Download the Pleasure Ladder chart, learn more about Bracha’s work

In this soul-stirring conversation with Bracha Goetz, we dive deep into the journey from food addiction to joyful spiritual fulfillment. Bracha, Harvard grad and author of over 45 children's books, shares how she transformed her life through ancient mystical wisdom, neuroscience, and the soul-fueling power of gratitude.

We explore the Pleasure Ladder—five rungs of lasting happiness that reconnect us with our bodies, creativity, and a transcendent sense of purpose. From the neuroplastic power of grateful moments to teaching emotional tools through rhyming children’s stories, Bracha shows us how joy is both ancient and accessible.

We also talk healing through connection, how addiction masks spiritual hunger, and why our kids (and our inner kids) desperately need these practices now more than ever. Whether you're struggling with cravings, feeling disconnected, or just looking for a deeper sense of meaning, this episode offers a ladder up.

#DrCD #Earthroot #TheGathering2040 #gratitude #neuroscience #TorahWisdom #addictionrecovery #childrensbooks #spiritualgrowth #creativity #pleasureladder #mentalhealth #joyfulparenting

R. C. Hand

I’ve known for years that everyone has a story—sometimes the most unlikely beginnings become the most powerful catalysts for transformation. In this episode, I sit down with R.C. Hand, a man who grew up shining shoes in a barrio bar and witnessing brawls, then went on to build a contracting empire, retire early with creative focus, and explore over 100 countries.

We dive deep into:

How survival instincts and early exposure to raw emotions shaped his inner narrative and art.

The practical wisdom of building with your hands—whether brick, straw, or earthen architecture—and how that translates into clarity and purpose.

Adventures from Cuba’s crumbling beauty and North Korea’s facades, to Machu Picchu, Bhutan’s living traditions, and Persia’s ancient echoes.

Why envisioning your own death—down to the tree you rest under—can become a powerful tool for living fully, avoiding regret, and passing on meaning.

The human paradox: how our darkest origins can spark compassion, creativity, and generosity—and why giving back remains the richest legacy.

This is a conversation about building—not only houses and businesses, but lives that stand strong, rooted in purpose, curiosity, and deep humanity. I hope it inspires you to ask: What kind of structure are you building… in the world, and in your soul?

#DrCD #Earthroot #TheGathering2040 & DrCD, Earthroot, TheGathering2040 #ArchitectureOfLife #RadicalCuriosity #ReclaimingWisdom #DeathAwareness #StorytellerPath #NomadicSpirit #BuildToLast #CreativeRetirement #TravelDeeper

This episode felt like a homecoming.

Betsy Kudlinski has spent a life immersed in nature—working with animals, tending land, and learning how nervous systems heal when given the chance to remember. But when chronic pain and trauma created a deep disconnect from the body, a new path emerged—one that Betsy now calls “renaturing.”

We talk through what it means to live in freeze mode, why presence can feel dangerous after trauma, and how somatic experiencing, evolutionary biology, and Taoist wisdom all point toward the same truth: the body already knows the way home, if we can learn to listen.

Together, we explore healing not just as recovery, but as reconnection—with ourselves, with others, and with the wild world that’s been waiting all along.

#DrCD #Earthroot #TheGathering2040 #SomaticHealing #TraumaRecovery #Embodiment #Renaturing #ChronicPain #NervousSystemHealing #Presence #Neurobiology #Buddhism #TraumaInformed

In this episode, I speak with Jim Marshall, polymath and creator of Septemics, a revolutionary system he describes as “the periodic table of human nature.” Jim’s discovery of 35 distinct seven-level scales reveals a law-bound structure to human behavior—where every action, trait, or dysfunction unfolds along a precise gradient.

As someone who values frameworks rooted in both science and spirit, I found Jim’s synthesis of engineering logic, empirical psychology, and philosophical insight incredibly provocative. We explore the origins of Septemics, the mathematical integrity behind the seven-level model, and the practical applications it offers for relationships, leadership, self-assessment, and even navigating death.

Jim’s goal isn’t to inspire belief—it’s to provide a rigorous system that helps people see themselves and others with clarity and compassion. Whether you’re a student of human development, spirituality, or simply trying to make sense of your place in the world, this conversation will challenge the way you understand growth, purpose, and the path to wisdom.

#DrCD #Earthroot #TheGathering2040 #Septemics #HumanNature #PersonalGrowth #Psychology #MindsetMatters #SelfAwareness #SpiritualScience #BehavioralModel #ConsciousLiving

Dr. CD on X

In this episode, I sit down with Lee Shapiro—whitewater kayaker, visionary artist, and author of The Art of Melting Conflict in All Relationships—for a soulful, wide-ranging conversation about how to live fully, love deeply, and meet conflict with compassion rather than control.

Lee’s approach to life and relationships aligns deeply with my project Live for the Death You Hope to Have. Together, we explore how living unarmored and emotionally present can transform not only our relationships, but our sense of purpose and peace.

We talk about:

• How to reframe conflict as a mirror instead of a threat

• Shadow work, inner critics, and compassionate witnessing

• Heart-centered honesty and non-defensive communication

• Daily practices for emotional self-awareness and balance

• The creative flow of painting, silence, nature, and kayaking

• What near-death experiences teach us about living with intention
  

From Buddhist wisdom to evolutionary psychology, Lee brings decades of insight on how to soften into our humanity—without losing clarity, boundaries, or courage.

If you're seeking practical tools and deep reflection on how to live a life you won’t regret, this episode is a rich and resonant guide.

#DrCD #Earthroot #TheGathering2040 #TMB60 #LiveForTheDeathYouHopeToHave #MeltingConflict #HeartCenteredLiving #CreativeFlow #LeeShapiro #TheArtofMeltingConflict

The Mighty Brad SnapChat

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The Mighty Brad Youtube

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In this 59th episode of Mental Breakthrough, I sit down with life coach and speaker Brad Glantz for a no-holds-barred exploration of masculinity, manipulation, emotional honesty, and the spiritual roots of change. Brad isn’t just talking about healing — he’s doing it in real time, publicly and unfiltered, and in this conversation, we dive deep into what it means to become the person you're trying to speak from.

We unpack what it feels like to show up raw, unscripted, and imperfect in the public eye — especially when you're still evolving. Brad opens up about past patterns of manipulation, people-pleasing, and the masks men wear, not out of malice but out of survival. He explains how these behaviors often masquerade as kindness or honesty — and what it takes to dismantle them with care, especially in the context of intimate relationships.

We talk about masculinity, not as dominance or control, but as presence, responsibility, and the strength to be seen. Brad shares how his own journey through heartbreak, guilt, and growth has shaped the integrated partnership he’s now in — a relationship where both the animal self and the spiritual self are invited in full. We explore how masculinity and femininity aren't fixed roles but energies we all carry — and what it looks like when those energies find balance.

From there, we spiral outward into the themes that keep me anchored as a host: death, Buddhism, impermanence, and the evolutionary psychology behind why we feel what we feel — and how those feelings point us toward transformation. We reflect on how past shame becomes karmic teaching, how confronting mortality sharpens clarity, and how authenticity is less about being perfect and more about dropping the script.

This conversation is deeply personal for both of us — and, I hope, deeply useful for anyone navigating relationships, growth, or the constant becoming that life demands. Whether you're into mindfulness, modern masculinity, trauma recovery, spiritual psychology, or just tired of playing roles that no longer serve you, this one’s for you.

#Masculinity #Authenticity #EmotionalHealing #Buddhism #EvolutionaryPsychology #SpiritualGrowth #RelationshipWisdom #Karma #InnerWork #ModernManhood #ShadowWork #DeathAndDying #DrCD #Earthroot #TheGathering2040 #TMB59 #LifeCoach #BradGlantz

G. Scott Graham

Dr. CD on X

This conversation lit me up.

In this episode, I talk with the unforgettable G. Scott Graham—coach, author, firefighter, Tai Chi teacher, existential handyman, and someone who lives at the rare intersection of Buddhism and badassery. We explore what it really means to metabolize experience, to adapt rather than just awaken, and to live in rigorous alignment with our values.

We cover so much ground: from how to write your first book (and why you shouldn't worry about getting it right), to the mindset that helps us survive emotional shipwrecks, to what it means to live for the death you want to have. Scott shares stories from the Appalachian Trail, his coaching practice, MDMA-assisted grief work, and even his upcoming post-hip-replacement obstacle race. This episode is a masterclass in choosing challenge with wisdom, pausing with purpose, and embracing your core truths while still growing.

It also gets personal. I share how my dissertation on death made me realize I was a terrible listener—and how that led me here. We talk about grief, transformation, and the unexpected clarity that comes from witnessing mortality up close. Scott also breaks down his take on reverse-engineering a meaningful life by identifying values through your bucket list, and why pushing our limits (wisely) matters so much.

If you're navigating reinvention, craving real talk about death, discipline, creativity, or just wondering what it means to live fully—this one's for you.

#DeathAndDying #PurposeDrivenLife #WritingJourney #ExistentialCoaching #BuddhismAndGrowth #PersonalGrowth #LifeDesign #PodcastConversation #BucketListReimagined #ReverseEngineeringLife #ConsciousLiving #LegacyMindset #DrCD #Earthroot #TMB58 #CDSuntree #TheGathering2040

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In this episode, I’m joined by John Leister—author of over 100 books, co-host of the Canadian Bro Show, and one of the most heartfelt storytellers I've met in a long time. We get real about everything from childhood trauma and self-doubt to psoriasis, procrastination, and the long road to rediscovering purpose.

John opens up about growing up feeling like an outsider, abandoning his dream of acting after a humiliating moment on stage, and how years of inertia gave way to creative revival when he reached out to God in a moment of desperation. That leap of faith reignited his passion for storytelling—and led him to finally publish his first book at 53.

Now, John writes gritty, character-driven detective stories inspired by his own life, streaming his energy into a purpose that fuels him daily. We explore the role of self-belief, the joy of starting late, and the deep connection between inner healing and creative expression.

If you've ever felt stuck, unworthy, or unsure whether it’s too late to begin—this episode is your sign. We even talk about death, legacy, and the dream of dying in our boots, doing what we love.

#SelfPublishing #LateBloomer #CreativityAndHealing #AuthorLife #FaithAndWriting #OvercomingSelfDoubt #Inspiration #MindsetShift #PersonalGrowth