So Much Uncensored

Get ready for our mind-bending season finale! Maz embarks on an unprecedented journey into darkness, spending an entire week in absolute sensory deprivation in Bali. Has he lost his mind, or has he discovered something extraordinary? Join us with our esteemed guest, Dr. Matt Crossley, as we delve deep into Maz's surreal experience. In this marathon episode, we explore the depths of Maz's psychological journey, from the initial perceptual shifts to the strange and vivid dreams that haunted his nights. As he navigates through panic, doubt, and moments of profound self-reflection, Maz grapples with the very essence of inspiration and self-trust. With each storytelling segment, Maz unveils layers of his psyche, from confronting fear and surrendering to the unknown to crossing into the enigmatic realm of metaphysical experiences. But as Maz shares his most profound moments, Matt offers insightful perspectives and challenges the boundaries of perception and reality. This isn't just our longest episode yet; it's a psychological rollercoaster that will leave you questioning the limits of the human mind. Strap in and get comfortable for a riveting journey into darkness and enlightenment. Timestamps: 00:20:00 - Hallucinations begin 00:29:00 - Learning to Question Our Thoughts 00:33:30 - Getting Lost in a Purple Room 00:46:45 - Is it a dream, a hallucination or reality?! 00:55:00 - Panic Mode: Broken Glass, Heat, Vertigo 1:05:30 - Considering Leaving: Balancing Inspiration and Doubt 1:45:00 - Rediscovering Inspiration and Building Trust 2:10:00 - Surrendering to the Journey 2:45:00 - Maz's Most Profound Experience Yet - "I am Buddha" 3:00:00 - Challenging Metaphysical Experiences: Samim's Perspective We will be back for Season 3 in JULY In the meantime we will be launching a new podcast alongside this - STAY TUNED

This is our FINAL part with Professor Greg Downey! Make sure to check out parts 1 and 2 below before listening to this one: Part 1: From St. Louis to the Streets of Salvador From dreams of becoming a Jesuit priest to immersion in Afro-Brazilian martial arts, Greg's narrative unfolds through religion, love, politics, and inherent risks that shaped his extraordinary existence. Part 2: The Brazilian Odyssey Unfolds Experience the vibrant streets of Brazil in the 90s through Greg's vivid storytelling, exploring cultural immersion, spiritual encounters, and transformative insights gained from this captivating period. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Part 3: Unravelling Masculinity: Navigating Relationships and Self-Discovery In the third part of our series, Greg shares personal anecdotes and insights into masculinity, relationships, and self-discovery. From confronting abusive relationships and delving into the roots of co-dependency to critically examining societal narratives surrounding masculinity, Greg provides a thought-provoking exploration of the challenges and opportunities for growth in navigating modern masculinity. Through engaging in a rebuttal of prevalent ideologies and advocating for redefining masculinity, Greg invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences and perceptions, offering valuable insights for fostering authentic connections and self-discovery in an ever-evolving societal landscape. Join us as we navigate the complexities of modern masculinity alongside Greg, exploring the journey towards authenticity and growth. Timestamps: 00:00:30 - Unexpected Entrance: Maz Crashes the Party 00:03:00 - Greg's Life Continues: A Deeper Dive 00:14:00 - Breaking the Silence: Personal Anecdotes of Confronting Abuse 00:23:30 - Unveiling Shame: Understanding the Root of Co-dependency 00:29:30 - Myth of Sacrifice: Romanticizing Love 00:44:30 - Unpacking Wokeism: Navigating Societal Narratives 00:56:30 - Wrestling with Emotions: Guilt vs Shame 01:02:30 - Pitfalls of Masculinity: Confronting Fear and Defensiveness 01:10:30 - Building Authentic Connections - Modern Solutions *This is the FINAL part with Greg. **Over the next month we will be releasing episodes with special guest Matt Crossley discussing Maz's time in the darkness retreat!

Join us for the continuation of Greg's extraordinary journey in Part 2 of our series. Greg's vivid articulation takes us deep into the heart of Salvador, Brazil, painting a picturesque landscape of the country in the 90s. From bustling streets to cultural immersion, his storytelling offers rich visualizations of his experiences and profound insights gained from this transformative period. If you haven't listened yet, be sure to catch Part 1 for the full story. Part 1 Summary: In Part 1, we explored Greg's early life aspirations and his journey from St. Louis to Salvador. From dreams of becoming a Jesuit priest to immersion in capoeira, Greg's narrative unfolds through religion, love, politics, and inherent risks that shaped his extraordinary existence. Timestamps: 00:00 - Continuing the Journey: Greg's PhD Pursuit in Chicago (Capoeira) 9:45 - Embracing Brazil: Immersion into a New Culture 22:30 - Cultural Shift: Spectator Culture versus Participatory Culture 28:30 - Spiritual Encounters: Exploring Evangelism in Brazil's Candomblé Houses 38:30 - Reflections on Privilege: Navigating Life's Demobilization in the West *Stay tuned for the part 3, where we move on from Greg's life story and start a whole new segment on "Men's Mental Health".

Embark on an extraordinary journey with Samim as he unveils the captivating life story of Professor Greg Downey in this special series, "The stories that shape us" This unique podcast is not just an interview; it's a deep dive into the chapters of Greg's life, a captivating narrative that unfolds in layers. In this opening episode, join them in Greg's office at Macquarie University, Sydney, as they explore the highs and lows of a life that began in the highly-segregated St. Louis. Beginning with dreams of becoming a Jesuit priest, and ending up in the vibrant streets of Salvador, Brazil. Greg eventually immersed himself in the rhythmic world of Capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial art. His tale weaves through religion, love, politics, and the value in the risks that he's had to take along the way. Part 1 sets the stage, leaving you eager to unravel the rest of the story. Tune in to discover the depths of "Greg Downey" as the narrative unfolds, inviting you to experience a life less ordinary. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction: Samim sets the stage for a unique journey into Professor Greg Downey's life. 05:45 - Faith and Foundations: Encounters with evangelical Christianity and Jesuit priests. 09:30 - The Priesthood Aspiration: The reasons behind his desire to become a priest. 19:45 - The Turning Point: The significant shock that shattered Greg's religious convictions. 29:00 - Unpacking Wokeism: Navigating the landscape of wokeism during Greg's formative years. 36:30 - College Chronicles: Greg's experiences during his college years. 43:00 - Embracing Risk: Understanding the transformative power of taking risks. 52:00 - Teaser to Brazil: A sneak peek into Part 2, where Greg's adventures in Brazil will be revealed. Join Samim in this intimate exploration of a life well-lived, filled with twists, turns, and invaluable lessons. Tune in to "The stories that shape us" and embark on a journey, one page at a time. *Stay tuned for the next instalment, where we continue to unravel the layers of Greg Downey's extraordinary life.

In our riveting latest episode, Samim takes us on a journey to Morocco, recounting an unexpected scenario where he received praise for sharing the same nationality as Imam Khomeini, the controversial Persian figure—an infamous dictator and a character Samim strongly despises. This intriguing encounter becomes a launching point for a profound exploration of defensiveness, authenticity, and the art of navigating outlandish perspectives. Join us for an insightful conversation that delves into the nuances of judgment, where Maz shares a poignant anecdote underscoring the profound consequences judgments may carry. As the dialogue unfolds, we confront the complexities of assumptions, question the legitimacy of righteous rage in the face of injustice, and probe into the transformative potential of conversation. Can excommunication and hate ever find justification? Tune in for a captivating exploration challenging perspectives and igniting thoughtful reflection. Timestamps: 00:00 - The story of being identified as an Iranian in Morocco 07:30 - Genuine vs. inauthentic conflict 13:30 - Defensiveness in the face of other opinions 18:30 - The crux of the Morocco dilemma 23:30 - How to respond to someone who deserves to be judged 26:30 - The necessity of assumptions 29:30 - Righteous rage - anger in the face of injustice 38:30 - The power of conversation 44:30 - Is excommunication ever justified? 53:00 - "It's easy to hate from a distance" 56:30 - Wrap up *Stay tuned for new episodes fortnightly on Friday mornings