The Downward Facing Spiritual Spiral

Insecurity, Communication and Seth Godin

Today on the Spiritual Spiral Podcast, I first talk about insecurity and I wonder if I could have handled a situation better or was I just worried what people would think about me. I try to make sense of the origin of my podcast and I also give some thoughts on the chaotic methods of communication. Texting, IG, What's App, FB messenger and voicemail. It feels like chaotic communication so is Seth Godin's blog post regarding the way we communicate even realistic in this day and age. Thanks for listening! You can support the show by writing a review on iTunes which is always super helpful. Thanks so much!

Instagram, Manipulation and Black Mirror

Tonight on the Spiritual Spiral Podcast, I felt inspired to talk about IG and a Black Mirror episode called Smithereens I watched last night on Netflix. I also started to think of some odd cultural similarities between present day and the World War 2 Era and it made me wonder how easily manipulated human beings can be. Put a charismatic person on TV or on the screen of our phones and notice how quickly we can all be manipulated. Maybe we were always this way. I started thinking about all of this after I watched Black Mirror last night and the episode called Smithereens. It's about a guy who has been dramatically impacted by the addictive quality of social media. Definitely check out the episode and let me know your thoughts. Hope you enjoy the podcast today and thanks so much for listening to the show.

Ian Ketterer

This week, I welcome the lead singer of Seattle based Alt-band Among Authors, Ian Ketterer to the Spiritual Spiral Podcast. I met Ian about 8 years ago when I was on tour in the Northwest and I was instantly impressed by Ian's stage presence, his voice and songwriting as well as his down to earth personality.  His band Among Authors is currently on tour during the next few weeks in the midwest and east coast leading up to a show in Washington DC where they play NPR's Tiny Desk Concert.  We talk about music, when he first started playing piano, what it's like on the road, and how amazing it's been to have supportive parents throughout his creative journey.  He tells us why he and the band moved from Wisconsin to Seattle and he tells the story about having open heart surgery at the age of just 23. Ian was also born without a thumb on his right hand and he is deaf in his right ear so he talks about the impact these health scares have had on his life. Check out their incredible live performance on KEXP and be sure to follow them on Spotify. As always, thanks so much for listening. Please share the show with friends or write a review on iTunes if you can. Thanks so much.

IG is Creating Egomaniacs, KD's Injury and Wipe Up

On today's episode, I talk about how IG is creating a world of egomaniacs and how people pretty much do whatever the hell they want with no regard to anyone but themselves. They may sweat all over your yoga mat and not offer to wipe up. People may even stand in the middle of the street trying to save a parking space and don't even care if they get run over by your car. And a famous pro athlete like Kevin Durant may even go out and play basketball when he has no business being out there in the first place. Isn't social media awesome? I jest of course. Thanks as always for listening and reminder, next week I welcome Seattle based band Among Authors to the podcast.

When They See Us

I watched When They See Us this past weekend on Netflix and I can't stop thinking about it. I've had my issues with Netflix in the past because I've felt they're really not writing high quality programs with strong characters or a focus on plot, but maybe my tune has changed. For now at least. When They See Us is so freaking well done and I also feel a connection to the show because my friend Aaron Byrd was the music supervisor. Aaron is a great DJ here in Los Angeles and he actually talked with me on my podcast a few months back, so I thought I'd mention if you're new to my podcast, definitely go back and have a listen to the conversation I had with him. On this episode, I also talk about David Brooks, a writer for the New York Times and a powerful article he recently wrote about the negative impact of trolls. As always, thanks for listening to the podcast and be sure to spread the word or please write a review on iTunes. Thanks so much. 

Josh Onstott

This week, I am excited to welcome musician/producer Josh Onstott to the Spiritual Spiral Podcast. Josh is probably best known for his work in the band Other Lives, which has gone on to tour the world as a headliner as well as open for Radiohead and Bon Iver. We sit down and talk about Other Lives, how they met in Stillwater, Oklahoma and what led to them recording their first record in Los Angeles. He talks about his creative process, growing up in Oklahoma, owning his first Gibson guitar, and he shares the story how Other Lives ended up opening for Radiohead.  He tells us when we can expect a new record from the band and he explains why he went on to produce a record on his own for a side project called New Mystics. We also discuss the current climate of the music industry and the impact social media and Spotify may be having on musicians and songwriting. Be sure to follow Other Lives on Instagram and Twitter. Thanks as always for listening. 

Matt Dery (Emergency Pod)

This week, I felt inspired to post an emergency podcast. An emergency podcast is when the insanity of social media takes over our culture at such a rapid pace, it leaves me no choice but to record a last minute show to discuss what's going on. Today, I welcome back Matt Dery to the Spiritual Spiral Podcast. Matt is my go-to when sports and social media collide so we sit down and talk about the NBA Finals, Beyonce, Kyle Lowry and the shove. I also ask how in the world did NBA referees become so important on Twitter. Thanks for listening and you can find Matt on Twitter at @Deryspeaks.  

Zoe Welch

This week, I am excited to welcome Austin based yoga teacher, Zoe Welch to the Spiritual Spiral Podcast. I met Zoe a couple years ago when I DJ'd one of her yoga classes here in Los Angeles and right away I was impressed by her humility, fun energy, outgoing personality and her ability to lead an inspiring and freaking rad yoga class. Zoe currently teaches over at Wanderlust Austin. We obviously discuss yoga and she talks about what it was like teaching yoga in L.A. She eventually moved to Austin, Texas so I ask why she left L.A. and she shares her thoughts on some of the differences between the yoga scene in L.A. and Austin. We talk about social media and she shares a story about how she got her first paying Instagram gig and she talks about what she loves about Instagram and some of the drawbacks of social media. She also shares a story about a retreat in Tulum where it seemed as if most people were there to just take pretty pics for Instagram and not actually enjoy the "moment." A great conversation this week and as always thanks so much for listening. You can support the show by writing a review on iTunes or by visiting my Patreon Page.