What if you could experience the majestic Annapurna Circuit without spending a fortune? Let us take you on a captivating journey through Nepal's Himalayan treasures, where we reveal essential tips on group planning, navigating Nepal's trekking legalities, and choosing the best time to embark on this adventure.we delve into high-altitude trials and …

Is empathy truly scarce, or are we simply running low on energy to act on it? In this eye-opening episode of Speak Plainly, I'll challenge the prevailing belief that empathy is limited in our world. Instead, I argue that empathy is abundant but often goes untapped due to the finite nature of our human energy. Drawing inspiration from Darwin’s insig…

Ever flown to the other side of the world to spend time with someone and then get ghosted? I now have. Or ever found yourself up late at night, belting out Celine Dion songs with a new lover who feels like a mirror to your past? Join me, Owl Medicine, as I kick off Season Three of the Speak Plainly podcast by sharing my heartfelt reflections from a…

This is the last Podcast episode in this format for a while. I hope you like it. We do some house keeping up front followed by a quick word of grieving thanks to recent unfortunate circumstances. Speak Plainly Podcast will be on a temporary hold in this format. I am headed on an adventure! I'm setting off to explore the wonders of Nepal, Ladakh, Ta…

Through personal stories and reflections, this episode illuminates the often unseen battle between our need for attachment and the quest for our truest selves. We'll explore the 'doer', 'hostile', 'darkness', 'ghost' and 'are we good?' personalities, understanding how each one acts as a suit of armor, originally crafted in childhood to protect us, …

Ever wanted to NOT care what someone else thinks? Doesn't that sound nice? Have you even stopped yourself from doing or asking something important to you because you were afraid what someone might think or how they might judge you? How cool would it be to no longer be bothered by what other people think? How awesome and freeing would it be to no lo…

Join me as we journey into the heart of inherited trauma, bridging the gap between science and spirituality by bringing clarity to a nebulous but very important topic. This episode I talk about the types on inherited trauma: inter-generational trauma inherited trauma collective trauma cultural trauma Together we explore the way that trauma and its …

We've unraveled the storied tapestry that is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and its classical roots, delving into a philosophy that views health through the intricate lens of relationships, rather than isolated symptoms. The principles of yin and yang serve as the bedrock of this episode, providing a foundation for understanding how every aspec…

Today we confront the stark reality that our understanding of human behavior could be deeply skewed. With an overwhelming majority of psychological studies based on a narrow demographic slice of humanity, the WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic) bias raises profound questions about the universality of research findings. T…

If you find yourself attracted to broken toxic people there is one harsh reality that you must understand. YOU ARE TOXIC TOO! No exceptions. This heart-to-heart is an ultimate call to arms against the cycle of toxicity we're all too familiar with. It's about transforming our empathy into sympathy that doesn't just resonate, but also alleviates, the…

In a conversation that's as timely as it is timeless, my incredible friend Jess and I unpack the notion that "The Revolution is Personal Evolution." With Presidents Day providing the backdrop and Black History Month lending its rich context, we couldn't have chosen a more opportune moment to dive into this transformative topic. By revisiting the le…

. We delve into the subconscious processes that drive this quest not as a deliberate pursuit of unhappiness, but as a manifestation of preexisting emotional struggles. As we navigate the complexities of these emotional mechanisms, I introduce a mantra that encourages a shift from blame to understanding, shedding light on how perceived malice might …

Our esteemed guest, Trip Omashanti, author and yogi, joins me to illuminate this complex picture, where ancient yoga sutras converse with the language of modern psychology. We traverse the landscapes of Sanskrit scholarship to understand the subtle echoes of trauma embedded within terms such as samskaras and vasanas, revealing connections that tran…

Growing up, I never realized that my constant quest for approval was a beacon of my blurred childhood, where I often stepped into shoes too big for my little feet to fill. Today's episode peels back the layers of parentification, a complex journey many of us unknowingly embark on when thrust into adult roles too soon. Through stories and insights, …

As the winter chill sets in, emotions can run as deep and cold as the season itself. I'm Al Medicine, your host, inviting you to join me on a personal journey through the stark landscape of grief. During an extraordinary cold snap in the Pacific Northwest, with nothing but silence for company, my thoughts wandered to the loss of my cherished dog, K…

I kept hearing that seed oils were bad for me but no one ever really said why... or how. So I wanted to know. I dove into the science to find the mechanisms of action of seed oils supposed negative effect in the body. So in this episode were doing a little bit of biochemistry but only a little. We're pouring the facts on seed oils, those omnipresen…

Are you feeling adrift on life's tumultuous sea, constantly tossed about by the opinions of others? We've all been there. But what if we told you that you could reclaim your self-worth and emerge stronger from life's challenges? On this episode of Speak Plainly, we're getting real about self-worth, self-esteem, and self-respect. We'll unpack the fi…

Ever felt alone in a crowded room? You're not alone. In this deeply personal and insightful episode of the Speak Plainly podcast, we confront the often ignored yet pervasive issue of loneliness head-on. We'll take you through an expedition of the mind, unraveling the complexities of loneliness, its many facades, and the deep-seated causes that give…

Coming home for the holidays after a long absence? I've been there, and I know the trepidation that can come along with those family reunions. I haven't been home for Christmas since my brother's death in 2007 and, trust me, I'm grappling with my own set of concerns. This episode is all about how to navigate these complex family dynamics during the…

Welcome Back! Todays episode explores where do our values come from? What informs what we believe to be right or wrong? What influences what we hold near and dear to our hearts? There are some obvious answers like our family and our culture. But where did they get it from? There had to be an origin right? even if arbitrary as a beginning point ther…

This episode is all about the process I went through writing Rethinking Broken. If you want to know what its like as a first time author writing a book this is the episode for you. Things covered. the time line what to do about an editor as a self published author. what software programs you might need. things to expect tips and tricks to make thin…

Childhood trauma didn't break you it trained you. Childhood trauma and with it chronic stress shapes our biology and by extension our lives. My book Rethinking Broken discusses my journey from believing i was one of the most broken people in the world to knowing what I actually am: Chronic Stress Adapted. Check it out to hear what the book before b…

Have you ever wondered how you keep doing things right. But you arent making any progress? does it ever feel like you can handle anything but still you get no where? The reason is probably this podcast. Support the Show. Music by Wutaboi Email us at speakplainlypodcast@gmail.com Patreon www.patreon.com Buy me a coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/owlmed…

This Episode is another personal favorite of mine. Buckle in for this one! Have you ever wondered how the whole world, everything we see small touch and remember somehow got into our heads? and how do I even know it's real? or accurate? spoiler alert: color is a construct! This episode is a look at Illusions & what they teach us about perception Th…

Do you have loving parents that you know did their best? Yet somehow you seem to be living with a bunch of signs of trauma? Well if you suffer from all the signs of trauma but cant pin point exactly where its coming from... Chances are pretty good that there stemming from what is called Proximal Abandonment. Proximal abandonment -is what happens wh…

In this episode I cover something that's been on my mind for years. How the patriarchy hurts men. Its not just women who are injured by this antiquated system. Here's the thing... The patriarchy doesn't actually promote men. The patriarchy promotes toxicity. the patriarchy doesn't care what you have between your legs. They care about how sociopathi…

This episode is story time. I have finally published my first book and my inner reaction is... subdued. I def feel the imposter syndrome but this time its more cognitive that emotional. Here's what i think is the why behind it. Support the Show. Music by Wutaboi Email us at speakplainlypodcast@gmail.com Patreon www.patreon.com Buy me a coffee at ww…

If you want to stop procrastinating this is for you. In this episode you learn: There are 3 kinds of procrastination Idealistic Consequence Operational Each have a different way to over come it. Check out the episode to learn how to figure out which type your doing and a proven strategy to overcome it! Support the Show. Music by Wutaboi Email us at…

This extra hard hitting episode explores the reality of why most people have no discipline and how to get some. We uncover the biological reasons why you don't have the discipline you want to do the harder things. We go over the common pitfalls we all face when trying to do the hard thing. Included is a scientifically supported protocol for anyone …

If you're anything like i me when I first heard this it may have gone in one ear and out the other. Maybe you got it immediately. Or Maybe you're like me and you thought to yourself "HA! I don't think so. People are the reason I'm depressed!" In this episode we do what we usually do and we explore the biological sub-strait that makes this little ph…

This weeks episode is an exploration of biological principles and critical thinking. Using these two things I explore: The concepts of introversion and extroversion colloquially Why they can be misleading Social Homeostasis Intro and extroversion contrasted with conditioning Why confusing introversion and anti social is a recipe for disaster. Suppo…

Welcome to a personal favorite episode of mine. This podcast is about all things that matter but specifically the things that matter in life after trauma. This episode hits that theme hard There is no other questions as powerful or as infuriating as why is. Any scientist will tout its importance while a young parent its futility. But in trauma, its…

This episode is a little different and a lot short than our usual fare. But that's purposeful. If I spend all our time focusing on the big heavy and negative I will become that. So to balance my obsession with facts, data, biology and trauma I love to come up with crack pot ideas for things. I don't need to be told any crazy conspiracy theory. I ca…

This weeks episode covers the theory that underlies nearly everything new we've learned about developmental trauma and neurobiology in the last 25 years. Introduced to the scientific community in 1995 Steven Porges Polyvagal theory explains the function of the autonomic nervous system through the lens of evolution and the progressive development of…

ADHD is probably the most talked about subject on mental health tiktok and insta reels. But a lot of what I see about it only discusses the manifestations and the struggles. I was diagnosed with it as a kid and wanted to have a full length discussion about what ADHD really is. Not just what ADHD influencers say it is. In this episode we cover: ADD …

It's exactly what it sounds like. This episode is about a harsh truth that drives me to be the person I am. It may sound extreme but it a very logical leap for more people than you might think. If you believe hurt people hurt people then this is true for you too. Email us at: speakplainlypodcast@gmail.com Music by Wutaboi Patreon www.patreon.com Bu…

When most people think of therapy, whats often envisioned is talking to a man lying on a couch, and now through our phones. But the therapy we often envision is whats considered talk therapy. Which has remained largely unchanged since Freud. Now we have new types of therapy, that are directed to solving our problems ourselves by focusing on skill d…

In this episode we discuss how although feelings and thoughts are not the same, they can feel like it. Especially at first. So we discuss how feelings and thoughts are very closely related but if they are not separated as they arise it can cause problems. In order to solve those problems I talk about 2 ways that we can begin to separate the two for…

Today's episode is about the hidden War that is destroying the mental health of the modern world and is responsible for the majority of trauma as children. Attachment is the need and desire for closeness both physical and emotional for the purposes of care taking or being taken care of. Authenticity is the ability to know ones self and have the pow…

Happy New year everyone! This weeks podcast is about my personal new years resolution. As a coach and clinician I am good at both compassion and accountability. But I would be better at both if I could hold both at the same time. So in 2023 I will be working on blending those two oppositions. The yin and yang. the hard and soft. In this episode we …

We are back with another episode just in time for Christmas. Its a hard time for many people out there. If its hard for you youre not alone. Today's episode covers finding little ways to bring your self some cheer. I call it collecting little happy's. Sometimes when life is hard and you cant make it easier all we can do is to try to adjust our base…

Life is one big messy experiment. Maybe you dont think it is? Maybe you have a path that you inherited that works for you. Your world views and dreams have stayed consistent since childhood. If so good for you. This episode is for the rest of us. Those of us who have no idea what were doing and neither does anyone else. Were just doing the best we …

Today's episode is a continuation of last weeks topic. Emotions are logical. In fact emotions are bio-logical. Emotions use a different set of data to read a situation than our logical minds use. Emotions run on subconscious data. The rational mind uses concrete consciously known information to make its predictions. Two machines with the same goal …

Were back with season 2! and it's that time of year again. Time visit folks that we may not like much. When we get mad at them and it seems like we are overreacting it helps to remember emotions ARE logical. They are bio- logical in fact. Todays episode is all about using "emotions are logical" as a lens to keep us from blaming ourselves for our re…

Today's Episode is all about regulation. What exactly are we regulating (the nervous system) why and how can we do it best? All these are answered and much more. ATTENTION: Speedy Self Re-Regulation Webinar 7 Dec 22!! I'm offering a free webinar to all my Patreon supporters. Whether you support the book or the podcast its time you get bonus value f…

Some days are crap. I think we all know that. But for chronic stress adapted people we have bad days more often than others. Sometimes if we are lucky our bad days can turn into good days. but most of the time it wont. So what do we do then? That's what today's podcast is about. I woke up and spent the first 90 minutes of my day crying. But I made …

Last weeks episode was on boundaries and this weeks episode is an extension of the theme. We are exploring Non-Negotiable boundaries! This type of boundary I personally believe to be very important for Chronic Stress Adapted people especially early in our healing journey. As animals we all naturally protect the wounds we've suffered. If we switch t…

Todays episode is all about boundaries. This episode explores what they are why we need them and why everyone is so bad at them. We also cover why boundaries can be extra difficult for people with stressful childhoods or chronic stress adapted people. If you are bad at taking care of your own needs while great at helping everyone elses you may have…

Hey everybody and welcome back! Sorry for our extended absence but have we got a show for you. Today's topic is exploring guilt and shame. We talk about where these feeling come from what purpose they serve and which one we should avoid at all costs. Music by Wutaboi Patreon www.patreon.com Buy me a coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/owlmedicine Social…

Hey everybody we're back with another Episode! This one is about why we fall in love with, date and marry the WRONG person! WE all do it. We don't really have a choice it seems. Ive taken notes over the years on relationship trends. And I've taken what I know about psychology attachment theory developmental psychology and and the biology of behavio…