Dr. CD on X

In this episode, I sit down with Lee Shapiro—whitewater kayaker, visionary artist, and author of The Art of Melting Conflict in All Relationships—for a soulful, wide-ranging conversation about how to live fully, love deeply, and meet conflict with compassion rather than control.

Lee’s approach to life and relationships aligns deeply with my project Live for the Death You Hope to Have. Together, we explore how living unarmored and emotionally present can transform not only our relationships, but our sense of purpose and peace.

We talk about:

• How to reframe conflict as a mirror instead of a threat

• Shadow work, inner critics, and compassionate witnessing

• Heart-centered honesty and non-defensive communication

• Daily practices for emotional self-awareness and balance

• The creative flow of painting, silence, nature, and kayaking

• What near-death experiences teach us about living with intention
  

From Buddhist wisdom to evolutionary psychology, Lee brings decades of insight on how to soften into our humanity—without losing clarity, boundaries, or courage.

If you're seeking practical tools and deep reflection on how to live a life you won’t regret, this episode is a rich and resonant guide.

#DrCD #Earthroot #TheGathering2040 #TMB60 #LiveForTheDeathYouHopeToHave #MeltingConflict #HeartCenteredLiving #CreativeFlow #LeeShapiro #TheArtofMeltingConflict

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Dr. CD on X

In this 59th episode of Mental Breakthrough, I sit down with life coach and speaker Brad Glantz for a no-holds-barred exploration of masculinity, manipulation, emotional honesty, and the spiritual roots of change. Brad isn’t just talking about healing — he’s doing it in real time, publicly and unfiltered, and in this conversation, we dive deep into what it means to become the person you're trying to speak from.

We unpack what it feels like to show up raw, unscripted, and imperfect in the public eye — especially when you're still evolving. Brad opens up about past patterns of manipulation, people-pleasing, and the masks men wear, not out of malice but out of survival. He explains how these behaviors often masquerade as kindness or honesty — and what it takes to dismantle them with care, especially in the context of intimate relationships.

We talk about masculinity, not as dominance or control, but as presence, responsibility, and the strength to be seen. Brad shares how his own journey through heartbreak, guilt, and growth has shaped the integrated partnership he’s now in — a relationship where both the animal self and the spiritual self are invited in full. We explore how masculinity and femininity aren't fixed roles but energies we all carry — and what it looks like when those energies find balance.

From there, we spiral outward into the themes that keep me anchored as a host: death, Buddhism, impermanence, and the evolutionary psychology behind why we feel what we feel — and how those feelings point us toward transformation. We reflect on how past shame becomes karmic teaching, how confronting mortality sharpens clarity, and how authenticity is less about being perfect and more about dropping the script.

This conversation is deeply personal for both of us — and, I hope, deeply useful for anyone navigating relationships, growth, or the constant becoming that life demands. Whether you're into mindfulness, modern masculinity, trauma recovery, spiritual psychology, or just tired of playing roles that no longer serve you, this one’s for you.

#Masculinity #Authenticity #EmotionalHealing #Buddhism #EvolutionaryPsychology #SpiritualGrowth #RelationshipWisdom #Karma #InnerWork #ModernManhood #ShadowWork #DeathAndDying #DrCD #Earthroot #TheGathering2040 #TMB59 #LifeCoach #BradGlantz

G. Scott Graham

Dr. CD on X

This conversation lit me up.

In this episode, I talk with the unforgettable G. Scott Graham—coach, author, firefighter, Tai Chi teacher, existential handyman, and someone who lives at the rare intersection of Buddhism and badassery. We explore what it really means to metabolize experience, to adapt rather than just awaken, and to live in rigorous alignment with our values.

We cover so much ground: from how to write your first book (and why you shouldn't worry about getting it right), to the mindset that helps us survive emotional shipwrecks, to what it means to live for the death you want to have. Scott shares stories from the Appalachian Trail, his coaching practice, MDMA-assisted grief work, and even his upcoming post-hip-replacement obstacle race. This episode is a masterclass in choosing challenge with wisdom, pausing with purpose, and embracing your core truths while still growing.

It also gets personal. I share how my dissertation on death made me realize I was a terrible listener—and how that led me here. We talk about grief, transformation, and the unexpected clarity that comes from witnessing mortality up close. Scott also breaks down his take on reverse-engineering a meaningful life by identifying values through your bucket list, and why pushing our limits (wisely) matters so much.

If you're navigating reinvention, craving real talk about death, discipline, creativity, or just wondering what it means to live fully—this one's for you.

#DeathAndDying #PurposeDrivenLife #WritingJourney #ExistentialCoaching #BuddhismAndGrowth #PersonalGrowth #LifeDesign #PodcastConversation #BucketListReimagined #ReverseEngineeringLife #ConsciousLiving #LegacyMindset #DrCD #Earthroot #TMB58 #CDSuntree #TheGathering2040