KARMIC RELIEF

Bob Peck

I’m Bob Peck and this is Karmic Relief. My background is in documentary film and comparative religion. I wrote a book called “Original Sin Is A Lie: How Spirituality Defies Dogma and Reveals Our True Self” which serves as an intro to mystic philosophy, Bible scholarship, Hindu metaphysics, and more. Karmic Relief is a lighthearted interview show where I talk to spiritual teachers, creatives, scholars, and activists, and humans who embody the overlapping beauty of all of the above dimensions. According to the mystics, the truth cannot be spoken, but we’ll do our best to talk about it anyway.

  1. 10/19/2025

    Bridging the Divide with Curiosity and Courage | Daryl Davis

    I’ve admired Daryl Davis’s story for years—a Black American blues musician who somehow became friends with members of the Ku Klux Klan, not to shame them, but to understand them. Through his initial, fascinatingly simple, yet radical act of curiosity, he’s helped more than 200 people leave hate groups and rediscover their shared humanity.In our conversation, Daryl shares his incredible story in that Maryland bar when a Klansman approached him after a gig—a meeting that would dramatically alter both of their lives. He shares with calm wisdom, how fear is learned, how dialogue can dissolve hatred, and how love & dignity disarm even the hardest hearts… that question that motivates his life’s work is:“How can you hate me when you don't even know me?“What rings so clearly about Daryl is that empathy is not weakness—it’s transformative strength. He embodies this truth. And I’m deeply honored to share this dialogue with you. May it remind us all that curiosity and compassion are not luxuries—they’re how we heal the world.Subscribe to Karmic Relief Podcast on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@iambobpeckConnect with Darylhttps://instagram.com/realdaryldavisInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/karmicreliefpodhttps://www.instagram.com/bobpeckSpotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/7es7cjNdcSel032NLXr4wK?si=cf96e7379ab14052Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/karmic-relief/id1515029592More about Bob Peckhttps://www.linktr.ee/bobpeckTheme Music Scott Standley - "You Got It" https://www.scottstandley.comDesign by Paige Hasaballah & Bob Peck https://deltavenus.art

    1h 23m
  2. 05/31/2025

    From Wall Street to Mystic Philosophy | Jason Pickard

    Jason Pickard is an exception to the rule. He  comes from Wall Street trading. Jason was one of the top traders in his field on the planet. And yet he was miserable. Then he got in shape. Rich and fit, he was never in a lesser mental place in his life. He realized that he needed spiritual guidance and soulful excavation. Jason has studied the world mystics extensively and learned from some of the best teachers in this space. He is also extremely generous with his new service offerings. We discuss: - The lie that spirituality and wealth are incompatible - Reclaiming all parts of yourself—even the ones you rejected - How rhythm and magic guided his trading, coaching, and healing - Rumi, Ram Dass, mastery, and the misunderstood power of money - My own journey from child comedian to mystic podcaster - How following your bliss requires patience This episode is a soulful reminder that your inner pulse never leaves you—it just asks to be heard beneath the noise. Connect with Jason: https://www.instagram.com/jasonpickardofficial Subscribe to Karmic Relief Podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@iambobpeck Instagram https://www.instagram.com/karmicreliefpod https://www.instagram.com/bobpeck Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7es7cjNdcSel032NLXr4wK?si=cf96e7379ab14052 Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/karmic-relief/id1515029592 More about Bob Peck https://www.linktr.ee/bobpeck Theme Music Scott Standley - "You Got It" https://www.scottstandley.com Design by Paige Hasaballah & Bob Peck https://deltavenus.art

    1h 22m
  3. 04/26/2025

    Mystic Misfits Building a Space for Visionary Art | Juan & Rosemary Villegas

    Knowing the Villegas well is proof I'm doing something right. Juan and Rosemary Villegas are two visionary painters in north Austin blazing their own trail. They have both been painting for over a decade, with a clarified spiritual focus the last 5-7 years, they have co-created a transcendental, surreal home for art and the artists who create it at Art Us Co art gallery. It wasn't always easy... in fact it was a challenging period in the early years both as artists and just as human beings working out their own shadow sides. Until their hard work and vision, literally they engineered this space mentally, paid off into their own artist-run grassroots art collective and gallery in north Austin in the Arboretum area. As painters, they've exhibited their work in galleries across Texas and other states. As students, they've learned from visionary artists Alex and Allyson Grey. And as gallery owners, they've showcased art by diverse artists from different cultural backgrounds, all with the shared mission of expanding consciousness. We discuss: - Juan and Rosemary’s “overnight” success built over decades of personal and creative evolution. - Why they founded ArtUs Co after years of being rejected by traditional galleries for being “too mystical.” - Rosemary’s awakening through animal spirit guides after a visionary intensive with Alex & Allyson Grey. - Juan’s transformation from surrealist darkness to uplifting spiritual imagery after leaving toxic relationships. - Their shared inspiration from psychedelics—not to paint on them, but to integrate the visions afterward. - The role of nature, animals, and sacred symbols in both their personal healing and artistic expression. - Why authenticity and feedback—not market trends—drive their most impactful works. Subscribe to Karmic Relief Podcast on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@iambobpeckConnect with Juan & Rosemary https://www.instagram.com/villegasartist https://www.instagram.com/mysticalrosemary https://www.instagram.com/artuscoart Instagram https://www.instagram.com/karmicreliefpod More about Bob Peckhttps://www.linktr.ee/bobpeck Theme Music Scott Standley - "You Got It" https://www.scottstandley.com Design by Paige Hasaballah & Bob Peck https://deltavenus.art

    1 hr
  4. 04/08/2025

    Escaping the Cult, An Ex-Mennonite's Awakening | Kayla Marie

    Kayla Marie's story is extraordinary. She is a trauma informed somatic coaching counselor whose work is influenced immensely by her childhood growing up Mennonite. Mennonites are an extremely antiquated fundamentalist Christian cult that perpetuates chauvinism, indoctrination, and control. There are moments of beauty in the faith, but ultimately the controlling egos subjugate their community and their women. Kayla was in Handmaid's Tale in real life. And sadly the end of her Act I is very dark. But she also has bloomed incredibly after the darkness and it is such a thrill to point to her, her work and her story as a shining example of rising from the ashes. We talk through: -pre trans fallacy - if the truth isn't transcended it can cause harm, Ken Wilber -Mennonite upbringing: - beautiful singing - ultimately innocent as God's children - seeing God in everything like the mystic, however fear and indoctrinating children - in church every morning - Kayla's dark story of sexual abuse, within her Mennonite religion, within her family -- sharing as a way to help other victims understand they can rise above the ashes too; and it's not their fault! - You are worthy of love, the Infinite Love of Creator - Her Hollywood-movie-esque story of leaving Mennonite abuse and finding freedom - She has a punk rock period, and then found her spiritual practice after losing a loving partner - The Tao Te Ching as an initial veil-breaking text for "a flower blossoming in her chest" - Personal growth is not linear - Christians are "worshipping the door instead of walking through it" - Loving myself now, never thought I'd do that Connect with Kayla: https://www.instagram.com/songbird_living Subscribe to Karmic Relief Podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@iambobpeck Instagram https://www.instagram.com/karmicreliefpod https://www.instagram.com/bobpeck Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7es7cjNdcSel032NLXr4wK?si=cf96e7379ab14052 Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/karmic-relief/id1515029592 More about Bob Peck https://www.linktr.ee/bobpeck Theme Music Scott Standley - "You Got It" https://www.scottstandley.com Design by Paige Hasaballah & Bob Peck https://deltavenus.art

    1h 26m
  5. 03/11/2025

    Hospice Worker for the Dying Church, Mid-Wife for the New Era | Dr. Rick Diamond

    Dr. Rick Diamond is a beautiful shining eternal soul having a temporary human experience. Just like you. Dr. Rick is one of my favorite people on Instagram and I'm thrilled to call him a friend and mentor here in Austin. He found me through my book and we've been big supporters of each other ever since. Rick's work is called "story healing" where he helps people investigate the stories we've been telling ourselves for so many years. He was an English professor, and a former Christian pastor, he also ran the Journey Imperfect Faith Community for 17 years here in town.. so yeah Rick has led countless classes, seminars, and spiritual retreats guiding ourselves, and himself, into authentic spirituality. He really walks the walk. He dances the walk. I loved talking to him and laughing with him. Enjoy Dr. Rick Diamond on this episode of Karmic Relief. Subscribe to Karmic Relief Podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@iambobpeck Connect with Rick https://instagram.com/drrickdiamond Instagram https://www.instagram.com/karmicreliefpod https://www.instagram.com/bobpeck Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7es7cjNdcSel032NLXr4wK?si=cf96e7379ab14052 Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/karmic-relief/id1515029592 More about Bob Peck https://www.linktr.ee/bobpeck Theme Music Scott Standley - "You Got It" https://www.scottstandley.com Design by Paige Hasaballah & Bob Peck https://deltavenus.art

    1h 37m
  6. 02/19/2025

    Relationships As Mirrors of Healing | Carol Howe

    What if the people in our lives—especially those who trigger us—are actually our greatest spiritual teachers? In this enlightening episode, Carol Howe, a renowned ACIM teacher and biographer of Bill Thetford, shares her wisdom on how relationships serve as powerful mirrors for our own inner work.With nearly 50 years of experience with A Course in Miracles, Carol explains how the Course’s core principles—true forgiveness, releasing guilt, and seeing past illusions—can help us shift our perception and heal even the most challenging relationships. Drawing from her close friendship with Bill Thetford, she also gives an inside look at his journey with the Course, his transformation, and how its teachings shaped his life.This episode is an invitation to see our relationships differently, embrace forgiveness as a tool for awakening, and recognize that our greatest struggles may hold the key to our deepest peace.Subscribe to Karmic Relief Podcast on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@iambobpeckConnect with Carolhttps://www.carolhowe.comInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/karmicreliefpodSpotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/7es7cjNdcSel032NLXr4wK?si=cf96e7379ab14052Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/karmic-relief/id1515029592More about Bob Peckhttps://www.linktr.ee/bobpeckTheme Music Scott Standley - "You Got It" https://www.scottstandley.comDesign by Paige Hasaballah & Bob Peck https://deltavenus.art

    1h 7m
  7. 02/03/2025

    Philosophers Are Mystics, Unraveling Western Esoterica | Michael Phillip

    Michael Phillip is talking to people. Hundreds of fascinating philosophers, academics, psychologists, scientists, and crazy mystics on his show Third Eye Drops. He is helping to untangle esoterica in the Western world. And one of the most important discoveries he's made on his incredibly popular podcast, Third Eye Drops, is that Philosophers are actually mystics. Plato, for example, has been framed by history as a man who understood reason, and the world, in a secular, grounded way. This is true in some aspects, but if we haven't read the Timmaeus, we're not fully appreciating how mystical and how esoteric Plato truly was... there's a reason that Cave metaphor inspired by the Matrix. Michael and I talk about how he got into this world of podcasting and esoterica, how his friend Don Hoffman PhD sees the world, as well as touching on our historical faves from Plotinus to Jesus to Jung. Enjoy. Subscribe to Karmic Relief Podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@iambobpeck Connect with Michael youtube.com/@thirdeyedrops instagram.com/third_eye_drops Instagram https://www.instagram.com/karmicreliefpod Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7es7cjNdcSel032NLXr4wK?si=cf96e7379ab14052 Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/karmic-relief/id1515029592 More about Bob Peck https://www.linktr.ee/bobpeck Theme Music Scott Standley - "You Got It" https://www.scottstandley.com Design by Paige Hasaballah & Bob Peck https://deltavenus.art

    1h 10m
4.9
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

I’m Bob Peck and this is Karmic Relief. My background is in documentary film and comparative religion. I wrote a book called “Original Sin Is A Lie: How Spirituality Defies Dogma and Reveals Our True Self” which serves as an intro to mystic philosophy, Bible scholarship, Hindu metaphysics, and more. Karmic Relief is a lighthearted interview show where I talk to spiritual teachers, creatives, scholars, and activists, and humans who embody the overlapping beauty of all of the above dimensions. According to the mystics, the truth cannot be spoken, but we’ll do our best to talk about it anyway.