Becoming Human with the philosopher Samuel Loncar is a podcast for a species in crisis. Series 1: Origins, tells the story of how an atheistic revolution in philosophy, beginning with Socrates and Jesus, remade religion and science, and set the stage for our post-human age. It argues that the dominant story of reason, science, and religion is a modern myth, and must be replaced if we are to make real progress. New episodes of Origins release every ten days.
Makoto Fujimura is an internationally recognized artist who has developed a unique fusion of traditional Japanese painting, Nihonga, with abstract expressionism. A leading writer, speaker, and thinker on the intersection of art, faith, and culture, Fujimura published Art and Faith: A Theology of Making, with Yale University Press in 2021. In this conversation, Fujimura shares his story and his wisdom on how art is a way of becoming human, how it can help us live with suffering, and even reveal the divine world in everyday life. Topics covered include Miyazaki's vision of a post-atomic Japan, how William Blake's Jerusalem transformed the young Fujimura's life, and why the Western separation of nature and culture is foreign to Japan.
Karl Hyder is a loving father who had struggled to make healthy choices for himself and his family. When Karl had found weight lifting, he found a pathway to self-improvement, discipline, and a love for the experience of physical exercise over consumption and entertainment.Karl and I attended the same high school. We were all looking for our own way in life. We were working with challenging adversity and our personal flavor of self-defeat. We both didn't thrive in the traditional school system. Since I last saw Karl in school, years ago, he's become a father and stoked a passion for weight lifting that has enriched his ability and desire to bear responsibility, manage his feelings, and connect with his family; his community. Weightlifting has shaped Karl as incidentally as the waves polish a rock. An experience forces you in a certain way. Every time the wave thrashes the rock, the rock can only do certain things. Every time you lift weights, there are constant and variable experiences that you encounter. Over time it might guide you somewhere else for better and for worse. It isn't inevitable that these things will improve you, but it is possible; maybe even likely…You can find Karl on Facebook and Instagram @drbigdee
Katie Hanke used to weigh 380 pounds, had 26 medical diagnoses, took 50 prescriptions, had chronic depression/anxiety and struggled with addictive eating, opoid, and alcohol use. Katie has a 1300 page medical file 20 years in the making. She has perservered and overcome her illnesses through self exploration, self-experimentation, consistency, and discipline. Katie's crux in rewinding her degeneration lie in her chosen habits and coping mechanisms. She had found using food/drugs/entertainment as coping mechanisms was driving her further and further down the path of degeneration and addiction. In Katie's youth, she lived in a small town and was an avid soccer player. She was given a scholarship to compete in college level soccer. Immersed in the potential of college life, she had plunged into the depths of the party lifestyle. Her commitment to soccer had waned but her attachment to entertainment and drug use expanded. Katie was inspired to change when she hit her form of rock bottom: having to serve jail time for a car accident. After years of trial and error, Katie rose from her deluge of illness and found her path to wellness. While the jail time lit the fuse, she had her largest obstacle to climb as of yet; Katie had to find her own way. Katie is now a health & wellness coach, a personal trainer, and she coaches youth sports. Talk about a person coming full circle! We're constantly seeking “the way” but often we're confronted with the need to find our own way. A helpful comparison is posture. Most people believe that sitting-up straight is “good posture.” People likely believe this because most people suffer with consequences from slouching all day. They'll even label slouching as bad. The truth is that this posture is bad because it's the only shape a person holds while sitting all day which causes deficiencies in posture. So what's a good posture for you? Whatever is different from what you're doing. Everyone does something in particular that is problematic. What's a problem for one person is not always a problem for the other person. Beyond all perspectives and opinions what is essential is that no matter what you do, doing something causes something. If you pay attention, you will perceive what happens.LinksThe Real Slim Katie On YoutubeKatiehankewellness.comAlphafemalesnw
Harvard Astrophysicist Avi Loeb discusses his book, Extraterrestrial: The First Sign of Intelligent Life Beyond Earth, which lays out his scientific hypothesis that 'Oomuamua, the first interstellar object detected in our solar system, is likely equipment from an Extraterrestrial civilization. We discuss the state of science, why it has been closed-minded about extraterrestrial life, and what the future of science, and humanity, might be.
Saulius Braciulis is an ultrarunner, bike commuter, and mountaineer who has fallen in love with long-distance running/hiking. Saulius has accomplished incredible feats of endurance from biking 86 miles to Rainier, running around the volcano completely self-supported, and biking the remaining 86 miles back to his house in Seattle. Saulius has intense stories of exploring the Cascade mountain range in Washington state. If you were to go hike with Saulius, it's likely that he's either running/cycling to meet you at the trailhead or he's already done several loops. All this to say that Saulius is not an egotistical man as far as I can tell. His abilities are a reflection of his interests and ultimately his lifestyle. Saulius is a reminder that we're more capable than we can imagine. While it pains Saulius to be desk-bound, it frees him to be able to ramble terrain for hours at a time. Saul is a representation of the beautiful phsycos within all of us; those who ritually take on jaw-dropping circumstances of their own free will.Checkout Saulius at @sbraciulis on Instagram and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Saulius-Bra%C4%8Diulis-Adventures-106303141310055/https://hikingwithhadland.com/2021/08/28/mount-washington-ellinor-traverse-08-27-2021/Featured MusicForgive Me For My Synapsis - Eyedea, and AbilitiesBecome a Patron of the show on Patreon.
Freedom without choice is an illusion, but choice is not freedom. This episode features the first part of my series on how modernity traps us by increasing meaningless choices while destroying our freedom. Learning why we have so many choices is the first step towards accepting out situation, then transforming it with philosophy as a way of life.
Since the modern age is over and modernity is a myth, what comes next? This episode offers a history of the current revolution in our greatest knowledge technology: the decline of literary and the rise of a new Aural Age. To respond to the end of reading, we need a new vision of philosophy and education. Welcome to the Becoming Human Project.
William Stein is the Founder and CEO of Sage Math, a former Professor at the University of Washington, a Research Mathmetician, a Vert Skateboarder for decades, the co-founder of Seattle Vert Ramp, and he's Bella's companion: a dog that's a heeler with a love for outdoor travel.In this episode, we talk about what it's like to splitboard, backpack, and mountaineer with a dog. William shares his tips, tactics, and drive for adventuring with his dog, Bella. We talk about the relationship of Mountaineering, Mathematics, and Vert Skateboarding to our quality of life. William is nearly twice my age with a mountain more of experience. Getting to hear his perspective as a dog owner, adventurer, risk mitigator, mathematician and animal has deepened my understanding of such broad topics. William has extensive recreational skills that led to some interesting stories.You can find out more about William's work in mathematics at cocalc.com and sagemath.org.To learn more about the Seattle Vert Ramp and other vert ramps around the world go to vertramp.org. You can follow along with William's adventures on wstein.org.Thrasher recently released a documentary about Mark Hubbard, the deceased founder of Grindline: A skatepark building company. Check it out on youtube.
Nathan spent an amount of his childhood running from one foster home to the next. He had attempted to outrun bullies, his housing, community, the world. The furthest he'd gone was 140 miles to North Wales hoping to never be found again. Nathan luckily found his way back to the community by way of an unknown train conductor. He was once again back into another foster care. As a teenager, he found salvation in an MMA gym where his only training partners were large adults. He was inflamed with rage and frustration towards the bullies that hurt him throughout his youth. What was originally a desire to learn to hurt people became a calm and loving yet firm resolve that emanated within as Nathan practiced martial arts. He didn't desire to cause harm to make himself feel safe, dominant, or satisfied. Nathan found community, trust, and direction in that martial arts gym. He gleaned something from martial arts, Jiu-Jitsu specifically, that affected his perspective; his whole life. Was it a panacea, the answer to all of his problems? No, it was only the beginning… Nathan would spend his time aiming, missing his mark, and repeating this cycle until a looming pressure had appeared. From training to serve in the Armed Forces Of The United Kingdom to competing professionally in Mixed Martial Arts, he had felt like his life was void of value, meaning, and purpose. Nathan sought a counselor and doubled down on his love for Martial Arts by changing professions from a medical engineer to a Jiu-Jitsu Instructor. Nathan is finding meaning in training his feet to walk barefoot year-round on all terrains. Nathan has committed to walking barefoot from Scottland to Land's End in the southernmost point of The United Kingdom. That's 1,350 miles!!! He's using the adventure as a means to raise funds for charity for mental health.Here's a thought experiment: “You have practiced diligently in Jiu-Jitsu. You've worked on your fitness and technique. You realize that if you continue on this pathway you'll become a master and you can dominate your opponents. Your friend in a larger weight class is on the exact same track. You start to notice that your and your friend's values are different. He values Jiu-Jitsu more than you not through his words but his actions. If you kept training at this frequency then you would progress but your emotions start to spiral. You long for outdoors, to be alone a little more often, maybe to paint a little more than you get to now, etc.. When you take breaks, you realize that you long for Jiu-Jitsu. You're at a conflict, what do you listen to? When I'm away from Jiu-Jitsu for (Blank) hours, I crave to train. When I'm training for more than (blank) hours, I crave to do (insert alternative activity). If I choose to train less then I will progress less in Jiu-Jitsu. If it's my goal to become the best at Jiu-Jitsu and not be a loser, I will pursue mastery with all of my heart. If I put Jiu-Jitsu lower on my value hierarchy then my friend will surpass me and I will squander my potential. “This thought experiment is inspecting how we define success. We often define success as becoming the best at something. While we're all capable of becoming a master of our disciplines, there is always a hierarchy. You can't do Jiu-Jitsu instead of eating dinner, sleeping, or taking a dump. Those are essential activities that you plan Jiu-Jitsu around. If getting 4 hours of sleep is better than 6, I would question your values for consideration of your health. However, I would also question the choice to sleep 15 hours a day. It's a helpful thing to define your values, set a temporary aim, and experiment with life.
In this episode, I talk with a parent in Western Washington who has school-aged children. Lindy Loo has been trying for months to communicate with her local school board regarding how she feels about coronavirus mandates in schools. Lindy and other parents in the school district feel unrepresented. In my perspective, civil servants and civilians are mutually responsible for the erosion of government and institutional representation. During coronavirus, many parents' attention was turned to how our officials would handle schooling. In the final hour, people realized that they wanted to participate in determining how and what their children were taught more than they originally thought. When people disagreed with the decision of government officials, they were compelled to participate in institutional politics. People reconciled that they are at the behest of officials that they voted for. Some of us have voted blindly, maybe with little research into officials, or we didn't vote at all. I realized quickly that my child's education was determined by an organization that I felt disconnected from. I have values and experiences that are important to me to impart when raising my son. How do I impart my style of teaching when it is beyond my control? When it comes to: if my son can wear a hat in school, if he's taught math in an alternative way, if he has to follow a certain schedule he isn't pleased with - I have no objection. We have to compromise with each other at some point. But we as people have the right and responsibility to provide our input, our perspective, our intelligence, and our styling to the public institution of schooling. Most people haven't been doing this until things got so divergent from their values that Washington Public schools have lost 3.5% of students since corona-virus; nearly doubling registered homeschool students in Washington state. Parents have an array of concerns on both sides of the table with Coronavirus. In corporate media, I don't see perspectives like Lindy's: a parent who doesn't want their child to be subjugated to medical mandates that prevent a child from accessing public education or force them to follow institutional protocol due to the inability to care for the child all day, every day.
In episode 168 of the Becoming Human Podcast, I talk to my son - Joey Nelsen about what life looks like from the perspective of a 9-year-old. Joey has started skateboarding consistently and passionately 6 months ago. Skateboarding and scootering are difficult skillsets to master. The side-effects of practicing demanding and highly consequential skills are important to me when I think of how to ready someone for the rigors of life. When someone is engaged voluntarily with something, inspired even, they can reach unbelievable potential. They might just experience the most important thing which is to live a life well-lived. A life well-lived isn't constantly chasing increasing highs until our inevitable death. A life well-lived is being aware of this very moment. Think of how we take our lives for granted. We get accustomed to pleasantries like a hot shower, a comfortable bed, etc… Practicing having fewer pleasantries or taking a break from sugar will increase your sensitivity or appreciation of these experiences. A problem with teaching these practices is that when it's delivered with an authoritarian vessel or even factually then it's often seen as a chore or doing so just to be seen as virtuous. There's a ton of recreation and utility experiences that demand us to act medicinally or therapeutically. Skateboarding and Scootering have certainly become that for my son.
Kyle is a martial arts instructor and law enforcement professional. He is a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu and he's been training in a wide array of martial arts disciplines for decades. He specializes in training and defensive tactics for his department.Kyle has been teaching people martial arts from disparate backgrounds such as counselors, law enforcement, artists, businessmen, and more. Learning a recreation in gross motor coordination or in a sport can provide vitality, character development, and bonding with yourself and your community. The Jiu-Jitsu mats or any sport can provide the opportunity to confront yourself, your opponent, and the world. During a time when conflict resolution tactics, self-care, and self-worth are directly in our culture's attention what better form of play is there than Jiu-Jitsu: a martial art of leverage, pure effort, and human contact? Our current cultural landscape is straining with gender roles, sexual identity, violence, homeless, policing, and responsibility. The Jiu-Jitsu scene in western Washington is wild- brimming with martial artists from all walks of life biting at the bit to win their next tournament, Kumite, or just put it all down at the weekend open mat. I see Kyle and other martial artists as practitioners of violence and responsibility through their chosen martial arts. They express love through their practice with their training partners that build very deep bonds. Jiu-Jitsu requires a high level of trust amongst training partners. It also demands appropriate reactions so your partner is ready for a real competition or self-defense scenario. This creates an environment where honesty, trust, and respect for the other person are integral. Without that level of comradery, the environment loses its community. All of us accommodate people to help them through a scenario like holding a door for someone, going easy on them in a basketball game, inflating their ego with nice-isms like you don't look fat, or you're just having an off day, etc… When does this kindness go unbalanced with… reality? In games, the truth is much easier to come by. Jiu-Jitsu is a game where the skillset is very applicable to everyday human life and interaction. Jiu-Jitsu is a game where you take care of each other so you can practice bringing them an inch away from injury or unconsciousness. The fact that Kyle is in a cultural hotspot for progressive ideology, he specializes in training and defensive tactics for a police department, and teaches/trains Jiu-Jitsu is a beautiful coming together of conflicts and resolutions.Research study on Predicting law enforcement confidence in going ‘hands-on': the impact of martial arts training,use-of-force self-efficacy, motivation, and apprehensiveness“ Results indicate that MAT(Martial Arts Training) and high perceived UOF(Use Of Force) self-efficacy safely predict confidence in going hands-on, even after accounting for perceived motivation and apprehensiveness. Nonetheless, apprehensiveness, but not motivation, remains a strong predictor of not being confident in going hands-on. ” Link To StudyYou can learn more about Alfy at his youtube channel, pooh.Jitsu. You can learn more about Kyle and Kindred Jiu-Jitsu at Kindredjj.com
Ian Ramsey is an educator, musician, adventurer who has been deeply inspired by outdoor writers and students of spirituality. Ian's largest inspiration is Gary Snyder. He was introduced to Gary Snyder through reading about his related character in Jack Kerouac's book, The Dharma Bums. Ian has a rich history of experiences from ultra running, sea kayaking, ski touring, bikepacking, teaching adults & youth, and more. Ian has had his writting published with several organizations, he's pursued professional certifications and/or publications in his areas of interest including sea kayaking, teaching, music, and he's led multi-day expeditions internationally. He is an impressive leader and educator with a burning passion.In this episode we talk about developing the self-control to make choices and not be chosen by someone or something. Sometimes we go through life waiting for things to persuade us into action. Other times we go through life ruminating on an aim, setting our sights, and performing a process to hit our target. When you determine what you want and work your way towards making it a reality then you get to participate in influencing reality; your reality. The most finite resource that you have is time. How you spend your time directly affects your experience. It's a canvas where every brushstroke cannot be erased. That creates a powerful valuation. In this life, we have many things trying to persuade us for their own survival. The consequences they have for the individual affected are good, bad, or neutral based on your aim and values. It is perhaps the most pertinent skill in the modern world to identify your aim and learn to manage your desires.To learn more about Ian Ramsey, go to his website IanRamsey.net and on instagram @ian.ramsey Checkout some of the writers that Ian mentioned in the podcast below.Richard Nelson - www.rionmagazine.org/2020/08/ravens-witness/John Hayes - https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-HaySam Hamill - www.poets.org/poem/after-morning-rainGary Snyder - https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47178/riprapCheckout Ian Ramsey's Poem, Letter To America, on Terrain.orgNorth Yarmouth AcademyAspire Adventure Running
Steven Sashen is the Co-Founder and CEO of Xero Shoes, a serial entrepreneur, . Steven and his wife, Lena Phoenix, started Xero Shoes after being inspired by Christopher Mcdougall's book, “Born To Run.”When Steve was 45, he returned to sprinting. Steve loved sprinting in his youth, but he experienced constant injuries in his return. He was introduced to barefoot running through his friend and he gave Steve a copy of, “Born To Run.” Steve experienced elation when he felt the ground on his bare feet and upon realizing his gait was changing. Steve made some sandals for him and his wife, Lena from Vibram soles and lace. While running, Steve would get compliments on his sandals and they'd ask for a pair for themselves. Since the first iteration, Xero Shoes and crew have come a long way. From minimalist sandals to making closed-toed minimalist shoes. They're making shoes that fit a wide range of lifestyles while delivering on shoes that are minimalist, with a wide toe box and retaining as much ground feel as possible.I love Xero shoes because they combine quality while delivering a very specific product for those that want to feel the ground while having just enough protection from foot punctures. Steve has a love for solving problems and helping bring ideas to life. His success in Xero shoes is a representation of finding a problem that wants to be solved; an alleviation of tension. Entrepreneurs are fascinating when you apply the axiom that it's the journey and not the destination that matters. I believe as an entrepreneur, it applies to focusing on not pursuing riches but alleviating tension through business.Check out his podcast, The MOVEMENT Movement, on youtubeSong featured on this episode: Oliver Hart - Step By Step
Have you ever been in a flow state?What does it make you feel?Logan Tyler is an entrepreneur who uses rock climbing to tap into his flow state and gain perspective. There are experiences in life that are very impactful. Think of the most cherished experiences you've had. Most children think of Disneyland with glee. There are experiences out there, within your reach, that will take your breath away and make you feel alive. Logan dreamed of being a professional rock climber. In 2016, his opportunity was transmuted by a tragic accident. Logan's accident changed his life substantially. He was no longer the fit, confident, and physically able man he once was. He had his jaw wired shut for 6 months and drank his calories through smoothies. The experience gave him the opportunity to learn new life lessons of listening and stillness. The fixed dilemma that he had to face made him soften his heart and polish his mind. The incident changed his perspective forever. He went from a capable and confident person (who rock climbs, skateboards, etc) to being talked down to by others because of how they interpret his condition. That experience was a mirror where Logan saw the human tendency in himself to not pay attention to what's in front of him and default to his mental model. We often live within our mental models and the longer we go without a novel experience, these models seem to diverge from objective reality. I found it beautiful the way that Logan took his accident and saw a story in it that helped himself and others around him. Logan is a guide for children and adults, founder of Base Camp Ouray, and he dry tools and rock climbs. He's been climbing since he was 7 years old!Checkout Steven Kotler's book, “The Art Of The Impossible.”Steven is a well-studied student of flow with a wealth of resources on the subject.Scott Rowely has helped Logan with his mental health and pursueing his goals. Logan looks up to Scott and holds his company, Peak Prosper, in high esteem. Checkout Scott's episode here.
From rock bottom to the top of the world Scott Rowley helps men by empowering them with the tools and resources needed to master their emotions, their minds, and create the life of their dreams. It was Scott's trials and tribulations that called him to help other men find their way in life. Scott is an author, coach, and adventurer. In his past he dealt with alcohol abuse and fixating on work to his detriment. When Scott was a kid, he was a scout and he graduated from the program as an Eagle Scout. He has lived a life with adventure, strife, and a deep love for introspection. Check out Scott's life coaching services with the company he co-founded at Peakprosper.com
Peter Peak is a hip-hop artist under the moniker knw.1ne, a paraprofessional for disabled youth, and pursuing a career as a music teacher. I went to an alternative high school in North Idaho with Peter. The kids at the high school faced a variety of adversities that made accessing education difficult. I find it beautiful when people can find a way to overcome their hardships and find the lifestyle that fits them best. Peter started with hip-hop and skating in high school. He has now spent over a decade developing his skillset. Developing a recreational skillset in adulthood is a fulfilling way to pursue learning. Peter found another passion along the way, helping teach youth with disabilities. Check out Peter on Soundcloud at https://soundcloud.com/user-548928830You can find him on Instagram @knw.1ne
Mahting Putelis is a hunter, entrepreneur, former outdoor sports guide, teacher, photographer and CEO of Hunt To Eat.Hunt To Eat is a hunting media and apparel company with the focus on gathering wild foods and conservation. Hunt To Eat hosts hunting camps where they teach people the skills to hunt a specific species of animal, field dressing, meat care, and firearm safety. They use the experience as a platform to teach ethics, conservation, and tactics. These experiences are a way for people to connect in their values, personality, and character in a shared experience.Mahting had a teacher that introduced him to his passions and a way he can thrive in service to himself and his community. After struggling with purpose in school, Mahting found a direction in mountain guiding and education. As a guide he learned about communication, perspective, and managing groups during adventures in nature. His interest in the outdoors blossomed into exploring his creativity when he pivoted to being an adventure photographer. He was thrust into entrepreneurial and creative challenges in the environment that meant the most to him. In his adulthood, he circled back to his family's tradition of hunting. Mahting's love for the outdoors, helping people and connecting with their spirit shows in this conversation and his work through Hunt To Eat. In this episode, we talk about how Mahting became an entrepreneur, found his context where he can thrive, discovered his sense of purpose, Hunt To Eat, hunting camps, and how his character has unfolded over time.Checkout the rad shirts and their latest magazine at Hunttoeat.com
Joshua Cedar Larsen is a Whitewater Raft Guide at Triad River Tours and Conservationist with a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science. Josh has over 8 years of guiding experience and he's kayaked up to class 5 rivers. In his youth, he was tenaciously trying to get on the river as often as possible. He graduated high school from the World Class Kayak Academy where he learned general education through traveling the world, immersing themselves in culture, and kayaking rivers along the way.Josh spends his year paddling rivers in rafts and kayaks. From his perspective, he sees a river change over time with high resolution. He sees beyond the superficial nature of the landscape and has an intimate knowledge of its contents. The nature of the guide is intimate and educational. Josh takes the array of people down rivers, managing hazards, and their client's experience. It's a unique thing to see so many kinds of archetypes on display during an intense moment; a moment that commands presence. Every one of us likely has a river within an hour or two from where you live. Rivers, creaks, lakes, and oceans play a fundamental role in all of our lives. They provide sustenance, life, potential hazard, and the opportunity to challenge yourself. These rivers are not without their threat as well. If you were to find a guide and learn skills to paddle, fish or recreate in another way on your local rivers, you would discover something very pleasurable. This sense of satisfaction and anticipation to experience your local river gives it a deeper level of meaning and value. With that relationship, we become advocates for healthy waterways and water access. Find Joshua Cedar Larsen on Instagram @joshuacedar
Taylor Spike is an Ultrarunner who has completed over ten 50 mile ultramarathons and he's raced in ultramarthons that are 100 miles and even 200+ miles long! Taylor wrestled with substance abuse from the time he was a teenager into his adulthood. Taylor has a history of struggling with obsessive tendencies with alcohol and prescribed pain medication. I have met people who have been prescribed medication for an injury and some will eventually develop an attachment to taking the medication and will seek to take it recreationally. In my anecdotal experience, this is a minority, however I find it fascinating like I find the difference between recreational drug users and addicts. I was raised in a family where my siblings and parents struggled with substance abuse. I would blame the substances and I would fear myself; I was deeply afraid of falling in love with a feeling or material thing so much that I would hurt myself for it. Ironically, I would do that with relationships, food, etc.. It seemed a fundamental problem to being a person, at least for me, and for some other people I have met in life. Taylor has a history of Ultrarunning, completing these very tough experiences and he has pulled himself from the depths of his cycle of addiction. Taylor talks about his challenges with Ultrarunning in ways that are reminiscent of his proclivity to use alcohol excessively, however, the result in running is more fitness, greater reward for tackling large challenges, delayed gratification, community, character insights for everyday life, non-standard states of consciousness, etc.. When you make mistakes in your training as an ultrarunner you still have the same internal problems as you carried with you in your other habits, but the structure of training makes those internal problems the main focus. If you make mistakes in this environment, the damages are not as costly. I relate with Taylor Spike in that I love intense experiences. That feeling, without a constructive outlet, wreaks havoc on my life. Within the right context, my proclivities are helpful and give me a sense of meaning and confidence. As Taylor would put it, “Smile, life's worth it!”
“ Oh, the Places You'll Go!You'll be on your way up!You'll be seeing great sights!You'll join the high flierswho soar to high heights.You're off to Great Places!Today is your day!Your mountain is waiting.So...get on your way! “-Dr. SeussMost people fear heights, but what compels them to face their fears?Them is you, even if you haven't experienced it before.A 300lb weight would be impossible or injurious to lift to the unpracticed.By defining your baseline and incrementally pursuing discomfort, you will grow; you will improve. You might even achieve what was once impossible. So to with fear, but what else?Selena Eon is an avid explorer of the impenetrable Cascade Mountains and a Naturopathic Doctor practicing at Origin Holistic. There's a list called the Bulger list which is a list of 100 summits in Washington that are mostly the highest peaks with a lot of prominence. Basically, really tall stuff that's dramatic. However, not all of the peaks follow that theme. In addition to that, there's a ton of other lists that inspire people to push themselves or explore the unknown. Selena is an exemplary figure of a modern day adventurer. Without specializing in adventure sports professionally, she has to find her own balance of adventuring in the wilds and working in her community as a Doctor. In this episode, we discuss her entry into mountaineering, peak bagging, and trail running. I wish I could take you to these places and experience the challenges and rewards of the landscape. At the least, I hope you get to hear it through Selena. You can follow her adventures on instagram @drselenaeon
Harbert Egberts is a personal trainer and founder of Functional Harbeats, a platform and community that offers rotational strength and conditioning, kettlebell exercises, and other forms of training protocol. Harbert is a Mace specialist. He traveled around the world to study with experts in the craft. Harbert began traveling to India to document the culture and explore the cultural history of gadas, their name and version of a mace. The culture has been using it for 3,000 years and they've been using it for strength in Kushti wrestling, a specific kind of wrestling in India. The Flowing Dutchman has wonderful stories of riding his motorbike across india. One in particular was really adventurous. You can watch his documentaries on his youtube channel The Flowing DutchmanThe Flowing Dutchmanhttps://www.blabbermouf.com/music/
In this episode, I talk about my history with developing vices and habits. It’s a lot like my body in my experience; neutral is a balance between two extremes. I can improve my poise at neutral by experiencing the extremes. If I became fixated on a single state of being, then it would be to the detriment of my well being. My spine can flex forward, backward, side to side and twist. That’s a lot right? Confine it to a single plain of motion. My spine can flex forward and backward which are the two extremes of a neutral spine. Through flexing forward and bending backwards, I will gain insight for being neutral.
Episode 155 of The Becoming Human Podcast features Daniel Rama, a Yogi, Teacher, and entrepreneur. He co-founded the app Becoming Balance which teaches techniques for self-improvement by poses, mindfulness, and more. Daniel was a restless youth who pointed himself toward Olympic weight lifting. After an injury, he found himself without his recreation and physical play. Daniel couldn’t return to Olympic weight lifting with his injury. He found himself practicing yoga and diving headfirst into becoming a devout yogi. He grew into his calisthenics practice with fantastical postures and as an entrepreneur with his app that he co-founded named Becoming Balance
Fabiola Chipoco is an entrepreneur and chef at Tita’s Kitchen, a peruvian food truck at The Portland Mercado. Fabiola and her sister Fabiana Chipoco are the heart and soul behind Tita’s Kitchen. The Chipoco sisters were born in Peru. They showcase their culture and love of communing with others through their peruvian fare. Fabiola named her restaurant after her childhood nickname, Tita. When her sister Fabiana was a kid, she couldn’t say “Hermanita” (Lil sister in Spanish) so she would say, “Tita,” and sooner than later the whole family started calling Fabiola Tita! Especially the younger cousins. Tita’s kitchen uses food to connect culturally and communally with everyone who stops by for a meal or a moment. In this episode Fabiola talks about how her mom raised her and her sister as a single parent after Fabiola’s father passed away. Her father was a businessman in a major city in Peru. He passed away when Fabiola was 3.5 years old. Fabiola admires her mother’s way of coping with being a single parent and the principles she’s passed down to Fabiola and her sister. Fabiola rose through the ranks in her marketing career in Peru. She practiced dance passionately as a hobby. She would form her first company as an advertising agent and she began stoking her entrepreneurial spirit. As her momentum in her advertising career crescendoed, she realized the role didn’t fit her as she expected so she dropped it all and went to travel by herself abroad. She turned her dance from a hobby into a career and then walked away from that level of commitment for dancing to travel even more. We discuss her host of experiences that led up to her settling in Portland to once again pick up the entrepreneurial reins but in a way that is an extension of her personality, principles, and love. Swinging like a pendulum, gathering experiential data, honing in on her personal middle way. Now Fabiola works in her food truck cooking with her sister and friends while in a partnership with another Portland entrepreneur Stephan Strauch of Chakraw Coffee. Checkout the episode Stephan and I did here.
Episode 153 of the becoming human podcast features Derek Notman, he is a teacher of physical culture specializing in XinYi, Thai Chi, Club Swinging, and a wide breadth of other healing practices.In this episode, we talk about the ways our minds and emotions manifest physically and vise versa. There’s a lot of powerful experiences awaiting all of us. To get there, you can practice in many ways. Physical exercise is one of the most tangible ways I can engage with different states of mind. You can check out Derek’s classes, videos, and more at islandphysicalculture.comYou can find him on Instagram @islandphysicalculture
Every misbehavior in a child is an unmet need. Instead of focusing on why the child won’t do what you want them to do, think of what needs aren’t being met and how you can help them meet those needs. Hermetic stress in exercise is learning embodied. The process and physical growth of deadlifting 500 lbs(enter any physical goal here) is an example of learning embodied. Keevin Bybee is a General Practice Doctor and the host of The One School Project Podcast. His podcast showcases conversations with niche experts about creating learning spaces for children in their local communities. You can listen to it on his website oneschoolproject.com or on your favorite podcast app.
Davy Crockett is an Author, Historian, and long-distance runner who hosts the Ultrarunning History Podcast. In the span of 17 years, he’s finished 105 100 mile ultra races. Davey started backpacking at a casual pace with little to no fitness. He was self motivated to learn how to adapt and improve his speed and ease while walking and running. This blossomed into a love of traveling lightly and moving quickly through adventurous places. Davey combined his experience writing books on history with his love of ultrarunning by starting the site ultrarunninghistory.com There you can find his podcast, articles, the ultra running hall of fame, and links to historical references. Check out Dirtwire.net for more music by Dirtwire. In this episode, you can listen to The Whip at the end.
Adventurers of The CascadePete Doorish and Bryan Burdo have set many First Ascents in the mountains of the Cascades in Washington. Pete is known for obscure and big wall first ascents along with some epic adventures that’ll leave your heart leaping for comfort. He has been climbing for over 50 years starting before the emergence of sport climbing and gym climbing. His passion evolved from climbing and first ascents to long adventures on High Routes in the Cascade mountains. Kyle Mccrohan wrote an article with some incredible adventures of a similar style. Bryan has set one of the longest bolted sport routes in the United States totaling 1800 feet of pitches no harder than 5.9. He had started setting routes during the emergence of sport climbing and using fixed protection. His route setting style emphasizes safety even on all difficulties of climbing including easy climbs which was an unusual practice of his time. He is a prolific route setter with 100’s of first ascents in the Methow Valley in Washington and many more throughout the state.Pete and Bryan have a deep friendship and a long history of adventures. Despite their passions no longer intersecting, they are close friends with ever-growing bonds. I see them as prolific adventurers climbing new routes in the Cascades in a time where climbing culture was emerging, beta was becoming less scarce, and adventure was more likely happenstance.I look at Pete and Bryan as the embodiment of an adventurer and how it fits into our modern lives. They pursued passions that required them to confront and manage risk. Our life is tremendously easier than that of the intensity of wartime or maybe the physical and psychological demands of our pre-modern life. It is not to say that we do not experience adversity, some more than others, but there is a value in physical and psychological adversity. We grow, improve, and transcend because of adversity. Imposing constraints on other people because you believe it to be good for them has a lot of inherent problems. Rather, voluntary suffering, adversity, and even risk of life(whether real or felt) through recreation(a self-inspired hobby) may provide us the benefits of living in a world not as safe and comfortable as ours without disavowing making the world a better and less severe place. It is not that a person goes out to face risk wanting to die, it is that someone goes out to face a risk they believe they can manage and the commitment is dire consequences. However, the aim is to experience play in the context of your recreation while managing the risk to live another day. This dynamic is powerful for self-development. For Pete and Bryan, over time they would find ways to more impeccably manage risk while achieving their goal. This encapsulates a kind of learning that I believe applies to a fundamental skill which is cost-benefit analysis. The cliche in our society is a partying teen pushing their limits and being foolish. Another example is Peter Doorish, partying into the night pushing his limits on a rock wall, and being foolish with wild bouts of adventure. However, this practice extends beyond your teenage and college years. Your recreational passions will last you as long as your body and love for the activity persist. As Bryan and Pete age in years and experience, they develop their risk-reward principles to a higher degree as a consequence of their chosen recreation. If you don’t have a career that imposes this skillset then how would you improve your ability to mitigate and take risks? Taking risks is an important skill in modern life that is no longer essential but highly rewarding financially and spiritually.
Shirlz Rox Jocelyn is the host of The Canyons Are Calling Podcast, she’s a canyoneer and she works at Imlay Canyon Gear.Her podcast focuses on canyoneers’ adventures, beta, tips, tactics, gear, and even some misadventure. My favorite episode on the podcast is her recent one with Scott Swany who’s a Death Valley First Descent Legend. You can find it on all podcast platforms. In this episode, Shirlz teaches us about canyoneering and how it has influenced her life.Inglestead canyon zion national parkArch Nemesis canyonhttps://aesoprockhomeboysandman.bandcamp.com/track/ask-anyoneAesop Rock and Homeboy sandman’s newest song - ask Anyone
How do you find your niche, set your aim, and express yourself?Do you prefer more of an intuitive approach to learning or do you like more structure?Chris Benchetler is an artist and professional skier. His art ranges from filmmaking to graphics, murals, and more. Chris has worked with GoPro, Atomic Ski company, Dakine, among others. You can checkout his art and videos on chrisbenchetler.com. He is intuitive in his approach to sport, art, and life. In this episode, we dive into how he balances his passions and resolves what he’s passionate about. Chris has a knack for diving into an experience and following his heart. Two my recent favorite videos are Fire On the Mountain and GoPro: Chasing AdVANtureThe music on this episode is Existential Blues by The Living Arrows Check-out The Blizzard Ahhhs and Shane Mckonky
Movement is a way to express yourself and bond with other people.Pola and Lamonte are the authors of the book, “Neosutras: Yoga for Love and Intimacy.”The book features 50 asanas(poses) designed to strengthen the connection between partners. There are infinite ways to play in life and each way you have the opportunity to garner new knowledge and experience. Pola and Lamonte’s work focuses on connecting with our body through physical play and practice. They entertain people with their dance performances, heal the body with their yoga, and bond with people through moving together. Pola and Lamonte are a beautiful embodiment of a passion for movement.You can find their book on neosutras.netCheck out their Instagram @neosutras @polarubis @cyberyogaThey have some rad performances on their youtube: Lamonte Pola Neosutras
Peter Butler builds custom skis, using art and engineering to create a medium to experience skiing. When you build something that people use to have an experience your work, your art, your point of view directly affects their experience doing what they love.. It’s art embodied.Peter Butler is a Ski mountaineer, Ski Builder, and Carpenter. Peter has been refining his ski-building skills creating niche skis for a range of purposes. Peter and I talk about the process of building skis, pursuing your passion adjacent to a general skill, knowing what you prioritize as a hobby and profession and, ski mountaineering. You can check out Peter’s photos and ski builds on Instagram @thelongride
Play is a powerful experience that connects us to another and teaches us about ourselves.Rafe Kelley has combined his experience with meta-learning, self-development, and physical recreation to create classes, workshops, retreats, and a community that facilitates the space for self-discovery, joy, and a sense of belonging. As people, we crave some semblance of a challenge to connect with one another. We’re fortunate enough to live in an age where the work for and demands of survival are less severe.We can access the same pathways of our experience by finding voluntary forms of play that stimulate us in ways reminiscent of another time. To learn more about Rafe’s classes and podcast go to evolvemoveplay.com
Bruce MacLachlan is a writer, rock climber, and interior designer who has launched a Kickstarter for his rock-climbing book, Let’s Rock: Washington which is a book about rock climbing routes, how to access the routes and camp nearby, local activities, and beta of the routes. The routes in Bruce’s book are centered around climbing and living in Seattle, Washington.Bruce learned to climb through the rock climbing gyms in the Seattle area and he started organizing meet-ups with fellow climbers to explore climbing objectives of Washington and abroad. Bruce shares his rock climbing information from the perspective of a beginner and intermediate sport climber. Bruce provides a brief overview of his favorite areas while deferring to the crag’s guidebook for in-depth knowledge Bruce has received backlash from the climbing community in Washington, especially from route developers. The main contention is that he released information about areas that were still under development, no longer had legal access for anyone in the climbing community, or might of been a secret spot with limited attention. This highlights something larger which is the divergence between route setters at crags, the people that climb the routes, and the institutions in cities that teach some of those climbers. I want to learn about these relationships between everyone in the climbing communities and this tension that I stumbled into is my first go at it. You can check out route setter’s counterpoints here: Mountain Project
The secret to living well and longer is: eat half, walk double, laugh triple, and love without measure.Jodi Kuhn is a Physical Therapist at Physiocare with over 20 years of experience.I’ve been looking forward to this conversation because of my mental and physical growth through exercise. Jodi has studied and treated patients for decades which has given her a profound insight into not only physical therapy but people’s relationship to their bodies. We tend to think of Physical Therapy as an authority that you visit to recover from an injury. I see a Physical Therapist as more than that. Physical Therapists are the mediators between your mind and your body. These people help you evaluate your relationship to your body while making a plan to learn and grow within. In this episode, we talk about how the human body adapts to our movement routines, we define overuse injuries, the types of possible injuries, a benchmark for a healthy body, general concepts for healing an injury, and the concept of meeting yourself where you are. Your physical health is a powerful influence on your life. Your body is the interface between your mind and reality. How much does your body influence your experience in reality? What are you capable of? What principles of life can you learn through exercise, or in other words: developing an active relationship with your body?
Ray Zahab is an explorer, ultra-runner, and the founder of the non-profit impossible2possible which is an organization that leverages powerful adventures as a platform for interactive learning. Ray has been recognized as one of Canada’s top explorers, he has done a solo expedition across the Arctic, an expedition in Baffin island, Trans Namibia, and more. Ray shares his story of beginning as a pack-a-day smoker and then becoming a world explorer with many adventures and lessons left in his wake. Ray trains and strives to have extraordinary experiences in the world. Ray uses his knowledge to share and guide youth to have their own adventures. Ray has an interesting insight into helping other people grow by introducing them to an experience and supporting them as they face their own relative obstacles. We talk about Ray’s philosophy for raising his daughters and empowering them in their pursuits and interests. You can checkout ray on his website rayzahab.com and his organization at impossible2possible.comYou can find Ray on Instagram as @rayzahab
Stefan Strauch is the owner of Chakraw coffee, a personal trainer, a massage therapist, and a brown belt under the tutelage of Nathan orchard and Phil Schwartz. In this episode, we talk about Stefan’s stories of traveling abroad, working as head of security on a foreign island, growing your comfort zone through confronting discomfort, Stefan’s process of creating Chakraw Coffee.Checkout Chakraw Coffee’s website wearechakraw.com and on Instagram @chakrawcoffeeYou can find Stefan’s page on bodywork and conditioning on Instagram @the.jiujitsu.therapistCheckout his girlfriend’s, @fabchipoco restaurant in Portland Oregon: Tito’s Kitchen @titaskitchenpdx and www.titaskitchenpdx.com
Jake Keenom is a wood craftsman and entrepreneur who specializes in making crossbows and recurve bows. Jake owns the company Other Worlds Archery where he sells custom recurve bows. Jake has applied his innovative ideas and eye for beauty to create one of a kind crossbows, some that have magazines and a high fire rate! Jake’s recurve bows are very beautiful and it’s clear that he’s poured hours into improving his designs. You can check out Jake’s work at Other World’s Archery on www.otherworldsarchery.com, Instagram as @other_worlds_archery, and Facebook as Jake Keenom.
Juggling kettlebells unfolds Tania’s relationship with failure and pulls her into a flow state. Your mind automatically fixates on the here and now of catching and releasing the kettlebell. She learns about failure through the inevitable dropping of the kettlebell then trying again and again and again...Episode 139 features Tania George, a kettlebell instructor from Switzerland. Tania has been training with Kettlebells for 5 years and teaching people how to train with kettlebells for 2 years. Tania is a quality kettlebell advocate and trainer who loves to juggle kettlebells and share her passion with others. To get in touch with Tania and learn more about her Kettlebell program go to Steelworkfitness.com and you can find her on instagram; @pippa_kblifter
Dusty Gold is a canyoneer and caving guide. He has extensive knowledge of working with ropes, navigating terrain, exploring caves, mitigating risk, and leadership. Dusty has been rappelling and adventuring since he was very young. It was beautiful to see how his interests and coping skills have evolved over the decades. We talk about working with personal trauma, self-care, personal mythology, yogis, and other topics. You can checkout dusty on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dusty.k.gold
Lola (@zoozitsu) is a Jiu-Jitsu purple belt and she works at Cageside MMA and Toro BJJLola has spent years practicing Jiu-Jitsu, improving her technique, and competing against other Jiu-Jitsu players. It’s fascinating and inspiring to see someone get into Jiu-Jitsu as a parent and fall so deeply in love with the sport. Let’s zoom out and reflect on her growth beyond the scope of sports as an adult. Look at the example of somebody pursuing a passion for the love of it to the point that they work for a company that revolves around her recreation, traveling for her passion, investing in the community, etc. The recreation becomes a lens through which she experiences the world. I believe it’s a beautiful thing when you witness someone who has something to really live for in addition to their children and profession. Lola’s love for Jiu-Jitsu has taken her on a powerful path that is available in recreation if we see it.
In 4 days Jeff List circumnavigated Mount Olympus by himself. He bushwhacked valleys, navigated primordial forests, forded rivers, and climbed ridges along the way. Jeff spent 7 years piecing the route together to go around Mount Olympus without moving on technical terrain, glaciers, or snow.
Eric Tomczak is a custom bike frame builder working out of his shop in Durango, Colorado. Eric is a craftsman who shapes and reinforces metal tubes in a unique geometry to provide the best experience for the bicyclist and their environment. In this episode we discuss how the shape of a bike frame affects your riding experience, working with your passion, being an entrepreneur, and more. It is amazing to me that some people dedicate most of their energy to creating a functional work of art. The intricate details and challenges you face when building a bike frame are astounding. Eric has been experimenting with some full-suspension designs lately. You can check out his bike builds or request a custom build on mythcycles.com or Instagram @mythcycles.
Alicia Jenkins ran a DIY 200-mile ultra marathon around and between sleeping volcanoes. When covid-19 had caused many disruptions in people's lives. For Alicia, it meant the ultra running goal of her year, the bigfoot 200, was no longer being out on by destination trail - despite all of Candice's efforts to make it happen in 2020. Some people decided to run the course as an unofficial ultra-marathon where there are no records being officially kept nor is there any support from the many volunteers and staff required to put on a trail race; especially if that magnitude. For someone as competitive as Alicia, it was rad to hear her experience with a change of pace and focus. I emphasize the predicament that had her experiencing something very different from her normal dynamics when running. To learn more about Alicia check her out on Instagram @leashaFeatured Song, Leave the Summer by Kristoff Krane
Setting your aim might be an effective way to pull yourself out of the depths of your suffering and into the heights of something rewarding.Cindy Hales is an entrepreneur, the lead teacher at Sleeper Jiu-Jitsu, part of the Women’s Dirty Dozen(the first 12 female black belts outside of Brazil.), and host of The Cindy Hales Show.She has recently won the Masters 4 division of IBJJF Pans American Jiu-Jitsu tournament.In this episode, we talk about Cindy’s Jiu-Jitsu training during Covid-19, her preparation for Pans, how to turn hardship into an opportunity for growth, focusing on the things we can control in our lives, systems thinking and working with our individual challenges. Cindy and I also talked about what it is like to raise her dog, Matty. I love getting to talk with somebody who has spent so many years learning a discipline.Get in touch with Cindy: Cindyhales.com, Sleeperjj.com, @sleeper96 on Instagram.Featured Music:Compressorhead - Ace of Spadeshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RBSkq-_St8
Episode 132 features Mike Mcknight an ultra-runner who has won the Destination Trail’s Triple Crown(3 200 mile trail races in 2 months), ran 100 miles without calories in 18 hours and 40 minutes, ran 300 miles through the Bear River and Wasatch mountain ranges to support his friend and parathlete Austin Patten, and he has recently achieved the fastest known attempt on the Colorado Trail beating the previous record by almost 1 whole day!Mike and I recorded this podcast right after he ran 100 miles on zero calories. He set out to run the distance with those constraints to test his body to better understand his relationship to his body and it’s potential. I value Mike’s level of curiosity and his willingness to put himself in unknown circumstances. I feel like descending into the uncertain abyss, literally and figuratively, is a character trait valuable in many aspects of life. In this conversation, it’s apparent that Mike excels when things look impossible. It sounds like Mike is inspired by a daunting challenge. I find myself inspired by very niche things and articulating that to a greater degree, allows me to be more effective in facing challenges - even ones that don’t play to my strengths. This was a beautiful conversation on adapting to your experience, playing to your character strengths, being a fat-adapted athlete, challenging the status quo, and treating fellow community members with compassion. To learn more about Mike’s Coaching, you can find him on Facebook and Instagram(@thelowcarbrunner)
This is episode 131 of the Becoming Human Podcast featuring Mike Curiak: a legendary mountain biker, long-distance, multi-sport athlete, and a craftsman specializing in custom bike rims.Mike has led the lifestyle of a dedicated mountain bike racer for 17 years. In 2009, Mike was nominated for the Mountain Bike Hall Of Fame. After many years of racing, Mike had transitioned to a slower pace of life. Mike moved from a busy town in Colorado to a quite remote area in Idaho. In this episode, we talk a lot about Mike’s transition from a busy lifestyle competing and pushing the envelope to a slower pace where Mike can witness his imminent world work in intimate ways. Mike also loves to use packrafts to explore waterways. Packrafts are inflatable lightweight rafts that can be packed in a backpack for long distances.Mike has thorough expertise in building custom bike rims which can be seen on LaceMine29.comCheck out his videos of him completing, unsupported, the Iditarod Trail Invitational, a 1000 mile mountain biking endurance race. Part 1 Part 2 Part 3Checkout Packrafting: An Introduction and
Welcome to episode 130 of the Becoming Human Podcast. How do you facilitate a learning environment where people can discover their potential? What drives people to commit to the simple but daunting task of walking hundredths and thousands of miles? I love the trick of through hiking or long-distance adventures. The magnitude of what you’re committing to is hard to ignore. In a time where the chaos of adventure and self-reliance is not an inherent quality of living, daunting adventures seem occasionally enriching.This episode features Matt Christian. Matt is a massage therapist and challenge course instructor. Matt loves to through-hike, rock climb, and kayak. Matt has hiked the Pacific Crest Trail and most of the Continental Divide Trail. . You can check out Matt on Instagram as @_adventurecalls_
Alden and I talked about bodybuilding, climbing mountains in the Cascades, nuclear energy and, how Alden’s passions have affected his character. Alden is trying to climb the Washington Bulger’s list, a list of the 100 highest elevation peaks in Washington. The Cascades is a land filled with epic adventure with crumbly rock, glaciers, hanging valleys, and craggy peaks.
Christopher Poulos is a lawyer, writer, mountain climber, and the executive director of the Washington Statewide Reentry Council which aims to improve public safety and outcomes for individuals reentering the community in Washington state.Chris has an epic story of overcoming drug abuse and self-destructive behavior. Chris had served 3 years in federal prison for distributing cocaine. Chris had pursued his law degree graduating from the University of Maine School of Law. Chris has continued to push himself beyond recovery climbing mountains, helping other people overcome self-destructive behavior and re-enter into society.Chris is an incredible person who’s story will relate to all of you in some way and it’s a reminder of how much potential we have as individuals despite our predicament. I love listening to diverse stories of overcoming personal strife because it is in those examples that I find solace.Check out Christopher on Facebook and instagram
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