On Becoming...

Gregory Del Duca

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On Becoming...

An exploration of existence and paradigm-shifts in the time of COVID.

6 DAYS AGO

We Are the Paradigm Shift

The tagline of all things On Becoming..., is, "Exploring existence and paradigm shifts in the time of COVID." And the bottom line, at this point in history, is that we are the paradigm shift. We must be. There is no more critical time than now for species-sustaining paradigm shifts. Fascism, eugenics, genocide, kyriarchy, war, and an overwhelming ethos of compliance and forced assimilation are, at present, the status quo. That must change. And it will. How do I know that? I regularly interact and work with children and youth, young adults (i.e. approximately 35 and younger), and there is nothing BUT hope and faith to have. And those of us who are elders, perceived experts, influencers... I continue to meet more and more who have been wanting, desperately, to contribute to these humane, inclusive, diverse, equitable, person-centered, trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming endeavors. We are the paradigm shift. It's such a pleasure to hang with you. I appreciate you being here. -G

21 min
FEB 9

Twenty Twenty Five

Hey. It's been three months. Three goddam months that feel like three years, or thirty, or zero. So... hey. I'm thinking about the very moment in which we sit, looking out over the existential contexts in which it all sits, and I'm actually feeling... I can't capture the word. I'm feeling profoundly energized, and maybe that will deflate tomorrow. And I'm equally feeling deeply depressed, though I do have enough experience in this nervous system wash of sad, sad neurochemicals to know I'll get through this one, too. Ambivalent? I like that word, though I don't love it. It's more akin to the Chinese construct of yin and yang. Non-duality. Mutual arising. Anyway, I always feel better when I put on the headphones, set up the mic, and process into my own head knowing that I'll also be processing with other nervous systems asynchronously. That's really fucking cool to me. So yeah. If you feel so compelled to spend a few minutes with me, I hope it's a cool little trip. -G

23 min
11/12/2024

And Now for Something Completely Different

Folks. How are you? Precarious? Ambivalent? Terrified? Angry? Sad? Confused? Unsure? All of the above, plus more? Something completely different?!! I feel you. I assure you you've come the right place. Here is a very brief, "On Becoming...," through which I travel out of a spirit of gravity and into a spirit of levity. Yin. Yang. The undeniable reality that duality is baked into existence. And not only that, duality across a myriad spectra. And we are, smiling Sisyphus. Pushing that rock. Kate Bush. Climbing up that hill. Bill Withers. We all need somebody to lean on. Won't you hang out with me for a few minutes? It'll be fun, I promise. Love yinz. ...and Now for Something Completely Different. -G P.S. Remember, you can find me on Apple Music and Spotify, proper.

22 min
10/20/2024

Moses, Mercy, and Me

On Becoming... ...an exploration of existence and paradigm shifts in the time of COVID. I'm putting that tag here because you will not hear it in the episode. Why? Because the intro was recorded in 2018 and the piece, itself, was released in 2016 before the "Driven to Drink" podcast was removed from the internet for musical copyright infringement. It's the piece of which I'm most proud. I wrote and produced the piece entirely, composed and played the music you'll hear from the kalimba (thumb piano) and meditation bowl. The piece is about my relationship with two incredible young humans I encountered while serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer across 2000 to 2002. It illuminates a critical experience for me that pointed me more firmly in a direction that leads to this very moment. And again, I'm just really proud of the piece, so I want it to be heard. I appreciate you being here with me. -G

18 min
09/30/2024

My Platinum Rule

In several weeks, I'll be presenting to a group of self-advocates who gather regularly to bolster, mentor, and support the voices of those who are too often ignored and diminished. My goal is to ensure the presentation is as fully accessible to all participants, and anyone who might otherwise want to receive the messages, as possible. Today's podcast represents my desire to figure out what to communicate and how to communicate in the plainest language available to me. "The Golden Rule," as many of us have learned it, communicates: Treat others the way you want to be treated. "The Platinum Rule," as illuminated for me by colleagues and mentors, is: Treat others the way they want to be treated. Unfortunately, and perhaps predictably, the leadership-consulting and entrepreneurial-mentoring grift economies, focused primarily on profit and assimilation, approach the concept from the perspective of manipulating others for greater productivity. As an accommodationist, I am entirely opposed to the covert manipulation, de facto gaslighting, of perceived novices and other less-powerful, vulnerable individuals and groups. Thus, I'm considering my Platinum Rule, one that is impact-regarding, social-and-emotional, trauma-informed, person-centered, and neurodiversity-affirming. I'd love you to hear what I have to say. I'd love to hear what *you* have to say about what I have to say! Thanks for being along for the ride. -Greg

31 min
08/31/2024

Buddha's In the Heart

While struggling to come up with a title for this episode, my spouse, who is not a fan of Dee-Lite or their ubiquitous hit, spit out, "Buddha's In the Heart," and it stuck. (Feelin' kinda high like a Hendrix haze.) Obviously, what you'll find here is looser and a bit more relaxed than previous episodes...but as I continue to find and hone my voice, or voices, in the spirit of play, I appreciate you being along for the journey. I'm back to the book, having reread and revised the first 3.5 chapters, I wrote an additional 250 words, which doesn't sound like much. But after several years of nothing, 250 is assuredly something! Knowing that I have neither the connections nor the money to publish in any official manner, I'm going to find a way to self publish on the blog site, www.inclusionnow.space. You can find other pieces there right now, and they all point in the direction of On Becoming..., which is? Person centered. Actively listening/processing. Impact regarding. Neurodiversity affirming. Trauma informed. Thanks for being along for the ride! Love, G

24 min
08/18/2024

What I Mean When I Say...

This episode is a glossary of terms that I often use set in the spirit of play and existential joy. The material is serious and heavy, as any endeavor aimed at harm reduction should be. AND ALSO...I am but a human becoming within a universe universing. Sincere levity is praxis. I love that you're here with me. Thanks for hanging. -Greg

33 min
08/10/2024

Assuming Competence

And there, in a space occupied by teenagers and young adults, many of whom have high enough support needs to have spent lifetimes with caregivers, teachers, clinicians, and other experts assuming INcompetency...we found community and a path towards true independence and freedom, confidence and know-how gained through lived experience. I'm grateful, every day, to exist in community with autistic and other neurodivergent people, to feel kinship with vulnerable and oppressed folks, and to step, inch by inch, in the direction of harm reduction, healing, and empowerment. -G

24 min

An exploration of existence and paradigm-shifts in the time of COVID.

Creator

Gregory Del Duca
Years Active

2024 - 2025
Episodes

19
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Gregory Del Duca
Show Website

On Becoming...