The Spiritual Speakeasy Show

Brian Grasso
  • 5.0 (1)
  • PERSONAL JOURNALS

Welcome to The Spiritual Speakeasy - a storytelling show where the stories we share become the medicine we didn’t know we needed. Here’s what makes this space unlike anything else: as the conversations unfold, Brian crafts a custom cocktail for each guest - a drink inspired by their story, their spirit, and the moment they’re standing in. It’s connection in real time. Conversation you can feel. A ritual of being seen, sip by sip. Each episode invites you into raw, honest, soul-stirring conversations about resilience, healing, intuition, identity, trauma, reinvention, and the moments that change us forever. No gurus. No perfection. No spiritual bypassing. Just real humans telling the truth about what broke them… what rebuilt them… and what they learned along the way. If you’re craving depth without dogma, wisdom without ego, and a space where you can breathe, feel, and see yourself more clearly - this is your seat at the bar. ✨ What you’ll hear inside: • Stories of survival, awakening, and personal transformation • Conversations that help you reconnect with your intuition and inner voice • Cocktails crafted as storytelling rituals — unique to every guest • Spirituality that’s grounded, human, and accessible • Emotional honesty that lingers long after the episode ends • Insights to support your healing, self-discovery, and next evolution This is where truth meets storytelling.Where courage meets connection.Where you remember you’re not alone. Welcome to The Spiritual Speakeasy. Pull up a chair — your spirit is welcome here.

Episodes

  1. FEB 17

    09: Reading Faces, Building Trust, and the Lost Art of Human Connection With Brian Galke

    In this episode of The Spiritual Speakeasy, Brian sits down with Brian Galke, expert in facial recognition, emotional intelligence, and human connection, for a conversation that changes how you see people — literally. From reading facial features to understanding communication styles, this episode explores how subtle cues shape trust, relationships, leadership, and connection in a digital world that’s losing touch with face-to-face humanity. As Brian crafts an old fashioned behind the bar, the conversation unfolds around identity, intuition, sales, leadership, parenting, and why understanding people has never mattered more. This isn’t about manipulation. It’s about awareness, empathy, and meeting people where they are. In this episode, we explore: How facial features reflect communication styles Why connection beats persuasion every time The difference between body language and facial recognition How emotional intelligence impacts leadership, sales, and relationships Why human connection is the skill of the future 📱 Connect with Brian Galke Speaker website Website Instagram Youtube LinkedIn TikTok Facebook 📱 Connect with Brian ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ ⁠Website⁠ 👉⁠ Get Brian's Newsletter Thank you to Desert Candle Works for providing candles for today's episode. Support their small business⁠ here⁠

    41 min

  2. FEB 10

    08: From Nothing to Options: Discipline, Identity, and Creating Your Own Way With Thax Turner

    What if the difference between being stuck and moving forward is learning how to create options? In this episode of The Spiritual Speakeasy, Brian sits down with Thax Turner, Vice President at Shamrock Foods, for a grounded conversation about discipline, identity, forgiveness, and building a life when you start with very little. Thax shares his journey from a childhood marked by instability, scarcity, and free lunch lines to leadership in corporate America — not as a highlight reel, but as a study in mindset, daily rituals, and personal responsibility. This episode explores what Thax calls the “immigrant mindset” — the ability to turn hardship into fuel — and why success is less about talent and more about consistency, forgiveness, and creating options where none seem to exist. In this episode, we explore: Growing up without stability and learning resilience early Why discipline creates freedom, not restriction The immigrant mindset and internal grit Creating options instead of waiting for them Forgiving yourself as a leadership skill Why everyone has a backstory you can’t see Daily rituals that compound over time This conversation is about self-responsibility without shame — and hope without illusion. ⁠Facebook⁠ 📱 Connect with Brian ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ ⁠Website⁠ 👉⁠ Get Brian's Newsletter Thank you to Desert Candle Works for providing candles for today's episode. Support their small business⁠ here⁠

    40 min

  3. FEB 3

    07: All In: Why Simple Values Create Extraordinary Lives With Joey Dziedzic

    What if clarity didn’t require complexity? In this episode of The Spiritual Speakeasy, Brian sits down with Joey Dziedzic, education coordinator for the Arizona Diamondbacks and former public school teacher, for a grounded conversation about core values, consistency, and what it actually means to be “all in.” Joey shares what it looks like to support young athletes navigating pressure, culture shock, and identity — and why a single, clearly lived value can act as a compass through uncertainty, mistakes, and growth. This episode explores leadership without ego, simplicity without shortcuts, and why most people already know what to do — they’re just not doing it. In this episode, we explore: Why one core value is often more powerful than many What “all in” really looks like in daily life The role of consistency in growth and performance How simplicity creates clarity and momentum Supporting humans inside high-pressure systems Why values make course-correction easier, not harder This is a conversation about doing less — and living more honestly. 📱 Connect with Brian ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ ⁠Website⁠ 👉⁠ Get Brian's Newsletter Thank you to Desert Candle Works for providing candles for today's episode. Support their small business⁠ here⁠

    36 min

  4. JAN 27

    06: Good Leadership Starts With Alignment (Not Force) With Brittany Anderson

    In this episode of The Spiritual Speakeasy, Brian welcomes Brittany Anderson - entrepreneur, strategist, and leadership consultant - for a conversation about what leadership looks like when it’s built around people instead of pressure. Brittany explains why most operating systems fail to account for human energy, emotional intelligence, and alignment — and how leaders can stop forcing growth and start building sustainable teams. This conversation explores: • why force-driven leadership burns people out • the difference between effort and force • leadership archetypes and self-awareness • people-first operating systems • why alignment creates real scalability As always, the conversation unfolds over a handcrafted cocktail - because stories flow better when people feel at ease. 📱 Connect with Brittany Website Align-PS Instagram Linkedin 📱 Connect with Brian ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ ⁠Website⁠ 👉⁠ Get Brian's Newsletter Thank you to Desert Candle Works for providing candles for today's episode. Support their small business⁠ here⁠

    36 min

  5. JAN 20

    Finding Your Why (And Why It Changes Everything) With Gary Sanchez

    What if nothing is wrong with you — you’re just living out of alignment? In this episode of The Spiritual Speakeasy, Brian sits down with Gary, founder of The WHY Institute, to explore identity, purpose, and what happens when we spend years muting who we really are. From a life-altering medical crisis to discovering the deeper patterns behind human motivation, Gary shares how finding your Why can change everything — from your career and relationships to your energy, mental health, and sense of meaning. This conversation goes far beyond business or branding. It’s about remembering who you are and giving yourself permission to live as that person. In this episode, we explore: Why feeling anxious or depressed can be a symptom of misalignment The difference between Who you are and What you do Why passion disappears when you’re in the wrong role How people unknowingly mute themselves to fit in The nine core “Whys” that drive human behavior Why purpose creates energy — and misalignment drains it How discovering your Why can change relationships, careers, and families This episode is for anyone who feels stuck, exhausted, or quietly disconnected from themselves — and is ready to understand why. 🎧 Listen slowly. Let it land. 📱 Connect with Gary Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Youtube Beyond Your WHY Podcast 📱 Connect with Brian ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ ⁠Website⁠ 👉⁠ Get Brian's Newsletter Thank you to Desert Candle Works for providing candles for today's episode. Support their small business⁠ here⁠

    42 min

  6. JAN 13

    04: The Right Kind of Hard | Akshay Nanavati on Solitude, Suffering, and Self-Mastery

    What if the thing you’re avoiding is the thing that frees you? In this episode of The Spiritual Speakeasy, Brian sits down with Akshay Nanavati — Marine veteran, explorer, author, and seeker — for a raw conversation about solitude, suffering, and what it means to truly master yourself. Akshay shares his journey from addiction and PTSD to extreme solitude — including darkness retreats, polar expeditions, and voluntary suffering — not as acts of punishment, but as a way to build an honest relationship with himself. This episode isn’t about doing hard things for ego or validation. It’s about learning the right kind of hard — the kind that leads to integration, presence, and peace. In this episode, we explore: Survivor’s guilt and life after warAddiction as an escape from the selfWhy solitude is one of the most powerful teachersDarkness retreats and sitting with discomfortVoluntary suffering vs. self-destructionThe difference between force and alignmentWhy “the only way out is through” is a lived truthThis is a conversation for anyone who feels restless, numb, or disconnected — and is ready to stop running. 📱 Connect with Brian ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ ⁠Website⁠ 👉⁠ Get Brian's Newsletter Thank you to Desert Candle Works for providing candles for today's episode. Support their small business⁠ here⁠

    49 min

  7. JAN 6

    03: Trust Your Village: Healing, Strength, and Showing Up for Your Future Self Featuring Vanessa Medina

    In this deeply moving episode of The Spiritual Speakeasy, Brian sits down with Vanessa Medina to talk about healing after trauma, the quiet strength required to rebuild a life, and why trusting your village can be the difference between survival and transformation. Vanessa shares her story with honesty, clarity, and wisdom—exploring what it means to show up for your future self even when the present moment feels unbearable. Together, they discuss grief, healing, nervous system regulation, and the permission to experience joy again after pain. This conversation isn’t about fixing or rushing the healing process.It’s about honoring it. In this episode, we explore: Why strength doesn’t always look like certainty The importance of trusting your village during trauma and transition How daily intentions and small wins can create stability Why healing is not linear—and that’s okay What it means to show up for the version of yourself you’re becoming Pour a drink, take a breath, and join us at the table. 📱 Connect with Brian ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ ⁠Website⁠ 👉⁠ Get Brian's Newsletter⁠ Thank you to Desert Candle Works for providing candles for today's episode. Support their small business here

    42 min

  8. JAN 6

    02: Intent vs Impact: Why Words, Actions, and Behavior Matter More Than Meaning | Featuring Brian Bogert

    In this episode of The Spiritual Speakeasy, Brian sits down with Brian Bogert for a deep, nuanced conversation about intent, impact, emotional safety, self-protection, and the invisible patterns that shape how we show up in the world. As a custom mocktail is crafted at the bar, the conversation unfolds into territory most people avoid—how past pain creates armor, how performance becomes a defense mechanism, and why being “misunderstood” is often less about intention and more about behavior, energy, and nervous system responses. Brian Bogert shares personal stories from childhood trauma, identity, masculinity, and leadership, offering a grounded perspective on what it really takes to move from knowledge to wisdom, from protection to presence, and from isolation to connection. This episode is not about fixing yourself.It’s about understanding what you’re protecting—and what it’s costing you. In this episode, we explore: The difference between intent and impact Why self-protection often creates disconnection How nervous system patterns shape communication Performance as a survival strategy Emotional safety as the foundation for intimacy and leadership Why nuance matters more than platitudes Letting go of armor without losing strength 📱 Connect with Brian Website 📱 Connect with Brian ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ ⁠Website⁠ 👉⁠ Get Brian's Newsletter⁠ Thank you to Desert Candle Works for providing candles for today's episode. Support their small business here.

    46 min

  9. JAN 6

    01: Five Lessons from Cancer, Courage, and Choosing to Build Anyway | Featuring Jeff Grogan

    In this first episode of The Spiritual Speakeasy, Brian sits down with Jeff Grogan for a raw, honest conversation about cancer, mindset, identity, and what it means to keep building -even in the hardest seasons of life. While undergoing chemotherapy and radiation for a second cancer diagnosis, Jeff chose not to let his circumstances define him. Instead, he built a profitable business, deepened his purpose, and re-wrote the story he was living inside. As Brian crafts a custom cocktail inspired by Jeff’s journey, the two explore fear, faith, identity, and the power of the stories we tell ourselves—especially when life hands us something we didn’t ask for. This episode is about resilience without spiritual bypassing, hope without denial, and choosing to live fully while you’re still here. In this episode, we explore: What it means to choose meaning in the face of uncertaintyWhy mindset shapes biology, behavior, and identityHow fear can be seductive—and how to step out of itThe difference between pain and sufferingWhy hard things can become teachers instead of stop signsThe five life lessons Jeff learned while facing cancer and building anyway ✨ Want to take the lessons with you? We put together a simple one-page reflection with the five lessons Jeff shares in this episode. Download it here if you’d like a quiet reminder of what stayed with you. 📱 Connect with Jeff Facebook 📱 Connect with Brian Facebook Instagram YouTube Website 👉 Get Brian's Newsletter

    45 min
  10. The Spiritual Speakeasy Show Official Trailer

    12/10/2025

    The Spiritual Speakeasy Show Official Trailer

    Welcome to The Spiritual Speakeasy Show - where the stories we share become the medicine we didn’t know we needed. Launching January 6, this show brings you into raw, soul-deep conversations about resilience, awakening, healing, intuition, identity, and the moments that change us forever. No gurus. No gatekeeping. Just real people telling the truth about what broke them… and what rebuilt them. If you're craving depth without dogma, wisdom without ego, and connection that feels human — you’re in the right place. 🌟 BE THE FIRST TO KNOW WHEN WE LAUNCH Get early access + updates delivered right to your inbox: 👉 https://thebuddhabartender.myflodesk.com/x1ijv346pp ✨ WHAT TO EXPECT IN SEASON ONE: • Conversations that move from heartbreak to breakthrough • Stories of survival, reinvention, and self-discovery • Spirituality that’s grounded, accessible, and real • Emotional truth-telling that lingers long after the episode ends • Practical insights for navigating your own healing journey Hit Subscribe and pull up a seat at the bar. Your spirit is welcome here.

    2 min
  • 10 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

About

Welcome to The Spiritual Speakeasy - a storytelling show where the stories we share become the medicine we didn’t know we needed. Here’s what makes this space unlike anything else: as the conversations unfold, Brian crafts a custom cocktail for each guest - a drink inspired by their story, their spirit, and the moment they’re standing in. It’s connection in real time. Conversation you can feel. A ritual of being seen, sip by sip. Each episode invites you into raw, honest, soul-stirring conversations about resilience, healing, intuition, identity, trauma, reinvention, and the moments that change us forever. No gurus. No perfection. No spiritual bypassing. Just real humans telling the truth about what broke them… what rebuilt them… and what they learned along the way. If you’re craving depth without dogma, wisdom without ego, and a space where you can breathe, feel, and see yourself more clearly - this is your seat at the bar. ✨ What you’ll hear inside: • Stories of survival, awakening, and personal transformation • Conversations that help you reconnect with your intuition and inner voice • Cocktails crafted as storytelling rituals — unique to every guest • Spirituality that’s grounded, human, and accessible • Emotional honesty that lingers long after the episode ends • Insights to support your healing, self-discovery, and next evolution This is where truth meets storytelling.Where courage meets connection.Where you remember you’re not alone. Welcome to The Spiritual Speakeasy. Pull up a chair — your spirit is welcome here.

Information

You Might Also Like