Are we doomed to repeat our past? To inflict upon our children what was inflicted upon us? If we are a product of our genetics intersecting with our environment, how can we break the cycle once and for all? In this episode I story of my past and why that has led me to give away all 17 of my books for free. Want all of my books for free? Just sign u…

No talking. No writing. No touching. Just 10+ hours a day meditating for 10 days straight… In this episode I share my experiences on a 10 day silent retreat at Dhamma Aloka, under the instruction of S.N. Goenka where I learnt the technique of Vipassana meditation. Here I share the lessons learnt, the insights acquired, and give my analysis of the e…

What do you do when you are genetically predisposed to have negative reactions to antidepressants, have lost your job, have had little success with talking therapies, and have not yet processed the trauma of the past? Answer: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) This episode is a collaboration with Dr Jenelle Tupek, director and founder of Balan…

Neil Shaka Hislop is an ESPN soccer analyst and commentator, Howard University alum, and former professional soccer player. He represented Trinidad and Tobago internationally, including the 2006 World Cup. Hislop co-founded "Show Racism the Red Card" and has received numerous awards for his contributions to sports and anti-racism efforts. EPISODE L…

What is scarier: sitting in silence or the fact that you are afraid to sit in silence? In this episode I discuss how technology has granted us the ability to endlessly occupy the space that was once filled with silence. The benefits of which are obvious: education, entertainment, content and connection - but at what cost? What do we lose by blockin…

It feels like every tradition has a prescription on how you should sit; where to hold your hands, what to do with your eyes, and how you should handle sleepiness and pain are all prescribed. For advanced practitioners, these suggestions should be heeded, but for beginners, they can be a hindrance - one that can be so off prescriptive and off puttin…

Part product of the past, part vision for the future, part desire to live a meaningful life, part belief that I can make a difference … In this episode I break down the reasons why I feel compelled to share my soul online, discussing the journey I took to get here and where I am hoping to go. If you are wanting an in depth look at ‘my why’, this is…

How much of our reality do we create? Not from a ‘woo woo’ sense, but as a function of the result of the interaction between our past and our particular genetic predispositions? If we have faced significant life challenges, and have a fearful disposition, there is a chance that we will view the world and our future pessimistically. Alternatively, i…

Buy more. Do more. Be more. Consume more. Watch more… This seems to be the mantra of modern society and it is kill us. We are losing our communities, forgetting our art, and wasting our lives, all in pursuit of an ever diminishing in value dollar and ever rising expectations to keep up with the proverbial Joneses. In this episode I read the poem ‘c…

The difference between expectation and reality is often the source of significant discontent. Life trains us to search for ideals: the perfect partner, job, life, outcome. Unfortunately this almost never arises and even if it did, it would be fleeting. Thus there is a real potential for ongoing and almost contentious self inflicted suffering. Thank…

What greater gift can you give someone than the gift of presence? When you are fully present, mindful, and in the moment, you are able to give all those around you access to the best version of you, and thus the moment they are in with you. In this episode, I share with you a guided meditation that I have released on Insight Timer. It is based on t…

‘Stuck Inside My Mind’ Freestyle improv poetry. Watch the video on Instagram, and read the full poem here. Current offerings: - Hunt Your Own Shadow: free 12 week email course - Insight Timer: guided audio courses & free meditations - Skillshare: video courses on personal development - How To Get Your Sh!t Together: the last self-help book you will…

The more you know about yourself the better choices you will make and thus the better life you will lead. In this episode I share some recent instances of deep personal insight where I discover things about myself that are both good, bad, and ugly. I share the importance of such discoveries as well as the ways in which I (and you can) foster furthe…

Yesterday, a friend asked me how to meditate, that talk inspired this episode. Here is my guidance for absolute beginners: 1: sit comfortably (no pain or sleepiness) 2: set a timer for 5 minutes 3: pick a meditation object (breath, vision, sound) 4: when you notice a wandering kind, bring it back to focus. A successful session is one that you compl…

When you dedicate yourself to one thing, the lessons learnt begin to help you with everything. In this episode I discuss the quote by Miyamoto Musashi 'If you know the way broadly you will see it in all things' - applying the lessons I have learnt in martial arts, poetry, meditation, chess and life to one another, discussing the intersection betwee…

Two weeks ago I began transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to treat my depression, anxiety and PTSD. 10 sessions in and I am starting to see significant progress. In this episode I share my experiences of the process and my hopes for the future. Current offerings: - Hunt Your Own Shadow: free 12 week email course - Insight Timer: guided audio co…

The moment we label something, it is limited. The label isn’t the truth, it is a representation of, it’s a finger pointing to the moon, it is a suggestion of possibility that always falls short of reality. In this episode I share the following poem and muse about its implications, leaving you with the spiritual practice of looking beyond the label,…

Join us on this episode of the Hot Tea and Incense podcast as we discuss the power of purity and it's place in relationships.

In this session I share the audio from my presentation in the Breaking Boxes ‘Power Of Connection Summit’, where I joined seven other presenters over two days to talk on all things connection. My talk was titled ‘Connection From Within The Darkness’ - I talk about the disconnect we often feel to ourselves and the world following trauma and how we c…

Life will shoot us with the first arrow - these are real injuries, setbacks, losses and pain. But the greater cause of our suffering comes form ‘the second arrow’ - the fear, anxieties, ruminations, and other internal mechanisations that we dwell upon. In this episode I discuss the concept of the second arrow, as well as how we can use it to elimin…

Dr. Stefan Uddenberg, With a PhD from Yale University and extensive research experience at the Perception & Cognition Laboratory under the guidance of Brian Scholl, Dr. Uddenberg is set to make waves as an Assistant Professor of Psychology at UIUC next summer. Currently a Principal Researcher with Alex Todorov at Chicago Booth, Dr. Uddenberg's prim…

In this episode I share a guided meditation that I shared on the Insight Timer app. What if you were to give thanks in advance for the wonderful things that were going to happen? - And what if you used that question to reframe your gratitude practice into the future? In this session we contemplate this concept and suggest how it could be adapted to…

In this session I share a guided meditation that I shared on the Insight Timer app. This track is an invitation to explore the beauty of the present moment. To stop the rush and to settle into the now. It begins with a discussion of the benefits of finding opportunities to meditate through out the day and then goes into a mindful story. Join me on …

This is the story of a dark night of the soul, of traversing the depths of despair, and of rebirth. It is the story of transformation from a shadow version of myself into my embodied fullness. It is the story of reintegration with my body after years of trauma, and of letting go of old wounds and identities that no longer serve me. It is a story of…

What if the future could already be at your doorstep, or rather, your bus stop? The team at SARTA Next Stop is thrilled to bring you an episode that peels back the curtain on the future of transit. Our guest, the insightful Kirt Conrad, joins us for this thought-provoking discussion as we untangle the potentials of a streetcar system and micro-tran…

Ever wondered how a bustling transportation company keeps its buses and facilities at peak performance? Well, prepare to pull back the curtain and discover the intricate and often overlooked world of maintenance with our special guest, Keith Zachary, SARTA's maintenance supervisor. Keith, who is instrumental in the upkeep of the company’s buildings…

Will mindfulness meditation lead to enlightenment? In this talk I respond to an email from follower on Insight Timer who has found some contradictory advice relating to their meditation practice and the goal of enlightenment. I go deep on the different interpretations of awakening presented by different practices/instructors, and offer some guidanc…

Ever wonder how transit operations function smoothly even under unexpected situations such as bus breakdowns or bad weather conditions? Curious about the role of dispatch services, particularly in coordinating with different teams and strategizing to ensure passenger safety and punctuality? Join us as we unravel the complexities of bus operations w…

Get ready to embark on a fascinating journey of clean energy evolution with our esteemed guest, Kirt Conrad, CEO of SARTA's. Hold your seat tight as we revisit his remarkable experiences from his early clean energy days in Akron in 2005, and his work with Stan, who was named 'Scientist of the Century' by Scientist Magazine. We'll recount the thrill…

Every Christmas season I talk on this topic, because every Christmas season I am reminded of just how overwhelming, panic inducing and confusing it all can be. Thankfully I am learning from the past and have realised the need for intervention, prevention, and pre-emptive attention to self-care and preparation to stay sane over the next few months. …

Welcome to a glimpse into the world of transit projects with our esteemed guest, Clayton Popik Director of Development and Special Projects at SARTA. Navigating the labyrinth of capital projects can be daunting, but Clayton is here to demystify it all. We journey with him through the intricacies of the Massillon Transit Center expansion – a rivetin…

Do you often find yourself puzzled by the myriad of public transit payment options? Don't worry, we've got you covered. Join us as we chat with Bobbie Barnett, a seasoned supervisor at SARTA, who demystifies the fare payment process for us. Bobbie shares fascinating insights about the various ways you can pay for your ride, be it exact cash, tap ca…

Last night I woke enraged. At the world. At my family. At my job. At myself. I was lying in bed in a state of utter tension; with a headache, racing heart, and complete emotional overwhelm. Then, a moment of detachment. A breath. A reminder of my mindfulness practice and the realisation of two fundamental truths of my current predicament. 1: All of…

Ever pondered about the intricacies of public transportation service applications, particularly for disability? Buckle up, because this episode will guide you through it like none other. We connect with Tracy Tulley, the man who has ascended the ranks at SARTA, starting from customer service and now leading the contract support services. Tracy offe…

Ever wondered how the intricate world of public transit operates and what its fixed routes have to offer you? Buckle up and embark on a journey with us as we venture into this fascinating subject. We are joined by Delano, our Dispatch Supervisor, who takes us behind the scenes of his role in ensuring smooth transit operations. Listen closely as Lat…

Perhaps like me, you are struggling with a collection of symptoms and functionality issues. Some days are amazing, but other days you just fall apart. The people around you have suggested that perhaps you may have ADHD or ASD or some other kind of neurodivergence, but you are unsure if you should seek a diagnosis. The stigma, shame, and self blame …

Ever wondered how public transportation routes are planned? Or perhaps, how communities and businesses are engaged in this process? Join us as we pull back the curtain on SARTA's public transportation. Our guests for today is Robin, a dedicated worker who makes sure that everyone has access to safe, efficient, and inclusive transportation. We'll le…

Ready to discover how an innovative transportation organization is breaking barriers and changing lives? Strap in as we converse with Kirt Conrad, the CEO of SARTA, alongside Latrice Virola, Director of Customer Relations, and Nina Phillips, Outreach Specialist. In this enlightening chat, we unpack the monumental scale of SARTA's operations, facili…

Dissociation is a feeling of unreality; a fog over consciousness that makes everything, even the self, feel ethereal. A barrier to connection that blocks most everything, leaving your goals, dreams and hopes to merely bleed through the window of mind offering little more than an opaque view of life. Until of course, that window cracks, letting in t…

Today I share the audio from my live talk on the Insight Timer app, titled "Stop Quitting On Yourself", inspired by my 10 day course - “Discover Your Divine Purpose” This session will begin with a guided meditation that will prime you to be ready to sit in contemplation a question designed to evoke transformation. We will then sit in silent contemp…

It is impossible to judge people objectively - your basis for forming an opinion is a function of the unique circumstances of your life (location, time, genetics, environment etc), thus your conclusions are dependent on factors external to you. No one is privy to your inner world and you are not privy to theirs. How then can we ever know what they …

Kirk-Anthony Hamilton, a distinguished entrepreneur, investor, and community curator. With a background in architectural design, Kirk-Anthony Hamilton is the visionary behind the Infiniti Partnership Inc., Tech Beach Retreat, and The Destination Experience. 📲 Kirk - Anthony Hamilton Socials: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirkanthony/ 📲 Dr. …

In this episode I share a chapter on changing habits. The best advice I’ve heard to change habits is to implement new habits that superseded the old. Eg: if you struggle to go to bed at night/want to quit partying etc, establish the habit of morning exercise (with a friend to keep you accountable). The insertion of the new habit will force you to c…

Today I share the audio from my talk on the Remotely Possible Community, titled "From Blog to Bookshelf: How Entrepreneurs Can Publish Their Content," here we unveil the secrets to transforming your online presence into a tangible book. Designed specifically for aspiring authors and entrepreneurial minds, this informative session will guide you thr…

In this episode I introduce my YouTube channel ‘Ask A Poet’ and share a poem. ~ Zachary Phillips is a poet, author and podcaster. You can find him on social everywhere @zacpphillips, and at zachary-phillips.comBởi Zachary Phillips

The concept of inner child work is vital to recovery. The body holds trauma and it often ‘feels’ like it is held at the age that that trauma happened. In this episode I share my discovery of issues with my inner child as well as my plans to reconnect and heal. I also share a chapter ‘Give Yourself A Break’ from the book ‘How To Get Your Sh!t Togeth…

Zachary Harding is our 4th guest from Jamaica, the founding partner of Delta Capital Partners, a private equity group focused on high-growth and high-impact sectors such as Financial Services, Digital Payments Facilitation, and Digital Healthcare and Wellness. 📲 Zachary Harding Socials: LinkedIn: (13) Zachary Harding | LinkedIn 📲 Dr. Mark Moyou Soc…

When you are at your lowest point, perhaps it is time to celebrate. You are in a state of healing, of shadow work leading to growth, of transformation - towards beauty, towards abundance, towards every possibility that life can offer you. In this short talk I share how my life fell apart and how I am celebrating the process of putting it back toget…

When you are at your lowest point, perhaps it is time to celebrate. You are in a state of healing, of shadow work leading to growth, of transformation - towards beauty, towards abundance, towards every possibility that life can offer you. In this short talk I share how my life fell apart and how I am celebrating the process of putting it back toget…

Richie Etwaru is a distinguished innovator, author of three books, a TEDx speaker, and co-founder of Mobeus. His groundbreaking work in Immersive AI has revolutionized human-machine interaction. With numerous patents and extensive experience working at the leadership level of Fortune 500 companies and government agencies. Richie is a pioneer in Imm…