Polishing The Black Stone

Dakota Wint is a travel vlogger and podcast host who shares his thoughts and adventures through life. His primary interests are spirituality and shamanistic practices.   You can find him virtually anywhere by searching for Dakota Wint, @dakotawint or Dakota of Earth. All music is performed by Nick Filth (Mahesh Das) You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com, visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone Please Subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes, it helps! For more information, questions, or comments please email: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com and you might have your question featured on an episode! You can also visit us on the web at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com

This is the tenth episode of a separate venture within Polishing The Black Stone; it's called Polishing Pebbles. These episodes will be shorter in length and will not include any guests, rather they will be answering questions sent in by you! Yes you, any question that you've had regarding a guest, or Nick Filth (Mahesh Das) personally please email to: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com and it might be chosen as a Polishing Pebbles topic. Questions can be as superficial or as deep and personal as you'd like. Perhaps you want Nick to shed light/express his opinion on something you've been going through. No matter how trivial, banal, or abstract, please send us your thoughts and questions!   All music is performed by Nick Filth(Mahesh Das). You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com, visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone Please Subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes, it helps! For more information, questions, or comments please email: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com and you might have your question featured on an episode! You can also visit us on the web at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com

Jon "Vasu" Seskevich is a Great 100 in NC Nursing award winner in 2005-06, was nominated for the Fetzer Foundation Norman Cousin’s Mind/Body Medicine Award in 1996. In 1998 he received the Friends’ of Nursing, “Excellence in Nursing Practice” award, and the “Alumnus of the Year” award from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Nursing, Alumni Association in 1997. Jon has given over 300 presentations, lectures, workshops and classes that teach stress reduction, mind-body, and complementary therapies to hospital patients, health care professionals, community and church groups, and high-school and college students. He is founder and president of the Flying Monkey Programs, which sponsors mind-body-spirit educational workshops and seminars in North Carolina. All of Jon’s programs are designed to help nurses, doctors, health care professionals, and peacemakers deliver more compassionate care to patients, families and communities. Jon is a Certified Practitioner of Healing Touch therapy and is responsible for bringing this healing therapy to North Carolina through more than twenty workshops and seminars in the early 1990’s. Jon began his own meditation practice in 1972. In 1975, at age 23, he started his training as a teacher of meditation and healing under the mentorship of meditation expert, psychologist, spiritual teacher and writer, Ram Dass (Richard Alpert, Ph.D.), who wrote about Jon in 1996: “His recognition of the need for both a spiritual dimension in healing work and grounded, responsible social action in spiritual work have defined his career in nursing. To that career he has brought a creative energy for integrating, in mind-body healing, meditative practices with stress reduction, healing touch with traditional nursing practices and a spiritual perspective for patients facing traumatic illness.” “The integration of spiritual dimensions in his work is very personal for Jon. His own inner work takes the form of being fully present for both patients and fellow staff members, and offering a very warm, heart-full human dimension to what are too often impersonal medical procedures.” “Jon is truly a brilliant example of compassion in action. He not only serves his patient community, but seems tireless in his willingness to share and teach, and to explore innovative techniques for humanizing nursing for nurses and patients alike.” Ram Dass (Richard Alpert, Ph.D.) www.ManageStressNow.com www.flyingmonkey.ws www.frombindutoojas.com www.universalchanting.com ram1008@hotmail.com https://www.facebook.com/jon.seskevich   All music is performed by Nick Filth (Mahesh Das) You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com, visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone Please Subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes, it helps! For more information, questions, or comments please email: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com and you might have your question featured on an episode! You can also visit us on the web at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com

This is the ninth episode of a separate venture within Polishing The Black Stone; it's called Polishing Pebbles. These episodes will be shorter in length and will not include any guests, rather they will be answering questions sent in by you! Yes you, any question that you've had regarding a guest, or Nick Filth (Mahesh Das) personally please email to: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com and it might be chosen as a Polishing Pebbles topic. Questions can be as superficial or as deep and personal as you'd like. Perhaps you want Nick to shed light/express his opinion on something you've been going through. No matter how trivial, banal, or abstract, please send us your thoughts and questions!   All music is performed by Nick Filth(Mahesh Das). You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com, visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone Please Subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes, it helps! For more information, questions, or comments please email: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com and you might have your question featured on an episode! You can also visit us on the web at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com

Tim Lehi @timlehi is a tattoo artist working out of Lucky Wizard Tattoo in Brattleboro Vermont. When Tim is not traveling the world tattooing he is either painting or working on musical projects such as Eerie, Twilight, Draugar, and many more. You can find Tim Lehi's artwork here https://timlehi.bigcartel.com/ All music is performed by Nick Filth (Mahesh Das) Interrupting man: Adam Gray You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com, visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone Please Subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes, it helps! For more information, questions, or comments please email: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com and you might have your question featured on an episode! You can also visit us on the web at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com

This is the eighth episode of a separate venture within Polishing The Black Stone; it's called Polishing Pebbles. These episodes will be shorter in length and will not include any guests, rather they will be answering questions sent in by you! Yes you, any question that you've had regarding a guest, or Nick Filth (Mahesh Das) personally please email to: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com and it might be chosen as a Polishing Pebbles topic. Questions can be as superficial or as deep and personal as you'd like. Perhaps you want Nick to shed light/express his opinion on something you've been going through. No matter how trivial, banal, or abstract, please send us your thoughts and questions!   All music is performed by Nick Filth(Mahesh Das). You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com, visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone Please Subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes, it helps! For more information, questions, or comments please email: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com and you might have your question featured on an episode! You can also visit us on the web at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com

Matthew 'Sudama' Ceuvorst was born and raised in Pittsburgh PA, and took interest in the human condition from a young age, leading him to Penn State University where he received a Bachelors of Science in Psychology. He traveled to Plum Village in France, to practice meditation and mindful living under Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. From there, his journeys led him to India, where he was introduced to the 4 Paths of Yoga. He returned to India two years later to earn his hatha yoga instructor certification from the Vinyasa Yoga School in Rishikesh.  It was these adventure and inquiries that gradually, but inevitably led Matthew to Ram Dass and the wisdom teachings of Neem Karoli Baba. Matthew’s journey from psychology, into psychedelics, Buddhism, and eventually Bhakti, awakened in him a yearning for a life of service, devotion, and satsang.  Matthew currently serves as a caretaker for his teacher, Ram Dass and facilitates biannual pilgrimages to India, the Himalayan Yoga Yatra. When he is not traveling, Matthew resides in the expansive mountains of Asheville, NC, where he has spent the last year managing the Asheville Yoga Center, teaching yoga and mindfulness to incarcerated individuals, and deepening his relationship with satsang. All music is performed by Nick Filth (Mahesh Das) You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com, visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone Please Subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes, it helps! For more information, questions, or comments please email: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com and you might have your question featured on an episode! You can also visit us on the web at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com

Todays Polishing Pebbles episode is a guided meditation. For all those who believe they do not have the time, or don't know how to "meditate", and even for those who meditate every day, this episode is for you. This is the seventh episode of a separate venture within Polishing The Black Stone; it's called Polishing Pebbles. These episodes will be shorter in length and will not include any guests, rather they will be answering questions sent in by you! Yes you, any question that you've had regarding a guest, or Nick Filth personally please email to: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com and it might be chosen as a Polishing Pebbles topic. Questions can be as superficial or as deep and personal as you'd like. Perhaps you want Nick to shed light/express his opinion on something you've been going through. No matter how trivial, banal, or abstract, please send us your thoughts and questions!   All music is performed by Nick Filth. You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com, visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone Please Subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes, it helps! For more information, questions, or comments please email: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com and you might have your question featured on an episode! You can also visit us on the web at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com

Aaron Riddle sends Nick (Mahesh Das) an email while Nick is in Varanasi, India. Admitting jealousy and envy towards Mahesh Das's "Love for God". Aaron and Nick discuss this email, and dig deeper into subjects such as spiritual tourism, money with spirutality, and devotional practice. Aaron Riddle is a tattooer working out of Tempe Arizona in a private studio. You can find him on Instagram by simply searching his name @aaronriddletattoos. All music is performed by Nick Filth (Mahesh Das) You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com, visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone Please Subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes, it helps! For more information, questions, or comments please email: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com and you might have your question featured on an episode! You can also visit us on the web at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com

This is the sixth episode of a new venture within Polishing The Black Stone; it's called Polishing Pebbles. These episodes will be shorter in length and will not include any guests, rather they will be answering questions sent in by you! Yes you, any question that you've had regarding a guest, or Nick Filth personally please email to: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com and it might be chosen as a Polishing Pebbles topic. Questions can be as superficial or as deep and personal as you'd like. Perhaps you want Nick to shed light/express his opinion on something you've been going through. No matter how trivial, banal, or abstract, please send us your thoughts and questions!   All music is performed by Nick Filth. You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com, visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone Please Subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes, it helps! For more information, questions, or comments please email: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com and you might have your question featured on an episode! You can also visit us on the web at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com

T.J. Hutchinson and Nick Filth the difference between "I" and "ME" T.J. is a PhD Candidate in Political Science, a teaching fellow at CUA and an Adjunct Humanities Professor at Nashua NH Community College. So he’s smart to say the least. T.J. is also a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Brown Belt, and a BJJ instructor. He was also an MMA flyweight competitor. All music is performed by Nick Filth. You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com, visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone Please Subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes, it helps! For more information, questions, or comments please email: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com and you might have your question featured on an episode! You can also visit us on the web at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com

This is the fifth episode of a new venture within Polishing The Black Stone; it's called Polishing Pebbles. These episodes will be shorter in length and will not include any guests, rather they will be answering questions sent in by you! Yes you, any question that you've had regarding a guest, or Nick Filth personally please email to: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com and it might be chosen as a Polishing Pebbles topic. Questions can be as superficial or as deep and personal as you'd like. Perhaps you want Nick to shed light/express his opinion on something you've been going through. No matter how trivial, banal, or abstract, please send us your thoughts and questions!   All music is performed by Nick Filth. You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com, visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone Please Subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes, it helps! For more information, questions, or comments please email: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com and you might have your question featured on an episode! You can also visit us on the web at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com

Andrew Stickler discusses his spiritual path and practices with plant medicine. Andrew and Nick converse over the Guru. Nick Filth continues the story of finding his own guru. A story which began on the episode: "Sean/Aaron Riddle - Taos Hanuman Temple/Clarifying Doubt" Andrew Stickler is a tattoo artist and owns the shop Odds & Ends in Rockford IL. You can find his work on instagram at @astickler and on the web by searching "Odds & Ends Tattoo" All music is performed by Nick Filth. You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com, visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone Please Subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes, it helps! For more information, questions, or comments please email: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com and you might have your question featured on an episode! You can also visit us on the web at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com

This is the fourth episode of a new venture within Polishing The Black Stone; it's called Polishing Pebbles. These episodes will be shorter in length and will not include any guests, rather they will be answering questions sent in by you! Yes you, any question that you've had regarding a guest, or Nick Filth personally please email to: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com and it might be chosen as a Polishing Pebbles topic. Questions can be as superficial or as deep and personal as you'd like. Perhaps you want Nick to shed light/express his opinion on something you've been going through. No matter how trivial, banal, or abstract, please send us your thoughts and questions!   All music is performed by Nick Filth. You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com, visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone Please Subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes, it helps! For more information, questions, or comments please email: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com and you might have your question featured on an episode! You can also visit us on the web at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com

You can find more information on the Taos Neem Karoli Baba Ashram here: http://nkbashram.org/ Aaron Riddle is a tattooer working out of Tempe Arizona. You can find him on instagram by simply searching his name @aaronriddletattoos or by visiting www.27tattoo.com All music is performed by Nick Filth. You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com, visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone Please Subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes, it helps! For more information, questions, or comments please email: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com and you might have your question featured on an episode! You can also visit us on the web at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com

This is the third episode of a new venture within Polishing The Black Stone; it's called Polishing Pebbles. These episodes will be shorter in length and will not include any guests, rather they will be answering questions sent in by you! Yes you, any question that you've had regarding a guest, or Nick Filth personally please email to: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com and it might be chosen as a Polishing Pebbles topic. Questions can be as superficial or as deep and personal as you'd like. Perhaps you want Nick to shed light/express his opinion on something you've been going through. No matter how trivial, banal, or abstract, please send us your thoughts and questions!   All music is performed by Nick Filth. You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com, visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone Please Subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes, it helps! For more information, questions, or comments please email: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com and you might have your question featured on an episode! You can also visit us on the web at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com

Adam Gray is a tattooer working out of Hidden History Tattoo in Dover, NH. Adam and Nick speak about truth and Adam divulges a personal story in which he believes he had a “religious experience”. You can view his work on instagram by searching @tattoosbyaginger   All music is performed by Nick Filth. You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com, visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone Please Subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes, it helps! For more information, questions, or comments please email: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com and you might have your question featured on an episode! You can also visit us on the web at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com

This is the second episode of a new venture within Polishing The Black Stone; it's called Polishing Pebbles. These episodes will be shorter in length and will not include any guests, rather they will be answering questions sent in by you! Yes you, any question that you've had regarding a guest, or Nick Filth personally please email to: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com and it might be chosen as a Polishing Pebbles topic. Questions can be as superficial or as deep and personal as you'd like. Perhaps you want Nick to shed light/express his opinion on something you've been going through. No matter how trivial, banal, or abstract, please send us your thoughts and questions!   All music is performed by Nick Filth. You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com, visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone Please Subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes, it helps! For more information, questions, or comments please email: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com and you might have your question featured on an episode! You can also visit us on the web at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com

Aaron Riddle is a tattooer working out of Tempe Arizona. You can find him on instagram by simply searching his name @aaronriddletattoos or by visiting www.27tattoo.com All music is performed by Nick Filth. Except for Happy Go Lively by Laurie Johnson  You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com, visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone Please Subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes, it helps!  For more information, questions, or comments please email: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com and you might have your question featured on an episode! You can also visit us on the web at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com

This is the first installment of a new venture within Polishing The Black Stone; it's called Polishing Pebbles. These episodes will be shorter in length and will not include any guests, rather they will be answering questions sent in by you! Yes you, any question that you've had regarding a guest, or Nick Filth personally please email to: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com and it might be chosen as a Polishing Pebbles topic. Questions can be as superficial or as deep and personal as you'd like. Perhaps you want Nick to shed light/express his opinion on something you've been going through. No matter how trivial, banal, or abstract, please send us your thoughts and questions!   All music is performed by Nick Filth. You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com, visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone Please Subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes, it helps! For more information, questions, or comments please email: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com and you might have your question featured on an episode! You can also visit us on the web at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com

Brandy Higgins is the owner and instructor at Bikram Yoga Durham. You can reach her, and find more information about Bikram and her studio by visiting: www.bydurham.com https://www.bikramyoga.com/   All music is performed by Nick Filth. You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com, visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone Please Subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes, it helps! For more information, questions, or comments please email: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com and you might have your question featured on an episode! You can also visit us on the web at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com

Being a big, tattooed, singer of a metal band Marc Gaffney meets with Nick Filth and discuss the differences between the way he is perceived and how he lives.  Marc Gaffney is the lead singer and guitarist of the band Gozu yet he chose to describe himself as simply “human”. You can hear Gozu’s previous album “Revival” while anticipating their newest album “Equilibrium“ which will be released April 13th of this year on Metal Blade Records. https://gozu.bandcamp.com/ http://www.metalblade.com/us/news/gozu-signs-worldwide-deal/   All music is performed by Nick Filth.  You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com, visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone  For more information, questions, or comments please email: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com or visit us on the web at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com

Bobby Eckstein happened to be a guest on another podcast Nick Filth was listening to titled: Missing Maura Murray. The familiar voice made Nick Google "Dr. Robert Eckstein", and was surprised to find out that Nick knew him, through his wife who is a customer of his, but went socially by the name Bobby. In the Maura Murray episode Bobby criticized the hosts usage of the words “Sociopath” and “Psychopath”. He shed light on this subject but Nick asked if Bobby would be interested in speaking on PTBS to expand further as the amount of ignorance on this subject is staggering. Dr. Robert Eckstein is a Senior Lecturer at the University of New Hampshire for both the Department of Psychology and the Justice Studies Program. He is also the Curriculum Development Specialist for Prevention Innovations Research Center, a research group at the University of New Hampshire that focuses on the prevention of sexual assault, relationship abuse, and stalking. Dr. Eckstein was given the University of New Hampshire’s Excellence in Teaching Award in 2010. If you would like to read the Psychopathy Overview Dr. Robert Eckstein had written, which includes the 16 characteristics that epitomize a psychopath please email: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com You can hear Bobby speak more on rape prevention by watching his TEDTalk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mFzIumKKsc   All music is performed by Nick Filth.  You can hear more episodes by visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone.  You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com, visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone  For more information, questions, or comments please email: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com or visit us on the web at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com  

Scott Boyer is one of Nick's closest friends despite the distance between them. Nick had recently taken a trip to Colorado Springs to visit Scott with the intentions of doing Sensory Deprivation. It was Nick's first time, and they immediately recorded the podcast after. The hour an a half podcast is the result.   Scott Boyer along with his wife are the owners of Yellow Beak Press. A publishing company focused on preserving and promoting tattoo history. Scott has also celebrated his 20th year as a bicycle mechanic.  www.yellowbeakpress.com   All music is performed by Nick Filth.  You can hear more episodes by visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone.  You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com, visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone  For more information, questions, or comments please email: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com or visit us on the web at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com

Kyle Bennington is Nick Filth's oldest friend. Nick recently got a text from Kyle that stated "I took 4 grams of mushrooms last night, still trying to process it." After two weeks of trying to get Kyle on the phone, the following podcast is the first time in which they had spoken to each other since Kyles experience.   All music is performed by Nick Filth.  You can hear more episodes by visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone.  You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com , visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone  For more information, questions, or comments please email: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com or visit us on the web at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com

Tom Papows and Nick Filth begin with Nick delving deeper into his opinion of the last guest on Polishing The Black Stone, J.G. The hitchhiker that Nick had driven to Portland Maine after recording podcast with him. The conversation itself and the following conversations and experiences led Nick to gain a broader perspective on the mysterious J.G. But the conversation turns directly to the matter at hand that Tom and Nick have been waiting to speak to each other about; cultural appropriation. A difficult subject with many sharp edges, Tom and Nick bring their own experiences and views on the matter.  Tom Papows is a freelance camera operator that has  worked on documentaries such as, Birth of a Party, Homemade Parade and The Greasy Pole. He has worked with National Geographic and The Discovery Channel, and worked on music videos for artists such as Guster. Tom describes himself as a vagabond, and cat enthusiast. He is currently working at Lord Hobo Brewing Company, while planning his next trip across the globe. You can follow him on instagram @popeye_the_cameraman   All music is performed by Nick Filth.  You can hear more episodes by visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone.  You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com , visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone  For more information, questions, or comments please email: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com or visit us on the web at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com

I met J.G. on the side of the road, as he was a hitchhiker. I, meanwhile, was getting through a terrible hangover, from which I had just vomited. Through our short introductions, and me finding out where he was headed, he launched into his story. J.G. is on a pilgrimage around the United States on zero dollars and without revealing his identity. He is motivated and moved by generosity and kindness. He explains his story and is often given free nights to stay in hotels and given rides hundreds of miles from people who pick him up. Our conversations immediately went from compassion and kindness, to altered states of reality, chakras, tuning into the frequencies that individuals emanate, and Love. Despite how sick I was feeling I told J.G. about Polishing The Black Stone and I agreed to drive him to Portland Maine and feed him if he would be a guest on it. He agreed, and I did my best to fight my nausea to stay in the conversation. For which I cut short because I vomited again and couldn’t talk. I fed J.G., drove him to Portland Maine and pointed him in the direction of food and hotels. J.G. and I have intermittently remained in contact through his changing cell phones and through Instagram. He actually stayed with another tattooer a few weeks prior who happens to be in a band that KYOTY was just released on a compilation with.     J.G. is also documenting his travels to turn it into a documentary. During his travel his identity will not be revealed, so you can not learn more about him by searching for him online. Although this is one link related to his cause where you can donate to support his film: http://www.antiterrorism.us   All music is performed by Nick Filth.  You can hear more episodes by visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone.  You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com , visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone  For more information, questions, or comments please email: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com or visit us on the web at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com

While I was learning to tattoo I would often hear of the artist Doug Mendoza from the tattooers I worked with. This was a time before tattooers portfolio’s were on the internet, and you could only find their art if they were worthy enough to have their art published in a magazine. If you were a tattooer that had been published your validity and stature was unquestionable. When someone would mention Doug Mendoza’s name to me it was always paired with “his work is in magazines”. I knew that not only did I have to meet Doug Mendoza but I would need to be tattooed by him if I wished to be a better artist. Thankfully my friend introduced me and despite my naivety I made a good enough impression on him to be invited back. Throughout the years I got tattooed by Doug, I would drive an hour one way just to show him drawing I had been working on to have him critique them. We would talk about tattooers, artists, painting, tattoo application, and sometimes just about life. Over the years this person who at one point was the elusive and revered artist who’s work intimidated me became one of my close friends. Doug came home to New Hampshire on a visit from Hawaii and I got the opportunity to record this conversation. Similar to the ones we used to have while he was tattooing me or during one of my many visit seeking his artistic insight.   Doug has since closed his shop in New Hampshire and currently live in Hilo Hawaii. You can find his work by visiting the following links http://www.southseas-tattoo.com/ and on instagram @dugmendoza   All music is performed by Nick Filth.   You can hear more episodes by visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone.   You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com , visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone   For more information, questions, or comments please email: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com or visit us on the web at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com  

Matt Kerley and James Travis are two traveling tattooers who worked a few days at Hidden History Tattoo. I got the chance to speak with them late one evening on the last night of their stay before they drove off to Canada. Often do we snap into the moment and recognize that we have been drifting. Many of us drive home from work and then realize we weren’t even paying attention, nor could we even remember the drive home. This loss of time is us ultimately losing control of our awareness. I personally believe intention is tied with awareness. When you have intention, you are aware. As stated, many people drift through situations without recognition, or focus. This drifting can lead us into entire careers. This carelessness in life has a seeming momentum to it, we can often get caught in the pull and look back and wonder, as David Byrne aptly sang: “And you may ask yourself, well, How did I get here?”. How often to do ask yourself this question? What led you to this moment right now, what series of events led you here? Where you conscious of these events, did you consciously make decisions that led you to where you are right now? These are important questions to ask yourself. So I ask a very simple yet difficult question to both Matt and James. “why do you tattoo?”   Matt Kerley and James Travis are both nomadic tattooers. Matt works privately doing freelance illustration and tattooing in North Carolina and James is currently traveling working in different tattoo shops. You can find their portfolios and contact information on instagram or the following links.    Matt Kerley: @mattitude http://www.mattkerley.bigcartel.com KerleyOnTheRoad@gmail.com   James Travis: @xjamestravisx http://xjamestravisx.bigcartel.com xjamestravisx@gmail.com   All music is performed by Nick Filth. You can hear more episodes by visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone. You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com , visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone For more information, questions, or comments please email: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com or visit us on the web at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com  

Seamus Menihane is a touring musician in notable bands such as Vattnet Viskar and Vanna. He has also played drums in one of Nick’s bands Psychic Wounds. In this episode Nick seeks Seamus’s perspective on what it’s like to perform live in 2017. Nick believes that the trends of interacting with media in all forms is being redefined, and that attendances to performances on the tier that his bands exist will dwindle to nothing. Seamus lends his opinions and views on the matter, sourcing his experiences of touring all over the world and how social media impacts our relation to new music.   Seamus Menihane is the drummer for Vattnet Viskar and Vanna. He also operates the silk screening company Union Screen Printing. You can hear his music and contact Seamus through these following links:   www.vannamusic.com https://www.union-screen-printing.com/ http://seamusmenihane.com/

Katrina Elizabeth lives deep in the northern woods of Maine in a very very small house by the edge of a waterfall. She graciously allowed Nick to visit with her on her property to discuss a matter both of them feel they have endured. Katrina has suffered a complex experience that is known to some as a Kundalini Crisis. Timothy Leary described the Kundalini experience as a “rewarding phase” through what the Tibetan’s called the “First Bardo”. Professor R. C. Zaehner who was an Oriental scholar and expert on mysticism experienced the Kundalini Awakening and simply wrote “I did not like it at all.” Timothy Leary expressed the contrary, that a prepared person would be liberated by the awakening and would feel the immense sensations of joy and illumination. Unfortunately for most (the ill-prepared), the Kundalini awakening is observed without guidance, which is confusing, isolating, dissociating, and terrifying. Nick also believes he has experienced this same awakening, and feels a strong kinship with Katrina due to this. To describe the feeling of a Kundalini awakening would be similar to describing anxiety, PTSD, and disassociativeness. It’s ostensibly a conflict of higher nature and ego. Through working with meditation, psychedelics, yoga, and other spiritual work you ignite the ganglionic centers (chakra’s) to the brain. Thus releasing ones concepts and ideologies and freeing ones perception of reality. Yet the ego still clings and therefor liberation is lost. I mean you do have to go to work in the morning… Katrina explains to Nick her work with Shamanism, and Reiki as well. After the podcast she performed Reiki on Nick for his first time.   Katrina Elizabeth is an intuitive healer and shamanic reiki practitioner living in rural Maine. She is also the creator of Ancestral Thread herbal tea and the vintage clothing curator at Moody Lords located in Portland Maine. For more information search for @moodylordsvintage and @choon_tea on Instagram. Links are located at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com   Talkin' Like You (Two Tall Mountains) by Connie Converse  Elizabeth "Connie" Converse Born in Concord New Hampshire(1924-?1974) Vanished without a trace, leaving us with a few live recordings which can be seen on youtube and a home made recording released on Omnian Music Group. For move information visit: https://www.omnianmusicgroup.com/products/how-sad-how-lovely All music is performed by Nick Filth. You can hear more episodes by visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone. You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com , visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone For more information, questions, or comments please email: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com or visit us on the web at http://www.polishingtheblackstone.com

Jamie Hurley openly discusses a physical disorder that he has gone through over the past few years. While trying his best with doctors and surgeries, he ended up conjoining the help from physicians with a new drug he had heard about from a friend called Kratom. Kratom combined with the treatment he had received from doctors helped him tremendously. Jamie details his entire experience with his health issues and expresses the relief he had gotten from the controversial drug Kratom. Jamie also goes into his new venture into Micro-dosing. Micro-dosing is a new treatment in which a person takes incredibly small threshold amounts of psychedelics depending on the needs of the user. For Jamie it is used to treat his depression. What makes this so interesting is that, the little I know of Jamie, he’s a very outgoing and social person. He is a funny, very intelligent, and kind person. I couldn’t believe that someone like himself fought with depression. Jamie states that his depression is present when he is alone, so he struggles with it almost every night. As with all guests, I’d like to thank Jamie for his complete honesty. Especially about his medical issues which are so personal. I would also like to state that Polishing The Black Stone does not advocate the use of any drugs whatsoever. The subjects covered in this podcast are for informational use only. Be safe. Jamie Hurley is a web developer and software consultant who is a strong supporter of the open source software community and an advocate of net neutrality and freedom of information. For business inquiries contact james.hurleyiv@gmail.com Jamie is also very involved with the the local Seacoast NH skateboarding, music, and artistic communities. If you're looking for places to skate, book shows/events, or places to display your art you can find him by searching Jamie IV through most social media platforms.   All music is performed by Nick Filth. You can hear more episodes by visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone. You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com , visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone For more information, questions, or comments please email: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com

In this episode Nick Filth speaks with Joshua Nute about his time in India, Tibet and walking on the "spiritual path towards enlightenment". Joshua takes us back into his past outlining the origins of his interest in Buddhism. A journey that led him across the Himalayans and back to the west to find himself peace momentarily until 9/11. Josh and Nick speak at length about the importance of a guide when delving into the mystical nature of self and the abstract deeper reality. This figure which was lacking in Joshua’s quest for transcendental insight ultimately was the cause for many struggles along the way. Struggles that unfortunately led him to walk away from Buddhism entirely. Joshua Nute has spent the majority of his life seeking to help people with disabilities gain greater independence. He claims to have had at least one foot in the pursuit of mindfulness and on the path towards enlightenment. Joshua is also a father, a husband, and a hobbyist photographer. You can find his photography on Instragram by searching for the username: “naturesok”   All music is performed by Nick Filth. You can hear more episodes by visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone. You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com , visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone, and on Instagram @polishingtheblackstone For more information, questions, or comments please email: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com

Dan Bythewood and Nick Filth discuss many things; the idea of presence, how musical genres can create myopic identities, and the struggle with change. After each episode the guest is allowed to describe themselves anyway they wish. At the end of the last episode, Pete Marr, chose to have a poem read instead of giving titles. Dan was enamored by this and too chose to have something read as well. It is the following: Through all labels we subject ourselves to, and all of the ideologies, the only ones that eternally ring true are compassion, kindness and love. We All Belong.   Dan Bythewood is a tattoo artist working at New York Adorned located in Manhattan, NY.  You can find Dan’s artwork on instagram by simply searching for his name.

Enlightenment is a vague abstract concept which, like many words, is subjective. Pete Marr and Nick Filth discuss this word and their relationship with it. They recognize that in some extent their lives have been pointed towards the goal of enlightenment regardless of searching for it in the first place. Pete and Nick talk about the use of psychedelics as a gateway towards enlightenment and how throughout their lives they’ve had moments of recognition. A recognition of the eternal present and their place within it. Grappling with social interactions and wrestling with consciousness itself, we hear two very different perspectives on the matter.   After recording each episode the guest is allowed to describe themselves any way they wish. Most give links or titles, Pete Marr asked to have this read instead:   At the end of time, when all matter returns to its origin. You and I will have just been memories, nothing real. Something is dreaming us. Embrace the Illusion. Live!   Music was performed by both Pete Marr and Nick Filth moments after recording the podcast.  You can hear more episodes by visiting www.polishingtheblackstone.com or visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone. For more information, questions, or comments please email: polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com    

In part 2 Jim Carrigan digs deeper and reveals personal details about his life he says he has never divulged before. Sometimes within the sacred place of conversation you can get carried away, especially while alcohol (spirits) lubricates dialog. After recording, I spoke with Jim again and verified that he was okay with releasing what he had spoken about. He stated "there is not a word that I said on that recording I would take back". If I were to choose one word to describe Jim Carrigan, it would be "Pilgrim". Just as the rest of us are searching for answers and clues in this game or play, Jim's sensitivity, insight, and honesty makes him a welcomed traveler on my journey as well.            You can contact Jim Carrigan by visiting www.inkfreeinthe603.com and www.facebook.com/inkfreeinthe603

Jim Carrigan begins by rather simplifying the duality of his journey through life. At a certain point in many of our lives we begin to "become more comfortable opening (our) mind to, for lack of a better word let's say, the universe", Jim states. He continues to elaborate that through this openness you don't necessarily let in just the good, you also let in the bad. And when you do this, you let in these powers, energies, beings, whatever you want to call it, you let them into the world around you. This being your friends, your family, and in Jim's case, his wife and his child.      In part one Jim delicately paints the landscape of his outlook on life from childhood and into his 20's. A bright young person with a sensitive, hungry frame of mind and the ability to travel the world. We hear how the world can with all its alluring appeals can tug and draw you into dangerous and vulnerable situations. But someone like Jim, this is what satiates the appetite for life.      If I were to choose one word to describe Jim Carrigan, it would be "Pilgrim". Just as the rest of us are searching for answers and clues in this game or play, Jim's sensitivity, insight, and honesty makes him a welcomed traveler on my journey as well.            You can contact Jim Carrigan by visiting www.inkfreeinthe603.com and www.facebook.com/inkfreeinthe603

There are conflicting thoughts regarding separateness and unity. In one breath we can say, "everything is connected", and on the other breath we recognize the purpose to separate ourselves from attachment. To separate from attachment could be simply recognizing habits, such as: using your phone too much, over eating, talking too often. But when you start to dig deeper and recognize your attachments are also within thought, within memory, beyond form, and so on; you realize all attachment is singularly pointed towards your awareness which resides inside the body. So in a way you could say we are just putting our awareness on our awareness, yet in another way it could be seen as if we are separating our body from our awareness. Matt Perez, perhaps unknowingly, engages this separateness through fasting, taking drugs, meditating, and exercise. Recognizing the body's potential and experimenting with its limits. Matt takes us through a new venture in his discovering the potential of the body and mind as he discuss his encounter with Sensory Deprivation. While immersed in a silent absence of familiarity, Matt slowly witnesses a nothingness that envelopes him. While in the past it was this body he had used as a means to understand himself, although this time he realizes that by removing his body entirely he was able to see himself and everything around him in a new light. Where is this familiar nothingness? It may be awareness itself.   Matt Perez is a musician and plays in the band ThreeDayWeekend. You can hear his band by visiting: threedayweekendma.bandcamp.com   All music is performed by Nick Filth For more information, questions, or comments, please email polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com You can hear more episodes by visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone.

Brad Stevens is a tattoo artist working at New York Adorned located in Manhattan New York. Brad and Nick Filth discuss how they interact with social media and how they navigate experiencing "trolls". When does a persons opinion interfere with your business and your headspace? Where do you draw the line with negative comments or interactions on social media, and when are they harmful? Brad and Nick also discuss tattooing in a different light. As it is a means to distract oneself from the unconscious. How existential pressures and anxieties often get swept to the wayside in the pursuit of activities, in Brad’s case, it’s with his tattooing.   You can find Brad’s work by visiting: http://nyadorned.com/tattoo/89-brad-stevens/ https://bradstevenstattoo.wordpress.com/ and on instagram by searching for Brad Stevens   All music is performed by Nick Filth For more information, questions, or comments, please email polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com You can hear more episodes by visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone.

Greg Baldi and Conrad Carpenter are two people who have never met; but they share a common ability/condition. Most people have never heard of it, many people suffer from it and don't even know it has a name. Sleep Paralysis affects %8 of the general population. Those who suffer from it have sensations of being possessed, haunted, or abducted. Visions of demons, spirits, and shadows that visit them nightly and cause paralyzing fear. Beyond the laws of rational and time, these moments seem to be infinite. Inescapable visitors that follow them despite changing sleep schedules, moving houses, or simply getting older. A seemingly endless futility, until you break down the walls of your unconscious. Conrad sheds light on his ability to overcome the dark powers that bind his astral self. Greg confronts his archetypal darkness while literally seeing his own reflection. There are mirrors everywhere in all realities, you face them at your job, the people you meet, and the people you love. These are all reflections, you see them how you want to see them. Everything is being unfolded unto you, for your perception. Metaphoric representations of the sacred story of life. It is up to you to witness these reflections and make changes based upon them, for your benefit and the ones around you. Like a drop of water makes ripples in the pond you too can affect the cosmic environment.   All music is performed by Nick Filth For more information, questions, or comments, please email polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com You can hear more episodes by visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone.

Unsuccessful Quieting of the Rabid Mind is a reading from an analytical journal entry documenting the experience of ingesting psilocybin on July 7th 2016 .  Polishing The Black Stone does not advocate the use of any illegal substances, this recording was made for educational purposes only.  This reading was done in hope to better educate those on consciousness, navigating our own inner realms, and establishing that while all realities are illusory; they are all worthy of our attention.  Be mindful, be open, learn to listen, and remember behind it all its always you.  You are a divine component in an infinite network of love, you can not make a mistake, you are always teaching, you are always learning.   All music is performed by Nick Filth For more information, questions, or comments, please email polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com You can hear more episodes by visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone.

Keenan Bouchard examines with Nick Filth his new venture away from familiarity. Familiarity in his surroundings, in his relationships, and how this will reflect in his artwork. We discuss intent as an artist, and what it means to recognize oneself as an artist. Can you be an artist without intent? Do artistic creations with intent hold more energy and have lasting power? How do you personally define intent, and do you live a life with intent?   Keenan Bouchard is a tattooer now based out of Austin Texas working at www.rockofagestattoo.com  You can view and contact Keenan Bouchard by visiting www.keenanbouchard.com you can also view his work on instagram by searching for keenanbouchardtattoo   All music is performed by Nick Filth For more information, questions, or comments, please email polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com You can hear more episodes by visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone.

Kenley Darling helps Nick Filth compartmentalize a challenging event in Nick's recent past. Kenley shares her perspective on barriers and love.  Kenley Darling is an artist, a mother, and a friend. Through her illustration she makes personal introductions, connecting herself with the world around her. Imagination creates lines between stars to form constellations, Kenley’s art and life are these lines between people. Illustrating her constellation, creating her form. You can see her art and contact Kenley directly by visiting Kenleydarling.com   All music is performed by Nick Filth For more information, questions, or comments, please email polishingtheblackstone@gmail.com You can hear more episodes by visiting iTunes and subscribing to Polishing The Black Stone.