Men taking "drugs."

This is the second half of my conversation with Jon Macaskill and Will Schneider of the Men Talking Mindfulness [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/men-talking-mindfulness/id1536077981] podcast. For roughly an hour, we discussed our experience taking psilocybin in a therapeutic group setting with Beckley Retreats [https://www.beckleyretreats.com] in 2021. Beckley’s programs include a four-week virtual preparation phase, a five-day on-site legal retreat outside the United States, and a six-week virtual integration phase. I found their work to be extremely comprehensive and committed to best practices.

To date, I’ve never spoken about psychedelics publicly in any capacity. But I’ve had numerous people ask my opinion on them. Since Jon, Will, and I went on this trip together, I felt that here was the appropriate opportunity to finally provide some commentary on the subject. However, please note that our discussion purely represents a narrative of what we went through and our personal opinions. It is not prescriptive in any way. None of us are medical professionals.

Ways you can support RARE SENSE:

- Subscribe to the RARE SENSE Substack [https://raresense.substack.com].

- Subscribe to the RARE SENSE podcast on any major streaming platform and leave a five-star review if you love it.

- Subscribe to the RARE SENSE YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/@thischrisirwin].

- Purchase RARE SENSE gear [https://www.raresense.com/gear].

- Take the RARE SENSE Challenge [https://www.raresense.com/challenge].

- Connect with me on all major social media platforms @thischrisirwin.

- Invite me to speak to your organization by filling out the RARE SENSE contact form [https://www.raresense.com/contact].

- Share RARE SENSE content and ask others to subscribe as well.

DISCLAIMER: RARE SENSE content is not medical advice. Nor does it represent the official position or opinions of any other organization or person. If you require diagnosis or treatment for a mental or physical issue or illness, please seek it from a licensed professional.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit raresense.substack.com [https://raresense.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

9. Jon Macaskill & Will Schneider, Pt. 2

Jon Macaskill is a retired Navy SEAL turned mindfulness and meditation teacher. He now works with high-performing teams to aid in dealing with stress, anxiety, and depression, all while increasing focus, creativity, and productivity. You can learn more about him at https://macaskillconsulting.com.

Will Schneider is a yoga instructor and mindfulness coach with over nineteen years of experience. He is one of the most sought-after teachers in all of New York City (ClassPass 2017). You can learn more about him at https://willnotfear.com.

Together, Jon and Will host the Men Talking Mindfulness podcast [https://mentalkingmindfulness.com], now in its sixth season.

We spoke for over two hours and ended up having two distinct conversations. So I’ve divided the podcast into two episodes for those reasons. This first half is primarily focused on mindfulness and meditation. We also touch on their upcoming retreat in upstate New York, yoga, and societal norms about men.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit raresense.substack.com [https://raresense.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

8. Jon Macaskill & Will Schneider, Pt. 1

This is a rebroadcast of a portion of an interview [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chris-irwin-navy-seal-ret-founder-of-rare-sense/id1531762996?i=1000589332983] I gave on the O2X Tactical Performance Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-o2x-tactical-performance-podcast/id1531762996] on December 7, 2022. I wanted to share this segment from that episode because I got into detail about my experience suffering from severe anxiety and chronic illness as a veteran. It should help give some context as to why I started publishing RARE SENSE content in the first place. And why I feel it’s so important to discuss mental health openly and honestly. If you think you are alone in your struggles, I encourage you to give this a listen.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit raresense.substack.com [https://raresense.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

7. My Illness Story

Ben Ahrens is a former semi-professional surfer and fitness trainer who was bedridden for over three years with Chronic Neurological Lyme Disease. Despite his best efforts and conventional medical treatment, he found himself genuinely stuck and unable to improve. Through extensive neuroscience research, Ben eventually realized his brain was the “chief orchestrator” of his condition and, therefore, the potential source of healing. Rather than seeking more doctors, he tried to fix himself with this new neuroplasticity-based approach.

In the years that followed, Ben consulted (and now works with) top neuroscientists and cutting-edge doctors worldwide. He eventually wholly recovered his health and formed The Brain Trust™, which currently serves as the cornerstone of his re-origin program [https://re-origin.com/]. With Dr. Ken Gorfinkle and Dr. Kelly Kent, he’s developed a process capable of replicating his results at scale for a wide range of debilitating conditions.

Ben has worked as a Corrective Exercise Specialist and an AADP Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner at the New York Center for Innovative Medicine [https://nycim.com/], untangling some of the world’s most complex chronic conditions. He now shares what he’s learned at venues like Quantified Self, Habit Design, TEDx [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k751T8_Q0BY], Esalen Institute, The Biohacking Conference, and the US Army (Fort Bragg, NC).

In our conversation, we discuss the mind-body connection and how it can work to your advantage or detriment. The key takeaway is how much control you have to self-regulate and optimize your experience, even if you struggle with a chronic, seemingly incurable condition. Ben and I both know this from experience.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit raresense.substack.com [https://raresense.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

6. Ben Ahrens

Stephan France spent twelve years on active duty as a Navy Corpsman. After receiving an honorable discharge, he continued his career for nineteen years as a civilian nurse in the fields of Psychiatry and Substance Use Disorder Treatment in the inpatient, outpatient, emergency, and crisis treatment arenas. As a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, he aims to provide an open space free from judgment and stigma for his patients.

Stephan and I have also been friends for decades. We played together in a band called “Flyer Lounge” in San Diego a long time ago. If you are looking for any of those songs online, more power to you…

In this episode, we cover a wide variety of topics, including the spectrum of mental health, active listening and non-verbal cues, the expectation effect, fundamental and limiting beliefs, cognitive behavioral therapy, reframing feelings, stoicism, anxiety and panic attacks, catastrophizing, mindful morning routines, focusing on the present, depression and medication, the responsibility for recovery, the fear of change, recovery setbacks, and creating purpose.

You can find out more about Stephan and his practice at www.resilienthealthpsychiatry.com [http://www.resilienthealthpsychiatry.com/].



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit raresense.substack.com [https://raresense.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

5. Stephan France

Unfortunately, my podcast guest for the month had to postpone our interview due to illness. In the meantime, I’ve recorded an audio version of my first article, “Logan [https://raresense.substack.com/p/logan].” I’ve been meaning to do this with all my posts for a while, and luckily the situation has forced my hand (or voice, in this case).

As much as I encourage people to read as part of mind fitness development, I realize many of us are inundated daily by content that keeps us in front of screens. When it comes to the digitally written word, sometimes listening instead can be a welcome respite. It may even be necessary if you are engaged in an activity like driving. I also hope these audio versions will allow people to reference specific topics repeatedly. Play one as often as required if a particular message speaks to you.

I plan to make my way through previous posts slowly and eventually get caught up so that I can release each article in podcast form shortly after writing it. Of course, nobody asked me to do this, so let me know if it’s valuable.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit raresense.substack.com [https://raresense.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

4. "Logan"

Brandon Fern has coached every age group of girls’ and boys’ soccer teams from U11-U19 and holds a USSF National D License. In 2017, “Fern” co-founded the technical skills program “Step Up Soccer,” designed to teach youth players advanced dribbling and tricks to succeed in 1v1 scenarios. In 2018, Fern continued his career as the Assistant Coach for Mary Baldwin University Men's Soccer, where he led technical training sessions, aided in recruiting efforts and ran marketing for all of the university’s athletic programs. He also served as the Assistant Coach for Waynesboro High School’s Girls’ Varsity soccer team for three years, leading them from last place in the league to district champions. Over the years, multiple athletes under his tutelage have gone on to play for D1 collegiate soccer programs, and a few even played semi-professionally in the USL.

In this episode, we discuss mind fitness in kids’ sports from all angles - as players, parents, coaches, and officials. Most people have engaged in competitive sports at some point in their lives. Many of us have become parents and even coaches for our children. But athletic endeavors are about more than just physical fitness. We should consider and address the mental aspects at play as well.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit raresense.substack.com [https://raresense.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

3. Brandon Fern

Ben Bergeron is one of the most successful coaches in the sport of CrossFit, having led athletes to multiple world championships. He’s also the founder of one of the most well-known CrossFit gyms in the country, CrossFit New England. I wanted to talk to Ben because so much of his coaching methodology is about mindset. It’s a huge component of his two books, “Chasing Excellence [https://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Excellence-Building-Fittest-Athletes/dp/1619617285/ref=sr_1_2?crid=21M936LJP15L1&keywords=ben+bergeron&qid=1664301191&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIyLjYwIiwicXNhIjoiMi4xMiIsInFzcCI6IjEuOTQifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=ben+bergeron%2Caps%2C119&sr=8-2]” and “Unlocking Potential [https://www.amazon.com/Unlocking-Potential-Leaders-Individuals-Organizations/dp/B09MGJ7RT1/ref=sr_1_1?crid=21M936LJP15L1&keywords=ben+bergeron&qid=1664301191&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIyLjYwIiwicXNhIjoiMi4xMiIsInFzcCI6IjEuOTQifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=ben+bergeron%2Caps%2C119&sr=8-1],” as well as the content he puts out at CompTrain.com [https://www.comptrain.co]. During our conversation, Ben and I talk about mental capacity, the spectrum of mind fitness from victim to warrior, adapting the elite athlete mindset to everyday life, the futility of anger, and other topics. Ben is a longtime friend, and it was great catching up with him on these subjects.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit raresense.substack.com [https://raresense.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

2. Ben Bergeron

Navy pilot turned veteran mental health worker.

For this first episode, I’m speaking with Jeff Widenhofer. “Weed” is a friend and classmate from the Naval Academy, retired helicopter pilot, and former broadway musician. He is studying for a Master in Social Work from the University of Denver to become a licensed psychotherapist. Part of his training involves working with inpatients at a local hospital and speaking with combat veterans at a VA counseling center. As a veteran and someone working with veterans in the mental health space, I thought he would be a perfect guest to kick things off.

Ways you can support RARE SENSE:

- Subscribe to the RARE SENSE Substack [https://raresense.substack.com].

- Subscribe to the RARE SENSE podcast on any major streaming platform and leave a five-star review if you love it.

- Subscribe to the RARE SENSE YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/@thischrisirwin].

- Purchase RARE SENSE gear [https://www.raresense.com/gear].

- Take the RARE SENSE Challenge [https://www.raresense.com/challenge].

- Connect with me on all major social media platforms @thischrisirwin.

- Invite me to speak to your organization by filling out the RARE SENSE contact form [https://www.raresense.com/contact].

- Share RARE SENSE content and ask others to subscribe as well.

DISCLAIMER: RARE SENSE content is not medical advice. Nor does it represent the official position or opinions of any other organization or person. If you require diagnosis or treatment for a mental or physical issue or illness, please seek it from a licensed professional.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit raresense.substack.com [https://raresense.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

1. Jeff Widenhofer

Mind Fitness for the Human Race. Level up your mental health. DISCLAIMER: RARE SENSE content is not medical advice. Nor does it represent the official position or opinions of any other organization or person. If you require diagnosis or treatment for a mental or physical issue or illness, please seek it from a licensed professional.

raresense.substack.com [https://raresense.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast]

Chris Irwin

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