21st Century Vitalism

The Intersection of Attachment Theory and Meditation with George Haas

This week's episode of the 21st Century Vitalism podcast is with the founding teacher of the Metta Group, George Haas. In this conversation we explore his work of combining Buddhist meditation practice with cutting edge attachment strategy repair protocols. Drawing on over 40 years of teaching this material, George’s approach to helping students heal from their attachment injuries has been clinically proven to be effective and deeply transformational. Outside of his full schedule of one on one sessions and weekly classes, he’s also the host of a podcast called, ‘I Love You, Keep Going’, which explores these topics in great detail.

If you want to study with George, head on over to mettagroup.org or consider checking out his show wherever you tune into your podcasts.

Show Topics
- What’s the Difference Between Attachment Styles and Strategies?
- Organized Attachment Vs. Disorganized
- What Determines Our Attachment Strategy?
- How Views Shape Our Reality
- Working With Our Strategies
- Intimacy and Communication
- Vipassana and Attachment
- How Emotions Change Perception
- What is Authenticity?
- Attachment and Spiritual Practice

Why We Hurt and What We Can Do About It with Lorimer Moseley

Joining us on the show for this episode is one of the world’s leading pain researchers, Lorimer Moseley, PhD. Having spent thirty plus years in his pursuit of understanding pain through the studies of neuroscience, physiotherapy, and pain science, Lorimer is currently a Professor of Clinical Neurosciences and the Foundation Chair in Physiotherapy at the University of South Australia. He’s recently launched his non-profit grassroots movement called ‘Pain Revolution’ which is ensuring that all Australians have access to the knowledge, skills, and local support to prevent and overcome persistent pain.


For this conversation, we explore some of the key principles of his updated model of pain which draws from 50 years of research and data. It’s deeply transformational work that has the potential to dramatically shift our relationship to what makes us hurt.

If you wish to continue your journey into the world of pain science, head over to painrevolution.org or check out some of his lectures and Ted Talks over on YouTube.

Show Topics
- Lorimers Background
- Central Sensitization
- Pain Variability Between People
- Making the Case Against the Structural Explanations of Pain
- Pain is a Protective Mechanism, Not Injury Detection
- Four Essential Pain Facts
- Manual Therapy and Pain
- Pain Revolution and Community Building
- Challenging Modality Empires
- Evidence Based Practice
- The Social Element of Healing
- What Can Those In Pain Do Right Now?

Influencers, Algorithms, and The Importance of Touching Grass with Jason Pargin

Joining us on the 21st Century Vitalism podcast is former executive editor of Cracked.com and New York Times Bestselling author, Jason Pargin. In this conversation we explore the themes of his newest book, 'I'm Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom'. Namely how the internet is changing the way we connect with other people, perceive reality, and process incoming information.

You can order 'I'm Starting To Worry About This Black Box of Doom' wherever you get your books. You can also follow Jason on Tik Tok and Instagram to see his entertaining daily reels about culture, entertainment, and society over at @jasonkpargin.

Show Topics
- What Happens When A Culture Promotes The Need to Be Special?
- Needing To Be An Influencer To Maintain a Career
- The Psychological Implications of Algorithms
- Parasocial Relationships and the Need for Real Community
- Importance of Discomfort and Awkwardness
- The Illusory Nature of Division
- Choosing Our Media Diet
- Tech Companies Taking Advantage of Negativity Bias
- Technology and Developing Brains
- How The Internet Exaggerates Reality
- The Necessity of Pushing Boundaries

Inexplicable Joy and the Heart Sutra with Susan Piver

Joining us on the show this week is author, meditation teacher, and founder of the Open Heart Project, Susan Piver! For this conversation we explore the the most famous Sutra in Buddhism, The Heart Sutra. This is the focus of her newest book, 'Inexplicable Joy' in which she details how to turn this incredible and mysterious teaching into a workable practice that can transform your life. 

You can stay in touch with Susan's offerings by checking out openheartproject.com or following her on all of the social media channels. 

Show Topics
 - Brett's Reading of the Heart Sutra
 - What is the Heart Sutra?
 - Exploring the Setting of the Heart Sutra
 - The Practice of Buddhist Chanting
 - What are the Skandhas? 
 - The Mantra That Calms All Suffering
 - Trust and Devotion
 - Emptiness in Buddhism
 - Engaging With the World

Wild Magic and the Reclamation of Your Attention with Sean and Cass

Joining us on the show today are independent filmmakers, community builders, and fellow podcasters Sean Dunne and Cass Greener. In this conversation, we explore their recent film, Wild Magic as well as how we can best show up to the rapidly changing socio-political landscape of the United States. 

You can watch Sean and Cass's films over at veryape.tv and tune into their 'Very Ape' podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts. They also have a sweet online community you can join over on their website for just $2! 

Show Topics
- What is Wild Magic? 
- The Importance of Listening to Reality
- Unplugging from Media Narratives
- Dialing In On Your Offering
- Illumination and New Avenues of Resistance
- The Reallocation of Our Attention
- The Power of Attention and Attention Vampires
- Maintaining Your Own Frequency

Storytelling, Folk Music, and Navigating Complexity with Leah Song

Joining us on the show this week is musician, storyteller, poet, and activist, Leah Song! Most widely recognized for co-founding the Rising Appalachia project with her sister, Chloe Smith - Leah is also a dedicated social activist who's been on the frontline for many fights on the environment, human rights, prison reform, and food justice.

For this conversation we explore the intersection of folk music and activism, the role of storytelling in orienting humans in their environment, and the power of sharing music in times of uncertainty. 

You can catch Rising Appalachia on tour at a city near you at https://www.risingappalachia.com/tour  Or check out Leah's other offerings over at leahsongmusic.com

Show Topics
- Maintaining Creativity in Times of Uncertainty
- Art and Liberation Movements
- The Power of Folk Music
- Storytelling and Rootedness
- Creating Your Own Stories 
- Importance of Lineage
- Art and Social/Digital Media
- The Ceremony of Catharsis
- Integrating Catharsis

Feeling As Others Feel Through Somatic Empathy with Dr. Cindy Engel

Joining us on the show today is author, biologist, and bodyworker, Dr. Cindy Engel! For this conversation we explore the topic of somatic empathy, which is the focus of her newest book, ‘Another Self: How Your Body Helps You Understand Others’. This is the first overview of how our bodies take on the physical, emotional, and mental states of others and how we can utilize these principles to tend to ourselves and our relations.

If you want to learn more after the episode, consider picking up a copy of ‘Another Self’ over at cindyengel.com

Show Topics
- What is Somatic Empathy?
- The Contagious Nature of Emotions
- Somatic Empathy and Media
- Strengthening and Dampening Somatic Empathy
- Mindful Movement for Resilience
- Everything We Perceive is a Guess
- Importance of Getting to Know Ourselves
- Somatic Empathy, Communication, and Bodywork
- Coregulation and Brain Coupling

Watching Your Mind with Sokuzan

Joining us on the show is the founder and abbot of the Sokukoji monastery, Sokuzan. Having received his full ordination as a priest in the Soto Zen lineage, Sokuzan has spent the past 50+ years of his life studying, practicing, and teaching the Buddhist Dharma. He also happens to be a lifelong artist who paints and teaches his students how to expand their awareness using meditative techniques that he’s developed.

In this conversation, we explore some of his prominent teachings on awareness. What it is, what it isn’t, and how we can live our lives operating from a more clear and present state of mind. We also explore his artistic expressions and the technique of ‘Opening the Eye Mind’ which is the focus of his upcoming book.

If you want to stay plugged in with Sokuzan, you can head over to sokukoji.org to watch recorded teachings and practice with the Sokukoji monastery on a daily basis. He also has many teachings available on YouTube which can be easily found.

Show Topics
- Sokuzan’s Story of Finding the Dharma
- The Teacher’s Path
- Where do Teachings Come From?
- The Role of Conceptual Practice
- What is Awareness?
- Understanding Enlightenment
- The Nature of Cultivation
- Nature of Personality
- The Meditator’s Role in Today’s Social Climate
- Managing Overwhelm
- Monastic Vows
- Art and Awareness

Visionary Art as a Catalyst for Social Change with Mark Henson

This week's episode of the 21st Century Vitalism podcast is now live! Joining us on the show today is visionary artist, Mark Henson (@markhensonart)! Most known for his stunning and psychedelic depictions of love, loss, warfare, and celebration. In this conversation we explore one of his life’s passions of utilizing visionary art as a means to inspire social change. Drawing on decades of experience starting from the 1960’s hippie movement of the west coast all the way through Occupy and into the current socio political waters - mark’s history of using psychedelic art as a tool for communication is rarely matched by his contemporaries. We talk a lot about his process of creation and also how you can cultivate your own artistic voice.

If you want to stay plugged into Mark’s work, head on over to markhensonart.com to check out his online galleries and other talks.

Show topics
- What is visionary art?
- Visionary Art of the 60’s
- Art and Social Movements
- Transmitting Messages Through Art
- Using Your Craziest Thoughts To Develop Your Voice
- Culture Wars
- Modern Art Movements
- How can an Artist Open Themselves Up?
- Mark’s Process of Creating Art
- The Emotional Quality of Painting Destruction
- The Power of Unsettling Images
- Art as a Time Machine
- Exploring Mark’s Work

Cultivating Self Compassion Through IFS and Buddhist Meditation with Ralph De La Rosa

Joining us on the 21st Century Vitalism podcast this week is psychotherapist, meditation teacher, and author, Ralph De La Rosa. In this conversation we explore his work in combining the therapeutic ‘Internal Family Systems’ framework with traditional Buddhist wisdom. Our intention is to create a map of how we can cultivate a real and palpable energy of self-compassion within our lives.

You can order a copy of Ralph’s new book, ‘Outshining Trauma: A New Vision of Radical Self-Compassion Integrating Internal Family Systems and Buddhist Meditation’ from wherever you go to get your books. 

ralphdelarosa.com

Show Topics
- What is Internal Family Systems?
- The Parts That We’re Made Of
- Contacting Self
- The Healing Process of IFS
- What is Trauma?
- How Can We Learn to Communicate With Our Bodies?
- Meditation and IFS
- Cultivating Self-Compassion
- What To Do When We Struggle with Self Compassion
- The Wisdom of our Hangups
- Deities and Mythology in the Process of Healing