Thinking With David

Matt Vest (not on social media!) is an inner and outer-journeyman, and close friend.  On today's episode, Matt digs deep and shares with us his Hero's Journey, from the initial Matrix-like call from the phone booth, to the lowest valleys in his life, to the various ceremonies and life-changing experiences he's participated in including Sessins, Vision Quests, and Shaman Rituals, and the wisdom he's encountered at every step along the way. We also dig into Elon Musk, the mind, and enlightenment! Matt is a vulnerable and compassionate individual and I appreciate him opening up and sharing his life with us. If you are seeking change, Matt offers a beautiful example of someone who is taking his path seriously but also having fun doing so!  So, without further adieu, please welcome my friend Matt Vest to the podcast! Love, David Access Early Podcast/Blog Content: Subscribe to Patreon: bit.ly/twdpatreon Subscribe to the Blog: bit.ly/twdblogsubscribe   Connect with David: Blog, Stories, Podcast & More: thinki

Bradley Lovell (@bradleyjlovell) is a thru-hiker, vagabond, and manager for a meditation center. The man, the myth, the legend returns! In this episode, Bradley and I begin by recounting our time spent on the Pacific Crest Trail, what we learned, why we did it, and end up sharing some fun stories along the way. Our original intention was to record two podcast episodes (one trail-focused episode and one current-life episode) but the two blended together into one epic, vulnerable and wide-ranging discussion. I know you will enjoy this one. So, please welcome to the podcast, Mr. Bradley Lovell! Love, David Show Notes: Richard Walker's Blog (PCT photos): http://thefakefacade.blogspot.com/ Ido Portal's Movement Culture Leo Gura's Actualized.org Access Early Podcast/Blog Content: Subscribe to Patreon: bit.ly/twdpatreon Subscribe to the Blog: bit.ly/twdblogsubscribe Connect with David: Blog, Stories, Podcast & More: thinkingwithdavid.com/ Instagram: @stay.in.alive

Alex Skold is a jiu-jitsu instructor, college friend, and flat-earther. What follows is a discussion about conspiracy, flat earth, and beliefs/fictions. Alex is a good college friend of mine who has found himself entrenched in the depths of conspiracy thinking. I did my best to listen open-mindedly and question such thinking while also remaining unbiased and fair. I invite listeners to keep a similar, non-judgemental attitude. We finish the dialogue by talking about health, diet and lifestyle. Strap yourself in for this discussion. I think you will enjoy it. Without further adieu, please welcome to the podcast, the strong, Mr. Alex Skold! Love, David Show Notes: Follow Alex on Instagram (@skoldblooded) Access Early Podcast/Blog Content: Subscribe to Patreon: bit.ly/twdpatreon Subscribe to the Blog: bit.ly/twdblogsubscribe Connect with David: Blog, Stories, Podcast & More: thinkingwithdavid.com/ Instagram: @stay.in.alive

Chuck Klinger is a man who has lived many lives. Chuck is one of the most interesting people I’ve ever met. At 82 years of age, Chuck shares stories about his time spent as a Franciscan monk, serving in the army, traveling in the corporate world, starting a manufacturing business, building sandcastles on the beaches of South Padre Island, and more recently, living the full-time life of an artist and writer. We discuss bridging the generation gap, the differences between “then and now”, success, death, legacy, and much more. I feel grateful to have had this conversation with Chuck and believe he has much wisdom to offer both young and old generations alike. I hope you listen and stay for Chuck’s final story about how to navigate and transcend conflict. Without further adieu, please welcome to the podcast, the most interesting man in the world, Mr. Chuck Klinger! Love, David PS: Full-disclosure, Chuck’s been a mentor to me in so many ways including the writing, business, and spiritual realms and we’ve been help

Holden Gibson is a digital anthropologist, writer/reader/thinker, and college friend of mine. I absolutely loved this fun and wide-ranging discussion! I was thrilled to discuss Holden’s fascinating dissertation about the logics of connection on using social media in National Parks. We then chat about the craft of writing, content creation, awesome books, and the creative process. Oh, and of course this seamlessly segued into topics like artificial intelligence, the future, politics, universal basic income and religion. Holden is a bright mind, a caring individual, and a problem solver. I think you’ll enjoy this one. So, without further adieu, please welcome to the podcast, the wise and powerful, Mr. Holden Gibson! Love, David Show Notes: Follow Holden on Instagram Holden’s Dissertation Holden’s Blog Access Early Podcast/Blog Content: Subscribe to Patreon: bit.ly/twdpatreon Subscribe to the Blog: bit.ly/twdblogsubscribe Connect with David: Blog, Stories, Podcast & More: thinkingwithdavid.com/ Instagra

David Sanchez was raised homeschooled and Young Earth Christian. David is 17 years old and well ahead of his times. He’s most curious about religion, philosophy, and “truth”, and the two of us dig deep into David’s upbringing in a hardcore Christian family, his poor childhood behavior leading to exorcisms, demons, praying in tongues, phases of non-belief, and where he stands today. I found this to be a fascinating discussion about science and religion, seeking scientific/historical truth in the Bible, the utility and confusion of interpreting stories as archetype, the importance of experience vs. intellect, and where we both stand on these subjects. I enjoyed speaking with David about his ideas and religious path. We’d love to hear your thoughts too! So, without further adieu, enjoy this dialogue of me and my friend, David Sanchez! Love, David Show Notes: Contact David Sanchez on Facebook Access Early Podcast/Blog Content: Subscribe to Patreon: bit.ly/twdpatreon Subscribe to the Blog: bit.ly/twdblogsubscr

Matt McClendon (@matt11mcclendon) is a real estate agent and ayahuasca practitioner. This dialogue was a deep dive into the ritual of ayahuasca. Sparked by my inexplicable curiosity of what drives the transformation of other beings, I talked to my friend Matt about his personal journey with psychedelics, how it relates to who he is today, and more broadly, the ability to continually fill up our metaphorical “cups.” I had many concerns about ayahuasca and we discuss ideas such as the necessity of sacrifice for growth, shortcuts and unearned wisdom. I think these concerns of mine led to a fascinating conversation. Matt’s outlook on life is brilliant. By asking of himself where he can selflessly serve others on a consistent basis, Matt has made a difference in my life and for so many others. For those seeking to reframe monotony and the repetitive nature of life, this podcast is for you. So, without further adieu, please open your mouths and sip from the medicine that is my conversation with Mr. Matt McClendon!

Jay Waxse (@waxsesun) is a fellow thinker, solar power advocate, and research assistant at NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory), a subsidiary of the U.S. Department of Energy. This was a practical and optimistic dialogue! Jay and I begin our discussion on the topic of energy and the future of solar and renewables from a scientific perspective. We then transition into energies, those things that nourish us and detract from our overall well being, as well as meditation and consciousness. May your energy thrive by listening to this podcast! Jay is an optimistic human, a vulnerable individual, and a great friend of mine. I’d been looking forward to this conversation for some time and I know you’ll enjoy his thoughts, knowledge and wisdom in the world of energy. So, without further adieu, please welcome the bright light that is my friend Mr. Jay Waxse! Love, David Show Notes: Follow Jay on Instagram Access Early Podcast/Blog Content: Subscribe to Patreon: bit.ly/twdpatreon Subscribe to the Blog: bit.ly/t

Kaitlin Sullivan (@sullivankait) is a fellow thinker and host of the People, Hell & Angels podcast.Before my friend Kaitlin departed from Austin to the city of Denver, we caught up one last time with a chat that balances the beautiful line between being entertaining, silly, informative and meaningful. We talk about how your relationships change when you tell others you’re moving, the passing of time, mind-altering states of consciousness, lucid dreaming, and much more! Thanks to Kaitlin for sitting down and offering her time before “the move.” Kaitlin is a close friend, an inquiring mind, and a wonderful listener that always seems to bring out the talker in me. So, without further adieu, please welcome to the podcast, the Angel of Denver herself, Ms. Kaitlin Sullivan! Love, David Show Notes: Follow Kaitlin on Instagram Listen to the People, Hell & Angels podcast on iTunes! Access Early Podcast/Blog Content: Subscribe to Patreon: bit.ly/twdpatreon Subscribe to the Blog: bit.ly/twdblogsubscribe Co

Conner Moore (@connerwanders) is the host of The Realness podcast.Conner is one rad dude! I've been listening to Conner sometime after he first launched his podcast in May 2017 under the name The Pleasure Monkey Podcast. A year later into this journey, he decided to change the name to The Realness to more accurately portray his ever-growing and expanding worldview. I sat down with Conner to chat about this decision, his truth, and to explore pleasure and realness.Conner is the first person I've interviewed having just met for the first time! Being much farther along the podcasting path than me, it was kind of him to take time from his day for a quick chat and have patience with me. Thanks to Conner, I had a breakthrough in this one: it's not necessarily our opinions that cause suffering, but our attachment to them. Conner is a deep wellspring of vulnerability and self-reflection and I think you'll enjoy this one. So, please welcome to the podcast, Mr. Realness himself, Conner Moore! Love, David Show Notes: F

JT Kelley (@eatingbootytakingnames) is a comedian who grew up in fundamentalist Christian schooling. This was an intriguing podcast! I first met my friend JT while working at Juiceland in Austin. My original intention of our dialogue was to chat about comedy. Instead, JT discusses what it was like to have grown up in fundamentalist Christian schooling and how that's affected him. I could have dove much deeper into some of the heated topics brought up in this conversation like socialism, communism, and fundamentalist Christianity, but chose instead to keep things light and friendly. I was previously ignorant that such schooling programs like Abeka Books and Bob Jones University existed and I'm curious to learn more about them. I'm ignorant on the subject, but it sounds strange to me that there are educational programs in the United States that aren't encouraging kids to think for themselves, are incentivizing them to protest complex issues, and perhaps even supporting leveraging them toward some sort of politi

Ricardo Palomares (@ricardopal) is a TEDx speaker, author, and explorer. When I first met Ricardo at the local gym, we immediately clicked. The stories of his Pedal South sojourn, a bike trip spanning 2 years and 18,000 miles from Alaska to South America along the Pan American Highway, reminded me of my days on the Pacific Crest Trail. But Ricardo’s story goes much deeper than that, having overcome unlikely odds throughout his life, much of which he speaks about in his popular YouTube TEDx videos entitled: “Why I Stopped Seeking Enlightenment” In our discussion, Ricardo shares his life struggles and accomplishments including his journey of becoming a speaker, identifying and escaping bad habit patterns, pushing through pain, and the creation of his recent project, the Wolfpack, where communities of men hold each other responsible to improve their lives on all fronts: mind, body, spirit, family, partner, and business. Ricardo is an inspirational individual and his story has only just begun. It was wonderful to

“The Scale? Save the scale for the doctor's office—How do you feel today? Are you feeling strong? Vibrant? Are you sleeping well? This is how we gauge health." Natalie Forster is a functional dietitian, yogi, personalized health & wellness expert and owner of Revived Roots. Before our conversation, I felt overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information and confusion surrounding nutrition these days: What diet should I subscribe to? What foods are good for eating? What does the latest research say? In an attempt to clear the clutter around how to live a healthy life, I sat down with my nutritionist friend Natalie seeking a “back to the basics" nutrition 101 course. I figured the main topic of discussion would be diet, but little did I know that diet isn't even the first stepping stone where Natalie starts with her clients on the path to wellness! Instead, we discuss the importance of the breath. Natalie offers tools, tips and techniques for how to breathe properly, why it's important for our health and well

Jon Galnarez is an ex-Jehovah’s Witness. A huge thanks to Jon for openly discussing what is likely a personal and sensitive topic for many: his childhood growing up in Jehovah’s Witness, becoming a high-ranking member of the congregation, the various beliefs of the Witnesses, and the details surrounding his eventual disfellowshipping. It was fascinating to learn about this religion, a belief system banned in Russia and Spain, that encompasses anywhere from 1 - 2.5 million believers in the United States (just under 1% of the population) and 8 million worldwide. My hope is that by listening to this episode we are all better informed and no matter our ideologies or religions, we see value in the individual and bring them closer to us for connection and conversation instead of casting them farther away. Love,David Show Notes: Follow Jon on Twitter, Instagram and Twitch Access Early Podcast/Blog Content: Subscribe to Patreon: bit.ly/twdpatreon Subscribe to the Blog: bit.ly/twdblogsubscribe  Connect with David:

Miles Neslaw is a vagabond, train-hopper, dumpster diver and world traveler. “If you think your life is boring, change it.” -Miles Neslaw Don’t let the length of this episode deter you from listening as it’s a saga filled with sketchy, dangerous and insightful/inspirational stories... I first met Miles under the trailname “Oz” while hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in 2015 when he was 19 years old. Since that time, Miles has continued adventuring, living off the waste of civilization and building his life resume. Miles discusses his many highs and lows of the past three years while hopping freight trains, living in the vigilante, makeshift desert town of Slab City, escaping South-East Asian police on a motorbike, and his personal journey with trusting his intuition. It was wonderful to reconnect with Miles after so much time and I wish him safety and growth as he continues to push the boundaries of global adventure. Without further adieu, hop aboard this train and get ready to ride one hell of a rollercoaster a

Patrick Cink (@p_inthecink) is a close college friend, runner, and fellow thinker. Having just returned from a two-week solo sojourn through Europe, Pat relays his adventures wandering through the endless halls of the Louvre, struggling hard with the language gap, attending an epic ballet, and much, much more. We also discuss journaling, presence, how to increase your running mileage, and Pat’s Big Announcement for next year. Let’s hold him to it! :) We shared many laughs on this entertaining podcast episode and end the conversation on a special note. So, without further adieu, open your minds, loosen that jaw, and get ready to laugh alongside my hilarious, kind and thoughtful friend, Pat Cink!  Love, David Show Notes: Follow Pat on Instagram Books/Resources Mentioned: Marie Kondo, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up Headspace, guided meditation app Naval Ravikant: Podcast episode Christopher McDougall, Born to Run Elliott Hulse: Doing vs Receiving video David Goggins: Instagram Tao Te Ching Access Earl

John Reynolds (@johnharperreynolds) is an actor in pursuit of his Personal Legend. This episode is a refreshingly honest look into the soul of a wonderful individual. My good friend John is leaving Austin to pursue an acting career in LA, a leap that has earned him a mixed bag of resistance and support. John’s radical vulnerability shines bright in our dialogue as we dive into his feelings and thoughts on the fear of failure and giving ourselves permission to follow our dreams.  The omens surrounding this episode were too great to be left unspoken. Despite being recorded three weeks ago, today’s episode airs on John’s planned departure date, which also aligns with his one year anniversary of abstaining from alcohol. I’m excited for him as he embarks onto this next stage of his life and proud of his bravery and willingness to share his thoughts with us all. It’s not every day that we get to hear from an individual in the moments before his leaping into the unknown.  I’m grateful and inspired by John’s honesty

Scott Bihorel is a wedding singer, teacher of English and meditator. This is a special on the road, “before and after” episode in which Scott and I discuss our expectations on the way to an eight-day silent meditation retreat held in Kaufman, TX, then reconvene afterward to discuss the experience. Along the way, Scott shares his auspicious story of finding meditation while soulsearching and backpacking in Colombia, his experience healing psychosomatic pain, the arcs of inspiration, and how to rise above traffic jams with ease. Also, a truck almost backed into us. Afterward, it was quite the experience to speak after eight days of silence, so please forgive my overexcitement. :) Scott and I shared many laughs, impressions, silly voices and thoughts about lucid dreaming that were not caught on record. Needless to say, his presence made the journey that much more delightful. If you ever need a wedding singer, particularly one who sings in fluent Spanish, or a wise friend, then contact Scott. So, please welcome t

Mark Kelton (@markaustinkelton) is a musician and former urban yogi/monk/scholar. In this mind-bending episode, Mark details his inner-transformation in which he re-learned everything by means of seclusion, deep studies, manipulating diet and breath, practicing yoga and meditation, all in search of the answer to the question... what is reality? We also delve into the meaning of dreams, morality, the Absolute Truth, information vs. knowledge, freeing ourselves from distraction, and maximal daily growth. Mark is an endless wellspring of information and experienced wisdom. I highly recommend listening to this episode and Mark’s recommended reading list in the show notes. Stick around for the very end when Mark performs an original song for us. It’s easy to grow tired of telling one’s story, but I’m grateful Mark graciously and excitedly walked me through this saga for the benefit of many. So, without further adieu, please open your minds, surrender your dogmas and find your Knowledge alongside the Beingness of m

Cristina Schooler (@rootedmethod) is an entrepreneur, outdoorswoman, and adventure junky. Cristina is the owner of a small business called Rooted Method, a service providing transformative outdoor retreats to national parks like Zion, Big Bend and Desolation Wilderness in California while also operating locally here in Austin, Texas. Led by Cristina’s fiery passion, we discuss being honest with our attachments, thriving in a childlike manner, the challenges of starting a business, and her time soloing through the Alaskan backcountry. Cristina also has some refreshing advice when it comes to sleep and using the outdoors to cultivate calmness and contentedness. I'm super excited to share this conversation you and want to thank Cristina for giving her time to come indoors and chat with us. Hiker trash warning! :) May we allow our hearts and minds to be filled by Cristina's endless supply of energy and wisdom! Without further adieu, please welcome to the podcast, the sage hiker, Cristina Schooler! Love,David Show