30 episodes

The Non-Ordinary Podcast is Ronan Levy's sometimes-serious, sometimes-not-so-serious podcast where we plumb the depths of our consciousness, seek to answer the most important questions in life (like why are we here? how do I like the most out of life? what is success?) and try to keep a lively attitude about it all.

Each episode takes us on a deep dive through the issues with academics, entrepreneurs, doctors and gurus to help us on our journey, which is always anything but ordinary.

The Non-Ordinary Podcast Ronan Levy

    • Health & Fitness
    • 4.8 • 87 Ratings

The Non-Ordinary Podcast is Ronan Levy's sometimes-serious, sometimes-not-so-serious podcast where we plumb the depths of our consciousness, seek to answer the most important questions in life (like why are we here? how do I like the most out of life? what is success?) and try to keep a lively attitude about it all.

Each episode takes us on a deep dive through the issues with academics, entrepreneurs, doctors and gurus to help us on our journey, which is always anything but ordinary.

    How to think for yourself with Ben "Doc" Askins, PhD (Hon.)

    How to think for yourself with Ben "Doc" Askins, PhD (Hon.)

    As 2023 has been a year of profound changes, ups and downs and lots of confusion and uncertainty for me, I couldn't think of a better episode to send this year off with than this one with Ben "Doc" Askins.

    Give a listen and you'll understand why.

    Ben "Doc" Askins is a no-one. But he is also Banksy’s erudite elder brother, a Deadpool wannabe, and the Shadow of the world’s most interesting man.

    When artificial intelligence has a fever dream, it dreams of being Doc.

    But if you actually care about qualifications, here is what you need to know about Ben. He has degrees in Outdoor Education, Intercultural Studies, Physician Assistant Studies, and Divinity. He has nearly two decades of experience practicing and teaching wilderness, tactical, and expeditionary medicine in the military. In civilian life, he is a Psychiatric Physician Assistant with an evidence-focused and integrative approach to mental health that includes extensive experience providing ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, medicine management, and spiritual direction. He is certified with the Multidisciplinary Association on Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) in MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. Ben is a member of the Wilderness Medical Society, a National Outdoor Leadership school alum, a veteran of the Global War on Terrorism, and has completed postgraduate training in Neuropsychiatry and Genomics.

    I won't even attempt to put together show notes on this one because it would be a failed pursuit. But it was an awesome conversation.

    If you're not nauseated by the end of this conversation, check out Ben's work here.

    • 1 hr 12 min
    How can I say this? w/ Danny Morel

    How can I say this? w/ Danny Morel

    Danny Morel is a life coach and spiritual leader guiding millions throughout the world to awaken, heal and transform their lives. But don't tell him that. Because he doesn't like those labels, and I can understand why. There's something weird about calling yourself a spiritual leader.

    But sometimes doing this work, whatever you call it, is going to mean you're going to run into people who want to get it but sometimes just...don't.

    And maybe I'm one of those people. How can I say this? Even though I really want to buy into a lot of what Danny says, there's something about it that just doesn't land for me. I can't tell you why. Maybe it was just my mood that day. Maybe I just see the world differently. Or maybe there is something incomplete about what Danny is preaching. I don't know.

    But I do know that, notwithstanding my ambivalence about some of the elements of this conversation, that there are some great insights shared and, that what I'm trying to do with this podcast is try to elevate truth as much as possible. And the truth is that there's something that just doesn't sit right for me in this conversation. And maybe that's all the truth that needs to be shared.

    Learn more about Danny and his work here.

    • 59 min
    Why You Can't Trust Governments When it Comes to Drugs with Prof. David Nutt

    Why You Can't Trust Governments When it Comes to Drugs with Prof. David Nutt

    I can't help but love it when some people f*ck with authority, especially when they are on the right side of history. Prof. David Nutt is one of those people.

    David is currently the Edmond J. Safra Professor of Neuropsychopharmacology and director of the Neuropsychopharmacology Unit in the Division of Brain Sciences.  He is also the Chair of DrugScience (formally the Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs (ISCD)) and President of the European Brain Council.

    But he's probably best known for up-ending everything we were taught about drugs in high school after he authored a study published in the Lancet that showed, through a multi-criteria analysis, that things like cannabis, psilocybin and LSD weren't nearly as harmful to people as was our then (and still, frankly) vice, alcohol.

    And we should all be grateful he did because in many ways that was a pivotal moment for the psychedelic renaissance and the start of a healthy reexamination of psychoactive compounds in our society.

    His recent book, Psychedelics: The Revolutionary Drugs That Could Change Your Life - a Guide From the Expert, was published in June 2023 and is now available for pre-order in Canada and the US. You can get your copy here.

    • 1 hr 19 min
    Coming Full Circle

    Coming Full Circle

    Hello everyone and welcome BACK to the Non-Ordinary Podcast, my sometimes serious sometimes not so serious podcast exploring the most interesting questions in life.

    First non-ordinary episode landing tomorrow!

    • 1 min
    Repost: The Bright Line Between Good and Evil || Sam Harris

    Repost: The Bright Line Between Good and Evil || Sam Harris

    This is a reposting of a recent episode of the podcast Making Sense with Sam Harris called "The Bright Line Between Good and Evil", reshared with Sam's consent and with a brief commentary from me at off the top.

    I am resharing this because it opened my eyes to things I hadn't considered, and I think it's important for these thoughts to be heard, considered and, if appropriate, responded to.

    • 1 hr 3 min
    Real Behaviour Change || Robbie Bent

    Real Behaviour Change || Robbie Bent

    What happens when you’re building one of the most innovative companies and coolest brands in the world and a baby drops into your life at the same time? Two experiences that you can do all you want to prepare for consciously but can never really be prepared for? 

    That’s what Robbie Bent, Co-founder and CEO of Othership, is going through right now. Robbie was kind enough to join me on the podcast for a second time to talk about how his life has evolved since our last recorded conversation, which happened just before he was about to embark on a psychedelic retreat at Holos to prepare for fatherhood. You can listen to that episode here.

    Here are some highlights:

    1:35 - living with a wild animal, otherwise known as a child
    10:07 - getting hyped to create something amazing and deliver transformative experiences
    13:23 - Robbie's triggers and bringing the stress of work into home life
    14:57 - admiration for his wife and the role of the mother
    15:40 - hard lives
    22:40 - what drives Robbie to do what he does
    25:00 - managing the balance
    28:00 - is there a moment of "success" for Robbie?
    29:45 - moving goal lines
    35:17 - the sadness in success and how running Othership is already changing
    40:30 - the merits of lifestyle businesses
    45:18 - revisiting the psychedelic fatherhood retreat (and a shoutout to Steve Rio!)
    49:39 - a spiritual moment with Onyx
    52:17 - how parenthood (and the Hoffman Method) shifted his relationship with his parents
    57:00 - the trials and tribulations of parenthood
    1:04:24 - how your business can become part of your family
    1:09:39 - the New York Othership reveal

    • 1 hr 10 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
87 Ratings

87 Ratings

Chris Van Loan ,

Truly on the cutting edge

This has become a cant miss podcast that I always tune in for.
I love the variety of different guests with different perspectives. The host Ronan is a great interviewer who gets some incredibly interesting guests on the cutting edge of this field to share their stories and ideas.

m.i.n.i.m.a.l.i.s.t. ,

Episode 73: Ronan loves Trump - Got it!

Episode 73: Great soliloquy by Jamie Wheal. However, it ended on bad note w/ Ronan’s prognostication that history will treat Trump well. Nothing could be further from truth. Americans have suffered as hate monger, anti-Vaxxer, traitor divided the country. What a way to twist JW’s message! Also: Twitter profile (Ronan w/ finance bros at NYSE) not suggests fascination w/ power & wealth while insensitive, callous disregard for human suffering. Not a good look for mental health CEO who supposedly cares about human wellness. I’ll pass on his company.

paulastella16 ,

Eye opening

This podcast is the perfect intro to psychedelics and different perspectives. It is great to hear about so many fascinating human experiences and Roman is a patient, well-prepared and intelligent host. I love that each guest has a unique perspective. This podcast is a platform for opening minds. Thank You!

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