EZ Conversations

In this week's episode, I am honoured to welcome David Rast. David is an associate professor of social psychology and leadership at the University of Alberta. David has two primary lines of research drawing extensively on social identity and self-categorization theories and related sub-theories. First, he wants to understand how leaders elicit or incite social and organizational change by going against their group’s norms. Second, he is interested in understanding how leaders can bridge profound intergroup divisions to build a unified no identity and achieve a joint goal.

Other lines of research are related to these two themes, exploring the processes and implications of political identity, minority influence, deviance, intergroup cooperation/conflict, leader rhetoric, and organizational behaviour. David’s work is generously supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). David completed his PhD and Master’s at Claremont Graduate University (USA). He was a Predoctoral Research Fellow for the U.S. Army Research Institute’s Leader Development Research Unit at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas (USA). Before joining the Department of Psychology at the University of Alberta in 2015, he was an assistant professor at the University of Sheffield’s Institute of Work Psychology (UK).

David is the Associate Editor for the Journal of Applied Social Psychology and Consulting Editor for Group Processes and Intergroup Relations. He is appointed to the Editorial Boards of Self and Identity and the Journal of Theoretical Social Psychology. In 2018, David was elected a Society for Experimental Social Psychology Fellow.

In this episode, David and I discuss the aspect of groupthink bias and how our choices and decisions are impacted by the groups we often associate with. We also talk about how leaders use certain messaging to influence people or perhaps even use manipulation. David and I also talk about how we can become more aware of these unconscious biases that may be at play and use critical thinking, which the covid-19 lockdowns prevented and forced people to have strong attachments with their ideas and opinions, which led to divisiveness and polarization we are currently experiencing to a larger extent. We also discussed Donald Trump's impact through some of his messaging during his Presidency.

In this week's episode, I am excited to welcome my friend Sohayl Bhatti. Sohayl is an accomplished engineer working on healthcare projects in the construction industry. He is keenly interested in the nature of consciousness and reality and its intersections with mental health and building a meaningful life. Sohayl's approach to spiritual practice comes from self-discovery and exploration, including travel, immersion in nature, and meditation. He is also interested in using psychedelics as a therapeutic tool.

In this episode, Sohayl shares his ayahuasca journey and explains how he prepared for his trip to the Amazon. He initially talks about attending a silent meditation retreat before deciding to travel to Peru for the full ayahuasca experience. Sohayl also shares how the shamans prepared him for the journey and all the little things he had to do to ensure he was ready. We also discussed what Sohayl got from this experience and everything that came up for him. I really enjoyed recording this episode with Sohayl because it was immersive. It gave me a first-hand understanding of what an ayahuasca journey looks like from someone who experienced it.

In this week's episode, I am excited to welcome Rita Bozi. Rita is a multidisciplinary Somatic Relational trauma-informed facilitator and psychedelic therapist, author and podcast co-host. With twenty-eight years’ experience in the healing arts, she is the director of Brilliant Healing Inc. She works with individuals, couples and groups, leading unique, experiential and creative healing retreats. She is training individuals in her 3 Module program: Somatic Relational Trauma-informed Practices for Medicine-Assisted Therapy and was guest faculty at The Synthesis Institute.

Rita is a colleague of Dr. Gabor Maté and studied his "Compassionate Inquiry” model as an advanced student while on retreat in Mexico. She was mentored by the late visionary Carol-Anne Bickerstaff and is an advanced graduate of Sharon Stanley’s Somatic Transformation method. She has a passion for Attachment Theory, Polyvagal Theory, Authentic Movement, Feldenkrais, Craniosacral Therapy, and self-responsible communication. She is a Consultant Facilitator of the One Brain System, a Certified BodyTalk Practitioner, has a Diploma in Shiatsu Therapy and is a former instructor at Mount Royal College in Calgary and Langara College in Vancouver.

Though she is now a retired dancer and actor she will always be a creator and performer. Her first novel, When I Was Better is in the running for the 2022 Goethe Prize for Late Historical Fiction. Her co-hosted podcast, PUNK Therapy: Psychedelic Underground Neural Kindness, draws on her clinical work with psychedelic medicine in combination with somatic relational trauma-informed practices. She is currently working on a new book, PUNK Therapy; in it, she documents the often complex yet always deeply rewarding journey of client and medicine facilitator and their parallel journeys in healing. Born to Hungarian refugees who fled during the 1956 Revolution, Rita honours and remembers the long line of serfs and peasants who are her ancestors. She is devoted to the work it takes to become a kind and wise human, decolonizing the body and cultivating cherished and cooperative communities.

Rita has found her private practice and creative endeavours to be mutually complementary. She brings love, commitment and curiosity to both, inspiring others to live embodied, creative, trans-parent and soulful lives.

In this episode, Rita and I discuss psychedelic assisted therapy and the benefits this form of therapy can offer. Rita and I explored the difference between the notion of drugs and medicine. We walked through the risks associated with psychedelics and how caution must be exercised with doses, setting, environment and ensuring there is someone who can guide an individual embarking on a journey. We also covered the spiritual aspect of psychedelics as a ritual or ceremony.

Rita can be found:

brillianthealingsystems.com

linktr.ee/ritabozi

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6hN0cXnROdCeExH8ZT737C

In this week's episode, I am honoured to welcome Dale Borglum. Dale is the founder and Executive Director of A Living/Dying Project. He is a pioneer in the conscious dying movement and has worked directly with thousands of people with life-threatening illness and their families for over 30 years. In 1981, Dale founded the first residential facility for people who wished to die consciously in the United States, The Dying Center. He has taught and lectured extensively on spiritual support for those with life-threatening illnesses, caregiving as a spiritual practice, and healing at the edge of illness, death, loss, or crisis.

Dale has a BS from UC Berkeley and a Ph.D. from Stanford University. He is the co-author of Journey of Awakening: A Meditator’s Guidebook, Bantam Books and has taught meditation for the past 35 years. He has intensively immersed himself in the practices of devotion, meditation, and contemplative prayer for over forty years, studying with many of the greatest masters of the last century, including Neem Karoli Baba, Suzuki Roshi, Ananda Mayee Ma, Kalu Rinpoche, the 16th Karmapa, Dilgo Khyentse, Mahasi Sayadaw, Tsoknyi Rinpoche, Trungpa Rinpoche, Goenka, Dudjom Rinpoche and HH the Dalai Lama. Dale has taught with Ram Dass, Stephen Levine, Joan Halifax, Jack Kornfield, Joseph Goldstein, Rev. Wayne Muller, and many others. His life’s work and passion have been and continue to be the healing of our individual and collective relationship with death and using our mortality to inspire spiritual awakening.

In this episode, Dale shares his journey of finding meditation and how he was able to calm his mind and get his ego to be less intrusive. Dale and I also discuss what conscious dying looks like, how people can come to terms with death, and why there is fear when one contemplates death. Dale also explains what the living/dying project is based upon. 

Please check out more Dale's work: www.livingdying.org

In this week's episode, I am excited to welcome Aly Bird. Aly and I discussed her new book, Grief Ally, which was released recently. Aly shares why she was motivated to write this book and believes that allies during grief are crucial. Aly and I discuss a couple of chapters in her book and highlight key things to be mindful of when supporting people experiencing grief. 

Since her husband’s untimely death, Aly Bird has poured her heart into helping those who feel helpless during an unexpected crisis. Her extensive study of grief psychology and culture, combined with her devastating first-hand knowledge, led her to create a roadmap for the courageous and dedicated individuals willing to show up for the people they love with unconditional love, empowerment, and reverence. A speaker and workshop leader, Aly shows a clear path to those who dare to take on the vital role of being a grief ally.

Recognizing that there must be a change in how our culture handles grief, Aly is committed to building a support and educational network for those who have experienced an earth-shattering loss and the people who are often overlooked: the grievers loved ones and trusted support system. Aiding in her mission, Aly is pursuing a graduate degree in counselling psychology and a career in grief therapy.

Aly Bird is a coach and author with a BA from Carleton University and MSc in Social Planning from the University of Toronto. She is a Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association member and the Bereavement Ontario Network.

Keeping her life in balance, Aly is passionate about taking long walks with her dog, creating art, and singing at the top of her lungs whenever possible.

Learn more at www.alybird.com. Or find her on social media @thealybird.

In this week's episode, I am excited to welcome Will Spencer. Will is an entrepreneur, traveller, and storyteller. His path has taken him from Stanford University to the Dotcom Boom and through 33 countries on six continents. Along the way, his passion for personal growth led him into the exciting world of men’s personal development and transformation. Today he hosts a podcast called The Renaissance of Men, where he conducts extended interviews with thought leaders, both men and women, working towards a "great reconciliation" of the sexes. Will also hosts weekly online men's groups and offers a 12-week mentorship program where men can make their principles real in their lives. 

In this episode, Will shares why masculinity is on the rise again. He walks through a brief history of the decline of masculinity and why he believes men embody masculinity traits again. Will also explains the difference between masculine and feminine traits and why he believes men cannot have both. We also discuss the transformation men go through to step into their masculinity. While I do not agree with everything Will shares, mainly due to our belief systems, I truly value Will's perspective, and I learned a lot from him in this episode. I also enjoyed our conversation because we need to have more of these discussions.  

Please find Will on Instagram @renofmen. On Twitter @renofmen and his website: www.renofmen.com. You can also check out his podcast, The Renaissance of Men. 

In this week's episode, I am excited to welcome Jill Drader. Jill is a renowned public speaker, award-winning entrepreneur, and professional mentor based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. With over two decades of experience in the personal development industry, Jill has become a trusted advisor and spiritual director to countless individuals and organizations seeking to transform their lives and achieve their goals.

Jill is known for her dynamic and engaging speaking style, and she has delivered keynote speeches and workshops to audiences of all sizes across North America. She has also worked with various clients, including corporations, non-profits, and individuals.

Jill founded OwlSeek in 2022 to bring back her retreats, workshops, digital courses, and spiritual direction work.

Jill is an active member of the Calgary community and has been involved with several charitable organizations. She is co-founder of Struggle Is Your Success, a Calgary non-profit teaching youth entrepreneurial mindset skills to improve their lives.  She is passionate about supporting causes related to mental health and wellness and has been recognized for her contributions to these areas by the provincial government, Distinguished Alumni by the University of Calgary (2016), and awarded Top 40 Under 40.

Jill is a firm believer in the power of connection and community and is dedicated to helping others build meaningful relationships in their personal and professional lives. Whether speaking to a room of hundreds or working one-on-one with a client, Jill’s mission is always the same: to help people live their best lives and reach their full potential.

I have previously talked about the Hero's journey we must embark on and go through various stages. In this episode, I wanted to highlight Jill's journey. 

In this episode, Jill and I discuss her journey through life and some of the choices she made early in life, which ultimately led her to realize the changes she needed to make, especially after some frightening situations. Jill then talks about some of the entrepreneurial ventures she went on while believing in her vision. We then talk about how Jill now mentors others and gives back to the community through her work. 

You can find Jill on Instagram @jilldrader and @owlseekmethod, and www.owlseek.ca

I am excited to welcome Blake Ausmus and Kayla Taylor in this week's episode. Blake, Kayla and I discuss neurofeedback, how it works, and its benefits. We discuss how neurofeedback is a non-invasive alternative to traditional therapy, which can have powerful effects and an immediate impact on people seeking to overcome mental health struggles. 

Neurofeedback (NF) Therapy is a form of biofeedback that uses EEG (electroencephalography) to measure brain waves and teach the brain to function optimally.  Sensors are placed on the head to measure electrical signals. Then a person will receive feedback through visual or auditory input, which provides messages that help to inhibit or reward certain patterns of functioning. Over time and with repetition, the brain learns these new desired patterns, and we often see a reduction in symptoms and/or an improvement in many areas of life.

Blake Ausmus is a Registered Psychologist in Alberta. He is the owner of Sano State Health Clinic, and he practices in Calgary and St. Albert.

Blake has been practicing biofeedback and Neurofeedback therapy in Calgary since early 2014. Since then, his practice has evolved to include counselling as well. He finds fulfillment in helping people overcome trauma (both physical and emotional) through various approaches and therapies. Using a non-judgmental approach in mental health is essential to him, as he recognizes the importance of clients feeling comfortable for progress.

Blake is passionate about technologies and how they can be implemented in therapy. He has been trained in several different types of Neurofeedback. As a result, clients of Sano State have access to cutting-edge therapies that are non-invasive but very effective in supporting treatment. Blake is fluent in Spanish and earned a BA at the University of Calgary in Spanish before finishing his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Psychology at Walden University.

Kayla Taylor is a Registered Psychologist in Alberta. She is the co-owner of Sano State Taylored Psychology Inc., and she practices in Calgary.

Kayla is passionate about mental health and wellness and has been practicing in the field since 2010. She is a strong believer in holism, mind-body connection, and the importance of healthy and secure attachments to our overall health and well-being. Kayla works with adults, children, adolescents, and families. She supports clients through various approaches in talk therapy and play-based therapy, Neurofeedback Therapy, and Biofeedback.

Kayla has a Master of Science degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of Calgary. Kayla enjoys spending time with her family and socializing with friends, exercising, travelling, and reading and learning in her spare time.

If you would like to learn more about neurofeedback and the work Blake and Kayla are doing, please check out their website: www.sanostate.com

This week, I do another solo episode and talk about self-love. My goal was to expand on some things that prevent us from honouring ourselves and not giving the love to ourselves that we constantly pursue from others. I also share some stuff from my book, The Pursuit of Self-Love: 30 Uplifting Messages and Thoughts, which is due for release in April. 

Expectations, comparisons, connection, solitude, forgiveness and humility, if framed appropriately, can improve the relationship we have with ourselves and build more love for ourselves. We create and set expectations daily in almost every aspect of life. Expectations on outcomes, on our employers, our friends and family and our loved ones. We even set expectations for ourselves. Anytime these expectations are not met, we turn against ourselves.

We also compare parts of our lives, if not everything, with some "ideal" or others without fully knowing everyone's story, further perpetuating our lack of love for ourselves. The only comparison we need to make is with a previous version of ourselves to determine our growth and progress. We also struggle with solitude at times. Finding stillness is uncomfortable and difficult because of what we may find. Therefore, most of us choose to distract ourselves with mundane things. In solitude, we can reflect, introspect and understand ourselves better.

We all crave deeper connections where we can be seen, heard and valued. However, we seek those connections externally, which can manifest as emptiness. However, when we form a deeper relationship with the self, we are in a better place and seek similar connections with others. Often we remain stuck and carry the burden of resentment. The antidote to that is forgiveness. Forgiveness can be for ourselves and others so we can let go and free ourselves. Stepping into love requires us to move past guilt, shame, despair and anger. Finally, humility allows us to keep a level head. Accepting mistakes and always seeking to understand while reminding ourselves that we do not have all the answers allows us to remain humble. Without humility, we block ourselves from self-love.

When we build love for ourselves, we have more to offer to others. Our cups are not empty. As Robin Sharma said: “It is only when you have mastered the art of loving yourself that you can truly love others. It is only when you have opened your own heart that you can touch the heart of others.”

In this week's episode, I am excited to welcome Joelle Maletis. Joelle is a world-renowned international speaker, psychotherapist, and PTSD and trauma expert. Her passion is mentoring, coaching, and supporting people while overcoming struggles that keep them from living a meaningful and balanced life full of fulfillment, joy, and contentment. She helps individuals, couples, and families open the door for growth and understanding by creating a safe space and individualized plans using complementary therapies. Using reflective listening, strategic inquiry, and encouragement, she can provide feedback and interaction that allows clients to make informed, healthy, and compassionate decisions. Her career highlights include being a guest speaker on ABC’s 60 Minutes: Beyond the Headlines, Switch YouTube Live host, HIRE Vets Medallion Award recipient, and several Outstanding Achievement Awards for Top Female Executive.

In this episode, Joelle and I discuss trauma's impact on our bodies. We also discuss polyvagal theory and the impact our vagus nerve has on our overall functioning, especially if we are not operating in homeostasis. We then discuss how trauma can show up in our parasympathetic, sympathetic and autonomic nervous systems, which can be experienced as fight, flight or freeze. 

You can find Joelle online: https://joellerabowmaletis.com/

Instagram @ official.joelle.trauma.therapy

TikTok @joelle.trauma.therapy

Facebook: JoelleRabowMaletisandAssociates

LinkedIn: joellerabowmaletis/