget to pre-order my book, The Third Perspective: Brave Expression in The Age of Intolerance

Download The Third Perspective companion guide:

https://hachettebookgroup.formstack.com/forms/the_third_perspective_preorder_bonus

https://www.hodder.co.uk/books/2024/03/01/pre-order-the-third-persepctive-and-receive-an-exclusive-companion-workbook/

If you found this valuable - be sure to follow, RATE, subscribe, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, and share this podcast with your pals, family, and community - let's not withhold transformation from each other.⁣⁣⁣⁣

You can also connect with me directly over on Instagram, I'd love to continue the conversation with you - @africabrooke or you can email me at [email protected] with the subject line 'Beyond the Self'. I can't wait to hear from you!⁣⁣⁣⁣

PLEASE NOTE: I do not give advice in DM's, emails, or comments, but I'd love to hear your feedback and know what your lightbulb moments or breakthroughs were. It also lights me up when you tag me in the screenshots of you listening, do continue!

I have my thoughts about what it means to love and be loved in the modern world. What's the real cost of swiping right? Is there truth to attachment styles or has it become a (Western) collective obsession? Is the dating scene really as demotivating and disturbing as people say?

In this special episode, I'm joined by someone I've wanted to speak to for a while; the ever-insightful Rebecca Archer. Rebecca, a poet whose words bleed raw emotion, shares her battlefield stories from the front lines of dating apps. She talks about the art of setting boundaries, the seismic shifts caused by heartbreak, and how she channels her experiences into her poetry.

Listen in and hear how we don't shy away from the gritty realities of "situation ships" and the relentless pursuit of a connection that's not just skin deep.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Pre-order my book, The Third Perspective: Brave Expression in The Age of Intolerance

Connect with Rebecca:

Rebecca Archer (Instagram @wandering_in_heels), recently published her first poetry book, Heartbreak, which explores themes in modern day dating. The book documents a decade of being single and is themed around the seven deadly sins of the human heart, such as lust and envy.

Taking some artistic licence, Rebecca repositioned the sin of “pride” in a positive way in the final chapter of the book, interpreting it as the “dignity” she eventually found. By exploring negative romantic experiences and dysfunctional relationship-forming patterns, Rebecca has been able to approach the search for love with more accountability and self-respect.

Rebecca says, " I do hope that by candidly sharing my experiences of modern dating, I will help others feel less lost and alone. I firmly believe that we attract the love we believe we deserve. For years, I thought I only deserved “scraps”, and so that is what I settled for. Once I learnt to stop being turned on by romantic ambiguity, and started to see stability and security as sexy, everything changed. Never forget: you are worthy of love."

You can follow Rebecca Archer on Instagram: @wandering_in_heels

Heartbreak is available to buy now at: wordsbyrebeccaarcher.com
Heartbreak was written by Rebecca Archer. Designed and published by Couper Street Books. Edited by Susannah Saary. Hand-finished in London by Book Works UK.

If you found this valuable - be sure to follow, RATE, subscribe, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, and share this podcast with your pals, family, and community - let's not withhold transformation from each other.⁣⁣⁣⁣

You can also connect with me directly over on Instagram, I'd love to continue the conversation with you - @africabrooke or you can email me at [email protected] with the subject line 'Beyond the Self'. I can't wait to hear from you!⁣⁣⁣⁣

PLEASE NOTE: I do not give advice in DM's, emails, or comments, but I'd love to hear your feedback and know what your lightbulb moments or breakthroughs were. It also lights me up when you tag me in the screenshots of you listening, do continue!

Do you keep avoiding help from others? I'm guilty as charged. In this episode, I'm exploring the obstacles of seeking help and the profound challenge of accepting it. I've battled with this myself, particularly when I was neck-deep in writing my book.

I had this mind-blowing psychedelic trip, coupled with deep meditation, and it hit me like a ton of bricks—the lesson of opening up, of not letting this hyper-independence trap me in a "golden cage." It's about the give-and-take, the law of reciprocity, and smashing through the fear of being vulnerable.

So hit play and let's break down those barriers of allowing people to help together.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Pre-order my book, The Third Perspective: Brave Expression in The Age of Intolerance

If you found this valuable - be sure to follow, RATE, subscribe, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, and share this podcast with your pals, family, and community - let's not withhold transformation from each other.⁣⁣⁣⁣

You can also connect with me directly over on Instagram, I'd love to continue the conversation with you - @africabrooke or you can email me at [email protected] with the subject line 'Beyond the Self'. I can't wait to hear from you!⁣⁣⁣⁣

PLEASE NOTE: I do not give advice in DM's, emails, or comments, but I'd love to hear your feedback and know what your lightbulb moments or breakthroughs were. It also lights me up when you tag me in the screenshots of you listening, do continue!

Have you ever wondered what it's like to confront your deepest struggles head-on? Today, I'm revisiting a past episode where I talk about my letter addressing my battle with alcoholism, a letter I wrote in 2017. This letter is a testament to my growth and the crucial role of self-acceptance in my life.

I've learned that honesty isn't just a policy; it's the foundation of who I am and who I've become.

Join me as I honour the resilience of my past self and dive deep into a conversation about identity, integrity, and the transformative power of embracing personal change. This episode isn't just my story—it's a mirror reflecting the universal challenge of staying true to oneself.

If you found this valuable - be sure to follow, RATE, subscribe, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, and share this podcast with your pals, family, and community - let's not withhold transformation from each other.⁣⁣⁣⁣

You can also connect with me directly over on Instagram, I'd love to continue the conversation with you - @africabrooke or you can email me at [email protected] with the subject line 'Beyond the Self'. I can't wait to hear from you!⁣⁣⁣⁣

PLEASE NOTE: I do not give advice in DM's, emails, or comments, but I'd love to hear your feedback and know what your lightbulb moments or breakthroughs were. It also lights me up when you tag me in the screenshots of you listening, do continue!

As we journey through life, clashes in values and beliefs are inevitable, often leading to the discomfort of disappointing others. Especially in the realm of online interactions, where diverse perspectives collide, staying true to our integrity can sometimes mean disappointing those around us.

In this episode I explore how the pervasive influence of cancel culture amplifies the fear of disappointing others, stifling our authenticity and forcing conformity. But here's the truth: embracing the liberation of disappointing others is not only inevitable but essential for our growth and happiness.

Tune in as we navigate the art of setting boundaries and reclaiming your authenticity in a world obsessed with approval. It's time to prioritise your happiness over pleasing everyone else. Let's dare to disappoint together!

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

PRE-ORDER MY BOOK HERE
(thank you in advance!)

#060 - Self-reputation: who are you at the mercy of?

#024 - Why you don't have to speak up on every social issue

If you found this valuable - be sure to follow, RATE, subscribe, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, and share this podcast with your pals, family, and community - let's not withhold transformation from each other.⁣⁣⁣⁣

You can also connect with me directly over on Instagram, I'd love to continue the conversation with you - @africabrooke or you can email me at [email protected] with the subject line 'Beyond the Self'. I can't wait to hear from you!⁣⁣⁣⁣

PLEASE NOTE: I do not give advice in DM's, emails, or comments, but I'd love to hear your feedback and know what your lightbulb moments or breakthroughs were. It also lights me up when you tag me in the screenshots of you listening, do continue!

I am so, so deeply grateful for everybody who has pre-ordered my book, The Third Perspective: Brave Expression in The Age of Intolerance. Your support means so much to me!

In this episode, I'm discussing something that over the past 8 years, I've grappled with and have refined as time has gone by - this notion of managing who has access to you. Be it friends, romantic partners, family, clients, audience, colleagues, even internet strangers…I covered it all!

It’s easy to think that when I speak of ‘access’ I’m defaulting into talking about the physical, but we're transcending the physical and exploring the realms of emotional, mental, and spiritual accessibility. By becoming intentional gatekeepers of our personal space, I want us to know that we can unlock pathways to greater peace, happiness, and personal evolution.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

PRE-ORDER MY BOOK HERE
(thank you in advance!)

#060 - Self-reputation: who are you at the mercy of?

#069 - Your circle determines your success

If you found this valuable - be sure to follow, RATE, subscribe, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, and share this podcast with your pals, family, and community - let's not withhold transformation from each other.⁣⁣⁣⁣

You can also connect with me directly over on Instagram, I'd love to continue the conversation with you - @africabrooke or you can email me at [email protected] with the subject line 'Beyond the Self'. I can't wait to hear from you!⁣⁣⁣⁣

PLEASE NOTE: I do not give advice in DM's, emails, or comments, but I'd love to hear your feedback and know what your lightbulb moments or breakthroughs were. It also lights me up when you tag me in the screenshots of you listening, do continue!

Ever walked into a room and felt an INSTANT connection with someone without a single word exchanged? That magnetic energy, that unspoken charisma – that's the power of seduction beyond the obvious.

In this episode, I'm stripping away the sexual connotations of the term 'seduction' to explore how it applies to our everyday lives. It's not about manipulation - it's about authentically refining who you are.

From feeling something after watching an ad to leaving a memorable impression on everyone you encounter, I'm uncovering the secrets to genuine influence. Make sure to listen because this episode might just change your view on the subtle magic of true social seduction.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

#036 - Is it confidence, or an inflated sense of self?

If you found this valuable - be sure to follow, RATE, subscribe, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, and share this podcast with your pals, family, and community - let's not withhold transformation from each other.⁣⁣⁣⁣

You can also connect with me directly over on Instagram, I'd love to continue the conversation with you - @africabrooke or you can email me at [email protected] with the subject line 'Beyond the Self'. I can't wait to hear from you!⁣⁣⁣⁣

PLEASE NOTE: I do not give advice in DM's, emails, or comments, but I'd love to hear your feedback and know what your lightbulb moments or breakthroughs were. It also lights me up when you tag me in the screenshots of you listening, do continue!

In this mini-sode I give you an update on all things book, love, life, and VOICE. Although you might not think it, there’s an area where I still experience STRONG RESISTANCE when it comes to activating my voice. Singing. Yes, SINGING. I didn’t expect I would be sharing this in today’s episode but here we are. If you sometimes find it difficult to put effort into things you're passionate about too, and fear is holding you back, this episode is also for you.

I’ll be encouraging you to embrace those risks because trust me, you will feel liberated once you let yourself be seen! REALLY seen.

If you found this valuable - be sure to follow, RATE, subscribe, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, and share this podcast with your pals, family, and community - let's not withhold transformation from each other.⁣⁣⁣⁣

You can also connect with me directly over on Instagram, I'd love to continue the conversation with you - @africabrooke or you can email me at [email protected] with the subject line 'Beyond the Self'. I can't wait to hear from you!⁣⁣⁣⁣

PLEASE NOTE: I do not give advice in DM's, emails, or comments, but I'd love to hear your feedback and know what your lightbulb moments or breakthroughs were. It also lights me up when you tag me in the screenshots of you listening, do continue!