Voices of Esalen Podcast

Sadia Bruce is head of experiential programming at Esalen Institute, where she also teaches yoga in the tradition of Krishnamacharya but enjoys drawing from rich array of teachers, a panoply of movement modalities, and indeed the entire spectrum of human experience to share an understanding of yoga that is integrative, sensorial, and enlivening.

Sadia’s work revolves around creating energized, radically-inclusive learning environments that are guided by breath and driven by inquiry. She is also deeply committed to bringing yoga-based practices to non-traditional environments and underserved populations, to mentoring new teachers, and to reaching economically, ethnically and culturally diverse populations.

This interview was conducted live at Esalen on October 18, 2023.

Today, we're taking a journey into the Esalen archives to explore the thought-provoking theories of Terence McKenna — an Esalen luminary if there’s ever been one — a thinker who's had a profound impact on modern culture, particularly regarding our understanding of altered states of consciousness.

For those of you who've been with us on this Voices of Esalen journey for a while, you'll know that this isn't our first foray into the world of Terence McKenna — he lectured at Esalen hundreds of times, and we've featured his insights in multiple previous episodes.

But I believe that the more you listen to McKenna, the more you recognize the layers of depth and significance in his body of work. It's a bit like the Talmud, or maybe the Grateful Dead, where every piece feels like a vital segment of a larger tapestry. There simply are no missteps or unremarkable talks when it comes to McKenna. It all matters. Thus, we venture on.

This episode is actually just part of a talk that McKenna gave in August, 1992 at Esalen, but in it, McKenna outlines one of his most popular theories, that which has been referred to as his Stoned Ape Hypothesis. (If there was a greatest hits album for Terence McKenna, this would certainly be on it.) The Stoned Ape hypothesis posits that the ingestion of psilocybin mushrooms had transformative effects on early Homo Sapiens communities, likely shaping the course of our evolution. McKenna believes psilocybin may have altered human behavior and societal structures, by suppressing male dominance hierarchies, enhancing communal values, improving hunting capabilities and in many cases fueling ecstatic orgies.

Plus, he just says some absolutely magical sentences. Like this: " . . . the book called 'Food of the Gods' was deliberately designed as a kind of Trojan horse... It is something left on the doorstep of anthropology, a foundling as it were . . and when they open the door, they will find this thing on their doorstep and it hopefully take it inside and then discover too late that the elf machines of hyperspace like Greek militiamen are inside, ready to pour out and take over the bastions of human emergence theory."

So sit back, relax, and savor the eloquence of one of the most compelling orators in the annals of Esalen history.

Rod Stryker is the founder of ParaYoga®, and the author of The Four Desires: Creating a Life of Purpose, Happiness, Prosperity and Freedom. He is renowned for making ancient wisdom and practices accessible to modern audiences. Raised in Los Angeles, Rod was just 19 years old when he began his study of yoga. He taught his first class in 1980 and went on to teach here at Esalen, among many, many other locales. In addition to mentoring thousands of students worldwide, Rod also serves on the board of Give Back Yoga Foundation and is a featured faculty member of Yoga International. He is a father to four amazing souls and currently lives in Boise, Idaho.

In the role of co-host and wisdom contributor is Sadia Bruce. Sadia serves as head of Experiential Programming at Esalen, where she also teaches yoga in the tradition of Krishnamacharya. Sadia endeavors to create energized, radically-inclusive learning environments that are guided by breath and driven by inquiry — she hopes to share an understanding of yoga that is integrative, sensorial, and enlivening. Sadia is also committed to bringing yoga and yoga-based practices to non-traditional environments and underserved populations, and to mentoring new teachers in relational dynamics, development of teaching voice, and teaching to economically, ethnically, and culturally diverse populations. She is an insightful, sensitive teacher whose breath-based teaching encourages pleasurable practice that nourishes rather than depletes — inspiring new openings rather than the deepening of old patterns.

Dr. Ken Dychtwald is best described as a visionary thinker — he’s a psychologist, a gerontologist, a masterful public speaker, and the best-selling author of more than 19 books. Ken has dedicated his life's work to understanding the implications of human potential for all people. Over the course of his career, he has become one of America’s foremost authorities on aging-related issues, shaping our understanding of lifestyle, marketing, healthcare, economics, and the workforce, all in the context of an evolving and aging society.

Ken Dychtwald is the co-Founder and CEO of Age Wave, an acclaimed think tank and consultancy focused on the global opportunities of rising longevity. His groundbreaking insights have garnered international recognition, earning him prestigious awards and accolades. In 2016 he and his wife Maddy Kent Dychtwald received the Esalen Prize for outstanding contributions to advancing human potential.

In this captivating talk recorded live at Esalen in April of 2023, Ken dives deep into his Esalen story, from the first encounter groups he ended up in as a 19 year old, to rubbing shoulders with John Lilly, Ram Dass, and Timothy Leary, to the best-selling book he would write at age 22, Body Mind. He also traces his path into the field of gerontology, and reveals some of the cosmic magic that awaits us as we embrace the power of aging.

Please note: all the of the wonderful stories and life lessons you’re about to hear, and many, many more can be found in Ken’s newly released memoir Radical Curiosity: My Life on the Age Wave. And by the way, all of Ken’s earnings from this book are being generously donated to Esalen.

John Bucher is a mythologist, storyteller, and writer based out of Hollywood, California. He serves as Executive Director for the Joseph Campbell Foundation and is an author, podcaster, and speaker. He has worked with government and cultural leaders around the world as well as organizations such as HBO, DC Comics, The History Channel, A24 Films, Atlas Obscura, and The John Maxwell Leadership Foundation. He has served as a producer, consultant, and writer for numerous film, television, and Virtual Reality projects. He is the author of six books including the best-selling Storytelling for Virtual Reality, named by BookAuthority as one of the best storytelling books of all time. He holds a PhD in Mythology and Depth Psychology and has spoken on six continents about using the power of story and myth to reframe how individuals, organizations, cultures, and nations believe and behave.

Today he explicates the work of Joseph Campbell, focusing on the Hero's Journey, Follow Your Bliss, Bill Moyers, Jung's influence on Campbell, Campbell's love for Big Sur and his special relationship with Esalen, and much more. We're joined by a special guest: Cloned Joseph Campbell, who peppers John with several incisive questions. Tons of fun, kind of uncanny, and overall quite educational.

Sonya Renee Taylor is a renowned activist, best-selling author, and celebrated thought leader whose work in racial justice, body liberation, and radical self-love has reshaped conversations around identity and healing.

At the heart of her groundbreaking book, The Body Is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love lies a transformative message that dismantles shame and oppression, offering a profound roadmap to reclaiming innate self-worth, and fostering a revolutionary connection with the world around us.

Beyond her notable talents as a poet, writer and speaker, Sonya has a rich history in advocacy and activism, which including work as a sexuality health educator, therapeutic wilderness counselor; mental health case worker; Director of Peer Education at HIPS (Helping Individual Prostitutes Survive) in Washington, D.C.; and Capacity Building and Training Director at the Los Angeles-based Black AIDS Institute.

She is a great follow on social media; her series "What's up Y'all?" features Sonya riffing extemporaneously on issues of the day, including abortion, climate change, AI, white supremacy culture, the Supreme Court, and a lot more.

Above all, Sonya's journey has been marked by a dedication to reshaping narratives. Join us as we explore her journey, her insights, and her relentless pursuit of a world where self-love intersects with justice, redefining what it means to truly embrace others and ourselves.

Congressman David Price is a veteran of American politics. He served North Carolina's 4th congressional district for over three decades, retiring recently in 2022. Price was a Morehead Scholar at the University of North Carolina and a graduate of Yale University, where he received a PhD in Political Science. In Congress, he was for many years a key member of the House Appropriations Committee, well-known for being able to work both sides of the aisle. In addition, he was an early opponent of the 2003 invasion of Iraq and a studied adversary of media consolidation. In recent years, he worked diligently to promote parliamentary democracy in other countries.

Together we delve into the diminishing bipartisanship in the United States Congress, a topic that Price has experienced firsthand, and explore the nature of conflict and its resolution within the political landscape. We also take a deep dive into the intricacies of North Carolina's electoral politics, shedding light on how Price leveraged polling data to secure his initial victories in the 1980s. Finally, we will touch upon the ongoing battle against cynicism in politics, a struggle that the congressman has confronted throughout his career.

During the first wave of psychedelics in the 1960s, mind-altering substances played a significant role in challenging capitalist values and systems. However, in our current landscape, we are witnessing a different rollout of psychedelics, one that is predominantly medicalized and intertwined with traditional capitalist models. This raises an important question: Does this convergence of psychedelics and Western capitalism feel incongruous? And if so, what can be done about it.

Jenny Stefanotti, the Founder and Steward of Denizen, a media platform and co-learning community dedicated to systemic change, explores this question in depth with us, utilizing her backgrounds in strategy, technology, business, philanthropy, design, policy, and economics.

In this conversation, we’ll examine some models where for-profit enterprises navigate ethical considerations associated with psychedelic use, such as with companies like Journey Collab. We’ll explore whether psychedelics are by their very nature designed to be tools for social justice and instruments for political activism, and if they have a role in movements for equity and liberation, is that role undermined by the predominant mode of distribution?

Join us as we navigate the intricate terrain where psychedelics and capitalism intersect, and explore the potential dangers and opportunities that arise from this convergence.

For more thought-provoking conversations, visit Jenny and Denizen at www.becomingdenizen.com.

Rhonda Magee is the author of the book The Inner Work of Racial Justice. She is a visionary law professor and mindfulness teacher who has dedicated her life and her work to integrating contemplative practices with issues of social justice.

In this episode, we dive deep into the idea that inner transformation can serve as a useful and effective catalyst for societal change. We discuss how mindfulness practices can support individuals in recognizing and transforming their own internalized biases — although of course, it’s no guarantee. To this point, Rhonda touches upon some of the obstacles individuals may face when engaging in the kind of inner work designed to confront privilege.

As Rhonda explores this interplay between compassion and fear, she highlights the dual nature of realizing our shared humanity — the complex emotions, the joys, and fears that arise when acknowledging our interconnectedness — as well as the internal conflicts individuals face when confronted with the need for societal change and personal discomfort.

Throughout this conversation, Rhonda emphasizes the importance of creating spaces, spaces like Esalen, where we can honestly explore and embrace our emotions. She urges us to examine this collective longing for a new way forward, one that transcends historical patterns of oppression, one that invites all individuals to a grounded and inclusive existence.

We also get into the history of the human potential movement, and talk about how the focus from individual human potential is shifting to a collective vision, and we talk about how institutions can leverage mindfulness and compassion to create more inclusive and equitable organizations.

East Forest is a multidisciplinary artist, known by some for his 5-hour album Music for Mushrooms, designed to accompany a psychedelic journey. Other folks may know him from his album Ram Dass, where he created beautiful soundscapes to accompany interviews he did with Ram Dass, in fact the last known interviews ever done with Ram Dass before he passed into the next realm. Some people know him from his podcast, Ten Laws with East Forest, an extraordinary interview podcast where he talks with the likes of Duncan Trussell, Aurbrey Marcus, Danica Patrick. He has found a unique way to combine music, meditation, technology, and the experience of deep listening as a doorway, as a pathway towards acknowledging our own human essence. Its fair to say his creations are not just musical compositions; they are gateways to spiritual encounters, designed to inspire introspection.

In this episode, we dive deep into his thoughts around the creative process, and get into his early days as a musician, when he was an up and coming Brooklynite around the time of Occupy Wall Street. We speak about his success, and about how success can actually make the creative process much more difficult. We talk a little bit about generative AI and how it’s coming for musicians, the ambient musicians in particular, and what can be done about it. We of course chat about his collaboration with Ram Das and how the track Sit Around the Fire, a collaboration with Jon Hopkins, was created.

I just love this dude and his commitment to simple honesty, to discipline, to ritual, to reverence, to creativity. He’s good people and a great artist. One of my most enjoyable conversations in recent memory.

Check out his recent single, The Cosmic Dance.