Love Your Brain with The Brain Trust

In this episode Eric and Shannon explore death, grief, and the deeper meaning of being human. Shannon shares how processing childhood medical trauma led her to confront death, and how a psilocybin experience gave her a sense of "home" that reshaped her view of what happens when we pass. They discuss near death experiences, the role of the ego in fearing death, and the cultural discomfort around it. The conversation touches on the beauty of death, the power of witnessing it, and how fear of the inevitable can pull us away from truly living.

On tonight's episode, Eric and Jeremy discuss the absurdities of life, breaking down complicated social connections while uncovering the futility of living.  Eric does a PA on bad drivers, while Jeremy advocates an anarchistic approach to a political solution.  Dogs are talking, birds are dying, people are throwing spheres through hoops—over & over again—while others cheer them on.   Ignorance can be bliss, but the alternative is absurd.

In the first episode of Season 2, Eric and Dave welcome two new voices into the fold. Those two voices are of two previous Love Your Brain guests, Shannon and Jeremy. Welcome to the new and improved Love Your Brain with The Brain trust! This episode is built around a simple but powerful premise. Each member of the Brain Trust brought thoughtful questions for the others to answer, all with the intention of helping our audience get to know who we are and what truly shapes us. The goal of the questions is to foster a deeper understanding of not just our two new co-hosts, but the entire Brain Trust as a whole. In this episode, we dive into topics like faith versus imagination, aging, legacy, psychedelic experiences, fear of death, anger, and passion. This conversation marks the beginning of a new chapter for Love Your Brain, one that is more communal, more curious, and opens our circle up to ever widening perspectives and possibilities. Welcome to The Brain Trust!

Final episode of Season One and our first visual episode. Catch us on Youtube!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSDvcB3sCUyxxYQ8bUkyceg During this Phish Comes To Town Reprise, we dive into the unique world of Phish fandom. Our guest is Chris Badoian, a longtime friend of Dave's brother Dan and a devoted Phish fan himself. Chris talks about his journey from punk rock and skate culture into touring with Phish, along with the psychedelic experiences that often accompany that scene. He and Dave discuss Phish's early influences like Zappa and Santana, and compare their culture to that of the Grateful Dead. They share memorable and infamous stories, like the night Fishman disrobed, and dive into what it truly means to "follow" a band and why people do it to feel alive. Chris is witty, full of energy, and passionate. For him, the biggest draw to Phish was—and still is—how it opens his mind.

When Phish rolled into Manchester, NH, it sparked a full episode of reflection and debate for Eric and Dave. They explore their differing takes on Phish, whether they're truly a jam band, their ties to the Grateful Dead, and Dave's view that they align more closely with Frank Zappa. Eric shares his first unexpected Phish show in the '80s, and they dig into the scene and culture around the band, including recovery support groups, taping and trading shows, lifelong friendships, Shakedown Street, and what really happens in the parking lot. They break down how Phish has stayed outside the mainstream while evolving musically, with standout jams still hitting hard in 2025. And since they just scratched the surface of fandom, look for part two of this topic!

In this episode we sit down with Mike Welch, a case manager and special education teacher who works with at risk youth, helping them find purpose, self worth, and direction after high school. Married to his high school sweetheart and a father of three, Mike shares how his own troubled past shaped his mission to be the man he needed when he was young. We dive deep into his work guiding young men to raise the bar, face hard truths, and embrace authenticity. Mike opens up about building respect through vulnerability, the challenges of supporting students who have made serious mistakes, and the power of believing in someone who has lost faith in themselves. His stories of transformation remind us what it truly means to become a man, not by hiding from your truth, but by owning it.

In this episode, we sit down with author and punk rock poet Jeremy Void. Known for his raw, introspective poetry, Jeremy writes to confront the darker side of his mind, exploring chaos, death, and the divinity that can be found within. We talk about making friends with darkness, finding meaning in the meaningless, and how we all live inside our own "reality bubbles."   Jeremy reads from his books, and together we dive into social media, algorithms, and the power of persuasion; how they shape our egos and perceptions. We explore why we're drawn to the macabre, the importance of letting others challenge us, and what it truly means to play in both the light and the dark.

In this raw and heartfelt conversation, Dave and Eric sit down with songwriter, musician, reiki practitioner, and student of life Tyler Allgood to explore how music has become his way of telling stories and processing grief. Together they dive into the concept of "channeling" in the songwriting process; "not thinking, just doing". Tyler performs his moving song Love in Vermont, written in memory of a close friend who died by suicide, while reflecting on the loss of his sister, the tension between spirituality and atheism, and the idea that reality itself is a choice. Tyler shares how heartbreak inspires his songs, why he writes first for himself, and how becoming a solo artist gave him the freedom to express his truth. The episode closes with another live performance that left the whole room deeply moved.

In this episode Dave and Eric welcome Shannon, a plant medicine advocate and community builder. She is the founder of Tethered, a nature-based church dedicated to connection and healing. The conversation explores plant medicine, the role of psychedelics in ceremony, and the meaning of "holding space." Insights into the history of psychedelics, the war on drugs, and how these substances can be both profound teachers and challenging experiences are shared, along with guidance on preparation, integration, and the science behind the "critical window" for brain plasticity and rewiring. The episode closes with reflections on the importance of community in today's digital world.

Dave and Eric explore the idea that reality is real but not necessarily true. They discuss how limited our senses are. The conversation touches on how the brain searches for patterns, how personal experience and emotion shape perception, and how we are meaning making machines. They look at how meditation can shift our experience of reality and how our focus influences our sense of time. The episode ends with a dive into creative intelligence and a one liner that brings the show to a hilarious stop.

Now it's Dave's turn to interview Eric, who he describes as "a ball of energy on legs". Eric talks about being the most "intelligent dipshit"you'll ever meet and his ongoing struggle with reacting to life. He shares why he chooses to participate in so many creative and personal projects, and the tension he feels when he spreads himself too thin. The conversation moves into his work in men's circles, the importance of taking off the mask in the presence of honorable men, and learning to vet those spaces. Eric also reflects on his path to becoming a drummer, his early encounters with darkness starting in college, and how that darkness has been both a burden and a gift. He opens up about the illusion of control anger has given him and what he calls the "spiritual contract" he signed before becoming human.

In this episode Eric turns the spotlight on Dave in a candid and playful interview. Dave opens up about how the school system shaped and limited him, the tension between feeling confined and never being bored, and how he kept the writer in him hidden until publishing his first book. He reads some of his work, shares stories from his years following the Grateful Dead, and talks about what inspires him today. Full of heart, humor, and honesty, this episode offers a deeper look at the man behind the mic.

In this final installment, Eric and Dave explore what happens after recovery and what it means when someone never finds it. They discuss the Jellinek Curve, the nature of rock bottom, and how addiction can be both a solution and a problem to the addict. They discuss recovery paths outside of the twelve steps, the difference between CBT and DBT, and the three A's to change. The episode closes with a message for loved ones and a look at the five stages of change when approaching someone in addiction.

In this episode Dave and Eric are joined by their dear friend Peggy for a rich, heartfelt conversation full of laughter, depth, and old friendship. They reflect on spiritual connections, daily practices, and how recovery is a path for everyone. Peggy shares about her powerful morning journey work in a space she calls "Archive", and discusses how her law practice mirrors her own healing process. The trio explores the art of prayer and meditation, the nature of channeling as a creative tool, as well as the beauty and limits of language in expressing the sacred.

The second part of our addiction series dives into family culture, social pressures, and some brain science behind high-risk behaviors. We unpack the impact of phone attachment, cultural influences, loss of control, and how addiction rewires the brain.

We welcome our first guest, Nathan Griffiths. Nate is a very talented young musician on his way to music school. During our conversation we explore the creative process, the magic of live versus studio performance, and what it means to enter "the zone" where ego and time disappear. The conversation expands into themes of true self-expression, the challenges of screen addiction and social media, and the potential risks of artificial intelligence.

Eric and Dave kick off a three-part series on addiction by exploring how and why we get addicted, how tolerance develops, and the influence of family, culture, and personal expectations. They look at addiction beyond substances, including social media, and examine the defense mechanisms that keep us from facing the truth about our behaviors.

Dave and Eric explore agnosticism vs. atheism, scientific skepticism, and the intersections of belief, religion, and science. The discussion gets heated as they challenge perspectives on God, higher power, and the nature of faith.

In this episode Dave and Eric discuss the stories, narratives, and scripts that we hang on to as human beings. We examine how they are constructed and how they can be deconstructed as we grow.

Welcome to Love Your Brain with Eric and Dave! We meet Eric and Dave as they dive into the brain, the mind, and how we interact with the everyday world around us.