A State of Mind

What happens when we stop treating our thoughts and ego as solid reality? Could true mental freedom lie in embracing emptiness? In this episode of A State of Mind , Julian Royce sits down with licensed therapist, Naropa University graduate, and contemplative practitioner Benjamen Duffy . Following a multi-year spiritual journey across Zen centers and India, Benjamen transitioned into psychotherapy...

Why is treating trauma much more complex than just dealing with our own reactions? In this episode of A State of Mind , Julian Royce sits down with Dr. Eric Wolterstorff , a veteran body-based psychotherapist, sociologist, and core trainer with the Trauma Healing Protocol (TIP). Together, they explore how traumatic memory lives in the autonomic nervous system, how to break down overwhelm using Pet...

Is music more than just entertainment? Can sound re-architect our nervous systems and create deep human connection? In this episode of A State of Mind , Julian Royce sits down with Murray Hidary , classical composer and creator of the global music project Mind Travel . An early internet pioneer who co-founded EarthWeb and Dice.com in the 1990s, Murray now brings live music and nature together for...

Is it possible that your thoughts, shadow patterns, and digestive health are deeply interconnected? In this episode of A State of Mind , Julian Royce connects with organizational development consultant and meditation practitioner Jonathan Mozenter . After discovering integral philosopher Ken Wilber and studying under Dr. Daniel P. Brown, Jonathan transformed his approach to mind mastery, shadow wo...

🚨 What actually happens when you sit alone in pitch-black darkness for 49 days? In this episode of A State of Mind , host Julian Royce sits down with somatic psychologist, counselor, and meditation guide Adam Baraz . Growing up as the son of Spirit Rock co-founder James Baraz, Adam has spent a decade exploring human transformation, trauma, and expanded states of consciousness. Together, they dive...

Ever wonder why so many of us feel stuck in our heads, disconnected from our bodies, or trapped in constant overthinking? In this episode of A State of Mind , host Julian Royce sits down with Jason Demchok to explore how Eastern philosophy, Western psychology, and somatic awareness intersect. Together, they dive into the Four Natural Intelligences (Somatic, Emotional, Creative, and Strategic), how...

Ever wonder why you suddenly shut down or push people away when things get close? In this episode of A State of Mind , host Julian Royce sits down with Reverend Bu Nan Brown : a Rinzai Zen priest, somatic attachment coach, and contemplative tea teacher. Together, they dive deep into how our earliest bonds form the subconscious "architecture of the mind," acting as a blueprint for how we handle lov...

This timeless episode was originally published on September 2nd, 2019. We are re-releasing this audio gem today because its profound insights on anxiety and mindfulness are more relevant now than ever before. In this classic episode of A State of Mind, host Julian Royce sits down with Erric Solomon : a former Silicon Valley executive and MIT Artificial Intelligence scholar turned hardcore meditato...

In this episode of A State of Mind, host Julian Royce sits down with spiritual teacher and master energy healer Tanin Matin to discuss shifting fleeting spiritual states into stable, lived traits through nervous system purification. Tanin shares her raw journey through business dissolution, ego death, healing ancestral terror from the Iranian Revolution, and her first profound 5-MeO-DMT ceremony....

In this episode of A State of Mind, host Julian Royce sits down with sound practitioner Patti Downing to share her miraculous story of overcoming a terminal Stage 4 cancer diagnosis using Dr. Joe Dispenza quantum healing meditations and ancient sound frequencies. Main Topics Covered Mystical Training: Patti’s 30-year history studying quantum mechanics and the power of the 4:00 AM theta wave medita...

In this episode of A State of Mind, host Julian Royce sits down with Brit Lange , a community director and psychedelic advocate. Brit shares her journey from corporate insurance to a sudden layoff right after buying a home as a single mother. She discusses how that moment led to a deep spiritual connection and a profound experience with ketamine that transformed her life and career. The conversati...

In this profoundly moving episode of A State of Mind, host Julian Royce sits down with highly revered Tibetan master: Tulku Yeshi Rinpoche . Decades after growing up as a nomad in Tibet during the Cultural Revolution, a time when religious tradition was entirely erased, Rinpoche returns to Boulder to share his rare journey and historical resilience. The dialogue beautifully weaves deep Buddhist ph...

In this soul-enriching solo episode, host Julian Royce explores the intricate architecture of human experience. From the foundational wisdom of the five elements to the cutting-edge neuroscience of the Default Mode Network (DMN), Julian bridges the gap between ancient contemplative traditions and modern psychology. He provides a profound reframing of trauma—not as a terminal diagnosis, but as a po...

In this insightful solo episode, host Julian Royce dives deep into the architecture of the human experience. He explores the profound connection between ancient Buddhist elemental wisdom and modern attachment theory, proposing that we can find a sense of "secure attachment" by reconnecting with the Earth as our primary mother. Julian also bridges the gap between neuroscience and spirituality, expl...

In this vibrant and soul-nourishing episode, host Julian Royce welcomes back a true community elder, Brigitte Mars. An herbalist with over 50 years of experience, a professor at Naropa University for four decades, and the author of nearly 20 books, Brigitte is a living bridge between ancient earth wisdom and modern healing. From her days living in a teepee in the Ozarks to her early encounters wit...

In this deeply moving and expansive conversation, host Julian Royce sits down with Mark Cunningham, a therapist, military veteran, and dedicated advocate for psychedelic healing. Mark shares his unique journey from serving as a military police officer in Afghanistan to undergoing a radical paradigm shift through anthropology and psychedelic medicine. The episode explores the "soul wounds" common t...

In this enlightening episode, Julian Royce sits down with Ramzey Abueita, a community super-connector and self-described "psychedelic freedom fighter." Ramzey was a pivotal figure in the movement to pass Proposition 122 in Colorado, a landmark bill that liberated natural medicines for the people. This conversation explores the profound intersection between cognitive liberty, the neuroscience of th...

In this profound reunion, host Julian Royce sits down with Pierre Bouchard, a somatic psychotherapist and seasoned psychedelic facilitator. Building on their shared history in the Dharma Ocean meditation community, Pierre explores how embodiment and somatic awareness are the essential missing links in both modern therapy and the "psychedelic renaissance." From the dangers of spiritual bypassing to...

In this riveting second installment, Julian Royce continues his conversation with Duncan Blake (formerly Duncan Horst), an experience designer and ritual theater creator with one of the most eclectic life stories ever shared on the show. Duncan opens up about the "meta-crisis" of trust and story, tracing his path from a bullied "genius" child in New Jersey to a 10-hour mushroom-induced "death trip...

In this illuminating episode, host Julian Royce sits down with Saint, a somatic reclamation guide and former event producer for the Envision Festival. Fresh from the jungles of Costa Rica, they explore the intersection of community, trauma recovery, and the "pendulum of sensation." Saint shares her personal journey of healing from childhood sexual trauma, moving past the limitations of traditional...

In this captivating return to the podcast, Julian Royce reunites with longtime friend Duncan Blake (formerly Duncan Horst) for a deep dive into the fluid nature of identity. Following an intense ritual theater production in a French castle and a residency at the Envision Festival in Costa Rica, Duncan discusses how he "shattered" his old name to embrace a new path inspired by the mystic poet Willi...

In this thought-provoking episode, host Julian Royce sits down with Waylon Lewis, the founder of Elephant Journal, for a candid exploration of what it means to live an ethical life in a "convenience-obsessed" world. From the toxic reality of plastic-coated books to the complicated legacy of the Shambala Buddhist community, they dive deep into how we can reclaim our personal power from co...

This week on A State of Mind, host Julian Royce sits down with Scott Nice —a visionary music producer, visual artist, and educator—to explore the intersection of creativity, mindfulness, and human connection. From overcoming personal challenges to blending ancient wellness practices with modern music production, Scott shares his journey of growth and inspiration. This episode is for artists, creat...

In this thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation, host Julian Royce continues his dialogue with Zen priest, martial arts lineage holder, and developmental coach Keith Martin Smith to explore a vital question: How do we disagree without dehumanizing each other? From immigration and ICE enforcement to DEI, identity politics, gun rights, and charismatic political leadership, this episode moves beyond...

What if your imagination holds memories from other lifetimes? What if humanity is being quietly guided through a massive evolutionary transition — one that includes free energy, advanced physics, and contact beyond Earth? In this expansive conversation, we explore past life memory research, suppressed scientific breakthroughs, zero-point energy, extraterrestrial contact, and why mainstream institu...