Dreams can't be caught unless they are chased, and eccentricity is but a symptom of brilliance.
I interview extraordinary people who forge their own path, make their own rules, and live outside the norms of society. Together, we can learn from each other. Remember, foolish people keep making the same mistakes, smart people learn from their mistakes and successes, and extraordinary people learn from the mistakes and successes of both themselves and of others. That is what Dream Chasers and Eccentrics is all about!
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Ep. 122, Author Libbie Grant, aka Olivia Hawker, The Ragged Edge of Night
Libbie Grant, who also write under the pan name Olivia Hawker, is a Washington Post best-selling author of historical fiction and literary fiction. I recently read her novel "The Ragged Edge of Night," which tells the story of a Franciscan Friar in Nazi Germany struggling to maintain his sense of morals and doing what he can to thwart the efforts of the Nazis. Libbie has written and published 46 books under various pen name and is one of my favorite modern authors.
We talk about the real-life story that inspired "The Ragged Edge of Night," the research that went into the book, how it relates to modern politics and the current rise of fascism in the USA, entering the dark side and how it leads to fascism, the value of being unpredictable, blind faith, religion, her book "The Prophet's Wife," Mormons, Joseph Smith, publishing, writing historical fiction, self-publishing vs traditional publishing, editing and marketing, her book about marketing writing "Gotta Read It," marketing tips for writers, Amazon and Facebook ads, how to generate word-of-mouth, how many days a week and hours a day she writes, short stories, artificial intelligence and how not to get replaced by it, and more.
Ep. 121, Intuitive Healing, Inna Segal
Inna Segal is a pioneer in the field of energy medicine and human consciousness. She is also the bestselling author of "The Secret Language of Your Body," which has been translated into 26 languages and has sold over a million copies worldwide.
We talk about her roots as a healer, clairvoyance, pain, anxiety, meditation, exercise, living consciously, intuitive healing, food choices, understanding what gets into our bodies, emotional wisdom and how to improve it, learning from other people's mistakes, narcissism, boundaries, her book "The Secret Language of Your Body," color, how there is always an opportunity to learn and grow, and more.
Ep. 120, Thom Barrett, Adventures and Insights: Finding Light in Uncertainty
Thom Barrett is an adventurer, cancer survivor, and the author of several books: "Living While Dying," "Chasing My Northern Lights." "Embracing the Cold," "The Strength of Surrender," and "Beyond the Blueprint." His stories of resilience, adventure, and self-discovery empower readers to navigate life’s adversities, cherish their experiences, and uncover the beauty in unexpected places.
We talk about ski mountaineering in the alps, hiking in Patagonia, hubris, accepting help, making friends while traveling, the value of being still in the wilderness, diving, places where people don't go, predecessor energy, preparing for death, kayaking in the arctic and antarctic, penguins, orcas, polar bears, Greenland, expedition cruises, embracing the cold, winter camping, nearly dying in an avalanche while helicopter skiing, dying on your own terms, and more.
Ep. 119, Lucid Dreams and Nightmares, Ian Wallace, Dreams and What they Mean
Ian Wallace is a dream psychologist who has also worked professionally as a North Sea oil-rig roughneck, mountain guide, session musician, fashion photographer, commercial pilot, military psychologist, relationship counsellor, child psychologist, celebrity psychologist and artificial intelligence inventor. His knowledge of dreams and his ability to articulate this is extraordinary.
We talk about dreams and what they mean, the conscious vs the subconscious, how dreams are the language of the unconscious, lucid dreams, how to deal with nightmares, how a bedroom should be set up to improve sleep, blue light, how alcohol affects sleep, the cycle of dreaming, how we create dreams, analogies between drams and waking life, characters in dreams, spirit, the liminal state, near death experiences, the meanings of various common dreams, recurring dreams, how our instinctive behavior affects our dreams, and more.
Ep. 118, WV Democrat Party Chair Mike Pushkin
Mike Pushkin is a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates and is the WV Democrat Party Chair. I've known Mike for a long time, and he is a good, honest man. He is also a musician, a former taxi driver, and a fellow sober person.
We talk about why elections matter, the top of the ticket vs the bottom of the ticket, substance-abuse issues, addiction and recovery, a day in the life of a delegate, representing the people, division of Americans, what we all have in common, the joy to be found in politics, driving a taxi, what one person can do to make a change in the world, SNAP, protests, the demolition of the White House's East Wing, social media, propaganda, white supremacist groups, communism, fascism, bombing boats in Venezuela, due process, keeping a standard of ethics in politics, coal mining, renewable energy, ICE, voter intimidation, authoritarian regimes and how the Trump administration is moving in this direction, the importance of everyone paying attention, empathy, music, and more.
Ep. 117, Filmmaker Elliott Hasler, Vindication Swim, the Story of Mercedes Gleitz
Elliott Hasler wrote, directed, and filmed "Vindication Swim," the story of Mercedes Gleitz, the first British woman to swim the English Channel. He also wrote and directed "WWII: The Long Road Home," which opened in the USA and the UK, and for which Elliott was praised as "perhaps the next Spielberg." "Vindication Swim" opened in select theaters October 17.
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We talk about filming the movie, swimming, inspiration, having the confidence to spend a year making a film, being self-taught, writing, the challenge of shooting at sea, boats, cameras, jellyfish, sharks, and more.
Ep. 116, Karma and Frequency, Tina Erwin
After the previous episode with Scott Wells and Tina Erwin, I realized Tina and I had a lot more to talk about. The subject of Karma and Frequency came up and I was intrigued. After learning that she had written a book on this, titled "Karma and Frequency," I scheduled another interview with her, got the book, and read it. One could argue that nothing in life is more important than managing our karma, since it determines our "luck," how much we enjoy life, where we go after we die, and what happens after we die.
Tina and I talk about Christianity and Buddhism and how there is no religion in the afterlife, universal truths, the Dalai Lama, Martin Luther, how every person can be their own personal connection to God without intermediaries, the importance of living without the guilt imposed upon followers of some religions, the Urantia Book, predescessor energy, karma, reincarnation, why we shouldn't fear judgement, signs, past lives, the power of thoughts, how to deal with horrible people, surrounding yourself with angels, why angels are standing by waiting for us to ask for their help (they earn karma for helping us), the danger of alcohol and how addiction drops your frequency, how we can improve our karma and raise our frequency, prayer, our ultimate mission here on Earth, and more.
Ep. 115, Portals, Ghosts, and the Fourth Dimension, Tina Erwin and Scott Wells
You might remember Tina Erwin from the episode Ghost Helper Tina Erwin April 2024. She is a retired Commander in the US Navy who has had psychic abilities since she was a child. She is now know for helping ghosts, who she explains are souls trapped on Earth, pass on to Heaven. After last week’s interview with Scott Wells where we discussed his Ouija Board experience and his book "Marked by the Ouija," I thought I should have them on together to gain some more insight into ghosts, Ouija boards, and Scott’s experience. What follows is a discussion between the three of us, and it’s mostly Tina and Scott discussing what happened (in the story he told in the previous episode and why and who the ghost might have been, and the dangers of Ouija Boards and Tarot cards and other portals. It is truly a fascinating conversation, so open your mind and prepare to take in some knowledge from another side of reality.
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🌌 Key Takeaways
1. Understanding Portals as Energy Gateways
Tina Erwin describes portals as energetic gateways that connect different dimensions or realms of existence. These can sometimes open unintentionally through trauma, spiritual activity, or even architectural design, allowing energies or entities to move between planes. The conversation explores how these phenomena might explain sudden cold spots, feelings of presence, or recurring hauntings.
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2. The Fourth Dimension and Layers of Reality
The “fourth dimension” is framed not only in physical or scientific terms but also as a higher vibrational or spiritual realm. The hosts discuss how certain experiences—ghost sightings, déjà vu, or intuitive flashes—might occur when human perception momentarily overlaps with this dimension, revealing that reality may be far more layered than it appears.
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3. Ghosts as Souls in Transition
Erwin, a psychic medium, suggests that many ghostly manifestations are souls trapped between worlds, often confused or unable to cross into the next stage of existence. She explains that these energies may linger near familiar people or places, and can sometimes communicate or cause disturbances to draw attention to their situation.
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4. Healing and Crossing Over Spirits
One of Erwin’s key themes is the ethical responsibility of helping spirits move on. She talks about practices for clearing or healing spaces and guiding lost souls through compassion and intention—viewing such work as a form of spiritual service rather than superstition.
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5. Portals in Everyday Life
The hosts emphasize that portals are not only found in mystical locations—they can also exist in ordinary homes, particularly in places with strong emotional imprints. They share anecdotes of rooms that feel “charged” or uncomfortable until these energies are acknowledged and balanced.
6. Balancing Skepticism and Belief
Both guests stress the importance of discernment. While openness to the unknown is essential, Erwin and Wells warn against blind acceptance of every claim. Instead, they advocate a blend of intuition, spiritual awareness, and critical thinking when approaching paranormal topics.
7. The Role of Science and Metaphysics
They touch on how metaphysical ideas might one day intersect with quantum physics—especially theories suggesting that multiple dimensions or timelines coexist. The fourth dimension, in this sense, could represent an energetic field science has yet to measure but that sensitives may already perceive.
8. Personal Growth Through the Paranormal
Beyond ghost stories, the conversation frames paranormal exploration as a path for self-awareness. Encounters with the unseen can teach people about fear, compassion, and the nature of consciousness, ultimately encouraging a more holistic understanding of existence.
9. Reassessing Life, Death, and Reality
The episode closes by inviting listeners to view life and death as parts of a larger continuum. The presence of ghosts or interdimensional beings may not signify horror, but rather the vast, interconnected structure of the universe—where consciousness persists beyond physical form.
Ep. 113, A Terrifying Ouija Board Experience, Scott Wells, Marked by the Ouija
Scott grew up in a small town in Idaho. When he was 16 years old, he bought a Ouija board. His friends got to it before he did, and while he was at work, they had an experience so terifying that they burned the board. This is just the beginning of a story so enthralling and scary that I got goosebumps several times during the interview. The book, "Marked by the Ouija," is based on this experience. I also scheduled another interview with Scott in conjunction with Tina Erwin, the "ghost helper," who I interviewed on this podcast 4/18/2024 (see episode here), which will be on the show next week (if all goes as planned). I'm expecting that Tina will have some valuable insights into Scott's experience with the Ouija board and the ghost he and his friends interacted with. This is a fascinating and eye-opening interview, however, it's a bit scary and might be unnerving. Scott stressed that the Ouija board is real and it's not a toy. He has developed a set of rules or protocol for safe use of the board. Using the Ouija contrary to the protocol, he says, leads to a negative experience which can include a spirit atttaching itself to your life. Scott also invites anyone who has had a Ouija Board experience
