Chris Grosso The Indie Spiritualist

Blending together hardcore punk and spirituality, Ray Cappo inspires listeners to deflate the ego and serve something bigger than themselves. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self.This time on The Indie Spiritualist, Chris and Ray delve into:The powerful intersection between hardcore punk and spiritualityLiving on the fringes of societyHow the hands of God can touch anybody, even in the most unexpected placesThe beginning of Ray’s spiritual path and being inspired by Harley Flanagan of hardcore punk pioneers Cro-MagsShifting inward: moving beyond the senses and the mind into subtle awarenessFrom chaos to calm: being in Samadhi rather than emotional turmoilKirtan and serving something bigger than ourselves instead of being the center of attentionThe presence of ego even in yogic and spiritual communities Finding oneness and connection with all beings, beyond outer labelsLetting go of idolizing people

Teaching us to relax back into being held by spaciousness, Lama Rod Owens discusses the forces that help us remember real love, awakened freedom, and who we truly are. In this episode of the Indie Spiritualist Podcast, Chris and Lama Rod explore:The practice and embodiment of real love as revolutionaryTranscending violence and harm and the yearning for all to be freeHolding brokenheartedness with a lot of care and viewing it as a teaching Continued practice even as an awakened being Returning to a space of fluidity and opennessRiding the middle line between form and emptiness Cultivating a stronger relationship with Earth, even in an urban environment Mystical breakthroughs and navigating mental health through the lens of spirituality Getting distracted by euphoria / believing we are hyper-special instead of taking spiritual experiences as an opportunity to connect more deeply with humanity Meditative experiences that can be found in daily life and in our pre-existing hobbie

Paul Levy, a pioneer in spiritual emergence, chats with Chris Grosso about the concept of Wetiko and healing our collective malady.Today’s podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self.In this episode, Chris and Paul explore:The diagnosis of our collective malady and defining WetikoWaking up through the darkness Life as a collective dream we are all manifesting The mind virus we are all suffering from and what it can reveal to us The primary importance of the psyche in creating world eventsAccessing our divine inheritance and divine power Psychologist and Dream Analyst Carl Jung’s exploration of Wetiko The danger of turning a blind eye to our shadowsQuantum physics as a dreaming phenomena Shedding light into our unconscious mind Compassion as the ultimate dissolver of Wetiko About Paul Levy:Paul Levy is an author, speaker, and facilitator who describes himself as

Certified sound healer Kelvin Young joins Chris Grosso to discuss how to find freedom within institutions and systems.Today’s podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self.This time on The Indie Spiritualist, Chris and Kelvin explore:Kelvin’s first encounter with holistic healing in the prison systemHow Kelvin became inspired to change his life and get sober for himself and his daughterBecoming anchored through sound healingHow we at the subatomic level, we are vibration and soundHaving spiritual experiences at concerts regardless of genreIntegrating holistic practice into hospitals and other facilitiesMoving from hypervigilance to relaxation through sound healingMeeting people where they are at on their healing journeyThe science of sound and rituals around the world that utilize soundThe power of humming and using our own voice as a toolThe gong as an instrument of interconnection12-step healing as in

Psychologist Tori Olds helps listeners unravel inner landscapes by examining emotions, identity, and the patterns in our lives.Today’s podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self.In this episode, Chris and Tori explore:Tori’s early interest in emotions and psychologyInterfacing with our emotional reactionsHow experiences shape identityIrrational and self-defeating behaviorsHow what we learn as a child influences how we protect ourselves as an adultEmotional knowing versus logical knowingImplicit memory and fear conditioningHow witnessing new evidence can help us unlearn negative patternsMindfulness for regulation of the nervous systemThe importance of working with a trained professionalThe potential within psychedelic-assisted therapyIf you are unable to work with a therapist but feel therapy may be helpful, check out this book recommendation from Tori: Self TherapyAbout Tori Olds:Tori Olds, PhD

Diving into the meaning of existential kink, Dr. Carolyn Lovewell joins Chris Grosso to discuss unlocking our unconscious desires.Today’s podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self.This time on The Indie Spiritualist, Chris and Dr. Lovewell discuss:The meaning of existential kinkThe practice of orgasmic meditationHow vulnerability and truth can lead to more sensationConsidering what our unconscious desires may bePracticing enjoying what is already happeningRealizing the darkness / pain we may be attracted to subconsciouslyThemes within the myth of PersephoneThe power addictions hold over us and admitting powerlessnessA guided meditation from Dr. CarolynLiving as characters in God’s dreamBecoming aware of our own wholeness and non-dualismSleep Over Mystery School and the heart of western mysteriesAbout Dr. Carolyn LovewellDr. Carolyn Lovewell (formarlly Elliott) is an American scholar, author, and occ

Reflecting on our ability to peacefully coexist, Nina Rao and Krishna Das join Chris Grosso to talk politics, practice, and more.This week, Chris, Krishna Das, and Nina all converge upon:Maharaj-ji’s response to being visited by politiciansKeeping the heart calm and open regardless of what is happening around usRecognizing everyone as a part of our own selvesCoexisting with all beings, human and non-humanLiving out our karma and doing the best can to not harm anyoneConsidering feelings about the upcoming electionHow it took returning to the west for Nina to connect to devotional practiceFinding a way to unlock the love that lives within usConnecting to the guru even after they have left the bodyThe ways we are born programmed by our culture, parents, etc.Chris’ experience with Ketamine therapy for his mental healthChanting as self releasing rather than self expressingAbout Krishna Das:Layering traditional Hindu kirtan with instantly accessible melodies and modern instrumentation, Grammy nominee, Krishna Das h

Calling attention to the healing properties of psychedelics, author and therapist Sean Lawlor talks with Chris about his new book, Psychedelic Revival.Grab your copy of Psychedelic Revival: Toward a New Paradigm of Healing HEREToday’s podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self.In this episode, Sean and Chris reflect on:Sean’s inaugural experiences with psychedelicsAccessing altered states of mindIntegrating psychedelic experiences into daily lifeChris’s journey with treatment-resistant depression and psychedelic therapyChanging the ongoing damage from the war on drugsWhat psychedelics are and what they can doBreaking out of our habituated thoughts patternsEnduring the challenging parts of a psychedelic journeyThe different types of psychedelics and their pros and consThe amazing effect of placebo and having intentionsPlant medicines versus more western psychedelicsAbout Sean Lawlor:Sea

Through the inspiration of Sufism, Matt Winkley describes how he merged the business world with spirituality to form heart-centered companies and find financial freedom.This time on The Indie Spiritualist, Matt and Chris chat about:Matt’s youth and leaving for California with only the shirt on his backBuilding his own business out of his apartmentGetting below the hood of painHow meeting a Sufi healer taught Matt to go into his heart-spaceWalking through the door of the ego and surrenderingBuilding a trusting relationship with the divineSufism as a sweet, mystical path rather than a rule-centered religionMerging the material world with the spiritual worldAdvice on having a conscious relationship with moneyMatt’s experience with chronic stress, burnout, and auto-immune diseaseFinding financial freedom and learning about passive incomeAllowing ourselves to experience abundanceExamining what we really want, finding purpose, and taking actionAbout Matt Winkley:Matt Winkley is a businessman and mystic who doesn’t

Encouraging listeners to examine their relationships with death and endings, Frank Ostaseski and Chris Grosso talk about living fully.This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self.In this deep conversation, Chris and Frank Ostaseski go over:Death, dying, and what we can learn about living fullyDeath as our secret teacherThe relief of impermanence versus the oppression of permanenceRam Dass’ idea of death being like taking off a tight shoeBreaking the walls of our identity and living a life that is more curiousFrank’s 5 invitations to living well and dying without regretWitnessing transition through a different lensPerspectives on what happens after we dieBeing with people who are dying and walking side by sideWorking with fear and distinguishing emotion from objectSetting aside our judgments and welcoming experiences“To imagine that at the time of our dying, we’re going to have the mental stab

Come hang out with Chris Grosso and Brian Fair from the band Shadows Fall as they chat about life, meditation, and the golden eras of skateboarding and punk rock.Today’s episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self.In this episode, Chris and Brian dive into: The new wave of skateboardingBrian’s initial exposure to metal musicSkateboarding in the 1980’s and 90’sGrowing up catholic and being disillusioned with religionBrian’s dabbling into meditation and Hatha yogaMusic and movement as a form of meditationMoving away from perfectionismBeing there for each otherAbout Brian Fair:Brian Fair is an American musician from Massachusetts, best known as lead vocalist of the metalcore band Shadows Fall. He is a skateboarder, father, and thrives off yelling at people on stage. Keep up with Brian on Instagram.“That’s what’s funny about meditation, and a reason why I think people may not realize it’s not ju

In an enthralling discussion on the archetypes, myths, and symbols within the 12-step recovery program, Kikan Massara joins Chris Grosso.This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self.This time on The Indie Spiritualist, Chris and Kikan dive into: A.A. and Chris’s journey with recoveryThe ways that everyone can benefit from the 12-steps of recoveryLiving an accountable life filled with integrityKikan’s work making recovery more accessible for allSeeing universal principles within the stepsAdmitting powerlessness and recognizing this as a human experienceReading through Kikan’s interpretation of all of the 12 stepsThe beauty of having a community on a recovery journeyTurning our will over to God and learning to ask for helpHow the ego can get in the wayMaking emotional decisions and why people end up in addictive processesGetting well for ourselves so we can help othersGet your copy of Kikan’s book,&

In a politically charged return to the Indie Spiritualist Podcast, Chris Grosso sits down with John Fugelsang to talk about finding humor as a weapon against the world's chaos.In this episode, Chris Grosso and John Fugelsang converse about: - Politics, the state of the world, and Joe Biden’s accomplishmentsSpiritual and emotional burnout preventing us from looking at global suffering- The frightening accuracy of post-apocalyptic movie Leave the World Behind- Atrocities vs. benevolence committed by Christian people- The criminalization of abortion compared to what the bible says- Melding religions and the book The Sermon on the Mount According to Vedanta- Similarities between Christ consciousness and the Buddha mind- The upcoming election and America’s rejection of Donald Trump- Finding joy in difficult times and how humor can be an act of resistance- Loving our enemies and knowing we are not better than anyone else- John’s in-progress book called Separation of Church and HateAbout John Fugelsang:John Fugelsan

Legendary artists, Allyson and Alex Grey join Chris in conversation around Ram Dass, psychedelics, spirituality, and Entheon—their new visionary art sanctuary & interfaith temple.Visionary artists, wise psychonauts, and podcasters, Allyson and Alex Grey are co-founders & Ministers of CoSM, the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors, a transformational art based non-profit which grew into an interfaith church and thriving artist community. Allyson and Alex are currently in the process of constructing Entheon, a sanctuary for visionary art, and sacred, nondenominational temple and hub for visionary artists and inner-seekers. Allyson and Alex host Sunday Art Church events, fusing creativity and dharma; as well as Full Moon Gatherings, which bring together artists, musicians, wisdom teachers, and free-thinkers to honor our cosmic alignment with nature and the creative forces. For a deep dive into their minds, check out their new podcast, The CoSM Podcast, and for updates on Entheon, CoSM, their art and events, visit th

Chris Grosso welcomes director Sebastian Siegel for a conversation about his new movie, Grace and Grit, which is based on the book by philosopher Ken Wilber. Sebastian Siegel is a British-American director, producer, screenwriter and author. His modes of storytelling range from filmmaking to contemporary art and psychology. His latest movie, Grace and Grit, is now available to stream on Amazon, Apple TV, YouTube, Google Play, and more. Learn more about Sebastian and his work at sebastiansiegel.com, and be sure to follow him on Instagram. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hardcore Zen master, Brad Warner, rejoins Chris for a talk on death, discernment, cosmic meaning, Zen Buddhism, and making sure your crazy wisdom isn't too crazy.Brad Warner is the author of Letters to a Dead Friend About Zen and numerous other titles including Don't Be a Jerk, Hardcore Zen, and Sit Down and Shut Up: Punk Rock Commentaries on Buddha, God, Truth, Sex, Death, and Dogen's Treasury of the Right Dharma Eye. A Soto Zen teacher, he is a punk bassist, filmmaker, and popular blogger who leads workshops and retreats around the world. In addition to his books, his writing appears in Lion's Roar, Tricycle, Buddhadharma, and Alternative Press. He lives in Los Angeles where he's the founder and lead teacher of the Angel City Zen Center. You can learn more about Brad at HardcoreZen.info

Dr. Christian Conte joins Chris to share life lessons on knowing yourself, stepping towards conflict, facing wounds, emptying your cup, understanding, and walking through anger with non-attachment.Dr. Christian Conte is one of the country’s most accomplished mental health specialists in the field of anger and emotional management. A familiar figure on TV and radio, he is also a prolific writer, powerful communicator, and sought-after media expert. He was co-host of Coaching Bad and The Secret Life of Kids, and was the resident therapist for Family Therapy. Dr. Conte produces daily Emotional Management Minutes for over 300 radio stations, as well as hosting his own weekly show in Pittsburgh. He discussed his prison outreach in the TEDx talk, “Why I Chose to Go to Prison.' His latest book, "Walking Through Anger" is out now. For more info, please visit, Dr.ChristianConte.com

Author Laura McKowen talks with Chris Grosso about the process of addiction and recovery, her resistance to defining herself as an alcoholic, and working with guilt and shame.Laura McKowen is the author of We Are The Luckiest: The Surprising Magic of a Sober Life. She had a successful career in public relations and the Mad Men–esque drinking culture of advertising. After getting sober, Laura became recognized as a fresh voice in recovery, beloved for her soulful and irreverent writing online and in print. She now leads sold-out retreats and courses, teaching people how to say yes to a bigger life. Learn more about her at lauramckowen.com.

Bestselling author, Gary Renard, joins Chris to discuss training the mind, Jesus’ and Buddha’s lifetimes together, and how to communicate with the Holy Spirit.Gary R. Renard is the best-selling author of The Disappearance of the Universe, Your Immortal Reality, Love Has Forgotten No One, and the newly released The Lifetimes When Jesus and Buddha Knew Each Other. Gary is a winner of the Infinity Foundation Spirit Award, among the likes of Ram Dass, Byron Katie, and Neale Donald Walsch; and has been featured on Gaia TV‘s, “Open Minds.” Combining a disarming sense of humor with radical, cutting-edge metaphysical information and experiential exercises, Gary is well versed and well traveled in the spiritual community. For more info visit www.GaryRenard.com

Legendary hip-hop artist, R.A. The Rugged Man joins Chris to talk about writing albums, emotions and mental health, how storytelling can heal traumas, and how to stay true to yourself.R.A. The Rugged Man is one of the most fascinating figures in hip-hop history. His career spans decades, and defies simple narratives. The Rugged Man has been an up-and-coming star, an industry outcast banished and forgotten, an underground cult hero, an independent success story, and an influential master of the art form. Check out his newest album All My Heroes Are Dead, and for more music, blogs, and offerings, visit his website RAtheRuggedMan.net