In this raw and unexpected episode of One Song, One Story, Shub sits down with Dan Cleland— author, serial entrepreneur, and founder of the world-renowned ayahuasca retreat Soltara Healing Centre — to explore the surprising connection between heavy metal, resilience, and spiritual growth.

Dan brings a fierce and fitting song to the table: “Rooster” by Alice in Chains — a grunge-era anthem about survival, trauma, and defiance. What unfolds is a deeply human conversation about contrast and identity: a man who’s led plant medicine ceremonies in the jungle, toured the world with a metal band, and still finds healing in distortion, sweat, and sound.

Together they explore:
⚡️ The unexpected overlap between ayahuasca and heavy metal
🎸 How music becomes a weapon for survival and self-expression
🌧 What it means to live authentically — even when it doesn’t fit the mold

From Born in the USA to Nirvana to Alice in Chains, this episode tracks Dan’s lifelong journey through sound — from small-town Canada to the Costa Rican jungle — and the songs that carried him through chaos, creation, and change.

Hit play, feel the grit, and remember: healing doesn’t always sound like a flute. Sometimes it screams.

00:00 Introduction to Daniel Cleland02:52 Musical Journey: From Childhood to Heavy Metal05:07 The Impact of Environment on Music Appreciation07:35 The Evolution of Musical Tastes10:25 The Intersection of Plant Medicine and Heavy Metal12:56 Current Musical Influences and Preferences17:03 The Power of Music in Daily Life22:00 The Significance of Full Albums26:31 Personal Connections to Music30:43 Resilience and Survival Themes in Music34:57 Final Thoughts and Recommendations37:14 Riverside Intro : Outro.mp4