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PODCAST · health

Close to the Bone

by Carl T. Vreeland

This is a podcast about uncovering the uncomfortable truth as a means to experience more joy, peace, and happiness. I was a depressed, cynical, angry, and unforgiving person. Through the guidance of others, I overcame a miserable existence. It is my hope to help others find a path out of the darkness and into the light.

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Episodes

  1. How to Get Out of Your Own Way

    In this episode, we look at the idea of "unselfing" and getting out of our own way. I read a few excerpts from the new book, The Unself-Help Book: How to Get Out of Your Own Way and Start Being Happy. We address overthinking, overanalyzing, and how the "unself work" can help one quiet the mind…

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  2. Is Life Not Going Your Way?

    In this episode, we explore life on life's terms. What happens when things don't go as plan? How can we better handle life's challenges and disappointments? Is our current perspective and approach to these difficulties serving us well? We delve into alternative ways to deal with our hardships and...

  3. A Different Take on the Dave Grohl Situation

    In this episode, we look at the response to Dave Grohl's public confession about his infidelity. Why would he betray his wife and children? Why are his fans devastated and distraught by this news? We explore this situation from many angles, and from a spiritual standpoint.

  4. Dry Drunk

    Do you know what a dry drunk is? Do you know what an alcoholic is? And what about alcoholism? In this episode, we explore these terms, their meanings, and some of the symptoms we may all share.

  5. Why Blame God?

    In this episode, we look at the reasons why many blame God. We ask questions such as, "Why doesn't God intervene and fix things?" We try to answer these questions and more.

  6. A Cure for Depression

    In this episode I share my personal experience with depression, and what I did to overcome its dark and often debilitating spell.

  7. Addicted to Porn - Part 2

    In this episode, we look at the reasons why people turn to pornography, how it becomes addictive, why sexual objectification is harmful, and more. Suggestions are offered on how to overcome this debilitating addiction.

  8. Addicted to Porn

    In this episode we delve into a brief history of pornography, and we look at several scientific studies which include data showing the correlation between online porn, high divorce rates, alcohol and drug and use, and more.

  9. Breathing

    In this episode, we look at the importance of paying attention to the breath. We focus on the health benefits of mindful breathing and offer some helpful techniques.

  10. Why Do We Drink?

    In this episode, we explore the many reasons why we drink alcohol, smoke pot, and indulge in other drugs. Questions are raised with the intention of shedding light on the subject of addiction and the human condition.

  11. How to Let Go of Anger

    In this episode, we delve deep into why we get angry and how we can let go of it when it arises. 10 suggestive useful key points are given with explanations and examples.

  12. Should We Be Saying Good Riddance to 2022?

    In this episode, we look at the ritual of saying goodbye and good riddance to the old year to bring in the new one. Does this type of send-off serve us well?

  13. Dealing With the Dark Side

    In this episode, we explore the dark side of humanity; a side of us that is often repressed. But why look at our shadow? Why let it surface? We try to answer these questions and more.

  14. Why We Need Reminders

    In this episode, we explore the reasons why we need reminders to be happy and positive, but not to be sad and negative. And we look at ways we can change.

  15. Things Will Never Be The Same

    Things change. Yet, we long for them to stay the same. Why? And is this longing useful or harmful? In this episode, we explore these questions and more.

  16. We're All Going to Die, and That's OK

    In this episode, we speak frankly about death. Why do we fear it? Can we find peace with it? And can we become friends with fear and death itself? We attempt to answer these questions and more.

  17. No Problem

    In this episode, we look at how courtesy and communication has changed in both the service industry and in everyday interactions. Has it changed for better or for worse?

  18. You Are Worthy

    Are Self-Help and New Age affirmations really helpful? And do they serve us well? In this episode, I try to answer these questions and more.

  19. Love and Loss

    In this episode, we explore romantic love, loss, loyalty, grieving, and mourning. We view them through the lens of Western societal norms, institutions, and religion.

  20. Resentment

    In this episode we look at today's activists, justice, victim mentality, fear, anger, aggression, and revenge. Does seeking retaliation serve us and society well? We explore this question and more.

  21. Alcohol, Drugs, and Transcendence

    Is there a relationship between getting stoned and spirituality? In this episode, we explore this and the reasons why we imbibe and get high.

  22. On the Outside Looking in

    In this episode, I talk about anxiety, depression, addiction, and alienation.

  23. The Empath

    In this episode, we explore the distinctions between empaths and empathy. Are empaths really as exceptional as we are led to believe?

  24. The Gifts of COVID-19

    What have we learned from the pandemic and lockdowns? Has it changed us? In this episode, we attempt to answer these questions by exploring the many opportunities COVID-19 has given us.

  25. The Story of Scrooge

    Note: {I originally published this podcast episode on December 27, 2020 as Episode 18, I am publishing it again with the hope that it might lift your spirits during this holiday season}. What does Yoga, the Divine, and the fictional character, Ebenezer Scrooge have in common? The answer to this...

  26. Keep Your Mouth Shut

    Note: {I originally published this podcast episode on November 29, 2020 as Episode 16, I am publishing it again with the hope that it might be helpful during this holiday season}. Why do we fall back on our old ways so easily, especially when we're with family or old friends? In this episode, we...

  27. Is God a Crutch?

    In this episode, we view science, religion, spirituality, and God, in relation to the human condition.

  28. Everything's Not Going to Be All Right

    In this episode, we look at our greatest fears. Can we change our view of these fears? Can we overcome them? We explore these questions and more.

  29. Addicted to Anger

    In this episode we look at some of the causes of anger. Many of us have difficulty appropriately curbing or suppressing our anger. Insights and tools are offered to help understand and overcome our unseemly and destructive behaviors.

  30. You Are Loved

    In this episode, we look more closely at the New Age phrase, "You are loved." What does it mean exactly? And how helpful is it?

  31. Satire, Sarcasm, and All That Jazz

    In this episode, we define satire, sarcasm, comedy, wit, and teasing. From ancient Greece to TV and Twitter, we look at their uses and misuses.

  32. You're Only as Sick as Your Secrets

    In this episode, we look at how secrets can burden us with shame and guilt, and prevent us from experiencing good relations, inner peace, joy, and happiness.

  33. A Boy Named Sue

    In this episode, we dissect the popular 60's song. Is its message still relevant? And if so, what can we learn from it?

  34. Depression

    In this episode, we view depression from two different standpoints. We also look at alcoholism, drug addiction, trauma, mental illness, and suicide.

  35. First Things First

    In this episode, we look at priorities, parenting, playing God, and love.

  36. A Meditation

    In this episode, we meditate.

  37. Nostalgia and Sentimentality

    Are you nostalgic and sentimental? And does it matter? In this episode, we take a closer look at our proclivity to plunge into the past and reminisce about our bygone days.

  38. Authority Figures

    In this episode, we look at authority and power. Are our views and feelings about authority serving us well? And can we change them?

  39. I Don't Give a F*ck

    In this episode, we look at the seemingly empowering attitude of not giving a f*ck. Is this suggestion of "not caring" liberating or misguiding? Is it serving us well?

  40. Business is Business

    In this episode, we look at the world of big business, big money, big egos, dishonesty and deceit. We explore honesty and it's relationship to sobriety, sanity, and serenity.

  41. On Truth

    In this episode, we look at the concept of truth. What is it? What's so important about it? And why do we seek it? We explore this idea and how it relates to religion, God, and our personal lives.

  42. Hate is Hate is Hate

    Hate breeds hate, whether our hate for someone or something is justified or not, hate is hate is hate. And where there is hate, there is fear and anger. In this episode, we look at hate from an objective, honest, spiritual perspective.

  43. Us and Them

    In this episode, we look at our tribal instincts and how they relate to fundamentalism and fanaticism in religion and politics. Is the excess baggage of our evolution responsible for much of the conflict we are witnessing in today's chaotic world?

  44. The Story of Scrooge

    What does Yoga, the Divine, and the fictional character, Ebenezer Scrooge have in common? The answer to this question and more is explored in this episode.

  45. Being with the Breath

    How important is our relationship with the breath? What affect does it have on our state of being? In this episode, we explore these questions and more.

  46. Keep Your Mouth Shut

    Why do we fall back on our old ways so easily, especially when we're with family or old friends? In this episode, we look at self-control, self-restraint, and spiritual growth, and try to answer this question and more.

  47. Why Me?

    In this episode, we look at the unpredictability of life. How important is our perspective of random events? And do we have a choice in how we respond to them?

  48. Where Am I?

    In this episode, we go to the Buddha for guidance. Why does the mind wander so often? How can we live more in the moment? And why is it important that we do so? These are questions and more that are explored.

  49. Let's Talk More About Drinking

    In this episode, we talk about alcoholism and the alcoholic mind. What are the symptoms? What are the underlying causes? What are the consequences? These are some of the questions we explore.

  50. Stop Analyzing

    In this episode, we look at psychotherapy and self-analysis. Can talk-therapy turn counter-productive? Can self-analysis prevent us from enjoying life? We explore this and more.

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

This is a podcast about uncovering the uncomfortable truth as a means to experience more joy, peace, and happiness. I was a depressed, cynical, angry, and unforgiving person. Through the guidance of others, I overcame a miserable existence. It is my hope to help others find a path out of the darkness and into the light.

HOSTED BY

Carl T. Vreeland

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Close to the Bone have?

Close to the Bone currently has 61 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Close to the Bone about?

This is a podcast about uncovering the uncomfortable truth as a means to experience more joy, peace, and happiness. I was a depressed, cynical, angry, and unforgiving person. Through the guidance of others, I overcame a miserable existence. It is my hope to help others find a path out of the...

How often does Close to the Bone release new episodes?

Close to the Bone has 61 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Close to the Bone?

You can listen to Close to the Bone on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Close to the Bone?

Close to the Bone is created and hosted by Carl T. Vreeland.
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