Ep. 449: Are Psychiatric Drugs Making Mental Health Worse?

Ep. 450: Near-Death Experiences, Psilocybin & Spiritual Awakening

NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCES, PSYCHEDELICS, AND THE TRUTH ABOUT CONSCIOUSNESS WITH DR. EBEN ALEXANDER Can consciousness exist independent of the brain? In this fascinating return conversation, JJ sits down with renowned neurosurgeon, near-death experiencer, and bestselling author Eben Alexander to explore one of the biggest questions facing science, spirituality, and human healing today. Drawing from his own extraordinary near-death experience during a week-long coma caused by bacterial meningitis, Dr. Alexander challenges conventional assumptions about consciousness, memory, healing, and the role of the brain itself. Together, JJ and Dr. Alexander explore the intersection of neuroplasticity, psychedelics, meditation, trauma healing, survival states, and spiritual awakening. They discuss why so many people remain stuck despite years of therapy, why conventional psychiatric approaches may fall short, and what practices can help people access deeper states of transformation. This conversation dives into the profound possibility that healing may not come from fixing the brain—but from reconnecting to the greater consciousness beyond it. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN: * Why Dr. Alexander believes consciousness is not created by the brain * What his near-death experience revealed about life, death, and the soul * The surprising science behind psilocybin and ego dissolution * How meditation and psychedelics may affect the brain's default mode network * Why fear of death can keep the body trapped in survival mode * The connection between healing, consciousness, and neuroplasticity * What near-death experiences consistently teach about love and purpose * The role of meditation in expanding awareness and intuition * Scientific evidence supporting non-local consciousness * How childhood wounds, identity, and ego influence our experience of reality * Why personal experience often changes people more than data alone * Practical ways to begin exploring consciousness for yourself KEY TAKEAWAY "The deepest lesson from near-death experiences is remarkably simple: Love is what matters. How we treat ourselves and others is ultimately the most important thing." RESOURCES MENTIONED 📖 Proof of Heaven 📖 Map of Heaven 📖 Living in a Mindful Universe 🌐 Sacred Acoustics Meditation Technology Sacred Acoustics [https://www.sacredacoustics.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com] 🌐 Free 33-Day Journey Into the Heart of Consciousness Eben Alexander Official Website [https://www.ebenalexander.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com] PREVIOUS EPISODES WITH DR. EBEN ALEXANDER * Living in a Mindful Universe * Proof of Heaven * Beliefs Can Heal Us * Gifts of Desperation CONNECT WITH JJ 🌐 JJ Flizanes Official Website [https://jjflizanes.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com] 🎧 Spirit, Purpose & Energy Podcast

Ep. 449: Are Psychiatric Drugs Making Mental Health Worse?

What if the medications designed to help depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and schizophrenia are actually worsening long-term mental health outcomes? In this powerful and thought-provoking conversation, JJ sits down with investigative journalist and bestselling author Anatomy of an Epidemic creator Robert Whitaker to explore the research behind psychiatric medications, the chemical imbalance theory, and the growing mental health crisis in America. Robert shares how his work as a medical journalist led him to uncover a major disconnect between what the public has been told about antidepressants, SSRIs, antipsychotics, ADHD medications, and mood stabilizers — and what long-term research studies actually show. Together, JJ and Robert discuss: * The origins of the “chemical imbalance” theory * Why serotonin deficiency was never scientifically proven * The pharmaceutical narratives used to market psychiatric medications * Long-term studies on antidepressants, antipsychotics, ADHD medications, and bipolar treatment * Why mental health outcomes may be worsening despite increased medication use * The difference between healing and symptom management * How trauma, childhood conditioning, core wounds, and emotional suppression impact mental health * Why labeling people can reinforce identity-based suffering * The importance of emotional processing, nervous system regulation, and neuroplasticity * Alternative approaches to healing, including Open Dialogue therapy * How society may be pathologizing normal human emotional experiences JJ also shares her perspective on emotional healing, Core Wound Patterns, nervous system regulation, and the importance of learning how to feel, process, and move through emotions rather than suppressing or medicating them away. This episode challenges conventional mental health narratives while opening the door to deeper conversations about healing, humanity, and what it truly means to recover. IN THIS EPISODE * Depression and the chemical imbalance theory * SSRIs and antidepressants * Bipolar disorder and mood stabilizers * ADHD medications and long-term outcomes * Schizophrenia research and antipsychotic medications * Emotional healing and nervous system regulation * Trauma, identity, and subconscious beliefs * Neuroplasticity and alternative healing approaches MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE * Anatomy of an Epidemic * Mad in America * Nonviolent Communication * Open Dialogue Therapy * EMDR and neuroplasticity approaches * Core Wound Mapping CONNECT WITH ROBERT WHITAKER Mad in America [https://www.madinamerica.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com] CONNECT WITH JJ JJ Flizanes Official Website [https://jjflizanes.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com]

Ep. 448: Seasons of Life Celebrations

RITUAL, GRIEF, COMMUNITY & CELEBRATING LIFE’S TRANSITIONS WITH GIA ILOLE In this heartfelt and inspiring conversation, JJ sits down with Gia Ilole, founder of Seasons of Life Celebrations, to explore the healing power of ritual, intentional community, and honoring life’s transitions — both joyful and painful. After experiencing profound personal loss — the death of her sister followed just six months later by the sudden loss of her husband — Gia discovered a deep need for meaningful, secular ceremonies that support people through grief, transition, and transformation. Together, JJ and Gia discuss: * Why ritual matters more than ever in modern life * How intentional ceremonies help people heal and reconnect * The emotional importance of community and shared experiences * Why transitions deserve acknowledgment — not just weddings and funerals * How grief can uncover purpose, service, and a new calling * The role of celebration in milestones like divorce, retirement, career shifts, menopause, empty nesting, and personal reinvention * Why many people need support creating ceremonies that truly reflect who they are Gia shares how her business helps individuals and families design customized ceremonies, memorials, and celebrations that feel deeply personal and healing — whether in person or remotely. JJ also reflects on her own love of ritual, community-building, and creating memorable experiences through intentional gatherings, traditions, and ceremonies. The conversation expands into: * Love languages and quality time * Creating annual traditions and meaningful gatherings * Estate planning beyond finances * Leaving loved ones guidance for memorial wishes * The growing need for community-centered healing One of the most powerful themes of the episode is this: > We don’t have to wait for tragedy to become intentional about connection, celebration, and meaning. Gia explains how rituals — even simple or symbolic ones — can psychologically and emotionally help people process change, grief, endings, beginnings, and identity shifts. TOPICS COVERED * Grief & healing * Secular memorial ceremonies * Ritual & spirituality * Community building * Empty nest transitions * Menopause & identity shifts * Divorce & career transition ceremonies * Intentional living * Celebrating milestones * Death doulas & end-of-life planning * Entrepreneurship after loss * Service, connection & purpose ABOUT GIA ILOLE Gia Ilole is the founder of Seasons of Life Celebrations, a company devoted to helping people create meaningful ceremonies and intentional rituals for life’s biggest transitions. Services include: * Memorial planning * Celebration officiating * Ceremony design * Obituary & eulogy writing * Memorial mapping * Customized rituals * Life transition celebrations CONNECT WITH GIA * Website: Seasons of Life Celebrations * Instagram: @seasonsoflifecelebrationsvc KEY TAKEAWAY Life is made meaningful through intentional connection, shared experiences, and rituals that honor who we are becoming — not just who we’ve been.

Ep. 447: Lowering Cholesterol Won't Prevent Heart Disease

THE GREAT CHOLESTEROL MYTH: WHAT YOUR DOCTOR MAY NOT BE TELLING YOU with Dr. Jonny Bowden In this eye-opening conversation, JJ reconnects with renowned nutrition expert and bestselling author Dr. Jonny Bowden to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in modern medicine: cholesterol. Dr. Bowden, co-author of The Great Cholesterol Myth, explains why the conventional cholesterol narrative is outdated, why total cholesterol tells us almost nothing about heart disease risk, and why inflammation and insulin resistance may be far more important predictors of long-term health. Together, JJ and Dr. Bowden discuss the evolution of cholesterol science, the overprescription of statins, and why people must become advocates for their own health instead of blindly outsourcing decisions to conventional medicine. IN THIS EPISODE: * Why total cholesterol is an outdated marker for heart disease risk * The difference between LDL cholesterol and LDL particles * Why “good” and “bad” cholesterol is an oversimplified concept * What ApoB and LDL particle testing actually reveal about cardiovascular risk * The role of inflammation in chronic disease and heart disease * How insulin resistance predicts disease years before symptoms appear * Why stress, processed foods, poor sleep, and sedentary living fuel metabolic dysfunction * The connection between blood sugar regulation and cardiovascular health * Why many conventional cholesterol tests are “1963 medicine” * What lifestyle changes can help reduce inflammation naturally * Why questioning medical dogma matters for your long-term health KEY TAKEAWAYS: Dr. Bowden explains that cholesterol itself is not the enemy. Instead, the real issue is the condition of the particles carrying cholesterol through the bloodstream and the inflammation damaging artery walls. He uses powerful analogies — including boats crashing in a marina and golf balls burning through a tennis net — to explain how small, dense LDL particles create more cardiovascular risk than large LDL particles. JJ and Dr. Bowden also explore how insulin resistance quietly drives many chronic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease — often decades before diagnosis. This episode is a reminder that true health requires curiosity, critical thinking, and personal responsibility. RESOURCES MENTIONED: * The Great Cholesterol Myth by Dr. Jonny Bowden & Dr. Stephen Sinatra * ApoB testing * LDL particle testing * Function Health * PubMed.gov CONNECT WITH DR. JONNY BOWDEN * Website: DrJonnyBowden.com * Book: The Great Cholesterol Myth CONNECT WITH JJ * JJ Flizanes Official Website [https://jjflizanes.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * Feelings & Needs List

Ep. 446: The Real Reason You Can't Change Your Behavior

If you’ve ever thought, “I know better… so why do I keep doing this?”—this episode is for you. In this powerful conversation, I break down the real reason we stay stuck in emotional, behavioral, and even physical patterns—and why traditional approaches to healing often don’t create lasting change. We’re not just talking about mindset. We’re going deeper—to the subconscious beliefs formed before age 7 that still shape your reactions, your habits, and your identity today. This is the foundation of my Core Wound Map™, and once you see it… you can’t unsee it. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN: * What a core wound really is (and why you didn’t choose it) * How your brain created beliefs to keep you safe—but now keeps you stuck * The hidden pattern loop: Trigger → Feeling → Reaction * Why awareness alone doesn’t change behavior * The difference between coping vs. actual healing * Why most therapy and personal development miss the root * How your patterns show up in: * Relationships * Food & body image * Self-sabotage * Emotional triggers KEY TAKEAWAY Healing is when you are different in the same situation. Not when you avoid it. Not when you leave it. When the trigger is the same… but your response is different. That’s real change. THE 3-STEP TOOL TO USE IMMEDIATELY When you’re triggered, ask yourself: 1. What am I feeling? 2. What need is not being met? 3. How can I meet that need—without requiring anyone else to change? 👉 This is how you interrupt the pattern in real time. FREE RESOURCE Download the Feelings & Needs List to start practicing this today: 👉 jjflizanes.com/feelingslist Print it. Keep it with you. Use it. NEXT STEP If this resonates, it means you’re ready to go deeper. This is exactly the work we do inside: * The Roadmap to Emotional Healing * Rewiring Your Core Wound Patterns * The Empowering Minds Network Because this isn’t about more information… It’s about becoming someone different in the same situation.