The Downward Facing Spiritual Spiral

Diana Coconubo (Visit #2)

Diana Coconubo joins me once again on The Spiritual Spiral Podcast. It's been almost a year since I had Diana on the show so I was obviously thrilled to welcome her back and talk about life, tech and creativity. On a side note, if you haven't listened to my first conversation with Diana, I definitely suggest you go back and check it out because she's hysterical and she was my very first guest on the podcast. I invited Diana back, not only because she's a friend of mine and she's super funny, but I wanted to check in and get the status on her short film called Fernanda which is still in post-production. The last time we spoke, the film had been "picture locked" so we get an update on the film and find out when we can hopefully expect it in theaters. We talk about the ups and downs of the creative process, the overwhelming highs and lows, as well as the anxiety and fear that comes while working on such a personal project. We also discuss yoga, social media and the impact technology and Instagram have been having on her life. You can follow Diana on IG and if you dig the show, please share it with friends or write a review on iTunes. You can also support the show by visiting my Patreon page and I've decided to try something new with the show. With more followers from around the world finding out about my podcast, I wanted to open up the one on one conversation to my listeners so whoever contributes the most to my Patreon this coming week, you will be a guest on the podcast. We'll have a conversation via Skype and I want to hear your take on tech and social media. Let's give this a try and see how it goes. As always, thanks so much for listening to and supporting the show. 

Meredith Fogg Liebross

Today on the Spiritual Spiral Podcast, I am super excited to welcome Meredith Fogg Liebross to the show. I met Meredith maybe five or six years ago at a video taping for an online yoga class. Instantly I was impressed by her intellect and sense of humor, her relaxed low-key attitude as well as her passion for yoga. Meredith has completed over one thousand hours of teacher training with some of the most notable yoga teachers in America. She's studied with Many Ezraty, Annie Carpenter and she has taught yoga all over Los Angeles. She is currently on a sabbatical from teaching while she raises two children but plans on heading back to the studio very soon to teach again. We talk about yoga, her respect for the internal and philosophical aspects of the practice. We talk about her overwhelming love and adoration for Maty, we talk about Cal Newport, being still and the impact of social media on the yoga community. Meredith and I also discuss the TV show Euphoria and the tech obsessed adolescent culture the show depicts and how she manages to raise two children in the tech crazed society we live in today. Be sure to follow Meredith on instagram and if you enjoy the show, please share it with friends or head on over to iTunes and write a quick review. You can also support the show by visiting my Patreon Page. As always, thanks so much for listening to the show.

The Obsession With Attention

Today on the Spiritual Spiral Podcast, I felt inspired to talk about our culture's obsession with attention. Why are people so wrapped up with getting more attention seemingly all the time? Did Instagram create this craze or has it always been here? When you see people posting non stop selfies on Instagram, do you see the insecurity permeating off your phone? Do you see authentic behavior or someone who is screaming for attention? I share a story about a woman I saw at the pool today and I wonder if she was there to exercise or merely to capture some sexy selfies for Instagram. I also talk about a TED TALK i recently watched where actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt shares his views and struggles with technology and this concept of wanting attention versus paying attention. Next up, I welcome yoga teacher Meredith Fogg Liebross to the show which should land on all podcast sites Monday or Tuesday of next week. If you enjoy the show, please share it with your friends or be sure to write a review on iTunes. You can also support the show by visiting my Patreon Page. As always, thanks so much for listening and supporting the show.  

Tamal Dodge

I am thrilled to welcome the owner and founder of Yoga Salt LA and Yoga Salt Wilmington, Tamal Dodge to The Spiritual Spiral Podcast. Tamal grew up living in an ashram in Hawaii and it was here where he learned firsthand from his father about yoga, the physical asanas, the history of the practice and the value of living a deeply spiritual life. The moment you step into one of Tamal's classes, you instantly sense a man who is passionate about sharing his love for meditation and yoga with his students. He has been teaching yoga ever since childhood and currently owns Yoga Salt in Culver City as well as Yoga Salt in Wilmington, North Carolina. He co-owns a jiu jitsu studio and he also recently wrote a cook book with his wife called The Yoga Plate which hits bookstores nationwide on September 24th. He and I talk about his new book and the process involved in coming up with over one hundred different recipes. He shares personal stories and perspectives about yoga philosophy, the importance his father played on his life and this idea of dying with dignity and grace. We talk about social media, the value of living a spiritual life as well as what it was like growing up in an ashram. He also tells us how and why he opened up two yoga studios and he ends our conversation by singing a song. You can follow Tamal on Instagram @tamaldodge and be sure to buy his book when it hits shelves on September 24th. If you enjoy the show, please share it with friends or head on over to iTunes and write a review. You an also support the show directly by visiting my Patreon page. As always, thanks so much for supporting and listening to the show. 

Adam Mesnick

I am thrilled to welcome the Owner of Deli Board SF, Adam Mesnick to The Spiritual Spiral Podcast. Adam is probably best known as the chef and creator of the highly recognized restaurant, Deli Board SF, which serves huge over the top and absolutely delicious sandwiches in the SOMA District of San Francisco. After graduating from college, Adam entered the mortgage banking industry but after the financial crises, Adam left the finance industry to follow his dream of owning a restaurant. His restaurant has been consistently ranked as one of the top eateries in all of San Francisco and he's been featured in Thrillist, Eater SF, SF Travel and Hoodline. Adam also created BETTER SOMA, a community outreach program aimed at helping addicts and draw more awareness to the drug crises in his neighborhood. Adam was getting tired of the neglect from the city towards the homelessness and rampant drug use in his neighborhood so he started posting graphic images on his Twitter handle hoping for change and to draw attention to the problem. He eventually drew the attention of former mayor Ed Lee and was even featured on CNN where he talks about the opioid and homelessness crisis in the SOMA District. He and I talk about social media, technology, his passion for food and the day to day grind of owning a restaurant. We also talk about the drug crises and "war zone" he sees in his neighborhood each and every day as he walks to and from work. Be sure to follow Adam on Instagram @DeliBoardSF and if you dig the show, please share it with friends or head on over to iTunes and write a quick review. You can also support the podcast directly by visiting my Patron Page. As always, thanks so much for listening and supporting the show.  

IG's Invasion, Living Two Lives and Storytelling

Today on The Spiritual Spiral Podcast, I continue discussing the disruption of core values at home and why I believe so much of the chaos in the world stems from Instagram and tech invading people's homes. I talk about my curiosity with the TV show Euphoria and why I believe it brilliantly captures the concept of people living "two lives." I also talk about how Instagram wants its users to believe a "story" is a fifteen second oftentimes meaningless snapshot of someone's day to day life. Instagram has watered down a "story" into drivel which is why I think it's more important than ever to share and tell actual stories that inspire deeper thought and imagination. Next up on the show, I have a powerful conversation with Adam Mesnick, owner of Deli Board SF which should hit all podcast sites later on this week. As always, if you enjoy the show, please head on over to iTunes and write a quick review or you can support the podcast directly by visiting my Patreon page. Thanks so much for listening. 

A Pandemic of Disconnection (One Year Anniversary Show)

Today marks the one year anniversary of The Downward Facing Spiritual Spiral Podcast so to honor this achievement, I felt inspired to record my 65th episode. I never could have imagined creating a podcast would have had such a major impact on my life but it's incredibly apparent to me that starting this show has been one of the best decisions I've ever made.  Huge thanks to all my guests who have taken the time to talk with me. You have all expanded my mind and perspective and deeply inspired me. A huge thanks also to iTunes and Podbean for featuring my podcast over the last year and of course, a HUGE thanks to all of my loyal listeners. Your support means the world to me! Today, I talk about how Instagram is creating more disconnect and this may be most apparent at home when families reach for their phones instead of speaking with one another. I believe the sense of community and building values at home is disrupted and lost because of technology and Instagram's addictive qualities. I talk about this concept of chaos and a disturbing new show on HBO called Euphoria. I also play a clip from the Sam Harris Podcast where he speaks with Douglas Rushkoff about the impact of technology on our culture. Don't forget to head over to iTunes and write a quick review for the show or please share the podcast with your friends. I still can't believe it's been a year since I sat down and pressed record and began this podcasting journey. Thanks again for your continued support. Much love.... 

Sean Cowhig

Actor, writer, producer and all around wacky cool guy, Sean Cowhig joins me on the Spiritual Spiral Podcast. Originally from Boston, Sean moved out to Los Angeles to not only pursue an acting career, but to "become famous." He shares stories about his early days as an actor and why he had to choose between playing basketball and performing in a play. He talks about his love/hate relationship with alcohol and about eighteen months ago, why he decided he should probably stop drinking. He talks about IO West and Improv classes, the importance of Improv as an actor and if Improv can actually be taught. He also shares insight regarding the impact of social media on his life and why it can be disheartening when casting agents care more about "followers" than actual craft. Sean is one of the founding members of the comedy group Dr. God. and was one of the writers for their first feature BLOODSUCKING BASTARDS, in which he also plays the Janitor. You can follow Sean on Youporn at.... Just kidding... Follow Sean on IG @seancowhig. If you enjoy the show, please share it with friends or head on over to iTunes and write a review. You can also support the podcast by visiting my Patreon page and as always, thanks so much for listening to the show.