Drop The Weight with Elizabeth McGann Elizabeth McGann

In this episode of Drop the Weight, we are joined by the wonderful Dr. Phil Parker to discuss everything from his ground-breaking “Lightning Process;” to neuroplasticity; to philosophical life lessons from the musical genius of Miles Davis; to Phil’s own so-called “Swiss Army Knife” for disentangling the human mind. 
 
Throughout the podcast, Phil describes how in his own hero’s journey: as a young man and aspiring musician he nearly completely severed his hand; how against the odds, he recovered from that nerve-slicing experience (despite the advice of almost all available doctors); and went on to develop his own “Lightning Process” and play music with Eric Clapton in the process.
 
We also learn how Phil applies the power and pitfalls of identity thinking to the issues of addiction and alcoholism to unlock the hidden wisdoms inside so-called 12 Step Programs.
 
With his scientific fascination with language, his deeply held beliefs about the transformative nature of the human mind, and his charming love of music, Phil’s visit to the podcast was one of the most memorable to date. It is a pleasure to share that conversation with you here.
 
SHOW NOTES
 
Introduction [ 00:00 ]

The solar eclipse as a catalyst [ 02:15 ]

About the Lightning Process - "Our bodies are not built for the 21st century.” [ 03:20 ]

Neuroplasticity—the brain’s neural pathways’ ability to change based on use—is always on. [ 04:50 ] 

Our inner dialogue is often awful! [ 07:55 ]   

OPERATIVE QUESTION: Is what I am doing right now life-enhancing? [ 09:00 ]

Words affect our physiology [ 13:25 ]

Phil’s Origin Story: how he (almost) severed his hand and what he learned from the experience of healing after almost losing the use of it completely. [ 15:15 ]

Focus on the small, incremental changes that show us we are headed in the right direction; change as a “digital, binary phenomenon” that is either on or off [ 21:15 ]

The most powerful person (source of change) in your life is YOU [ 23:10 ]

“I just want to be relaxed!!!” & developing the skill of being calm through practice [ 25:00 ]

Not “I am stressed out” but “I am doing stress about this now” [ 30:45 ]

Alcoholism & the 12 Steps [ 35:10 ]  

“Being Sane in Insane Places” [ 37:35 ]

“I am an addict” is an identity statement. If you accept that, then you are always in recovery. [ 38:10 ]

Worries in America about combat addict veterans returning home from Vietnam [ 39:50 ] 

People with addictions who stopped being addicted after leaving the context of the war zone [ 40:40 ]

The opposite of latin or trigonometry, “a Swiss army knife for the brain” [ 42:15 ]

Recent Phil Parker book of note: The Coach That’s Always There; & Upcoming Novel: The Wolf and the Rain Drop [ 44:08 ]

The case of Layla & Assorted Love Songs: when not on tour, Eric Clapton hardly plays the guitar [ 45:25 ]

Mile Davis Quote: “It’s not the note you play that’s the wrong note, it’s the note you play afterwards that makes it right or wrong.” [ 46:40 ]

Be curious: in life too, often when you make a mistake is when it gets interesting [ 47:40 ]
 
*** 
 
Get Connected with Elizabeth McGann:
 
Coaching Website: http://www.ElizabethMcGann.com

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/elizabethmcgann

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethMcGannWellness

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethmcgann

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/ElizabethMcGann
 
*** 
 
Learn more about Dr. Phil Parker:
 
Website: https://www.philparker.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drphilparker/

About the Lightning Process: https://lightningprocess.com/
 

In this episode of Drop the Weight the distinguished Jane Aubriet-Beausire joins us all the way from the UK in the first in a series of podcasts engaging the topic of menopause from a variety of thought-provoking and meaningful perspectives in 2024.
 
A talented executive leadership coach, world traveler and author of the ground-breaking article “Menopause as a Leadership Passage,” Jane draws upon her empowering experiences in the Maori culture of rural New Zealand and elsewhere to shed light on the experience of menopause: not as a distinct moment in time, but as a 15- to 20-year journey from perimenopause to menopause to post-menopause for most women. 
 
The discussion touches upon how with the right diet, lifestyle and knowledgeable perspective, this important time in a woman’s life can be an aspirationally positive experience. With thoughts about the implications about Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the workplace, as well as andropause—the male version of menopause—also considered along the way.
 
Sincere thanks to Jane for providing much needed fresh thinking on a topic that any woman approaching the age of 50 and beyond will benefit from enormously.
 
***
 
SHOW NOTES
 
Intro [ 00:00 ]
 
The first in a series on the topic of menopause [ 01:40 ]
 
Not a distinct moment in time, menopause as leadership passage [ 02:35 ]
 
Some women struggle more than others: e.g. cancer patients, early menopause, sufferers of depression [ 06:35 ]
 
Diet and lifestyle can make a significant difference in symptoms and experience [ 08:00 ]
 
Revered status of older women as “wise healers” in Maori culture of rural New Zealand and Mexico [ 09:15 ]
 
Three significant time periods in a woman’s life: until age 30; age 30 to 50; and beyond age 50 [ 10:50 ]
 
The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) angle, ageism in the workplace [ 13:45 ] 
 
Concept of “weathering,” minorities disproportionately affected by COVID, compared to menopause [ 15:05 ] 
 
Symptoms of perimenopause and menopause do not HAVE to be super challenging [ 18:15 ]
 
Lancet.com article: “An Empowerment Model for Managing Menopause” [ 19:15 ]
 
Andropause as the male equivalent of a similar experience [ 21:10 ]
 
A brief word about coaching [ 23:15 ]
 
Quotation from the titular article [ 24:30 ]
 
The role for leaders [ 26:30 ]
 
“A sense of landing” [ 27:40 ]
 
*** 
 
Get Connected with Elizabeth McGann:
 
Coaching Website: http://www.ElizabethMcGann.com
 
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/elizabethmcgann
 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethMcGannWellness
 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethmcgann
 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ElizabethMcGann
 
***
 
Learn more about Jean Aubriet-Beausire here:
 
Jane's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-aubriet-beausire-13266/?originalSubdomain=uk
 
Jane’s Article: https://www.oxford-group.com/insights/menopause-leadership-passage-jane-aubriet-beausire
 
Jane’s Bio: https://www.oxford-group.com/our-people/jane-aubriet-beausire/
 
Menopause series Jane mentions in the podcast: https://www.thelancet.com/series/menopause-2024

From the rise of Artificial Intelligence, to the Age of Aquarius to the frightening pastiche of Election 2024, this episode of Drop the Weight with master leadership expert Chela Davison covers a truly epic range of topics (with just a few apocalyptic notes to keep things interesting.)
 
Through it all, Chela’s sensible grounding in the real meaning of leadership both--both inward and outward, rooted in integrity through even the most incredible times of change--provide context and meaning that make the whirl of the discussion a lot less unsettling.
 
Whatever your thoughts, predictions, hopes and probably inescapable anxieties surrounding 2024, perhaps we can all agree that it won’t be boring!
 
SHOW NOTES
 
Intro: Artificial Intelligence, the Age of Aquarius & Election Year 2024 [ 01:45 ]

An evolutionary impulse: what it truly means to have a calling [ 02:45 ]

For Chela, a creative breakthrough in writing after a burn out period [ 04:00 ]

Untangling personal and professional identities [ 04:45 ]

Elizabeth’s recent 9/11-like dream of New York City [ 05:30 ]

The Tarot card of Death is change [ 06:00 ]

Ken Wilber & an Integral Theory of Everything [ 06:35 ]

Our animal selves do not know how to process the onslaught of new technology [ 07:45 ]

“A disciple of nature” [ 08:35 ]

An insidious, predictable upward trend: capitalism and the idea of endless growth [ 10:10 ]

Humans are in a constant state of life and death cycles [ 10:45 ]

Chinese medicine and Aryuveda [ 12:20 ]

Vision-questing through Ayahuasca, the grandmother of medicines [ 15:45 ]

Neuroplasticity and psychedelics [ 17:00 ]

“I’d rather write jokes and funny shit!” [ 18:00 ]

Through the pandemic and after: an acceleration of isolation and loneliness [ 21:00 ]

Ken Wilber sees the opportunity for people to do more inner work [ 23:25 ]

Election 2024: we might be in for some deep suffering [ 23:20 ]

Chela’s substack: “A Little Bit Much” [ 27:00 ]
 
 
***
 
Get Connected with Elizabeth McGann:
 
Coaching Website: http://www.ElizabethMcGann.com

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/elizabethmcgann

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethMcGannWellness

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethmcgann

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ElizabethMcGann

 
***
 
Learn more about Chela Davison here:
 
Chela’s Website: https://cheladavison.com/

Chela's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheladavison/

Chela’s Substack: https://cheladavison.substack.com/
 
Chela's BIO: 
 
Chela Davison is an Integral Master Coach™ who works with socially conscious entrepreneurs, creatives, and practitioners to help them align their soul’s call with their work and impact in the world. She offers coaching, programs and two different and complimentary Communities of Practice. Lead your Self, helps members to do the necessary inner work to break old patterns and create enlivening new opportunities on behalf of meeting their Calling. The Creative Cauldron is a co-working and collaboration membership for writers and artists.

In this episode of Drop the Weight, Elizabeth reconnects with the remarkable Megan Brians, a dear friend and colleague of hers from their SoHo Sanctuary days in New York City.
 
Now based out of Bend, Oregon, Megan is breaking new ground as an organic intelligence coach, energy worker and massage therapist developing into a new specialty called sexological bodywork training.
 
Throughout the discussion, Elizabeth and Megan catch up and compare notes on a wild array of topics, including the profound ways that emotional trauma manifests through the body and how it may ultimately be relieved. They also reflect on their shared experiences and contrasting feelings about having recently turned 50.
 
SHOW NOTES
 
Intro [ 00:00 ]

How emotions manifest and live in the body [ 01:55 ]

Tension and contraction create physical issues [ 03:00 ] 

Organic intelligence coaching [ 03:30 ]

“What’s Wrong Attention” & Steve Hoskinson [ 05:10 ]

Elizabeth’s 2024 manifesting challenge [ 06:20 ]

The body’s “guarding” mechanism causing pain and dysregulation [ 07:10 ]

People tend to attach to their symptoms and neurological states [ 08:50 ]

Turning 50, perimenopause and menopause [ 10:55 ]

The 3 prongs of Megan’s practice: “Everyone’s medicine is unique.” [ 12:15 ]

Magical intuition versus the clinical? [ 13:00 ]

Polarity training and energy work [ 14:10 ]

When the tissues tighten, self-protection is happening [ 17:25 ]

How to regulate the nervous system [ 19:10 ]

Coregulation with other people [ 20:55 ]

Polarity and the chakra system [ 22:10 ]

Dropping the emotional, spiritual and physical weight [ 23:40 ]

Ayurvedic food philosophy [ 24:25 ]
Tarot, and how Megan uses it in her work [ 27:00 ]

Sexological bodywork training [ 28:30 ]

Giving advice to your younger self at 50 [ 31:40 ]
 
***
 
Connect with Elizabeth McGann:
 
Coaching Website: http://www.ElizabethMcGann.com
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/elizabethmcgann
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethMcGannWellness
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethmcgann
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ElizabethMcGann
 

***
 
Learn more about Megan Brians:
 
Megan's Website: https://bodyandbeinghealing.com/
Megan’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bodyandbeinghealing/

In this episode of Drop the Weight, we are joined by Elizabeth's brand coach, Renee Rotkopf, once creative director now astrologer, life and business coach. Today she is the founder of Soul and Brand, an online resource for Soulpreneurs.
 
Together they discuss the January 2024 launch of Elizabeth’s course New Year, New You: Unlock the Secret to Manifesting Your Wildest Dreams & Release up to 10 lbs in 30 days.
 
Pluto's shift into Aquarius this January marks a pivotal change. We're entering a lighter, more transformative age—the perfect backdrop for manifesting your dreams. This cosmic alignment is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to release what no longer serves us—in body, mind and soul. This is the key to effortless manifestation and physical well being.
 
We're thrilled to announce our upcoming New Year, New You Manifesting Challenge starting on January 27th. This is not just about shedding physical weight; it's about dropping all the mental and emotional baggage that holds us back. In doing so, we unlock our potential to manifest a life beyond our wildest dreams and achieve optimal health and release up to 10 lbs in 30 days with ease.
 
Here's access to our FREE Masterclass: How to Permanently Release the 3 Most Common Manifesting Blocks Keeping You Stuck
 
https://elizabethmcgann.mykajabi.com/freemasterclass
 
SHOW NOTES
 
[ 00:00 ] Introduction
[ 01:00 ] The timely launch of New Year, New You, with Mercury leaving retrograde in January
[ 03:30 ] Dropping the weight as the “secret sauce” to manifesting
[ 05:30 ] How energy blocks physically manifest in the body
[ 06:30 ] The course as a manifesting challenge over 5 weeks
[ 09:00 ] Helping people who are feeling stuck find clarity
[ 10:30 ] The most powerful courses share wisdom the teacher has grown through
[ 11:15 ] Renee’s soul journey through branding
[ 13:50 ] Who the course is for: If you have a dream inside you…
[ 15:00 ] Aha! moment: the emotional blocks that Drop the Weight is really about
[ 16:45 ] Fascination with astrology, Pluto moving into Aquarius
[ 17:40 ] On January 22nd, everything will start to feel lighter
[ 19:25 ] The body as a reflection of the unconscious mind, what you have been holding onto
[ 20:10 ] In a way, since COVID we have all become entrepreneurs
[ 21:40 ] Jeff Walker’s co-creative concept of a “seed launch”
[ 23:00 ] A way of testing what the audience wants
[ 25:30 ] Renee’s work with both Fortune 500 CEOs & individual clients on a budget
[ 27:40 ] The 5 major blocks to manifesting
[ 31:30 ] “Manifest” is a big word — Manifesting all the cool stuff!
[ 32:45 ] Renee: “You do it through the body. I do it through brands.”
 
***
 
Connect with Elizabeth McGann:
 
Coaching Website: http://www.ElizabethMcGann.com
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/elizabethmcgann
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethMcGannWellness
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethmcgann
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ElizabethMcGann
 
***
 
Learn more about Renee Rotkopf:
 
Renee's Website: https://www.soulandbrand.com
Renee’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee.soulandbrand/
Renee on InsightTimer: https://insighttimer.com/reneerotkopf

Hello and welcome to today’s episode of Drop the Weight, where we talk about state of the world and what to do about it in these spiritually embattled times with highly sought-after meditation teacher, spiritual coach, author and classical Tantra instructor, Harshada David Wagner
 
With the conflict between Israel and Hamas looming in the background of the discussion, we cover a mind-blowing range of topics, including: Harshada’s pandemic-inspired paintings, Julia Cameron’s The Artist Way, the evolution of consciousness, the necessity of becoming spiritually “omnivorous” today, the dangers of being world-oblivious when an active war is going on, the Beatles’ clash with Maharishi Yogi and other scandals that have compromised the legacies of influential spiritual leaders of the past half century.
 
And so much more!
 
SHOW NOTES
 
[ 00:00 ] Intro

[ 00:30 ] Harshada's post-pandemic painting

[ 02:00 ] Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way: Creativity as a spiritual practice

[ 05:00 ] Art as a balm of healing

[ 05:40 ] Israel and Hamas; How does one maintain calm and still be a part of the world?

[ 07:00 ] How to embrace the horror and ugliness in the world with integrity

[ 08:15 ] Irony of spiritual teachers as entrepreneurs/marketers driven by capitalism

[ 09:15 ] Problem of being “world-oblivious,” not watching the news

[ 10:30 ] Evolving “post-patriarchal” era requires sincere seekers to be more omnivorous

[ 12:45 ] A lack of luminary leaders right now

[ 14:45 ] Scandal of recent spiritual leaders Yogi Bhajan, Bikram Choudery, Guru Jugat, John of God

[ 16:00 ] A shift away from a crumbling patriarchal “guru on a throne” model

[ 17:00 ] Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Transcendental Meditation, The Beatles & Rishikesh

[ 18:15 ] Many of the spiritual gurus unprepared for sexual revolution of 1960s

[ 19:20 ] Spiritual teachers these days need a good therapist “who calls them on their shit”

[ 20:00 ] The wild west of spirituality where energy release comes before wisdom

[ 21:15 ] Translating the Shiva Sutra

[ 23:00 ] Distinction between the teaching and the teacher; example of Chogram Trungpa Rimpoche

[ 24:30 ] What does yoga mean? Discovering, owning, then expressing our innate magnificence.

[ 26:00 ] How Christians can relate to yoga

[ 29:00 ] Apocalypse fatigue for real!

[ 29:30 ] Inspired and horrified by images coming out of Gaza, people crying out to God

[ 30:45 ] What do we put at the center of our life to cling to when there is nothing else to grasp?

[ 32:00 ] Love as an action verb

[ 32:50 ] Harshada’s first teacher: “Don’t talk to me about Jesus, unless…”

[ 33:30 ] Meditation needed now more than ever, detoxing from the “digital colonization” of the mind

[ 36:15 ] You might need to meditate a lot. You might need to dance. You might need a therapist or two.

[ 37:30 ] What’s up, and the next 18 months
 
***
 
Connect with Elizabeth McGann:
 
Coaching Website: http://www.ElizabethMcGann.com
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/elizabethmcgann
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethMcGannWellness
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethmcgann
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ElizabethMcGann
 
***
 
Learn more about David Harshada Wagner:
 
Harshada's Website: https://www.davidhwagner.com/
Harshada's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harshadawagner/