Get Real or Die Trying with Amadon DellErba

In this podcast, Amadon DellErba interviews Shelly Tygielski, founder of the nonprofit Pandemic of Love and author of the book, “Sit Down to       Rise Up: How Radical Self-Care Can Change the World.” Tygielski is an activist, teacher, and global good Samaritan. Together they discuss self-care, compassion, community, and the role of spirituality in creating global change. (GR\DT: 38)

Tygielski spent nearly 20 years in corporate America before radically altering the course of her life and following her passion of mindfulness, meditation, and service to humanity.

Connect with Shelly Tygielski:
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/mindfulskatergirl
Facebook Personal: http://www.facebook.com/shellytygielski
Facebook Professional: http://www.facebook.com/shellymeditation
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/shellytygielski
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/bentleyangel
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shellymindfulness/

"Nothing You Do Matters, Unless What You Do Matters"

Connect with Amadon DellErba
Website: http://getrealordietrying.com
Anchor: https://anchor.fm/getrealordietrying
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bhiI3d...
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getrealordie...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/realordietrying

"Pain is temporary. Victory is eternal."

In this podcast, Amadon DellErba interviews Stefanos Sifandos, a conscious relationship coach and "relational alchemist." Together they discuss human potential and personal growth through resilience, awareness, expansion. (GR\DT: 37)

Stefanos encourages people to find clarity in chaos and embrace discomfort and pain through submission, utilizing your personal sovereignty to take greater responsibility, and enlisting other to help support you in your personal journey. Amadon talks about the role of coaches and spiritual elders to guide us in our growth and the importance of rejecting selfishness to adopt a mindset of what Stefanos calls "enlightened self-interest."

Other topics include: facades that men often hide behind, healthy competition, confidence, rites of passage, balanced male/female circuitry, the inner child, the 7 Chakras, and true humility. 

Stefanos Sifandos is a trained educator, behavioral scientist, and relationships expert with an extensive background in Psychology, Philosophy and Ecology. He is passionate about people pursuing their highest potential, merging Eastern and Western methodologies to promote spiritual balance. 

In this podcast, Amadon DellErba interviews Dr. Bruce Lipton, bestselling author of  “The Biology of Belief: Unleashing the Power of Consciousness, Matter & Miracles.”

Bruce H. Lipton, PhD is an internationally recognized leader in bridging science and spirit. Stem cell biologist and recipient of the 2009 Goi Peace Award, he has been a guest speaker on hundreds of TV and radio shows, as well as keynote presenter for national and international conferences. He is regarded as one of the leading voices of the new biology.

Dr. Lipton began his scientific career as a cell biologist, receiving his Ph.D. Degree from the University of Virginia at Charlottesville. In 1982, Dr. Lipton began examining the principles of quantum physics and how they might be integrated into his understanding of the cell’s information processing systems. His breakthrough studies on the cell membrane revealed that this outer layer of the cell was an organic homologue of a computer chip, the cell’s equivalent of a brain. 

Dr. Lipton’s novel scientific approach transformed his personal life as well. His deepened understanding of cell biology highlighted the mechanisms by which the mind controls bodily functions, and implied the existence of an immortal spirit. He applied this science to his personal biology, and discovered that his physical well-being improved, and the quality and character of his daily life was greatly enhanced.

In this podcast, Amadon DellErba interviews Jerold Limongelli, founder of MVN Movement, a transformational program for men. Together they discuss masculinity, the pursuit to Self-Mastery, and Jerold's transformation from successful entrepreneur to motivator and spiritual gangster. Jerold Limongelli is a former NCAA D1 wrestler, Appalachian Trail thru-hiker, and a 3-time Ironman triathlete.  (GR\DT 35)   

MVN Movement: https://www.mvnmovement.com
MVN Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mvnmovement
Jerold Limongelli Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justjerold

Jerold spent over a decade working in the nightlife and entertainment industry with some of the largest venues and most influential CEOs in NYC, LA, and Las Vegas.  He explored the fast-paced and rapidly expanding digital advertising industry, recording multi-million dollar revenues. Jerold had the world at his fingertips, so to speak, when he decided to give it all up and embark on a Hero’s Journey, traveling the world for 6 months, studying Yoga in Bali, Vipassana meditation in India, and plant medicines in the Amazon.  Today Jerold's teachings are a direct reflection of his ability to overcome failure and thrive through disappointment.

In this podcast, Amadon DellErba interviews bestselling author & filmmaker Jeffrey Smith about The Magnificent New Normal, a virtual lecture series that shares practical strategies to protect and improve the physical, mental, and spiritual health of our planet. (https://magnificentnewnormal.byhealthmeans.com/?idev_id=30906​) Together they discuss the current state of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), new paradigm thinking during the pandemic, and Ascension-Science, the fusion of science and spirituality. (GR\DT 34)   

The Magnificent New Normal series feature some of the planet's foremost thought leaders including Dr. Bruce Lipton,  Lynn Twist, singer-songwriter Jewel, and many more.  

Jeffrey Smith is the founder of the Institute for Responsible Technology and the leading consumer advocate promoting healthier non-GMO choices. For more than two decades, his research has exposed how biotech companies mislead policy makers and the public, and put the health of society and environment at risk.

In this podcast, Amadon DellErba talks about the virtue of selflessness over “self-love” and the dangers of #selflove​ becoming selfishness.  In the world of social media today there is tremendous emphasis on self-love and little-to-none on selfless service to our brothers and sisters.  What is lacking in our culture that we have to focus on loving ourselves so much?  Could it be the constant messages from various forms of media implying we are not good enough, smart enough, rich enough, skinny enough, good-looking enough, cool enough, etc. 

Drawing on concepts and quotes from The URANTIA Book and the life of The Master, Amadon points to the root problem that we are not living today in a culture of love and acceptance, and that the true nature of this concept of “self-love” is more about the desire to have self-worth and self-esteem.  Our consumer culture tries to supplant this desire with a focus on taking care of one’s self, but the true path to achieving the highest form of “self love” and self respect is the path of selfless service; of being our brother’s and sister’s keeper.  Amadon says, “Unselfishness ennobles the soul and sharpens one’s spiritual intelligence, and most importantly brings peace to the heart, and fills a person with meaning and joy.” 

In this podcast, Amadon DellErba talks about the virtue of meekness. Meekness is not weakness, but it is often misunderstood. Meekness is a way of relating to others. It is a controlled strength. It shouldn’t be relegated to the past as a lost, archaic virtue, but should be upheld as a goal for today’s spiritual seeker.

In his exploration of meekness, Amadon pulls from The URANTIA Book, The New Testament, Sir Thomas Browne, and writings from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (GR\DT 32)

In this podcast, Amadon DellErba talks about today’s Cancel Culture / Call-Out Culture and how we can build a more Accountable Culture. In addition to his own thoughts on the subject, Amadon cites Ligaya Mishan’s New York Times article: “The Long and Tortured History of Cancel Culture.”

Amadon discusses the importance of confrontation and accountability, and how immature it is to ostracize people on the fringes of society. He also looks at scapegoating and the lack of education, rehabilitation, and compassion in our broken society.

In this podcast, Amadon DellErba talks about Spiritual Maturity, Self-Mastery, & God Consciousness.  The pursuit of spiritual maturity and self-mastery is the path to God consciousness - it’s a life of selfless service, a focus on the inner rather than outer life, a dedication to teamwork and cooperation, and continual truth seeking.  Amadon draws from the powerful teachings presented in The URANTIA Book by the Greek philosopher, Rodan of Alexandria, who taught extensively on the subject.  A key take-away is the importance of elders in our lives - we cannot grow into true spiritual maturity without guidance and correction. (GR\DT 30)

“The spiritually mature individual desires the spiritual coach.” ~ Amadon DellErba

In this podcast, Amadon DellErba discusses flexibility without compromise and the art of spiritual adaptability.  Regardless of our various religious, political, and/or social backgrounds, we have the opportunity to let consciousness unite us. It is a form of spiritual intelligence that unites individuals and builds bridges.

"Without consciousness you separate; with consciousness, you connect."

Another huge problem in our society is narcissism. This selfish trait fuels the current division in our country. There is strength to be found in adaptation. Through acceptance and grace you can "know thyself" and come into a deeper understanding of who you are.
(GR\DT 28)

In this podcast Amadon DellErba discusses anarchy vs. spiritual hierarchy.  In response to the corruption we see in politics and governments today many youth embrace anarchy, but does it work?  Recognizing the need for change, in 2011 and 2012 Amadon and the Global Change Media team attended many of the Occupy protests happening around the US with Gabriel of Urantia's Spiritualution movement.  Amadon shares the story of a protest in Phoenix that went from an angry run-in with an anarchist cell who thought they were cops to marching with and interviewing Reverend Jesse Jackson.

In this podcast Amadon DellErba reflects on patience and perseverance by commenting on a video he shot five years ago on self righteousness vs. righteousness.
We humans can so easily adopt a holier-than-thou attitude.  The “reformed smoker” syndrome is real and we can probably all relate to becoming self-righteous about something.  A good reminder that the most effective way to teach and share higher consciousness is by example.  When we change for the better, we naturally want others to do the same.  And if they don’t, we can get frustrated, impatient and/or prideful.  In this episode we are reminded the only way to truly inspire others to change and grow is through patience, kindness and humility.

In this podcast, Amadon DellErba discusses unity without uniformity, a concept from The URANTIA Book. In our world today that is so divided in so many ways, the attainment of unity can feel like an impossible goal; but it isn’t.  What inhibits and what fosters unity among people? An encouraging and inspiring podcast about finding our common spiritual denominator – that we are all created beings who come from the same Creator.  This episode concludes with a real-life story of finding unity without uniformity among 300 men from all walks of like sharing a jail cell after being arrested for protesting at Occupy Wall Street.

In this podcast, Amadon DellErba explores the art of listening as a spiritual practice and the difference between listening vs. hearing. Amadon introduces the concept of triune listening; listening with the heart, mind, and soul. Truly listening to others with a desire to understand and empathize with them is a spiritual principle for soul ascension and healthy, growing relationships.  He also discusses what we should and shouldn't be listening to.  

In this podcast Amadon DellErba interviews Masud Olufani, a multidisciplinary artist, activist, & writer, based in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a follower of the  Bahá'í faith; the host of “America's Most Challenging Issue” a podcast about racism in America; and the co-host of “Retro Report” a PBS prime time investigative news show that looks at news events through the lens of history.

Together Amadon and Masud explore art, religion, spirituality, and the parallels between the Baha'i faith and Divine Administration. They discuss the blight of slavery and racism in American, and how it differs subtly in the lives of indigenous and First Nations peoples. A refreshing conversation between two truth seekers who have found a kindred spirit in each other. (GR\DT 23)

You can learn more about Masud Olufani at his website: https://www.masud-olufani.com/

Listen to “America's Most Challenging Issue” podcast here: https://bahaiteachings.org/podcasts/americas-most-challenging-issue/

In this podcast, Amadon DellErba discusses Ascension Science, the fusion of spirituality and science, and how this way of identifying truth can assist our spiritual growth process. He speaks about the parallels of the practical application of scientific approach to discovery of knowledge to spiritual ascension. He explores the question, “how can we be spiritually intelligent?” The term Ascension Science is found in The Cosmic Family Volumes, the continuing papers of The URANTIA Book, which Amadon quotes from in this episode.
More information about The URANTIA Book and The Cosmic Family Volumes can be found at Global Change Tools: http://gctools.org

Amadon DellErba is a student and instructor at The University of Ascension Science & the Physics of Rebellion in Southern Arizona. Founded in 1989 by spiritual leaders and teachers Gabriel of Urantia & Niánn Emerson Chase, the university is also known as Global Community Communications Schools, the schools of thinking, feeling, and doing.
More information can be found below about
-The University of Ascension Science & the Physics of Rebellion: http://uaspr.org

-Gabriel of Urantia: http://gabrielofurantia.com

-Niann Emerson Chase: http://niannemersonchase.org

In this podcast, Amadon DellErba interviews Sam Childers, the real Machine Gun Preacher. Childers is a full-time missionary and faith minister who remains loyal to God’s calling for him; to rescue children from the war-torn conditions of southern Sudan, Africa.

He reached popular notoriety in 2011 when his autobiographical book, "Another Man's War" was made into a major motion picture called "Machine Gun Preacher" starring Gerard Butler.

The excitement of Hollywood has come and gone, but through it all Sam Childers remains a dedicated servant of God. Today his outreach ministries include The Angels of East Africa, a non-profit aid organization providing a better future for orphaned children in Sudan; 5 orphanages, including Sudan’s largest, serving over 13,000 meals a day; and the 3C’S Church in Central City, Pennsylvania.

You can learn more about Sam Childers, the Machine Gun Preacher, at his website: http://www.machinegunpreacher.org/

And his Facebook pages:
https://www.facebook.com/MGP
https://www.facebook.com/mgpsamchilders

In this podcast Amadon DellErba reads “Ode To My Mother” a poem he wrote for Niánn Emerson Chase. He pays tribute to this “Cosmic Woman of Grace” who many consider to be a modern-day living saint. Niánn Emerson Chase is a direct descendant of transcendentalist Ralph Waldo Emerson. She was raised in Arizona on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation. She embarked on a spiritual journey 34 years ago when she met Amadon’s father, Gabriel of Urantia. Together they founded Global Community Communications Alliance, home to over 100 international full-time missionaries; and The University of Ascension Science & The Physics of Rebellion, the schools of thinking, feeling, and doing.

Niánn Emerson Chase is a mother, a grandmother, and a life-long educator who continues to explore the deeper modes of thought. She is a spiritualized and humble intellectual. Amadon encourages everyone to read his mother’s writings which can be found at http://niannemersonchase.org

In this podcast, Amadon DellErba talks about the spiritual life lessons from boxing, UFC, MMA, and other combat sports. In the ring of life, we can learn a lot from the champions of discipline and self-mastery. Professional athletes display a level of fortitude and commitment to their goals that we can all use in life.

We can have the same warrior mentality in life that fighters use in the ring. The attitude includes courage, focus, discipline, commitment, and passion.

Amadon talks about some of the greatest figures in boxing, including Mike Tyson, Roy Jones Jr, Muhamed Ali (Cassius Clay), Ernie Terrel, George Foreman, Manny Paquiao, and Floyd Maywether. Being a champion can cause distortions in how we perceive ourselves. Success can bring a big ego, so it’s important to find humility and not get cocky.

Using The URANTIA Book, Amadon explores failure and defeat; how to lose gracefully. Even when you get knocked down for the 10 count in life, you need to get back up, get in the fight, and adapt to the present moment. The past is useful only if it is used to prepare for the future.

Our growth and goals in life can benefit from the lessons learned in boxing and other combat sports. We can build our spiritual muscles of virtue and character with the same focus and discipline as professional athletes and become Champions of Humility.

In this podcast, Amadon DellErba discusses self-awareness and the importance of growing out of self-importance. In the pursuit of self-mastery we have to go through the painful process of ego death; becoming more aware of our true self and less invested in our false identity. 

Self-importance, or the exaggerated opinion of one’s own importance, is a common problem in today’s society. Everybody can feel self-important at times, especially strong people who are competent and recognized for their talents and abilities. Self-importance often leads to isolation because people don’t value teamwork and interdependence.

Our attitude towards life is key to our self-mastery. We can easily think our souls are flawed or cursed when really, we simply need to shift our thinking, from thoughts of presumptuousness to thoughts of gratitude. 

Amadon pulls from other sources including Stuart Wilde, Viktor Frankl, Santeen, Gabriel of Urantia to further support his thoughts on and understanding of self-awareness.

Lastly, Amadon shares a short passage from The URANTIA Book, illustrating how we can use humor to help us all take ourselves less seriously, while remembering the greatness and grandeur of the Creator. 

In this podcast, Amadon Dellerba discusses the Duality of Man: Human Nature vs. Spiritual Nature. Through recent self-work, he shares some prose that he wrote about his own personal shortcomings and his goals for overcoming his lower nature in the pursuit of his true nature. Part of getting real is revealing your weaknesses and claiming what positive strengths you want to attain. As Carl Jung said, "The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are."

At some point, the duality of our higher- and lower-selves must end. Our ultimate goal is to move away from the struggles of duality, toward unity; the oneness of singularity. This totality is a state of true peace and spiritual maturity. It has been called enlightenment. Amadon's father and spiritual mentor, Gabriel of Urantia, calls this "being in the eternal moment."

Amadon reads a passage from the The URANTIA Book on Jesus' attitude toward self-mastery, reminding us that "he who rules his own self is greater than he who captures a city. Self-mastery is the measure of a man's moral nature in the indicator of his spiritual development."

On this podcast, Amadon DellErba interviews Fitzgerald Pucci, host of the Deconstruct podcast. Together, they discuss a wide range of topics including masculinity, the role of balanced men in our society; alter egos, the facades and personas that we carry masking our true selves; and purity, the childlike qualities of wonder and being in the eternal moment.

Amadon and Fitz talk about everything from Black Lives Matter, to the film "Burden" with Forest Whitaker, to Mike Tyson's podcast Hotboxin', to rapper DMX's orchid garden. In this first conversation, both men found the brotherly bond of two seeking souls in pursuit of higher truth.

Pucci is first and foremost an emotional literacy educator. He is also a dynamic guest with infectious enthusiasm. He shares about his local activism in the rural parts of central Massachusetts and talks about how his podcast, Deconstruct, is a tool for unlearning what we think we know and examining how our society interacts, and why. Pucci talks about the concept of "Radical Trust" in the human ability to grow, which naturally complements Gabriel of Urantia's concept of "Radical Unity."

Be sure to check out Fitzgerald Pucci's podcast, Deconstruct: https://anchor.fm/fitzgerald-pucci

In this podcast, Amadon DellErba talks about being a protector and the role of a man as a father and spiritual warrior to his family and loved-ones. He delves into the difference between being a provider versus being a protector and looks at the historic role of father/protector/warrior vs. the modern-day duties of spiritual protection and spiritual warfare.

Amadon talks about the need to provide a sense of security and confidence and how insecure men can never provide security until they become whole and balanced. He talks about the role of a spiritual warrior in today’s modern culture and the rigorous training necessary to ward off spiritual threats. By holding a high set of standards and expectations, Amadon creates a safe and loving environment for his wife and children, as well as anyone who he encounters. 

He shares about his experience as a father and the need to protect his children from unwanted influences that threaten to taint their pure and innocent souls. He also shares about being a protective husband, the trust that is required for a successful, loving marriage and how that type of protector differs from a man who can simply provide material comforts by making good money. 

A warrior's love goes beyond physical protection. Ultimately, a spiritual warrior is a selfless servant that lives with a set of principles, ideals, and values that are centered outside of themselves and on the good of others.

In this podcast, Amadon DellErba discusses confrontation vs. carefrontation and effective methods of conflict resolution through deep, meaningful communication. To be a righteous man or woman, we must have the courage and vulnerability to confront others, and be grateful when we receive correction.

"Righteousness strikes the harmony chords of truth, and the melody vibrates throughout the cosmos, even to the recognition of the Infinite."
~ The URANTIA Book

If we want to grow spiritually, we need others to confront us. We need those elders and teachers to hold us accountable for when we don’t live up to our principles and ideals. Material successful people use this technique of surrounding themselves with people who know more than them, pointing out their flaws and weaknesses. Amadon correlates this to having a physical trainer or coach who gives you feedback on your body and how we can use the same technique to promote our spiritual health and well-being.

In our modern, politically correct society, no one wants to offend other people. Most want to maintain shallow, surface-deep levels of fakeness. They don’t want to get real and meet problems face to face, toe to toe. People don’t want to be confronted and they don’t want to confront others. They would rather say “I’m okay, you’re okay.”

Conflict resolution is not just about resolving the outer conflict, but the conflict within your heart and mind. You have to be willing to be uncomfortable. The more you embrace conflict and deal with it, the less inner conflict you will have. Make yourself approachable to others. Ask people to confront you and give you feedback.

In this podcast, Amadon DellErba looks at celebrity worship; the false idols that are looked up to in American 'culture.' He also looks at what constitutes a true hero, a selfless servant.

Western society is addicted to social media like Twitter and TikTok. We idolize rock stars, movie stars, and sports stars... from the Kardashians to Paris Hilton. Fame and celebrity have become marks of material success. Not that we can't admire people's talents and abilities,but we should delineate between admiration and idolization.

True heroes often go unnoticed. They are souls of service; people who inspire you to do better and be more fulfilled in your potential. True heroes rarely become well-know, with a handful of exceptions like Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Gandhi. Most heroes are everyday people who are willing to serve selflessly. Nurses. Teachers. The guy who mows your lawn. People living humble lives. We should be most grateful for the heroic individuals that hold us to higher-standards and share their wisdom and truth. They are the ones who tell us what we don’t want to hear, who may even piss us off. Who provoke us to action when we are lazy. It is a spiritual principle of finding your spiritual elders; your mentors, teachers, gurus.

Amadon also calls out the Instagram influencer culture of van-life, life coaches, and celebrities whose inspirational posts don’t really inspire, but rather perpetuate feelings of inadequacy.  He also shares about his own experience with celebrities and their hypocrisy.

Amadon Dellerba gets real about hypocrisy - personally, in relation to systemic hypocrisy that is often found in religious organizations.

There's a difference between our inner ideals and those that we share with others. When we set our goals publicly, we create the potential to be hypocritical. We fail at these goals, but must remain vigilant in our pursuit of self-mastery.

Admitting hypocrisy is a good step toward overcoming. Life becomes harder, highlighting our failures. Loved ones and spiritual elders can be our greatest allies in recognizing those weaknesses and helping us to change.

It's easy to live in narcissism, self-absorption, and self-righteousness. It takes courage to escape mediocrity. "When you pursue realness, you pursue a lifestyle of realization." Jesus exemplified this. The URANTIA Book talks about the Master’s life and His lack of pretense. He lived and spoke the truth, even when that sincerity caused pain and suffering.

Amadon DellErba interviews Peter Bigfoot; survivalist, naturalist, herbalist, and legendary mountain man who lives deep in the Superstition Mountains east of Phoenix, Arizona. Peter is founder & director of Reevis Mountain School of Self-Reliance.

Amadon & Peter discuss the spiritual nature of embracing life’s challenges and their journeys of self-discovery. Peter shares stories and insights from his 40 years living away from society in the mountains of Arizona, including his near-death experience during his 1975 solo trek through the desert wilderness. They discuss metaphysical topics such as the mind being in control of the body, meditation, the body-mind vs. the spirit-mind, and the fact of our existence as eternal spiritual beings. They talk about getting real, taking action, practicing self-mastery, and having an "attitude of gratitude." Episode 11 is a beautiful conversation between two souls who have embraced challenges and allowed adversity to forge their unique characters.

Amadon DellErba discusses white privilege and systemic racism in America. He recalls his experiences protesting injustice, police brutality, & the militarization of police across the country. He speaks from the heart “at the risk of being misunderstood and offending on this very touchy subject,” exploring the limitations of white people’s perspectives, recognizing their societal place of privilege, and encouraging them to seek compassion and understanding in order to combat the disease of racism, ultimately embracing the brotherhood and sisterhood of humankind under one Creator.

Black Lives Matter. White people cannot pretend to know what it is to live with present-day racism and transgenerational trauma. "The privilege that we have as white people is subconscious, and that's why it's so hard to teach to people.  Because you just grow up and you have it.  You don't realize you have it.  And you have to start being educated.” ~ Amadon DellErba

Amadon DellErba interviews Brigitte Mars - herbalist, author of 14 books, professor, & natural chef with close to 50 years of experience in her field – to explore health in these times of global pandemic & the body/mind/soul connection to our well-being.

Brigitte teaches Herbal Medicine at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado and The School of Health Mastery in Iceland.  She has taught at Omega Institute; Esalen; Kripalu; Sivananda Yoga Ashram; Arise, Envision and Unify Festivals; and The Mayo Clinic.  She blogs for the Huffington Post and Care2.  She is also a member of the American Herbalists Guild.

Brigitte is the author of many books, including The Home Reference to Holistic Health and Healing, The Country Almanac of Home Remedies, The Desktop Guide to Herbal Medicine, Beauty by Nature, Addiction Free Naturally, The Sexual Herbal, Healing Herbal Teas, Rawsome!, and co-author of The HempNut Cookbook.  She has also produced several educational DVDs and her latest project is a phone app called iPlant that helps budding herbalists to identify plants in the wild.

Amadon (a member of the board of directors for Avalon Organic Gardens & EcoVillage & Mystic Farms) and Brigitte discuss issues we are facing as a world community taking care of our health in the time of COVID-19.  Highlighting positive impacts this pandemic can have on our health consciousness, together they look at how the Coronavirus is revealing some of our unsustainable modern-world habits and the need for change.

In Episode 8, Amadon DellErba delves deeper into what it means to “get real” in his exploration of what it means to “drop the facade”.  What masks do we wear, consciously or unconsciously, to appear how we think we should be?  Or how we think others want us to be?

Our culture, particularly in the Western world, praises material success, beauty, youth, and a do-it-yourself mentality that is unsustainable and fosters arrogance, competition, selfishness and a false sense of identity.  Amadon discusses the spiritual issues behind our facades and shares from personal experience how we can find and embrace our true God-given unique personalities through honesty, humility and correction.  Truly successful people are raw, real and courageous with their emotions, which are sometimes messy and unpleasant.  Amadon explores the spiritual principles of vulnerability and the desire for correction that free us from negative thinking patterns that keep us in bondage.

Amadon DellErba talks about the fight or flight response and the need to shift our reactions to responses. The "Fight or Flight" response is linked with victim-mentality. It must be acknowledged consciously. Our thinking is based on our beliefs and we can become delusional as we project our imagination into our reactions.

Amadon uses The URANTIA Book to illustrate the concept of perception. He also references the book, The Diamond Cutter by Geshe Michael Roach. He discusses the process of imprinting on our minds and the need to live with intention. Amadon speaks of reactions as being thoughts of our past and responses being thoughts of our present and future.

People can use good assertion to assess, adapt, and act with strength and compassion. As he shares in this episode, "If you want to progress into an optimum spiritual human being, take responsibility for yourself and your actions. Don't cast blame."

Amadon DellErba discusses knowing your limitations and boundaries. He recalls past times when he was forced to accept his own limitations through pain and suffering. 

Ambitious souls often push the boundaries ahead of appropriate timing. Amadon sees boundaries and limitations as weaknesses that can only be overcome through spiritual growth and teamwork. He discusses the importance of having trusted, spiritual elder and comrades who can help identify our strengths and weaknesses, as well as compensate for our short-comings and limitations. He also warns of the people in our lives who impose their own limitations on our growth and consciousness.

Ultimately, our potential is limitless through our unbound consciousness. This expands through meaningful communion with the Creator. True expansion of the mind and soul comes from spiritual growth. The only way to exceed our limitations and boundaries is through conscious growth and the development of virtuous habits.

Amadon DellErba discusses “The Pursuit to Balanced Masculinity.” Part two of a two-part podcast. Part I was released as Episode 4.

In this episode, Amadon discusses men's lack of willingness to be disliked, high standards, and failure. Balanced masculinity is a practice of self control. He encourages men to be bold and manly, courageous, protectors and providers.

Society has much to learn about manliness. Amadon talks about "Boys Don't Cry" mentality and how it cripples men-becoming from expressing their emotions appropriately.

Amadon talks about chauvinistic/patriarchal wrong-thinking and the need to treat women with respect. He  honors the women of his life, especially his mother, Niann Emerson Chase, for nurturing his respect for all that is sacred.

Amadon gives a brief introduction to the concept of balanced father- and mother-circuitry as taught in The Cosmic Family Volumes. Merging gentleness and strength is the balance of masculine/feminine circuitry.

Amadon DellErba discusses “The Pursuit to Balanced Masculinity.”
Part one of a two-part podcast. Part II will be released as Episode 5.

In this episode, Amadon poses questions many men ask themselves about identity and masculinity. “What is it to be manly?”

Balanced masculinity is a near constant pursuit for men of all ages. Amadon discusses the lack of balanced men in this world, encouraging them not to fear being truly manly.  He talks about absolute thinking guiding men on their path towards self-mastery and self-control.

Amadon talks about the need for men to become more wise and loving guides for their children, especially their sons. He emphasizes the recognition and respect of women and femininity, including honoring male sensitivity.

Men need to be willing to set boundaries. Real men have friends, but they also have enemies; a consequence to being willing to stand for truth and personal ideals.

Amadon DellErba discusses the fact that fear prevents us from becoming who we are meant to be and limits us in our growth towards self-discovery. Fear and courage are linked to accountability and responsibility.

Amadon considers fear to be a ‘mind killer.’ The Master considered fear to be “man’s chief enslaver.” Having the courage to liberate yourself from fear is a conscious choice. It comes from caring for other people; those loved ones that we are close to, and strangers on the other side of the world. Living selflessly increases our courage to confront our own lower natures and ‘care-front’ our friends and family, in love.

 “What are we afraid of?” “What does fear prevent in my life?” “What does courage provide in my life?” Amadon poses deep and introspective questions that will provoke personal insights into your own process of overcoming fear and living more courageously.

Amadon DellErba discusses the lower human traits of envy and jealousy and how they can be blind spots in our growth. Using multiple sources, he examines what great minds of the past have said about the vice of envy.

He also explores the virtues of honor and recognition, and the value of having elders in your life, assisting you in the removal of lower traits and weaknesses. Amadon honors his own primary elders and teachers, Gabriel of Urantia and Niánn Emerson Chase, and their influence on his life.

Amadon discusses the connection between envy/jealousy and insecurity/low self-esteem while posing questions about who we envy and why. He talks about the importance of ridding ourselves of these lower patterns in order to allow for a greater degree of unity, collaboration, cooperation, and honor with other people. Becoming more real and helping other people around us be more real.

Amadon DellErba shares his inspiration for starting the podcast, what to expect, and what not to expect in the episodes to come. He states his case for what he has to offer as a spiritual warrior poet, expressing his opinions, insights, and perspectives on living the optimum life. The pursuit of greatness requires commitment, vulnerability, and courage; actively engaging in the daily battle of refining the soul, defining the self, and surgically removing weaknesses and shortcomings. "Pain is temporary. Victory is eternal." Life is a battle between our spiritual and human natures; between our higher and lower selves.  It is a path of sacrifice; of dying to be reborn and becoming more real.
Amadon DellErba has accepted the challenge to get real or die trying, but first the question must be answered, "What does it mean to be real?"