Midwest Real
A podcast & blog with an unquenchable lust for rabbit holes, novelty and open-minded inquiry. Join us as we dig beyond the status quo! Hosted by Michael Phillip EST. 12/21/2012 in Milwaukee.
031. Bianca Bosker, Michael Phillip Nelson.

JET PACKS. CATS. REVOLUTION

LISTEN

True innovation is rarely foreseeable.  If yesterday's notions about the future were even close to the mark, we'd be flying around in our cars or wearing jet packs and living in floating houses.  Instead, we carry around yesterday's equivalent to a super computer in our pockets and use it to look at cat memes, take pictures of sushi and enable revolution.  Technology has become weird, it eludes definition and form and the more deeply intertwined we become with it, the more ethical dilemmas we run into.

Just as today's digital mainstays largely evaded foresight, so too will the truly important and disruptive technologies of the tomorrow.  Yet, I will always be compelled to wonder what's next and, perhaps more importantly, how it will change what it means to be a human being. 

Luckily, this week, I have someone much more competent and qualified than myself to bounce my inane ramblings off of, Bianca Bosker.  She's one of those people who's close to my age that just makes me feel self-conscious because she's accomplished so much more than I have.  She's the Executive Editor of Huff Post Tech and the author of a very fascinating book called Original Copies.  Make sure you give her a follow on Twitter, check out her book and keep up with her work on Huffington Post. 

It's official, we're a year old and we've got all of you beautiful listeners to thank.  Year one brought in thousands of downloads from over 60 countries and I truly couldn't be more pleased.  To help us hit 2014 ten times stronger, join our community on Twitter and Facebook and subscribe on Itunes if you like what you hear.

Happy New Year!

Direct download: Bianca.mp3
Category:society and culture -- posted at: 3:45pm EDT

 Each journey we take starts pretty much the same way.  We get an idea, then we daydream about how it will go: “If I do this, then I can do that, I just have to do this and this, then I’ll be this, or have that,” we think to ourselves (you can fill in the blanks with your own scenario).  But, of course as quickly as we take the first step toward starting that journey, we find that the road is longer, more nuanced and fraught with the unexpected than we ever could have imagined.  The bulk daydreaming is almost always good for nothing.

For me, this has held true on every significant journey I’ve embarked upon, whether it was moving over seas, joining a band starting a relationship, or starting this show.  I’m even tempted to say it doesn’t matter what we do, as long as we do it. 

But, some experiences impact and define us on such a deep level that they fundamentally change us for good.  Things like war, loss or a deeply meaningful epiphany.  In my case, these experiences are quite slippery.  There are few solid moments I can point to that have shaped the person I am, but then again, I’ve never been to war, lost someone close or had a true, deep seismic shift in consciousness.

Then, there’s my guest, who makes all my little life-lessons seem trivial.  He’s been to war, he’s felt the sting of loss and he’s experienced true, life-altering psychological and philosophical changes. 

In a very brief nutshell, his most important journey started when he signed up for the Army.  He made the cut as a Ranger and served three traumatic tours in Afghanistan.  The things he did and saw changed him forever. 

When he got home, he was diagnosed with PTSD, given antidepressants and sent on his way.  The pills didn’t help. Every day life was still nearly unbearable.  Searching for options, he heard about and attempted to partake in an experimental and controversial MDMA therapy through MAPS, but the waiting list was unbearably long.  He took matters into his own hands and took various psychedelics as a means to treat his symptoms; it worked.  His experiences with those substances were so profound that they reintroduced him to emotions that he hadn’t felt since he’d been home.  He now has the kind of purpose, strength and focus that few of us have.  He’s now working toward degrees in Neuroscience and Psychology in hopes that he can spread the word about the medical viability of these substances through a scientific lens full-time.

There’s so much more to his journey, so be sure to check out the episode. 

To learn more about the effort to help PTSD victims through MDMA assisted therapy, visit MAPS.

Of course, you can interact with the show through Facebook and Twitter.  If you like what you hear, don’t forget to subscribe and review on Itunes, it helps spread the word!

Midwestreal.net

Direct download: timamaroso.mp3
Category:society and culture -- posted at: 4:23pm EDT

029. Michael Drusch of Evolve Float Tanks, Michael Phillip

LISTEN

For creative people, modern society provides you with an interesting paradox.  You need the infrastructure it provides to support you and give you meaning, yet its design includes so many barriers and obstacles designed to keep you on a well-worn path that it’s inconvenient, if not nearly impossible for many of us to get off of it to pursue our creative goals.

However, if we’re bold enough to roll the dice and lucky enough to end up with the right numbers, the success we taste is so intoxicating that all the toil was worth it.  For those of us that aren’t so lucky, a taste of failure spurs doubt.  We don’t want to have to deal embarrassment, ridicule or starting all over again.  So what do we do?  We rush back to that familiar, well-worn path.

The road less traveled is so for a reason.  If you’re to plunge into its depths, you must do so with commitment and fortitude and skill.  We must view each defeat as lesson to be learned from, not an excuse to run away. 

My guest on this episode, Michael Drusch is well removed from the familiar path.  He’s a young, inspired man with his own isolation tank and a vision.  I believe him when he says he’s determined to turn that tank into not only a living for himself, but a tool that nurtures and enlightens the community.

If you want to support that vision, check out Mike’s new business, Evolve Float Tanks on Facebook and their website. 

If you want to support Midwest Real, follow us on Facebook and Twitter  and leave a nice review on Itunes.

Now sharpen your blades and hack your way off the path!


 

Direct download: evolvefloattanks.mp3
Category:society and culture -- posted at: 4:30pm EDT

.028 Harry Lee of Waylayers.

If there’s one thing that really gets to me, it’s the stereotypical “rock star” persona, especially in this day and age when there’s so little separating the artist from the consumer.  You know the type, they’re usually a front man who stinks of a mixture of inebriated co-eds and cigarette smoke, all while exuding the perfect level of jaded indifference and aloofness.  As much as I’d love to remind them all that they’ll never be thrust into the line-up of Motley Crue a week after the release of Doctor Feel Good, or the facilitator of new wave of Beatle mania-like hysteria, I find it best to ignore them.

Rest assured, our guest, Harry Lee, is far from an archetypal rock-douche with delusions of grandeur.  He’s a thoughtful, straightforward, honest guy who’s thankful for all the success he’s had, and mark my words, there will be a lot more of it to come.  Take a moment to check out Harry’s band, Waylayers, and you’ll see exactly what I mean.  It’s the kind of Electro-Indie-Pop that’s sure to fill a nice little hole in the rotation on your local alternative station.

Grab their latest record, Fault Lines on Itunes, follow them on Twitter and like them on Facebook.

If you have some love left, follow Midwest Real on Twitter, like us on Facebook and tell your friends!

Direct download: MWRwaylayers.mp3
Category:society and culture -- posted at: 9:21pm EDT

027. Jae Sabol, Michael Phillip Nelson.

If you participate in social media, you’ve no doubt seen a plethora of inspirational memes floating around the Internet. You know the type; they’re the ones that feature psychedelic art or images of nature.  Maybe there’s even an image of Albert Einstien’s disembodied head floating through outer space, disseminating a classic quote.  Or, my favorite, a Native American staring at the moon flanked by a hawk and an especially timely old proverb. 

I’ll be honest; I’m guilty of it. I share stuff of this ilk pretty much on the regular. But, I’ve come to realize something.  If you’re (I’m) not cultivating real action out of what you’re (I’m) posting, it’s nothing more than sanctimonious drivel.  In essence you’re (I’m) full of shit, no matter how well intentioned you (I) might be. 

On the other end of the spectrum, we have this episode’s guest , Jae Sabol.  He’s the founder of a not for profit called One Community that’s striving to create an open-source, sustainable way of life that’s accessible to all.  They’ve actually broken ground on a couple of different communities and they’re making change a reality in a way that actual human beings can touch.  Sure, it sounds grandiose and impossible, but they’ve made some pretty amazing steps and their ideas just might infiltrate your way of life before you know it.  Check them out over at their site and start a dialogue over on their social media accounts (Facebook Twitter) if you want to learn more.

A hearty thank you to all our listeners, we’ve been heard in over 50 countries (including Mongolia, somehow).  We truly love and appreciate the support, but we need to keep growing.  If you want to help us spread the word, follow us on Twitter (twitter.com/midwestreal), like us on Facebook (facebook.com/midwestreal), give us a nice review on Itunes, hell you can even tell your friends with actual words!

XO.

Direct download: MWR27.mp3
Category:society and culture -- posted at: 5:25pm EDT

Rites of passage, robberies, floatation tanks, leather pants, this one has it all! And it’s all thanks to our lovely guests Thomas Huisking  (L.A. Real) and Jason Abbot (the IGC Cast).  When my brethren aren’t hosting their own respective shows, it’s probably because they're off climbing some mountains or doing something that requires good looks and / or smarts, like acting or writing books, or something. 

Anyway, grab this episode at the usual places (Itunes Stitcher etc.).  

Direct download: mwrlarigc.mp3
Category:society and culture -- posted at: 8:37pm EDT

MAPS (The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) is a non-profit research and educational organization dedicated to developing legal medical applications for psychedelics.  Knee-deep in the FDA approval process for several substances, their research has begun to bear fruit, perhaps most notably in their staggeringly successful use of MDMA to treat PTSD. 

 

Brad and I discuss these studies, as well as the undeniable societal, spiritual and philosophical shifts that would occur, in a world where psychedelics are accepted as valuable, powerful personal medicines that are to be respected, rather than chemical boogiemen that are meant to be avoided at all costs.

Midwestreal.net

Direct download: midwestreal25maps.mp3
Category:society and culture -- posted at: 5:09pm EDT

024. Alexander Ward, Michael Phillip (Yes, we're back!)

“The game of life is a form of cosmic hide and seek”

-Alan Watts

 

Alexander Ward has spent more time on the road less traveled than some do in an entire lifetime.  He’s shot documentaries on multiple continents, produced visual art across many mediums, participated in numerous Ayahuasca ceremonies and appeared on several podcasts, including London Real.  If there’s anything I learned about him from this conversation, it’s that he’s nowhere close to stopping.

We dove deep into a multitude of subjects ranging from creative process and where art comes from, to our place in the universe and Japanese Animation (yes seriously).

Keep up with the ever busy and evolving Alexander at on his page and on Twitter.

Of course we’re never ones to shy away from digital love, so if you’ve got some to spare, follow our Twitter account, like us on Facebook and shoot us a review on Itunes.

Until next time.

Direct download: midwestrealaward24.mp3
Category:society and culture -- posted at: 9:32pm EDT

023. Matt Staggs, Michael Nelson

 

 

Matt Staggs is back this week for second round of podcasty goodness!  This Twitter-loving Editor, Writer and booker of talent has taken control of his life through good old fashioned hard work and the confidence he’s built through the study of Jujitsu.  Matt has managed to harness that confidence and shape his life with it, most notably in the quitting of his vile, Office Space-like day job.  Since that victorious event, Matt has continued to work for Disinfo as an Editor and Podcaster, Book guests for the Joe Rogan Experience, write articles for Suvudu, take a trip to ComiCon and a whole lot more. 

Follow Matt on Twitter and Facebook and do the same for us while you’re at it! (MwR Twitter and Facebook).

Until next we meet,

Midwest Real.

Direct download: midwestreal24.mp3
Category:society and culture -- posted at: 2:07pm EDT

022. Dan Rutkowski, Michael Nelson, Grant Squiers

On this, the 23rd installment of Midwest Real, we welcome the unbelievably talented Dan Rutkowski.  Dan is the mastermind behind Pisces , an up and coming game that is set to push boundaries in a multitude of ways.  With a quick look at his website, you'll find that a great deal of passion has gone into this project.  To put it simply, Dan has poured his heart and soul into this thing, and he's in it for all the right reasons.  Within five minutes of speaking with Dan, I knew this conversation would go deep, and I'm happy to report, I was right.  I was extremely impressed by Dan's knowledge on a variety of subjects, and we certainly share similar philosophies concerning what's important and life in general.  I hope you guys enjoy this one, because we definitely did!   

Go give Dan some love at Pisces' website and keep yourself in the loop by following the project on twitter.

Of course you can always stay in touch with us via our Twitter and Facebook as well.

Until next time,

Midwest Real.

Direct download: midwestreal23.mp3
Category:society and culture -- posted at: 3:48am EDT

021- Aubrey Marcus, Michael Nelson, Grant Squiers

If you listen to other podcasts in a similar vein to this one, this probably isn’t the first time you’ve heard of Aubrey Marcus.  In case you’re among the uninitiated, there’s not a whole lot this gentleman doesn’t do. He’s an entrepreneur, a world traveler, an athlete, a plant medicine aficionado a philosopher and more.  Did I mention he also hosts his own show? 

Aubrey is an extremely inspirational guy not only because of his level of personal success and development, but because of his ability to transplant his positivity into the psyche of others. 

Go give him some love on Twitter and Facebook, buy some life-improving concoctions from onnit and listen to his show.

As Aubrey would say, be excellent!

Midwest Real. 

Direct download: MidwestReal21Aubrey.mp3
Category:society and culture -- posted at: 7:27pm EDT

Host of the Higherside Chats, Greg Carlwood joined us to discuss conspiracies, his show, psychadelics and a whole lot more.  Greg is an extremely warm, transparent well-spoken individual.  What you hear on his show is definitely what you get both in this episode, and the off-air conversations we had leading up to the show.  Give Greg your warmest regards at his website, Thehighersidechats.com.    

Direct download: midwestreal019.mp3
Category:society and culture -- posted at: 10:48pm EDT

Midwest Real-018- Made in Milwaukee's Charles Watson and Jeff Redmon, Michael Nelson

This conversation is most certainly dedicated to you creatives out there. (We made room for some esoteric, woo woo-ness too).

Our guests this week spearhead Made in Milwaukee, an organization that has grown from a small DIY group of creatives fostering art, to a powerful one that gets love, recognition and support from businesses, governmental entities and the community at large.  The trick is, they've done it without compromising an ounce of their values or vision. 

As you’ll see, Charles also turned out to be well-versed in some of the more, shall we say, “out-there,” subjects that have been discussed on this show.

Check out madeinmilwaukee.com to see what they’re up to and be sure to follow them on Twitter and Facebook.

As for us, please do the same! (tweet- @midwestreal) (Facebook.com/midwestreal) Of course you can grab this cast on Itunes or listen to it right here.  Speaking of Itunes, please take a minute to subscribe and review over there if you’ve got a spare minute.

Thank you for sticking around and keep fighting the good fight.

 

-Midwest Real

 

Direct download: midwestreal19.mp3
Category:society and culture -- posted at: 5:02pm EDT

Midwest Real -017- Filmmaker Amardeep Kaleka, Michael Nelson

Well hi there; it’s been a little while!

What I love about these interviews is that people often surprise me.  Amardeep Kaleka was no exception.  As the director of Sirius, a documentary about UFO disclosure, clean energy suppression and plenty of other fringe subjects, you might think his opinions and talking points would consistently come down on the side of a conspiratorial worldview.  Actually, Arm is in fact, an extremely well informed, open-minded, thoughtful, nuanced and experienced individual.  In fact, he even openly rejected some prevalent conspiracy theories outright.  This man has seen and endured things most of us never will; yet he maintains a friendly, welcoming and calm demeanor that quickly won me over.

The range of topics we covered is truly too long to list and I’m pretty sure we left no stone unturned.  We spoke for nearly two, hours in what ended up feeling like a talk between old friends by the time we wrapped things up.

Check out Arm’s website neverendinglight.com to see what he’s up to.

This is also the first time an episode of Midwest Real has been done as a one-on-one interview.  I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out and I think you’ll enjoy it as well.  As we move forward you’ll be hearing a plethora of voices new and old, and rest assured, we won’t be slowing down.

As always, you can keep the conversation going on Twitter and Facebook, and we always appreciate it if you can take a few seconds to subscribe and review on Itunes.

Until next time.

Direct download: MWR17.mp3
Category:society and culture -- posted at: 5:44pm EDT

This week, we talk with NFL punter and bona fide smooth talker Chris Kluwe.  Chris was flung into the mainstream when he defended gay rights in a now famous letter published by Dead Spin.  His stint in the spotlight has lead to nationwide notoriety, a huge online following and a book deal.  Chris is truly an intellectual, who professes insight in areas that fit in staggeringly well with our own interests.  You're definitely going to be pleasantly surprised in this one.   

Direct download: MwReal_-_016.mp3
Category:society and culture -- posted at: 2:15pm EDT

This week, we had the pleasure of speaking with Matt Staggs. Matt is an  editor atDisinformation.com (i.e. ‘Disinfo’) and also helms their podcast, the DisinfoCast. He also writes for Suvudu, your one-stop shop for all things sci-fi and fantasy media. Many of you may also know him as the booking agent for the powerful (Get it?) Joe Rogan Experience podcast. We had truly eclectic conversation with Mr. Staggs, and we’re sure you’ll enjoy the discourse.

You can find this and all of our other episodes on iTunes (Remember to subscribe andrate), or for the Apple-less amongst us, you can download it from our archive.

Stay hungry, stay happy. Do some long division or something.

Direct download: midwestreal15.mp3
Category:society and culture -- posted at: 7:03am EDT

We're back with another "family" cast. 

Yes, this week we've opted to have an episode with just the four of us to catch up on what's been going on in the world and in our heads.  We answer burning questions about everything from our broken government and economy, to how close we are to creating the matrix, all while Dana cooks tacos.  Get in on the conversation on twitter @midwestreal and at midwestreal.net.   

Direct download: MwR_-_014.mp3
Category:society and culture -- posted at: 7:13am EDT

The Midwest Real Podcast is back this week with a great and varied conversation with the brilliant and kind David Metcalfe.

Metcalfe is a Contributing Editor to Reality Sandwich and Books Editor for The Revealer, the online journal of NYU’s Center for Religion and Media. He also runs the site Liminal Analytics, an applied research collaborative whose focus is on “the unattended, invisible, and overlooked.” He writes regularly for Modern MythologyReality SandwichThe Revealer, Evolutionary LandscapesThe Teeming Brain, and co-hosts The Art of Transformations study group with support from the International Alchemy Guild. Also an independent researcher and artist, Metcalfe’s essay focusing on the interstices of art, culture, and consciousness, “Of Dice and Divinity - Some Thoughts on Gambling and the Western Tradition,” was featured in The Immanence of Myth, available from Weaponized Press.

Be sure and subscribe to the podcast - now 30 (!) countries strong - and check in with us on Twitter and Facebook.

Direct download: MWR_13EDIT.mp3
Category:society and culture -- posted at: 6:52am EDT

On an overcast and rainy spring night in Milwaukee, we sat down for a cross-country conversation with Italian author (On the Warrior’s Path50 Things You’re Not Supposed to Know: Religion, and Create Your Own Religion: A How-To Guide Without Directions), university professor, podcaster (The Drunken Taoist), and martial artist (Because who isn’t these days, right?) Daniele Bolelli.

Always the gentlemen, we shared a fun and incredibly informative discussion with Mr. Bolelli from the long-standing allegories of today’s most popular religions to the great thinkers of eastern philosophy. We had a wonderful time and appreciate the passion and energy Mr. Bolelli gave us.

As always, you can check in with us on Twitter or Facebook, and please be sure to subscribe, rate, and share in our journey. The five-star ratings and references really go a long way in growing our audience, which is genuinely all we ask. 

Direct download: MwReal_-_012_-_Daniele_Bolelli.mp3
Category:society and culture -- posted at: 11:35pm EDT

This week Midwest Real hosted author of Perfecting Sound Forever and contributor to such publications as Spin, Salon, Wired, Village Voice, among many others. The guys conversed about Greg's writing background, his current book in progress, as well as topics revolving around the music and recording industries as a whole. Enjoy.

Direct download: MwReal_-_011_-_Greg_Milner.mp3
Category:society and culture -- posted at: 9:19pm EDT

Steve Volk, senior writer at Philadelphia Magazine, 2013 National City and Regional Magazine Award finalist, and author of Fringe-ology: How I Tried to Explain Away the Unexplainable - And Couldn’t, joined us for an hour this week. We almost immediately found a sort of kinship with Mr. Volk, and by halfway through the conversation we were discussing the questionable writing decisions of certain Marvel Comics’ characters.

The conversation is as captivating as it is endearing, which is precisely how we’d describe Mr. Volk.

We ran into a few technical hiccups throughout the conversation - as is the nature of cross-country communication - but we were able to fix almost all of the issues in post-production.

Enjoy. See you next week.

Direct download: MwReal_-_011.mp3
Category:society and culture -- posted at: 12:35pm EDT

This week the guys welcome Milwaukee's own stand-up comedian, Adam Loeding. Adam began his career as a professional comedian this past year and immediately struck a chord with audiences around town. He is now one of the prominent stand-ups in the city, and he shared his story with guys on a cool March evening in Milwaukee. The conversation branches off into a discussion about the newest Pope as well as this latest season of The Walking Dead. At the end of the episode, a note is made regarding an interview with The Onion's AV Club Milwaukee. That article is now live on the AV Club's website here: http://www.avclub.com/milwaukee/articles/podcast-for-the-people-the-strange-and-wonderful-w,83612/

Direct download: MwReal_-_009_-_Adam_Loeding.m4a
Category:society and culture -- posted at: 8:17am EDT

Welcome back around, dear Realers. Part two of our utterly fascinating interview with Sacred Geometry International's Randall Carlson is here. We continue our discussion on lost civilzations, catyclisms, and how humanity can move forward from the precarious state we find ourselves in. Its a fantastic conversation you aren't going to find from many other outlets.

Direct download: MWR.007PART2FINAL.mp3
Category:society and culture -- posted at: 1:31am EDT

Randall Carlson is a master builder and architectural designer, teacher, geometrician, geomythologist, geological explorer and renegade scholar. He has four decades of study, research and exploration into the interface between ancient mysteries and modern science. Carlson has been an active Freemason for 30 years and is Past Master at one of the oldest and largest Masonic lodges in Georgia.

Randall spoke with the guys frankly and openly about his expieriences within Masonry, his research into ancient cultures and cataclysms, sacred texts and numerology and much, much more. Get ready to go into the deep end with this one.

Direct download: MWR_09_part_1Final.mp3
Category:society and culture -- posted at: 11:49am EDT

This week marks the first 'Family Podcast' episode of Midwest Real, where the guys catch up with each other and discuss current events and random musings, including a discussion regarding the 'overview effect', a phenomena experienced by those who have gone to space. 

Direct download: MwReal_-_006_-_Family_Cast_1.m4a
Category:society and culture -- posted at: 9:11pm EDT

This week MwR brings you a conversation with Iraq war veteran Mike Lang. Mike hails from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and served in the United States Air Force during both pre and post surge Iraq. He spent 500 days in the country and discusses his time there. The discussion leads to his views and opinions on the both the Bush and Obama Administrations, as well as the drone wars and civil rights.

Direct download: MwReal_-_005_-_Mike_Lang.m4a
Category:society and culture -- posted at: 11:59pm EDT

This week the guys sit down with Brad Clifford. Born and bred in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Brad was a member of several Milwaukee aggressive musical acts (Since By Man), as well as joining national metal/hardcore band Poison the Well. He now travels the world with acts such as The Gaslight Anthem and Taking Back Sunday as a guitar tech and tour laborer. The guys talk to him about his time as a performer, a world traveler, and human being. 

Direct download: MwReal_-_004_-_Bradley_Clifford.m4a
Category:society and culture -- posted at: 2:44am EDT

This week's episode features Spencer Chumbley, photo/video journalist and fellow under Al Jazeera English's documentary program, FaultLines. The guys talk to Spencer about his background, his current work with Al Jazeera English, and some of the hotly debated current events of the past few weeks, including the highly controversial film, Zero Dark Thirty.

Direct download: MwReal_-_003_-_Spencer_Chumbley_final_edit.mp3
Category:society and culture -- posted at: 9:20pm EDT

Midwest Real takes its act on the road and sits down with Andrea Lafave, a transcendental meditation expert with over 40 years of practice under her belt. She recounts her days with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and her travels around the world learning the now widely practiced technique.

Direct download: MwReal_-_002_-_Andrea_Lafave.m4a
Category:society and culture -- posted at: 11:06pm EDT

Welcome to the Midwest's newest destination for all-things culture. Episode 001 opens with a brief introduction as to what you might expect on this new venture that the collective have established. Grant Squires is a local Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design graduate turned strong man competitor. The guys have a conversation with Grant about what brought him to such a drastic change in lifestyle and move to other current events discussion, including gun control.

Direct download: MwReal_-_001_-_Grant_Squires.m4a
Category:society and culture -- posted at: 12:40pm EDT

1