The Downward Facing Spiritual Spiral
Social media and technology are dramatically impacting the world, shifting people‘s values and turning human beings into robots. The Spiritual Spiral is here to inspire you to turn off your phone so you can appreciate a more ”analog” lifestyle. Join musician, writer and yoga teacher Eddie Cohn as he discusses the impact of tech and shares personal stories from his own life while also interviewing musicians, yoga teachers and artists to talk about how social media affects the world and what we can ALL do to be more creative, more present and less distracted.
Episodes
Episodes
Sunday Feb 12, 2023
I Sure Miss a Good Movie
Sunday Feb 12, 2023
Sunday Feb 12, 2023
I'm watching the Super Bowl and immediately feel the enthusiasm hit when I see a commercial for a new Indiana Jones movie! Except what happened to our beloved story of Indy? Did studio execs rehash the Indiana Jones franchise into a loud, over the top popcorn movie? Ugh. On today's episode of the Spiritual Spiral, I felt compelled to talk about my longing for the old days when we flocked to the theater to see a good movie. And I'm not talking about a big budget Marvel movie or a sequel like Top Gun. I'm talking about adult art-house movies that moved us to get off the couch, drive through the sleet or snow to watch a film that was truly cinematic. 21 Grams, Little Children, Children of Men, Sideways, Parasite, The Talented Mr. Ripley. Remember how GREAT movies used to be and how afterwards, we were often left spellbound thinking about the powerful piece of art we just witnessed. Where did all the good movies go? Is it the studio's fault? Is the craft of feature film screenwriting a lost art or are writers simply moving into the world of television? What do you think happened? I also play a clip from a recent Bill Simmons' Podcast where he and his guests also discuss the lost art of filmmaking. Boy I miss the days when a film like Reservoir Dogs took over the art world. Don't you? As always, thanks so much for listening to the show. You are amazing! Remember, my new book SSAFY can be purchased by visiting SSAFYoga.com or on Amazon by clicking HERE and if you enjoy today's episode and you want to support the show, please subscribe to the podcast on iTUNES or Spotify. It's always helpful if you share the show with your friends or maybe head over to iTunes and write a quick review. You can also purchase my music at eddieconn.bandcamp.com or visit my website www.iameddiecohn.com and sign up for my email list. I'd love to hear from you so please reach out on IG @eddiecohn with any questions. Thanks again for listening.
Wednesday Feb 01, 2023
The Me World’s Effect on Questions and Listening
Wednesday Feb 01, 2023
Wednesday Feb 01, 2023
Ok. It's Friday night. You're all dressed up for a wild night out and you wind up at some hip party in Hollywood. You've had a few cocktails, start your mingling but you begin to notice everyone there is only talking about themselves. Or, MAYBE someone takes a respite from blabbing to ask you a quick question like, "How are you?" But after you respond, of course, they quickly go back to talking all about themselves. On today's episode of The Spiritual Spiral, a brief observation about a world where very few people ask questions or know how to listen. How did this happen? Is it technology's fault? Sure it's incredible to have so much titillating and wonderful content at our fingertips, but how does all this content impact people's ability to sit still, ask questions and engage with "real life" human beings. When you're out with friends, do you find yourself getting antsy because no one can compete with the slick world of tech and social media. As always, thanks so much for "listening" to the show. I appreciate you! Remember, if I haven't said it enough, my new book SSAFY can be purchased by visiting SSAFYoga.com or on Amazon by clicking HERE and if you enjoy today's episode and you want to support the show, please subscribe to the podcast on iTUNES or Spotify. It's always helpful if you share the show with your friends or head over to iTunes and write a quick review. You can also purchase my music at eddieconn.bandcamp.com or visit my website www.iameddiecohn.com and sign up for my email list and newsletter. I'd love to hear from you so please reach out on IG @eddiecohn with any questions. Thanks for listening.
Friday Jan 27, 2023
A Phone Call Sure Beats a Text
Friday Jan 27, 2023
Friday Jan 27, 2023
Text messages are destroying mental health in our culture. I'm not trying to be hyperbolic but I think as a culture, we must do better than text messages. Today on the Spiritual Spiral, I wanted to talk about all the lazy text messages we send and why I believe they could be one of the reasons for the cratering of mental health in our society. I know it may take up more time to make an actual phone call, but what if our culture's skyrocketing depression is directly correlated to the influx of texts and DMs? Think about how much better you feel after you hear someone's voice or after a face to face conversation. We can all do better so the next time, instead of sending a text, pick up your phone and make a phone call. I also end the show by playing a powerful clip from a recent Bill Simmons podcast where his daughter is talking about the mental shackles created from social media. As always, thanks so much for listening to the show, and remember, my new book SSAFY can be purchased by visiting SSAFYoga.com or on Amazon by clicking HERE and if you enjoy today's episode and you want to support the show, please subscribe to the podcast on iTUNES or Spotify. It's always helpful if you share the show with your friends or head over to iTunes and write a quick review. You can also purchase my new record at eddieconn.bandcamp.com or visit my website www.iameddiecohn.com and sign up for my email list and newsletter. As always, thanks so much for listening and supporting the show. I'd love to hear from you so please reach out on IG @eddiecohn with any questions. Thanks for listening.
Monday Jan 23, 2023
A Reminder About Creativity
Monday Jan 23, 2023
Monday Jan 23, 2023
It's easy to forget how challenging the creative process can be. Whether it's the frenetic pace in which information moves, the expectations from society or the expectations we place on ourselves, we can often be unkind to our own creative process. On today's episode of the Spiritual Spiral, a quick reminder that we all have our own unique creative process. Sure, the world may make us feel like creativity should happen effortlessly or overnight but I'm here to remind you that your process may look different from everyone else's. I share a quick story about inspiration, I play a quick clip from a recent Marc Maron podcast where he talks about creativity and I also read an excerpt from Rick Rubin's fantastic new book entitled, The Creative Act. As always, thanks so much for listening to the show, and remember, my new book SSAFY can be purchased by visiting SSAFYoga.com or on Amazon by clicking HERE and if you enjoy today's episode and you want to support the show, please subscribe to the podcast on iTUNES or Spotify. It's always helpful if you share the show with your friends or head over to iTunes and write a quick review. You can also purchase my new record at eddieconn.bandcamp.com or visit my website www.iameddiecohn.com and sign up for my email list and newsletter. As always, thanks so much for listening and supporting the show. I'd love to hear from you so please reach out on IG @eddiecohn with any questions. Thanks for listening.
Saturday Dec 24, 2022
Tundé Terrific VS. Dr. Downer
Saturday Dec 24, 2022
Saturday Dec 24, 2022
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year everyone and as we reach the end of another year, I felt inspired to record one final episode for 2022. On today's episode, I talk about some of the personal health issues I've dealt with over the last year and why I believe it's paramount to have a physician who has a positive outlook on your health. See, the other day I was riding on my Peloton and taking a class with Tundé who happens to be my FAVORITE teacher. She's fun, magnetic, inspiring and such a positive source of energy. On the other hand, most of the doctors I've seen over the last two years have this sort of Debbie Downer attitude. And if I offer up an alternative approach to treat particular maladies, they make me feel like they won't work, merely preventing the inevitable which is prescription medication or invasive surgery. As a culture, how much is a negative outlook towards health impacting not only our mental health but even our physical health? Let's say physicians had a more open and positive outlook like Tundé? Is it possible the world be a healthier place just by simply changing our attitude? I share a few anecdotes from the last year that I hope offer you some renewed perspective on the health industry in America. I'm certainly not a doctor, nor in a position to offer professional medical advice, but I do believe it's vital to be surrounded by doctors who are not only upbeat, but also open towards alternate health modalities. Thanks so much for listening to the show, and remember, I'm also very excited to say my new book SSAFY can be purchased by visiting SSAFYoga.com or on Amazon by clicking HERE and if you enjoy today's episode and you want to support the show, please subscribe to the podcast on iTUNES or Spotify. It's always helpful if you share the show with your friends or head over to iTunes and write a quick review. You can also support the show by becoming a subscriber at www.patreon.com/eddiecohn and on the music side, you can also purchase my new record at eddieconn.bandcamp.com or visit my website www.iameddiecohn.com and sign up for my email list and newsletter. As always, thanks so much for listening and supporting the show. Please reach out on IG @eddiecohn with any questions. Thanks for listening.
Friday Nov 11, 2022
Is Anyone Going to Apologize?
Friday Nov 11, 2022
Friday Nov 11, 2022
Oh Kyrie. Sure your tweet was offensive, but if you would have simply apologized, you wouldn't be on probation and the world probably would have moved on and forgotten all about your silly tweet. But in a world of megalomaniacs who refuse to apologize, the drama ensues. Today on the Spiritual Spiral, I examine the Kyrie Irving story from this past week and how his behavior is emblematic of some of the major issues in our culture. Huge egos, people, especially celebrities, think every word they utter is worth spouting out on social media. And people's inability to say "I'm Sorry." Why is it so dang hard for so many people to simply apologize? I also play a clip from a recent Bill Maher and Bill Simmons podcast and I read an excerpt from a wonderful article by Jesse Washington from Andscape entitled, Kyrie Irving needs to answer for promoting antisemitism. Thanks so much for listening to the show, and remember, I'm also very excited to say my new book SSAFY can be purchased by visiting SSAFYoga.com or on Amazon by clicking HERE and if you enjoy today's episode and you want to support the show, please subscribe to the podcast on iTUNES or Spotify. It's always helpful if you share the show with your friends or head over to iTunes and write a quick review. You can also support the show by becoming a subscriber at www.patreon.com/eddiecohn and on the music side, you can also purchase my new record at eddieconn.bandcamp.com or visit my website www.iameddiecohn.com and sign up for my email list and newsletter. As always, thanks so much for listening and supporting the show. Please reach out on IG @eddiecohn with any questions. Thanks for listening.
Thursday Oct 13, 2022
Do ”They” Want You to Get Sick and Pop a Pill?
Thursday Oct 13, 2022
Thursday Oct 13, 2022
Being sick is scary AF and sometimes, the easiest thing for us to do is call the doctor, pop a pill and cross our fingers that we feel better. But does the healthcare system in America truly want us to feel well if they simply keep prescribing us toxic medications? Sure, there's been a lot of chatter lately about all the measures that turned out to be wrong in terms of the pandemic. But instead of focusing on the last few years, I want to share some stories that have happened to me over the last few months. From a wisdom tooth removal, a potential surgery and a blood test scare, I was reminded of the broken healthcare system. So often, the American healthcare system isn't looking for the cause of a malady, but merely puts a band-aid on the problem. They order MRI's and perform surgeries, prescribe drugs for a "quick fix" except most of these drugs come with potentially serious side effects. And the moment a patient suggests an alternative or holistic treatment, western doctors will often just roll their eyes. It's a cycle that I first noticed as a child and going through this process again, I wonder if the US healthcare system and big pharma want us all to get sick. I know, a pretty dystopian view of the world but I really think it's time to question if healthcare in America is simply here to make a profit and put a band-aid on our health problems. I play a clip from a powerful Bari Weiss podcast entitled, Eating Ourselves To Death where she speaks with Dr. Casey Means about the obesity epidemic in America. I also a play a clip from the Bill Maher podcast where he speaks with Ross Douthat, author of the wonderful book, The Deep Places where he writes about his experience contracting Lyme Disease. I hope today's episode inspires you to think more deeply about how you approach health. Thanks so much for listening to the show, and remember, I'm also very excited to say my new book SSAFY can be purchased by visiting SSAFYoga.com or on Amazon by clicking HERE and if you enjoy today's episode and you want to support the show, please subscribe to the podcast on iTUNES or Spotify. It's always helpful if you share the show with your friends or head over to iTunes and write a quick review. You can also support the show by becoming a subscriber at www.patreon.com/eddiecohn and on the music side, you can also purchase my new record at eddieconn.bandcamp.com or visit my website www.iameddiecohn.com and sign up for my email list and newsletter. As always, thanks so much for listening and supporting the show. Please reach out on IG @eddiecohn with any questions. Thanks for listening.
Wednesday Sep 21, 2022
David Bensimon
Wednesday Sep 21, 2022
Wednesday Sep 21, 2022
This week on the Spiritual Spiral, I am SUPER excited to welcome my friend, astrologer and author, David Bensimon to the show. I met David close to ten years ago at the infamous Yoga Works on Main Street. Since that time, David has gone on to become an astrologer as well as an author writing the children's book, The Little Crab Finds a Friend. If you're curious about astrology and the meaning behind a "natal chart", then I think you're going to LOVE today's chat with David. We talk about a myriad of important issues and we begin by reminiscing about the yoga world from 2020. We discuss tech, social media, creativity and since David has recently started reading my book, he shares some perspective about social media and the yoga world. David and I then dive in and discuss astrology, looking at one's "natal chart" and how astrology impacts his own life. David shares stories about how he works with clients who want to get a better understanding of their own natal chart and he explains what inspired him to become an astrologer. And we end the show by talking about his new children's book The Little Crab Finds A Friend, the inspiration behind the story and when we can expect the next book in the series. You can find David on IG @littlecrabastrology and you can also purchase his amazing book on AMAZON by clicking HERE. As always, thanks so much for listening and remember, I'm also very excited to say my new book SSAFY can be purchased by visiting SSAFYoga.com or on Amazon by clicking HERE and if you enjoy today's episode and you want to support the show, please subscribe to the podcast on iTUNES or Spotify. It's always helpful if you share the show with your friends or head over to iTunes and write a quick review. You can also support the show by becoming a subscriber at www.patreon.com/eddiecohn and on the music side, you can also purchase my new record at eddieconn.bandcamp.com or visit my website www.iameddiecohn.com and sign up for my email list and newsletter. As always, thanks so much for listening and supporting the show. Please reach out on IG @eddiecohn with any questions. Thanks for listening.
About the Spiritual Spiral
Social media and technology are dramatically impacting the world, shifting people‘s values and turning human beings into robots. The Spiritual Spiral is here to inspire you to turn off your phone so you can appreciate a more ”analog” lifestyle. Join musician, writer and yoga teacher Eddie Cohn as he discusses the impact of tech and shares personal stories from his own life while also interviewing musicians, yoga teachers and artists to talk about how social media affects the world and what we can ALL do to be more creative, more present and less distracted.