The Downward Facing Spiritual Spiral

Marlize Joubert

Today on the Spiritual Spiral, I'm excited to welcome yoga and breath teacher, Marlize Joubert to the show. Marlize has been studying the healing arts for most of her life and knowing how emotionally challenging the world can feel sometimes, it felt like the perfect time to have Marlize on the show.  Marlize and I talk about how to find balance in the often chaotic and unpredictable world we seem to be living in. We discuss the beauty that comes from being sensitive and introverted. She offers great perspective on the value of having a breath work practice. She shares stories about how and why she got into yoga, the joy that comes from teaching breath work and why she loves the energy inside of a yoga room. Marlize also talks about a recent injury that's served as a powerful reminder to listen to what your body needs. It's a wonderful and insightful talk and be sure to find and follow Marlize on IG @marlize_joubert. Remember, If you enjoy today's episode and you want to support the show, please subscribe to the podcast on iTUNES. Consider sharing the show with your friends which is also a huge help 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 where you can access full episodes and exclusive content only available to subscribers. You can also visit my website www.iameddiecohn.com and sign up for my email list and newsletter and as always, thanks so much for listening and supporting the show. Please reach out on Twitter or IG @eddiecohn with any questions. 

Hey Polly, Why Should I Care About Val?

I watched the new documentary on Val Kilmer a couple weeks ago and while it was certainly well done, I couldn't help but wonder why does our culture lionize actors? Is it simply because they have a lot of money and they're often good looking. Today on the Spiritual Spiral, I welcome actor and writer, Polly Humphreys, back to the show. Polly and I talk about the new documentary on Val Kilmer and we try and figure out where our culture's love for actors comes from. We talk about our innate need to look up to someone and maybe it's sexier and more fun to idolize Keanu Reeves instead of a family member. We talk about the media's role in creating a cultural love for actors and we also talk about the pain that comes from being an artist in this uber distracted world. Remember, If you enjoy today's episode and you want to support the show, please subscribe to the podcast on iTUNES. Consider sharing the show with your friends which is also a huge help 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 where you can access full episodes and exclusive content only available to subscribers. You can also visit my website www.iameddiecohn.com and sign up for my email list and newsletter and as always, thanks so much for listening and supporting the show. Please reach out on Twitter or IG @eddiecohn with any questions. 

Give Me a Phone Instead of Your Hand

As I watched the harrowing and tragic first episode of 9/11 on National Geographic, I couldn't help but think about how much our world has changed over the last 20 years. On that tragic day, there was no such thing as Facebook or Instagram and smartphones didn't even exist. Today on the Spiritual Spiral, I felt inspired to talk about how the world looks and feels so much different from 2001. And while there may be an overabundance of technology promising "connection" and "community", why does the world feel more divided and less connected. I talk about values, morality and I wonder if it's possible to create a sense of community in a world where the media and politicians are seemingly pinning us against one another? I also am thrilled to announce my new record, Dystopian Days, is available now on Bandcamp at eddiecohn.bandcamp.com. It hits Spotify towards the end of October but if you have a moment, I'd be so happy if you took a moment to listen. You can click HERE to listen. Remember, If you enjoy today's episode and you want to support the show, please subscribe on iTUNES. Consider sharing the show with your friends which is also a huge help. Sharing is caring and a great way to support the show 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 where you can access full episodes and exclusive content only available to subscribers. You can also visit my website www.iameddiecohn.com and sign up for my email list and newsletter and as always, thanks so much for listening and supporting the show. Please reach out on Twitter or IG @eddiecohn with any questions. 

Matt Bilinsky (Visit #2)

What happens if finding the truth is no longer of any value and instead, news organizations are merely interested in keeping you entertained? Today on the Spiritual Spiral, I'm excited to welcome back Matt Bilinsky to the show. With the California recall just a few weeks away and the end of the pandemic seemingly nowhere in sight, I felt it was important to have Matt back on the show. Matt is an attorney, a start-up advisor and he also uses social media to break down news and conduct important interviews about current events. Matt and I begin by talking about the strange look of the world, the ongoing mandates, the danger of vilifying the unvaccinated and we wonder if we will ever be back to "normal." We discuss the value of finding the truth, combatting people's apathy created by all the incessant distractions and we talk about the approaching California recall. We discuss the mistakes of Newsom, why this recall is so important and the ongoing struggle we all face by trying to navigate the often deceptive media landscape. Matt also shares some wonderful perspective on New York, California and Europe and why he remains hopeful we may be turning a corner and be on our way out of this strange dystopian world. Be sure to follow Matt on IG @mattbilinsky where I'm sure you'll find his content valuable and thought provoking. If you enjoy today's episode and you want to support the show, please subscribe on iTUNES. Consider sharing the show with your friends which is also a huge help. Sharing is caring and a great way to support the show 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 where you can access full episodes and exclusive content only available to subscribers. You can also visit my website www.iameddiecohn.com and sign up for my email list and newsletter. I also released another brand new song on Bandcamp which you can purchase by clicking HERE. You can find me on Substack by clicking HERE and as always, thanks so much for listening and supporting the show. Please reach out on Twitter or IG @eddiecohn with any questions. 

When the Experience is No Longer an Experience

At what point does an experience get bombarded with so many distractions that the original experience is longer a pure "experience." Is multi-tasking something to be revered? Today on a brief episode of the Spiritual Spiral, I begin by talking about a recent bike ride and the physical and mental benefits of exercise. While walking up and down the Santa Monica stairs, I wonder what happens if you're texting or listening to music or even holding a phone while engaging in exercise. Are you still capable of reaping any of the mental benefits of exercise if you're glued to a technological device? And how often do we unknowingly risk our lives by paying too much attention to our phones. I also talk about the new documentary that came out about Val Kilmer entitled, Val. On the one hand, the movie is certainly well-made and pulls at the heart strings but I couldn't help but think about our culture's strange obsession with actors. Why do we lionize actors so much and shouldn't we instead be paying more respect to the directors and writers in the film industry? If you enjoy today's episode and want to support the show, please subscribe on iTUNES or consider sharing the show with your friends which is also a n enormous help. You can also head over to iTunes and write a quick review. You can also support the show by becoming a subscriber at www.patreon.com/eddiecohn where you can access full episodes and exclusive content only available to subscribers. You can also visit my website www.iameddiecohn.com and sign up for my email list and newsletter. I also released another brand new song on Bandcamp which you can purchase by clicking HERE. You can find me on Substack by clicking HERE and as always, thanks so much for listening and supporting the show. Please reach out on Twitter or IG @eddiecohn with any questions. 

Tessa Lena

It feels like the world wants everyone to think the same way which is why I typically resonate the most with artists who help me look at life with a fresh perspective. Today on the Spiritual Spiral, I'm excited to welcome the incredibly talented writer and musician, Tessa Lena, to the show. I discovered Tessa's articles on Twitter a few months ago and I've been impressed by her passion and by the way she evokes a nuanced perspective while writing about the current state of the world. Tessa is from Moscow and she's currently living in New York so we begin by talking about the strange look of the world and why she's worried about the direction our culture seems to be headed. We discuss the value of artists speaking out against the "narrative" and Tessa talks about what has inspired her to be so outspoken during the lockdown. Tessa is also a wonderful musician so we also talk about the creative process and the impact Spotify and various streaming platforms have had on the music industry. You can find and keep up with Tessa on Twitter @tessamakeslove or you can read her articles and listen to her music on her website at www.tessafightsrobots.com and if you enjoy today's episode and you want to support the show, please subscribe on iTUNES or consider sharing the show with your friends which is also a huge help. You can also head over to iTunes and write a quick review. You can also support the show by becoming a subscriber at www.patreon.com/eddiecohn where you can access full episodes and exclusive content only available to subscribers. You can also visit my website www.iameddiecohn.com and sign up for my email list and newsletter. I also released another brand new song on Bandcamp which you can purchase by clicking HERE. You can find me on Substack by clicking HERE and as always, thanks so much for listening and supporting the show. Please reach out on Twitter or IG @eddiecohn with any questions. 

Addicted to Consumption & Entertainment

I am in the midst of reading the fantastic book, Amusing Ourselves to Death, by Neil Postman which has gotten me to think not only about television, but the evil impact of social media on our ability to think critically. And what happens if the news media isn't concerned with finding truth anymore if the goal is to merely keep you entertained. Today on the Spiritual Spiral, I begin by talking about our culture's obsession with consumption and I read a few excerpts from Neil Postman's fabulous book which despite coming out over 20 years ago, still feels relevant today. We're consuming more content than ever before, but why is our culture more passive than previous generations. Are you consuming anything that actually inspires you to be an active participant in your daily life? I also briefly talk about a powerful new podcast by Bari Weiss entitled "The Real Story of the Central Park Karen" which I strongly suggest you take a listen to by clicking HERE. I play an excerpt from a recent Bret Weinstein podcast where he and his guest are talking about the troubles that stem from living in a "conclusion driven world." I also talk about our culture's insatiable desire for fame and attention and I play a clip from a recent Marc Maron podcast where he is speaking with Joseph Gordon-Levitt about the loss of purity in creativity. If one is creating merely for likes and attention, then what does that mean for the authenticity of the creative process. A lot here to unravel on today's episode and I also end the show by playing a brand new song off my upcoming record, entitled Kill Silently. If you enjoy today's episode and you want to support the show, please subscribe on iTUNES or consider sharing the show with your friends which is also a huge help. You can also head over to iTunes and write a quick review. You can also support the show by becoming a subscriber at www.patreon.com/eddiecohn where you can access full episodes and exclusive content only available to subscribers. You can also visit my website www.iameddiecohn.com and sign up for my email list and newsletter. I also released another brand new song on Bandcamp which you can purchase by clicking HERE. You can find me on Substack by clicking HERE and as always, thanks so much for listening and supporting the show. Please reach out on Twitter or IG @eddiecohn with any questions. 

Joseph Arthur

Today on the Spiritual Spiral, I am thrilled to welcome musician, poet, painter and singer-songwriter, Joseph Arthur, to the show. I've been an enormous fan of Josephs for probably over 15 years but what has been just as impressive to me is how outspoken he's been on social media throughout the lockdown. Speaking your truth, especially when it goes against the "narrative", is certainly not for the faint of heart but Joseph puts it all out there day after day. Joseph is using social media to try and offer a nuanced and contrasting perspective and hopefully awaken people from the strange "new normal" being promulgated by the media. Joseph and I talk about our potential loss of freedom, the looming mandate being forced upon New Yorkers and we're concerned about what leaders may have in store for us next. We talk about the oddities surrounding the pandemic and we're curious why more notoriously outspoken artists like Bono are staying mum throughout the lockdown. We talk about creativity, the emotional roller coaster of social media and Joseph shares personal and revelatory stories about what it's like dealing with "haters." He also just had a new baby so he talks about the overwhelming jubilation that has come from being a new dad. It's a fantastic and vital discussion and be sure to find and support Joseph on IG @joseph_arthur or on Twitter @josepharthur. If you enjoy today's episode and you want to support the show, please subscribe on iTUNES or consider sharing the show with your friends which is also a huge help. You can also head over to iTunes and write a quick review. You can also support the show by becoming a subscriber at www.patreon.com/eddiecohn where you can access full episodes and exclusive content only available to subscribers. You can also visit my website www.iameddiecohn.com and sign up for my email list and newsletter. I also released another brand new song on Bandcamp which you can purchase by clicking HERE. You can find me on Substack by clicking HERE and as always, thanks so much for listening and supporting the show. Please reach out on Twitter or IG @eddiecohn with any questions.