Art 2 Heart

David Morin

Art 2 Heart Podcast is here to help you find your voice. We explore how leaning into vulnerability and expression can be the missing key to transform your life and everything in it. My hope is that every listener will be moved to find their own home in art after witnessing the impact its had on the life and journey of the artists we interview.

  1. JUL 30

    25. Permission to Be Human: Confronting Humanity in a World of Ideology

    My new poetry collection Milkweed is available now. Find the digital copy here! https://stan.store/Morintune/p/get-milkweed-now We are surrounded by pressure. A constant pressure to post the right opinion, to protest the right issue, and to position ourselves on the right side of history. But in all that noise, are we actually helping, or just performing?  This episode poses a challenging question: What if our outrage is serving our own egos more than the people we claim to care about? In this raw and intimate check-in, host David Morin speaks with his dear friend Sarah, who is deep into her "Year to Live" journey. Together, they explore the uncomfortable truth that our most human instincts include destruction just as much as creation. As David states, "Genocide is our birthright as much as writing a  poem."  This conversation is not a call for inaction, but a radical invitation to purify the source of our engagement. To move from performative outrage to integrated compassion. It’s a look at why the most effective activism might be the quiet, internal work of healing ourselves. Follow David on Instagram: @mor.intune Work with David 1:1 | www.voiceguide.crd.co Follow Sarah on Instagram: @vijisarah_learningtolovewell Content note: This conversation contains challenging perspectives on activism, politics, and human nature. It's designed as a contemplative space for those ready to question conventional approaches to social change. In this episode you will learn: Why our online outrage may be serving our egos more than the people we claim to help.The challenging idea that destruction is just as much a part of our humanity as creation.How confronting your own mortality can be the key to dissolving "us vs. them" thinking.The difference between performative action and the deeper work of integrated compassion.Why true change begins with radical self-honesty, not pointing fingers at others.The concept of Earth's "war consciousness" and how polarity shapes our human experience.Why true healing is the most potent and sustainable form of activism.How to find peace by learning to hold opposing truths in the same hand.Journal Reflections From This Episode: These aren't questions to answer quickly. They're invitations to sit with over the coming days. Take what resonates and leave what doesn't. What parts of yourself do you see in people you oppose politically?How has proximity or distance to death influenced your political engagement?How much of your activism do you feel is influenced by your tribe?Do you feel like there are more effective ways of encouraging compassion in our community, digitally or in person?Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction: The Human Paradox 00:24 Ideologies and Entitlement 00:33 Forgiveness and Humanity 01:37 Radical Responsibility and Change 02:56 The Year to Live Journey 04:05 The Noise of Activism 05:00 A New Direction: Compassion and Humility 05:30 The Cycle of Outrage 05:52 The Power of Radical Honesty 06:23 The Conversation Begins 40:31 The Importance of Self-Healing 41:03 Embracing Uncomfortable Truths 41:19 Introducing 'Milkweed' Poetry Collection 43:03 The Cycle of Human Progress 46:53 Soul Contracts and Past Lives 56:05 The Role of Polarity in Life 01:00:42 Confronting Mortality 01:04:59 The Sacredness of Pleasure 01:12:11 Ancestral Connections and Plant Medicine 01:14:04 Final Reflections and Contemplations

    1h 17m
  2. MAY 21

    24. Grief, God, and The Disguises We Wear—with Mom

    This episode was originally published in a new podcast but decided to bring it back for Art 2 Heart Season 2.  What happens when the theology you were raised inside begins to soften, and the person who taught it to you is willing to soften too? Last year, I completed what was my own "Year to Live" exercise. At the top of that commitment was my relationship with my mom. She raised me and my siblings inside the Seventh-day Adventist church. Faith shaped everything—what to eat, what to fear, what to believe, what to bury. And yet here we are…sitting on the kitchen table, reading The Third Jesus by Deepak Chopra together. No microphones. No plan. Just two former Adventists, opening a book neither of us could've touched when I was a kid. In This Episode: The revelation: "I thought it was heartbreak... it was all the grief" - unpacking depression after Peace Corps serviceWhy we sometimes prefer heartbreak to grief - the devil we know versus the one we don'tUnderstanding emotions as "disguises" and what lies behind evilFinding profound love and Christ consciousness through prison workThe vital practice of learning to "Protect Your Peace"Healing divides through nourishment - a mother's realization about seeing unmet needsSeeing the "God" or innocence beneath everyone's surfaceHow focusing on the afterlife can rob us of the present momentMoving beyond duality - challenging "good vs. evil" thinking Key Insights: Grief wears disguises - sometimes as heartbreak, anger, or busynessChrist consciousness is about seeing the divine in everyone, especially those society has rejectedMoments of peace must be protected - a spiritual practice of creating boundariesThe transition from religious dogma to spiritual understanding creates space for deeper connectionsFinding divinity not as something external, but as the essence within each personThis isn't a polished podcast. It's a prayer you overheard - a raw conversation about what opens between a mother and son when grief softens, and religion lets go. Watch on YouTube Connect with David: Newsletter: Passages and PerspectivesInstagram: @mor.intune

    1h 15m
  3. MAY 21

    22. Darkness Retreat and Surrender with Sarah McCash

    Darkness, Surrender, and the Poet Within with Sarah McCash This episode was originally published under a new podcast, but I ultimately decided to bring it back to Art 2 Heart for season 2.  In this episode, David Morin and Sarah McCash dive deep into David's life-changing experience of a darkness retreat four years ago. What began as a casual phone call between friends turned into a moving, unfiltered conversation that helped shape the very structure of this podcast. As Sarah prepares for her own darkness retreat, she reached out to David to reflect on his experience. Together, they rehash his transformative journey of surrendering to darkness, embracing the unknown, and discovering the poet within. This is not a polished studio interview. It's a real, spontaneous phone call full of raw, honest, and unexpected magic. *A Note on the Title* A Year to Live is inspired by the book of the same name by meditation teacher and author Stephen Levine. While this podcast is an independent project, the heart of this idea—that reuniting with your mortality can radically transform the way you live—finds its roots in his work. May this serve as a living continuation of that invitation. Meet Sarah McCash Sarah McCash is a Manhattan-based storyteller and death doula, obsessed with all things death, mortality, and soulful transitions. Her presence is equal parts deep feeler and curious seeker. As someone called to care for the dying, Sarah brings a refreshing enthusiasm to conversations about grief, fear, intuition, and awakening. She’s a member of David’s first A Year to Live cohort and has agreed to document parts of her journey through recorded conversations like this one. In this episode, we discuss: The Power of Surrender: Why facing the darkness and confronting our deepest fears can lead to profound personal transformation.Darkness Retreat Experience: What it's like to spend days alone in pitch-black darkness, and how it can awaken new parts of ourselves.Uncovering the Poet Within: How David realized he was a poet during the darkness retreat and the poetic journey that followed.Intuition and Spiritual Growth: The importance of listening to your intuition and how it leads us to the places and experiences we need most, even if we're not "ready" for them.The Sacredness of Darkness: How the darkness serves as an ancient teacher and a place of deep self-discovery.Resources: Join David's Cohort. If you're ready to explore your own mortality with a small group of other seekers like you, book a call with David here or send him a message on IG. https://calendly.com/morindavid9113/60min  David on Instagram: @mor.intune More from David Morin: Listen to his previous podcast: Art 2 Heart Explore the mini-series on Spotify: Meet You There (co-created with a public media journalist)Thank you for listening! If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, rate, and review.

    52 min
  4. JAN 24

    21. About A Year to Live: A 12-Month Experiment to Unlock Clarity, Purpose, and Urgency

    Episode Summary: Join David Morin--former Peace Corps volunteer and sales professional turned death doula, poet, and prison rehabilitation facilitator--as he shares his transformative journey into guiding individuals toward clarity, purpose, and a deeper connection to life through the lens of mortality.  In this episode, David introduces his upcoming program, A Year to Live, inspired by Stephen Levine’s groundbreaking work. Hear personal stories of discovery, healing, and service that illustrate the profound impact of living as if you only have one year left. What You'll Learn in This Episode: What A Year to Live is and how it can transform your perspective on life.David's personal journey from sales to poetry, prison rehabilitation, and death doula work.How contemplating your mortality can help you embrace urgency and purpose.The power of reflecting on your "final chapter" to unlock your potential.Why this work matters—not just for you but for the world around you.Highlights: David’s Journey: From corporate sales to writing over 1,000 poems, working with prisoners, and facilitating end-of-life guidance.Why Mortality as a Teacher: Learn how death can offer clarity, urgency, and healing.Insights from A Year to Live: Practical tools, meditations, and lessons drawn from David’s own experience with the program.The Value of Community: Why exploring mortality with a small, intimate group amplifies the experience.Who This Episode Is For: Ambitious professionals feeling stuck or seeking a new path.Individuals curious about exploring mortality and its connection to living fully.Anyone looking to embrace life with greater meaning, urgency, and clarity.Links and Resources Mentioned: Sign up for A Year to Live (starting February 5th): Schedule a chat with DavidConnect with David:InstagramLinkedInEmailWhatsAppA Year to Live by Stephen LevineQuotes from the Episode: “Mortality is the greatest teacher we’ll ever have, but it’s a class no one wants to take.”“By contemplating your final chapter, you unlock a deeper connection to the part of yourself that’s been lost.”“This isn’t about facing the end; it’s about embracing the urgency of now.”

    47 min
  5. 12/27/2023

    A2H #19 | From Grief to Abundance: Chris Siders' Journey through Loss and Transformation

    In this deeply moving episode, we hear from Chris Siders, an LA-based poet, music producer, and activist. Chris shares his experience about dealing with loss, grief, struggles with his health, and how these experiences have been the fuel to produce multiple albums in such a short amount of time. From his near-death experience and battles with mental health to losing so many close family members, including his father, Chris walks us through his grief-stricken, heart-opening journey that ultimately led him to discover the true nature of abundance in life.  Through the content of his work, award-winning Los Angeles-based Poet, Music Producer, and Activist, Christopher Siders, encourages his audience members to think critically about social norms and how we subconsciously affect one another through our everyday behaviors. Within his own experiences as an activist, he is able to share his successes and failures and guide future activists at any institution, to make positive decisions for the community to flourish and teach students to become a better ally for movements or areas of interest. Siders professionally performed alongside poets such as Rudy Francisco, Shihan The Poet, Ebony Stewart, and has graced stages such as Dominican University, Seaside High School, Beyond Baroque, and many more. Connect with Chris Website: https://www.chrissiders.com/ Instagram: @thechrissiders ____________________________________ Follow the Pod Instagram: @art2heart.podcast ____________________________________ Podcast artwork by Holly Pelletier Clark Instagram: @themoonstorybook

    2h 17m
  6. 08/28/2023

    A2H #18 | The Only in the Room with Anika Aftab

    Have you ever felt like you were an only in the room? Like no matter how many people you’re surrounded by, you feel like you can’t quite relate to anyone?  It’s hard to put a specific word to what this feels like. Our guest today, Anika Aftab, has searched far and wide in many languages and cultures for the perfect word. She ultimately describes it as feeling like the only in the room.  In fact, she feels soo deeply about this that she’s writing a book on it, called, you guessed it, The Only in the Room. On the day this was recorded earlier this year, Anika interviewed me for her book and podcast, and we had so much fun that we decided to keep the conversation going and recorded this interview for my podcast on the same day.  As life would have it, we’re releasing the episodes on the same day! So if you like this episode, make sure you check out her podcast called The Only in the Room to check out her episode interviewing me. Anika is one of the realest people I know.  She doesn’t pull her punches, she gets to the heart of what she’s trying to say right away, and she doesn’t mind being vulnerable about the lessons she’s learned along the way. She has a very excited and grounded perspective of the universe that is childlike yet mature, with wonder yet with clarity, with awe yet with OBVIously….at Anika’s core is a hyper awarness about the duality of what it means to be a human. In this episode, she shares a powerful excerpt from her book about lonliness vs being alone that I know you’ll love.  We talk about the moment she realized she was muting her own story, we talk about substance use and abuse and addictions. We talk about the mental wrestling around synchronicities and signs from the universe. We talk about angel numbers and all could mean, and we also talk about how they can could mean aboslutely nothing too. Thanks so much for joining us today, and let’s dive in. Listen to my interview with Anika Listen on Spotify Connect with Anika Instagram: @theonlyintheroom Instagram: @anikersss LinkedIn:Anika Aftab ____________________________________ Follow the Pod Instagram: @art2heart.podcast Website: art2heart.life ____________________________________ Podcast artwork by Holly Pelletier Clark Instagram: @themoonstorybook

    1h 20m

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Art 2 Heart Podcast is here to help you find your voice. We explore how leaning into vulnerability and expression can be the missing key to transform your life and everything in it. My hope is that every listener will be moved to find their own home in art after witnessing the impact its had on the life and journey of the artists we interview.