Beyond 80%

Ryan Olexson
  • 5.0 (3)
  • PERSONAL JOURNALS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Beyond 80 Percent is a podcast that delves into critical thinking, shifting perspectives, and deeper discussions around self-growth and societal narratives. Join us as we interview interesting, everyday people who share their personal journeys, the experiences that shaped them, and the missions that drive them today. We invite you to awaken your consciousness and explore the world with a deeper perspective. Each episode encourages you to think critically, push beyond the surface, and engage with the ideas that shape our consciousness. Ready to awaken your mind? Let’s evolve together.

  1. Ep. 1: The Way You Talk to Yourself with David Alan Brown

    5D AGO

    Ep. 1: The Way You Talk to Yourself with David Alan Brown

    Most of us are living inside a voice we didn’t choose. It’s the one that tells you you’re not ready, not good enough, or that something isn’t going to work—and for most people, it’s been running for so long they don’t even question it. In this conversation, David Alan Brown shares how self-talk shapes the way we see ourselves, the decisions we make, and ultimately the lives we build. After years of doing everything “right” and still feeling disconnected, he began to realize that the most important conversation we have is the one happening internally. This episode explores what it looks like to actually become aware of that voice—and what becomes possible when you start to change it. Learn more about convergence by visiting David's website: https://convergence.davidalanbrown.com/home   Subscribe and follow Beyond 80% so you never miss an opportunity to think, question and evolve.  If you have an idea for an episode, drop us a note at Beyond80percent@gmail.com       HGQENO5SDZH7M2SP

    44 min
  2. Waking Up: Season Premiere

    5D AGO

    Waking Up: Season Premiere

    This season of Beyond 80% is about what it feels like to start waking up—slowly realizing who you are, questioning the systems you were handed, and noticing the quiet tension that something about the way we’re living doesn’t quite fit. After last season’s exploration of near-death experiences and consciousness, this season brings the conversation closer to everyday life. Through conversations with scientists, therapists, economists, and spiritual teachers, one thread keeps showing up: People are trying to figure out who they are. People are questioning the systems they’ve been living inside. And people are looking for real connection. This season moves through three core themes—identity, systems, and meaning—with space in between to slow down, reflect, and make sense of it all.   Subscribe and follow Beyond 80% so you never miss an opportunity to think, question and evolve.  If you have an idea for an episode, drop us a note at Beyond80percent@gmail.com       HGQENO5SDZH7M2SP

    4 min
  3. Beyond the Brain Finale: Consciousness, Death, and the Meaning of Life

    MAR 4

    Beyond the Brain Finale: Consciousness, Death, and the Meaning of Life

    We’ll be back with regular Beyond 80% episodes in April.  In the meantime, this final episode of the Beyond the Brain series steps back to reflect on the journey we’ve taken together. Across eight episodes, we explored near-death experiences, neuroscience, philosophy, and firsthand accounts from people who have been to the edge of death. From scientific research to spiritual interpretations, the series examined multiple perspectives on one of humanity’s oldest questions: what happens to consciousness when we die? Rather than offering a final answer, this episode asks a deeper question: What does thinking about death teach us about how to live? Because whatever the truth may be about what comes next, one thing becomes clear—life itself is extraordinary, and how we live it might be the most important question of all. Subscribe and follow Beyond 80% so you never miss an opportunity to think, question and evolve.  If you have an idea for an episode, drop us a note at Beyond80percent@gmail.com       HGQENO5SDZH7M2SP

    5 min
  4. Ep. 8: What Death Teaches the Living: Shared Death Experiences and the Wisdom of a Death Doula

    FEB 25

    Ep. 8: What Death Teaches the Living: Shared Death Experiences and the Wisdom of a Death Doula

    In this episode of Beyond 80%, host Ryan Olexson is joined by Gretchen Jones, a death doula who supports individuals and families through the final stages of life, and someone who has personally experienced profound shared death experiences. While much of this season has explored near-death experiences from the perspective of those who return, Gretchen offers a different lens: the experiences of those who remain and those who sit with the dying and sometimes cross the threshold alongside them. Gretchen shares what she has witnessed at the bedside, including common patterns in the dying process, moments of unexpected clarity, and the extraordinary phenomenon of shared death experiences, where loved ones or caregivers briefly experience non-ordinary states of consciousness during another person’s death. Through deeply personal stories, Gretchen invites us to reconsider our cultural relationship with death, and how embracing mortality can transform the way we live. This conversation explores death not as something to fear or avoid, but as a sacred transition, one that reveals connection, compassion, and a deeper understanding of consciousness itself.   Timestamps:  01:00 – Introducing Gretchen Jones and death work 02:15 – What is a death doula? 04:00 – How Western culture became disconnected from death 07:45 – Being present at the bedside and what it reveals 10:00 – Rituals that help families reconnect with dying 12:10 – Near-death experiences vs. shared death experiences 15:30 – Common features of shared death experiences 18:30 – Consciousness beyond the physical body 21:45 – A powerful shared death experience with Mr. Virgil 32:00 – What dying teaches us about love and acceptance 35:00 – Terminal lucidity and final moments of clarity 38:00 – How facing death changes how we live 41:30 – Letting go of fear and reframing death 44:00 – Final reflections on death as a doorway Subscribe and follow Beyond 80% so you never miss an opportunity to think, question and evolve.  If you have an idea for an episode, drop us a note at Beyond80percent@gmail.com       HGQENO5SDZH7M2SP

    38 min
  5. Ep. 7: If There Is No Self… Who Are You? A conversation with Dr. Susan Blackmore

    FEB 18

    Ep. 7: If There Is No Self… Who Are You? A conversation with Dr. Susan Blackmore

    In this episode of Beyond 80%, host Ryan Olexson explores the profound nature of consciousness with Dr. Susan Blackmore, a psychologist and philosopher renowned for her work on out-of-body experiences and the nature of the self. Dr. Blackmore recounts her own transformative experiences and discusses how neuroscience and zen practice converge in understanding consciousness. The conversation delves into the concept of the self as a dynamic process rather than a fixed entity, the brain's role in constructing reality, and the implications for how we live and face mortality. Listeners are invited to reconsider deeply entrenched notions of identity, free will, and the mystery of being conscious at all.   Timestamps00:00 Introduction: The Mystery of Consciousness00:36 Exploring Near Death Experiences00:56 Meet Dr. Susan Blackmore02:48 A Life-Changing Out-of-Body Experience06:52 Skepticism and Parapsychology11:26 The Self as a Process18:17 The Neuroscience of Consciousness25:42 Near Death Experiences and the Brain31:24 Altered States of Consciousness35:53 Living Without Free Will40:19 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview Subscribe and follow Beyond 80% so you never miss an opportunity to think, question and evolve.  If you have an idea for an episode, drop us a note at Beyond80percent@gmail.com       HGQENO5SDZH7M2SP

    38 min
  6. Ep. 6: The Neurology of Near-Death: Dr. Kevin Nelson's Insights

    FEB 11

    Ep. 6: The Neurology of Near-Death: Dr. Kevin Nelson's Insights

    In this episode of Beyond 80%, host Ryan Olexson speaks with Dr. Kevin Nelson, a neurologist and author of 'The Spiritual Doorway in the Brain,' about the neurological underpinnings of near-death experiences (NDEs). Dr. Nelson explains how extraordinary experiences during NDEs, such as tunnels of light and out-of-body sensations, can be traced back to brain physiology. He discusses the role of REM intrusion and the brain's intricate wiring in merging different states of consciousness. The conversation explores whether NDEs are supernatural or if they reveal the brain's profound ability to generate reality, even at its limits. Dr. Nelson also shares compelling anecdotes from his career and offers insights into the ongoing debate over whether consciousness can exist independent of the brain. 00:00 Introduction: The Extraordinary Claim of Consciousness Beyond the Brain01:02 Experiencers' Stories and the Skeptical View01:35 Introducing Dr. Kevin Nelson: The Neurologist's Perspective02:26 Dr. Nelson's Journey into Near-Death Experiences04:10 The Brain's Role in Near-Death Experiences05:13 REM Intrusion and Its Connection to NDEs07:22 The Spiritual and Mystical Aspects of NDEs10:13 Common Features of NDEs Explained by Neuroscience21:41 The Brain's Primitive Functions and Evolutionary Purpose22:34 The Debate: Consciousness Beyond the Brain27:19 The Importance of Understanding the Brain37:43 The Ongoing Mystery of Consciousness38:47 Conclusion: NDEs as Windows into the Mind Subscribe and follow Beyond 80% so you never miss an opportunity to think, question and evolve.  If you have an idea for an episode, drop us a note at Beyond80percent@gmail.com       HGQENO5SDZH7M2SP

    40 min
  7. Ep. 5: Life After Near-Death: The Reality of Coming Back (Part 2)

    FEB 4

    Ep. 5: Life After Near-Death: The Reality of Coming Back (Part 2)

    In part 2 of the Experiencers episode, host Ryan Olexson examines the challenging aftermath of near-death experiences (NDEs) through the personal stories of five individuals. The episode chronicles the painful and transformative journey of reentry into life, highlighting the physical, emotional, and spiritual adjustments each person undergoes. From medical recoveries to existential realizations, it delves into the messiness of living with the profound insights gained from near-death experiences. 00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer01:18 The Journey Back: Awakening in a Body02:21 Ash Perrow's Return: From Surgery to Suffering03:44 John Davis: From Marble Halls to Recovery Lights05:14 Christina Duffy: An Eight-Year-Old's Transition06:29 Kathy McDaniel: From Coma to Consciousness07:17 Rosemary's Miraculous Healing07:58 The Challenges of Reentry11:49 Personal Transformations and New Purposes21:38 Catholic Near-Death Experiences22:45 Skepticism from Friends and Family24:29 Life Review and Its Lessons28:46 Past Lifetimes Revealed32:43 Free Will and Negative Energy33:36 Healing Through Compassion34:47 Living with a New Compass44:40 The Brain's Role in Near-Death Experiences Subscribe and follow Beyond 80% so you never miss an opportunity to think, question and evolve.  If you have an idea for an episode, drop us a note at Beyond80percent@gmail.com       HGQENO5SDZH7M2SP

    46 min
  8. Ep. 4: Stories from the Edge (part 1)

    JAN 28

    Ep. 4: Stories from the Edge (part 1)

    In this episode of Beyond 80%, host Ryan Olexson explores profound Near Death Experiences (NDEs) through the stories of five individuals: Ash Perrow, John J. Davis, Christina Duffy, Kathy McDaniel, and Rosemary Thornton. In part one of a two-part series, each recounts their unique journey beyond death, from tranquil voids and realms of light to darker, heart-wrenching experiences. These narratives provide compelling insights into the continuity of consciousness, the universal essence of love, life reviews, and the redefined meaning of self. The episode also traces the emotional and spiritual transformations faced upon returning to the physical world. Themes of fear, love, interconnectedness, and the purpose of life are examined, challenging conventional views on life and death. Timestamps00:00 Awakening to the Afterlife01:46 Experiencer Stories Introduction03:27 Ash Perrow's Near-Death Experience05:50 John J. Davis' Journey Beyond08:20 Christina Duffy's Childhood Encounter09:16 Kathy McDaniel's Descent and Ascent10:39 Rosemary Thornton's Peaceful Void11:48 Lessons from the Other Side13:01 Life Reviews and Soul Lessons14:18 Messages from Beyond22:31 Returning with Purpose24:24 Living with Newfound Wisdom36:14 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview Subscribe and follow Beyond 80% so you never miss an opportunity to think, question and evolve.  If you have an idea for an episode, drop us a note at Beyond80percent@gmail.com       HGQENO5SDZH7M2SP

    37 min
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5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Beyond 80 Percent is a podcast that delves into critical thinking, shifting perspectives, and deeper discussions around self-growth and societal narratives. Join us as we interview interesting, everyday people who share their personal journeys, the experiences that shaped them, and the missions that drive them today. We invite you to awaken your consciousness and explore the world with a deeper perspective. Each episode encourages you to think critically, push beyond the surface, and engage with the ideas that shape our consciousness. Ready to awaken your mind? Let’s evolve together.

Information

  • Creator
    Ryan Olexson
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    Beyond 80%