The Observatory | Discovery of Consciousness & Awareness

The Observatory Podcast
  • 5.0 (67)
  • ALTERNATIVE HEALTH
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In the world of structure, stress, and seemingly meaningless tasks, it can be easy for one to feel lost and empty. Move beyond career success and access true mental wellness and personal fulfillment as we take you through the landscape of the emotions and personal discoveries that shape who we are. The Observatory podcast, is a space for authentic discussions, dedicated to helping you discover or rediscover meaning in your life. Rooted in the wisdom of their own experiences, our hosts Scott and LaRae Wright started their journeys as accomplished executives, with their successful and lucrative 9-5 jobs with Fortune 100 companies and in the finance industry. Unsatisfied with restrictive environments that demanded a disconnected, curated self, these successes gave them meaningful insights into who they weren’t and led them to the path of truly empowered self-discovery. Their journeys have opened their eyes to the possibilities of their own futures and they want to help you do the same. Each week, join us in our commitment to helping you navigate everything from entrepreneurial dreams to personal transformation with stronger clarity of who you truly are.

  1. 23H AGO

    Prayer as Medicine — Scott & LaRae on Words, Gratitude, and Intentional Asking

    In this episode of the Observatory Podcast, Scott and LaRae Wright sit down for a short, intimate conversation about prayer—not as a rule-bound ritual, but as a living practice shaped by words, intention, gratitude, and alignment. They unpack how prayer can evolve beyond fear-based asking, and why the language we use—internally and out loud—can land as either medicine or venom. If you’ve ever felt conflicted about prayer, spirituality, or how to “talk to the Divine,” this episode offers a grounded reframe you can actually use. Timestamps [00:00:18] Scott introduces the topic: prayer (and why this conversation may surprise you) [00:01:20] Setting the scene: a quiet Sunday afternoon, post–Valentine’s Day reflections [00:04:39] Scott shares a moment from his men’s group that sparked this episode [00:08:39] What prayer meant growing up: structure, habit, and fear-based “asking” [00:10:07] When prayer feels like a ritual—or a task—instead of communication [00:13:30] Reframing prayer: intention, energy, and how words shape experience [00:19:34] Gratitude as a shared frequency: how prayer can create resonance [00:20:58] Scott reads a prayer that shifted his relationship with “prayer language” [00:24:39] “Toxic positivity”: when words sound good but aren’t aligned underneath [00:29:20] The line that hits: “no venom passes my lips” and why it matters [00:30:16] Venom as poison: what words can do once they’re released [00:34:46] Emotional regulation, balance, and not getting stuck in heavy energy [00:39:05] Closing takeaway: your words are either venom or medicine Notable Quotes “It felt more like a ritual or maybe a task. Task that I had to do.” – Scott Wright [10:07]“Well, it creates a resonance like a song would. Those words create a resonance.” – LaRae Wright [19:48]“So no venom passes my lips and no destruction results from my speech.” – Scott Wright [21:50]“That venom is like poison. It’s not retractable.” – Scott Wright [30:16]“Just everyone pay attention to your words. Pay attention to whether they are venom or medicine.” – Scott Wright [39:05] Relevant links: Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcast Produced by NC Productions

    40 min

  2. FEB 12

    Turning the Lens Inward — Scott Wright on Awakening, Relationships, and Radical Self-Honesty

    In this episode of the Observatory Podcast, Stephen Karafiath steps into the interviewer role alongside LaRae Wright to turn the conversation toward host Scott Wright himself. What unfolds is an honest and expansive discussion about Scott’s personal awakening, the evolution of his relationships, and the inner work required to live life from the inside out. Scott reflects on pivotal life experiences that reshaped how he views identity, connection, and spiritual growth. Together, they explore vulnerability, shadow work, emotional responsibility, and the courage it takes to dismantle old belief systems while building a deeper sense of authenticity. This episode offers listeners a rare look behind the microphone as Scott shares his own story — not as a teacher, but as someone continually learning, questioning, and growing. Timestamps [00:00:03] Welcome to The Observatory Podcast [00:00:18] Stephen Karafiath introduces the idea of interviewing Scott Wright [00:01:12] Why turning the lens inward feels different [00:03:40] Scott reflects on early identity and personal shifts [00:08:22] Awakening moments that changed his trajectory [00:15:06] Navigating relationships through transformation [00:21:55] Vulnerability and emotional honesty as a practice [00:29:14] Letting go of certainty and embracing curiosity [00:37:45] The cost of authenticity and redefining success [00:48:30] Shadow work and self-accountability [00:59:11] Building emotional resilience through discomfort [01:10:44] Partnership, growth, and relational evolution [01:22:05] What it means to live from the inside out [01:33:50] Integration — how Scott applies these lessons daily [01:44:12] Reflections on hosting the Observatory Podcast Notable Quotes “Sometimes the hardest thing is realizing you don’t have to defend the version of yourself you used to be.” – Scott Wright [29:14]“The work isn’t about becoming someone new — it’s about remembering who you’ve always been underneath the noise.” – Scott Wright [37:45]“When we stop trying to control how others see us, that’s where real freedom begins.” – Scott Wright [48:30]“You can’t bypass the shadow… you have to sit with it long enough to understand what it’s asking from you.” – Stephen Karafiath [59:11]“Living from the inside out means you’re willing to let your life look different than you imagined.” – LaRae Wright [01:22:05]Relevant links: Earlier episode with Stephen can be found here. Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcast Produced by NC Productions

    1h 53m

  3. FEB 5

    Restoring Guardian Mansion | Chasing Dreams and Building a Life Together | Nate & Zaid Plummer

    In this episode of the Observatory Podcast, Scott and LaRae Wright sit down with Nathan Chase Plummer and Zaid Plummer to explore the story behind Guardian Mansion — a bold cross-country move, a historic restoration, and a shared vision rooted in partnership, creativity, and purpose. Together, they reflect on how a simple dream of restoring historic spaces evolved into a life-changing journey. Nate and Zaid share how they discovered the Kentucky property, what it felt like stepping into the mansion for the first time, and how the process of renovation mirrors deeper themes of identity, resilience, and co-creation. This episode dives into the emotional realities behind chasing big dreams — the hard days, the unexpected beauty, and the profound connection that comes from building something meaningful together. Timestamps: [00:00:18] Introducing Nate and Zaid Plummer and the story of Guardian Mansion [00:01:05] Early dreams of restoration and historic properties [00:05:17] First conversations about buying and restoring old buildings [00:09:51] Working through challenges together and trusting the vision [00:12:54] Discovering historic architecture styles and the “Second Empire” home [00:15:54] Traveling to Kentucky and arriving at the Bluegrass region [00:17:43] Turning into the driveway — the first emotional moment seeing the mansion [00:26:40] The deeper meaning behind restoring a historic space [00:38:15] Creative vision, storytelling, and preserving history [00:52:20] The realities of renovation and learning as you go [01:04:30] What Guardian Mansion represents today Noteable Quotes: “I would love to buy it and renovate it and restore it.” – Nate Plummer [05:17]“The houses we were drawn to were the antebellums or the Greek revivals — like this house, a second empire.” – Nate Plummer [12:54]“Sometimes we have really hard days. But, we work.” – Zaid Plummer [10:08]“We flew into Lexington airport where my family for years had lived and done the horse business.” – Nate Plummer [16:03]“A dream together...” – Zaid Plummer [01:14:43]Relevant links: Follow the adventure here:  Guardian Mansion YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GuardianMansion Guardian Mansion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/guardianmansion/ Also, listen to Nate's story;  coming out at 30, business & authorship, meeting Zaid — the big wedding, and manifestation of the Guardian: here! Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcast Produced by NC Productions

    1h 17m

  4. JAN 29

    Wading Through the Muck | Stephen Karafiath & Carrie Cox on Secure Attachment, Co-Regulation, and Conscious Relationship

    In this episode of the Observatory Podcast, Scott and LaRae Wright sit down with Stephen Karafiath and Carrie Cox, two friends in a new relationship who are intentionally building love through secure attachment, emotional honesty, and nervous-system awareness. Together, they explore what it means to “wade through the muck” instead of bypassing discomfort — how trauma can be alchemized, how boundaries create safety, and how a shared relational container allows for co-regulation, depth, and intimacy. This conversation touches on vulnerability, conscious partnership, and the courage required to stay present when things get messy — because that’s often where transformation lives.  Timestamps [00:00:18] Scott and LaRae introduce Stephen Karafiath and Carrie Cox [00:01:03] A new relationship built on depth, presence, and intention [00:02:45] Referencing the Safe to Love podcast conversation [00:03:44] Growth, humility, and learning to soften [00:04:42] Experiencing secure attachment for the first time [00:06:25] Vulnerability, grief, and emotional safety [00:09:22] Metasound, play, and relational witnessing [00:10:31] Water rituals and nature as grounding allies [00:12:46] “Wading through the muck” and where alchemy happens [00:26:02] Alchemizing inherited shame and childhood beliefs [00:26:21] Letting water and nature help hold what can’t be fixed [00:32:45] Polyamory as a doorway into deeper relational conversations [00:34:04] Creating a relationship container that doesn’t leak energy [00:40:32] Exploring depth together — even where there might be dragons [00:48:17] A shared nervous system and the power of co-regulation [00:49:29] Boundaries, communication, and relational clarity [00:55:46] Relational pillars: emotional, physical, spiritual, sexual [01:10:04] Closing reflections and gratitude Noteable Quotes  “From secure attachment, for what feels like the first time in my life.” – Carrie Cox [04:42]“I love to wade through the muck because I know that’s where the alchemy occurs.” – Carrie Cox [12:46]“Setting a container around our relationship that’s bigger than both of us, and not leaking any energy outside of it.” – Stephen Karafiath [34:04]“We can go right back down to the depths — you’re not afraid to explore coves that might have dragons.” – Stephen Karafiath [40:32]“We’ve created this shared nervous system, and the benefit is co-regulation.” – Carrie Cox [48:17] Relevant links: Stephen Instagram Carrie's Instagram Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcast Produced by NC Productions

    1h 11m

  5. JAN 22

    Healing Inside Out | Understanding and Embracing the Journey | Scott and LaRae Wright revisited

    Revisiting this episode of The Observatory, in a time when it is much needed in our country, Scott and LaRae discuss the profound concept of healing, exploring what it truly means, emphasizing why we crucially need healing, and guiding us through the transformative journey to achieve inner healing. Hear why the healing journey is so personal, how your belief system impacts it, and the things in your life that can ignite it. They also share the steps to take in your healing journey and why it’s important to let go of the need always to be right.  Timestamps [03:44] What is a healing journey? [10:58] Why the healing journey is so personal [13:04] God is a mirror [18:03] How your belief system impacts your healing journey  [21:02] The book: Wonderland by Steven Johnson [27:33] The evolution of taste, music, and fashion  [34:00] How the mind works  [43:03] The moments in your life that can ignite your healing journey  [50:34] The steps to take in your healing journey [53:34] The importance of letting go of the need to be right  Notable quotes: “A healing journey starts from the desire to become more aware of yourself.” - LaRae Wright [05:12]“Everyone is a mirror, and we get to see different perspectives of other people’s lives.” - Scott [13:08]“Your belief system is going to limit your ability to see other things differently.” - Scott [18:05]“Just because we think differently doesn’t mean we can’t be friends.” - LaRae Wright [29:37]Relevant links: LaRae Instagram: @larae_wright Scott Instagram: @scott_david_wright The book: Wonderland by Steven Johnson Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcast Produced by NC Productions

    1h 1m

  6. JAN 15

    Two Chapters of Healing | Jennifer Holland on Somatics, Nervous System Safety, and Reclaiming Trust

    In this episode of The Observatory Podcast, Scott and LaRae Wright sit down with Jennifer Holland for a deeply grounded conversation about what it means to come home to yourself—through the body. Jennifer shares how her life unfolded in “two large chapters,” including growing up LDS, navigating anxiety, and untangling the places where external authority and internal knowing got crossed. Together, they explore somatic wisdom, nervous system trust, relational safety, and what it looks like to create containers where the body can finally exhale.If you’ve ever felt stuck in your head, unsure who to trust (including yourself), or curious about embodiment as a path to healing—this episode offers a compassionate, practical doorway inward. Timestamps: [00:01:00] Welcoming Jennifer Holland [00:01:20] Scott: coming in “open” and letting the conversation unfold [00:02:00] Jennifer: “two different large chapters” + growing up LDS [00:02:36] Anxiety as a formative thread in childhood/young adulthood [00:04:30] “Mind, Body, Spirit” class + early expansion beyond the script [00:06:39] Divorce + faith questioning + beginning to re-orient inward [00:10:06] Discernment: “Do I trust these people?” (authority vs inner knowing) [00:16:27] When intuition gets twisted (and what it costs) [00:19:32] The body path: yoga, breathwork, sensual touch, massage [00:31:29] Trust + boundaries: holding containers that let people soften [00:36:56] Nervous system relaxation + why safety changes everything [00:37:06] Deep safety without sex “on the table” (deconditioning performance) [00:45:45] Jennifer: slow trust + letting time reveal what’s true [00:54:15] “What keeps your breath breathing?” (presence and the unseen support) [00:55:00] Breath as steady baseline (even when life isn’t) [00:58:25] Retreat/container rhythm: arriving, stillness, breath, connection [01:09:34] Closing reflections + gratitude Notable Quotes: “I said, you know, we like to come into these podcasts pretty open and just allowing it to unfold as it unfolds.” — Scott Wright [00:01:20]“I feel like my life has two different large chapters.” — Jennifer Holland [00:02:00]“And I was riddled with anxiety most of my childhood and teenhood and young adulthood.” — Jennifer Holland [00:02:36]“I did take a class called Mind, Body, Spirit, though, that really expanded my mind.” — Jennifer Holland [00:04:30]“I was going through my first divorce, so I was just like, I don’t know about the church…” — Jennifer Holland [00:06:39]“Even just like, do I trust these people… and should I be following them?” — Jennifer Holland [00:10:06]“It was starting to kill me essentially, started to twist my intuition up.” — Jennifer Holland [00:16:27]“So what happens when we can attune our nervous systems to deep safety without sex even being on the table.” — Jennifer Holland [00:37:06]“So my, my nervous system takes a really long time to actually trust.” — Jennifer Holland [00:45:45]“What keeps your breath breathing?” — Jennifer Holland [00:54:15]“Your breath has been breathing at the exact same rhythm.” — Jennifer Holland [00:55:00]Relevant Links: www.drippractice.com www.instagram.com/drippractice www.instagram.com/strongandsultry or email her directly at Jen@strongandsultry.com Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcast Produced by NC Productions

    1h 11m

  7. JAN 8

    Peace Feels Good | Bobby Ahlander on Depression, Healing, and Finding Life Beyond Survival

    In this episode of The Observatory Podcast, hosts Scott and LaRae Wright sit down with Bobby Ahlander for an expansive and deeply human conversation about suffering, healing, and what it means to truly come home to yourself. Bobby shares his journey growing up in a rigid religious environment marked by instability and fear, living much of his adult life on “autopilot,” and eventually reaching a breaking point that included leaving the Church, divorce, job loss, and a prolonged season of depression with suicidal ideation. Through therapy, psychiatry, EMDR, Buddhist study, and eventually plant medicine, Bobby describes the slow and nonlinear rebuilding of his inner world. He introduces a personal “numbers” framework that helped him track emotional states — from survival, to “fine,” to happiness, joy, bliss, and ultimately a state he later names cosmic union. At the heart of this conversation is the embodied realization that arrived not through force or fixing, but through surrender: peace feels good. Timestamps  [01:10] Introducing Bobby Ahlander and the theme “peace feels good” [04:05] Childhood in a conservative religious home marked by instability [08:45] Learning invisibility, safety, and survival as a child [14:55] Living adulthood on “autopilot” and inherited identity scripts [20:15] Becoming a bishop and the weight of enforcing institutional rules [25:35] LGBTQ+ policy conflict and values colliding with authority [31:50] Leaving the Church, divorce, and relocation all at once [36:40] Wiping the slate clean and questioning every belief [41:05] First acts of autonomy and reclaiming personal choice [46:00] Discovering Buddhism and non-dual thinking [51:40] First psilocybin experience and expanded awareness [58:45] COVID, job loss, unhealthy relationship, and emotional collapse [01:05:40] Suicidal ideation and surviving for his children [01:12:30] Therapy, medication, and the “numbers” emotional scale [01:20:10] Ayahuasca: opening a door that never closes [01:27:30] Integration, healing, and learning to live at “fine” [01:33:40] Oregon coast turning point and happiness returning [01:38:10] Discovering joy, bliss, and something beyond the scale [01:41:00] Embodied peace, “peace feels good,” and what comes next [01:41:58] Closing message and listener invitation Notable Quotes “You have just opened a door that can never close again.” — Scott Webb (quoted by Bobby Ahlander) [00:36:08]“I don’t want to die, but I don’t want to be alive.” — Bobby Ahlander [00:31:58]“The whole choice to awake puts you on a path.” — Scott Wright [01:13:33]“So we honor you for being there and being able to express that.” — LaRae Wright [01:29:42]“The cost of the new is the old.” — Scott Wright [01:32:36]“Turbulence is just a reminder you’re flying.” — Bobby Ahlander [01:34:42]“You will continue to suffer until you’ve learned the lesson that the suffering is trying to teach you.” — Bobby Ahlander [01:38:18]“This is peace.” — Bobby Ahlander [01:23:57]“Peace feels good.” — Bobby Ahlander [01:25:01]Relevant Links Bobby's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobbyahlander/ Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcast Produced by NC Productions

    1h 42m

  8. JAN 1

    What’s In, What’s Out | Scott and LaRae Wright on Joy, Nature, and Choosing a New Year on Purpose

    In this episode of The Observatory, Scott and LaRae share what they are consciously choosing to let go of this year and what they are welcoming in as new anchors for joy, creativity, and connection. They reflect on releasing the need to earn joy, opening more fully to music and vibrational engagement, and embracing a deeper relationship with nature as a way to remember their place in a larger harmony. This new year, Scott and LaRae invite you to consider your own “ins and outs” so you can align this season with what truly nourishes your spirit and life. Timestamps [04:09] What’s out and what’s in for Scott this year [05:00] What’s in and what’s out for LaRae this year [06:20] The big out for both Scott and LaRae this year [09:58] Sharing of experiences [13:43] Letting go of the feeling of having to earn joy [16:49] What we can learn from the older cultures [19:16] Having a deeper connection with nature [21:50] A challenge for the new year Notable quotes: “The connection to nature allows you to understand that we are in harmony with nature.” - LaRae Wright [17:48]Relevant links: Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcast Produced by NC Productions

    23 min
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5
out of 5
67 Ratings

About

In the world of structure, stress, and seemingly meaningless tasks, it can be easy for one to feel lost and empty. Move beyond career success and access true mental wellness and personal fulfillment as we take you through the landscape of the emotions and personal discoveries that shape who we are. The Observatory podcast, is a space for authentic discussions, dedicated to helping you discover or rediscover meaning in your life. Rooted in the wisdom of their own experiences, our hosts Scott and LaRae Wright started their journeys as accomplished executives, with their successful and lucrative 9-5 jobs with Fortune 100 companies and in the finance industry. Unsatisfied with restrictive environments that demanded a disconnected, curated self, these successes gave them meaningful insights into who they weren’t and led them to the path of truly empowered self-discovery. Their journeys have opened their eyes to the possibilities of their own futures and they want to help you do the same. Each week, join us in our commitment to helping you navigate everything from entrepreneurial dreams to personal transformation with stronger clarity of who you truly are.

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