The Rise 2 Thrive Podcast with Matt and Brooke

#20 - Jules Cassetti: The Alchemy of Grief - Why Your Deepest Pain Holds Your Life's Mission

Jules Cassetti is a board-certified holistic nurse, death doula, and psychedelic integration specialist who helps people navigate grief, loss, and life's biggest transitions. A nurse since 2016, Jules cut her teeth in the conventional system — travel nursing across multiple cities and working as an ICU nurse through the height of COVID. Today, Jules bridges modern healthcare with holistic and spiritual approaches to healing — offering grief and psychedelic integration coaching, consulting for healthcare professionals ready to leap into more authentic careers, and in-person death doula support for people and families traversing life's biggest thresholds. In this episode, Matt and Brooke reunite with Jules Cassetti — a friend since their Sedona desert days in 2021 — for a raw and surprisingly playful conversation about death, grief, and what it actually takes to feel alive. Jules shares her path from burnt-out COVID ICU nurse to death doula, why the goal is never to remove grief but to integrate it, and how unprocessed grief silently drives disease, addiction, and the "gnawing hunger" of modern society. She breaks down the five stages of grief (and why they're anything but linear), the alchemy of turning pain into creative expression, and the single most accessible healing practice available to anyone: sharing your story and being truly witnessed. If you've been carrying grief you don't know what to do with — or you're facing a threshold of your own — this conversation is a hand to hold. Key Topics: * Jules's journey from ICU nurse during COVID to holistic nurse and death doula * Shedding the job-title identity: what nursing taught her about the human condition * How hospitals reveal the link between unprocessed trauma and physical disease * Losing her mother unexpectedly — and why her mom's death was her own death too * Integrated grief vs. "taking the pain away": why holding space beats fixing * The five stages of grief and why the path to acceptance is nonlinear and chaotic * The alchemy of grief: painting, movement, voice, and turning pain into expression * Why unprocessed grief becomes bitterness, disease, and the shadow of the collective * Practical tools: stream-of-consciousness journaling, dream work, and Internal Family Systems * The power of being witnessed: sharing the myth of your life in noble silence * Deathbed wisdom: the #1 regret, returning to innocence, and death as homecoming * What it means to live a thriving life: scrubbing shame and being of service Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome and introduction to Jules and her path to death doula work 02:00 - From ICU nursing during COVID to ketamine therapy and holistic nurse coaching 10:00 - Nurse coaching explained and finding freedom beyond the job-title identity 15:00 - Grief and death as the through line: ego deaths, Costa Rica, and the leap 21:00 - Losing her mom — the biggest initiation and the healing journey that followed 25:00 - Integrated grief: managing expectations and holding space instead of fixing 29:00 - Matt's grief portals, the five stages, and the nonlinear road to acceptance 33:00 - The alchemy of grief: turning raw pain into art, movement, and voice 43:00 - How unprocessed grief becomes disease — the key to regenerative health 47:00 - Practical tools to tap into grief: journaling, dreams, IFS, and plant medicine 51:00 - The most accessible medicine of all: sharing your story and being witnessed 69:00 - What a thriving life looks like: no shame, service, and playing full out 73:00 - How to work with Jules, flow arts, and closing thoughts Connect with Jules Cassetti: * Jules's Website / julescassetti.com [https://julescassetti.com/] * Jules's Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/julesnflow [https://www.instagram.com/julesnflow/] Connect with Brooke & Matt: * Brooke & Matt Website [https://lnk.bio/rise2thrivetribe] * Brooke [https://www.instagram.com/sunbeam_brookie/?hl=en]'s Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sunbeam_brookie/?hl=en] * Matt Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theadventureengineer/?hl=en] Resources & Links: * The Ultimate Lifestyle Transformation [https://www.ultlifestyle.com/?giftcard=RISE2THRIVE] Join Our SKOOL Community: * Connect with us on SKOOL HERE😃 [https://www.skool.com/rise-2-thrive-2177/about] Subscribe to Matt + Brooke's "Updates from the Road" Newsletter: * Subscribe Here [https://rise2thrive.kit.com/subscribe]

#19 - Yarrow Dankert: The Great Internal Traffic Jam - Why Your Body Is Drowning in Its Own Waste

Yarrow Dankert is a regenerative health practitioner, iridologist, and herbalist based in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. Raised by a self-taught herbalist mother in the mountains of Evergreen, Colorado, Yarrow grew up foraging herbs and living outside the conventional medical system — a foundation that shaped a lifelong path through nationally certified massage therapy, herbology training under world-renowned herbologist Michael Moore, running her own juice bar, and advanced study at the Institute of Regenerative Health. Today she runs a full home apothecary where she crafts her own line of herbal tinctures and guides clients worldwide through deep detoxification and regeneration protocols. Her work bridges the physical, emotional, and spiritual layers of healing — helping people clear the terrain so the body can do what it was designed to do: heal itself.  In this episode, Matt and Brooke sit down with their personal go-to healing guide, Yarrow Dankert, for a masterclass in regenerative health — from what mucoid plaque actually is and why your lymphatic system (80% of you!) is the body's forgotten sewage system, to the correct order of detoxification and why most people get it backwards. Yarrow breaks down terrain theory, food combining, fascia and cellular memory, structured water, and the emotional work that has to accompany any physical cleanse. If you've ever wondered whether your body can truly heal itself, this conversation is the roadmap. In this episode: * Yarrow Dankert’s journey from herbalist and iridologist to regenerative health practitioner * The principles behind mucoid plaque formation and its role in health issues * How detoxification pathways (kidneys, bowels, lungs, skin) function and their importance * The analogy of the body as a fish tank: cleaning, shaking up, and regeneration * The role of fascia and myofascial release (roping) in emotional and physical health * Restoring cellular balance and the impact of trauma stored in tissues * The significance of food choices, especially fruits, in detox and healing * Addressing fears around fruit and blood sugar, debunking myths * Practical tips for starting holistic health routines and emotional work * The importance of intention, mindfulness, and holistic participation in healing * Resources for deeper learning and how to connect with Yarrow Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome and introduction to Yarrow and her holistic journey 02:00 - How Yarrow’s early life influenced her health philosophy 05:00 - The significance of mucoid plaque and detox pathways 13:00 - The body as a fish tank analogy for regenerative health 23:00 - Understanding fascia, cellular memory, and rolfing 37:00 - Emotional releasing through bodywork and fascia work 45:00 - Debunking myths around fruit, blood sugar, and detoxification 57:00 - Practical steps for beginners and building a holistic routine 68:00 - Connecting the physical, emotional, and spiritual for thriving life 73:00 - Resources, connection, and closing thoughts Connect with Yarrow Dankert: * Work with Yarrow (20% off Promo) 👉🏼 Use code: rise2thrive * Yarrow’s Website/ https://www.yarrowsapothecary.com/ [https://www.yarrowsapothecary.com/ ] * Yarrow’s Instagram/ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/yarrow_dankert/ [https://www.instagram.com/yarrow_dankert/] Connect with Brooke & Matt: * Brooke & Matt Website / https://lnk.bio/rise2thrivetribe [https://lnk.bio/rise2thrivetribe]  * Brooke [https://www.instagram.com/sunbeam_brookie/?hl=en]’s Instagram / [https://www.instagram.com/sunbeam_brookie/?hl=en]https://www.instagram.com/sunbeam_brookie [https://www.instagram.com/sunbeam_brookie]  * Matt Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theadventureengineer/?hl=en] / https://www.instagram.com/theadventureengineer [https://www.instagram.com/theadventureengineer] Resources & Links: * The Ultimate Lifestyle Transformation [https://www.ultlifestyle.com/?giftcard=RISE2THRIVE] / https://www.ultlifestyle.com/?giftcard=RISE2THRIVE [https://www.ultlifestyle.com/?giftcard=RISE2THRIVE] * Our Drinks: Can’t BEET This [https://link.sharepurium.com/XJSH] / https://link.sharepurium.com/XJSH [https://link.sharepurium.com/XJSH] * Our Amino Acids [https://link.sharepurium.com/XJSB] / https://link.sharepurium.com/XJSB [https://link.sharepurium.com/XJSB] * Spirulina / https://link.sharepurium.com/LUSU [https://link.sharepurium.com/LUSU] * Chlorella / https://link.sharepurium.com/LUSM [https://link.sharepurium.com/LUSM] Join Our SKOOL Community: * Connect with us on SKOOL HERE😃 [https://www.skool.com/rise-2-thrive-2177/about]/ https://www.skool.com/rise-2-thrive-2177/about [https://www.skool.com/rise-2-thrive-2177/about] Subscribe to Matt + Brooke’s “Updates from the Road” Newsletter: * Subscribe Here: [https://rise2thrive.kit.com/subscribe] https://rise2thrive.kit.com/subscribe [https://rise2thrive.kit.com/subscribe]

#18 - Jamie Light Heart: The Art of Gathering…How We Remember Who We Are

Jamie Light Heart is a leader in the mens work movement. A Steward and advocate for the medicine of cacao. A storyteller, explorer and wayshower, he is a renaissance man for the revolution. With over 20 years experience in event production, he is here to create expansive spaces for people to access and amplify the genius of their heart, mind and soul. All to be of service, to be put to good use and create the more beautiful world our hearts know is possible. In this episode, Jamie talks about presence as a regulating force in high-stress environments, the "collective disease of disconnection," and what it means to walk with elders and wisdom keepers in a culture that's forgotten how. After discovering a 5,500-year-old cacao ceremonial site in Ecuador he unpacks how it shaped his mission to protect heirloom cacao and rebuild ancestral connection. Main Topics: * The spiritual significance and healing power of cacao and land in indigenous cultures * How large-scale festivals and gatherings can serve as microcosms for societal healing * The importance of presence, vulnerability, and ancestral remembrance in personal and collective thriving * The role of story, set, and setting in transformation and community building * Practical ways to integrate ritual and sacred space into everyday life for sustainable well-being Timestamps: 00:33 - Jamie lights a cacao prayer for collective protection and connection 03:15 - Introduction to Jamie Light heart and his journey in land, cacao, and story 06:01 - The evolution of Sacred Sons and the Sanctuary space at Remembrance 08:26 - Transforming youth spaces with eclectic influences and intentional healing environments 11:02 - The importance of storytelling, set, and setting in collective transformation 13:36 - Managing chaos and stress through presence and regulated nervous systems 16:23 - Cultivating calm and leadership in festival and event production 22:48 - Journey from disconnection to embodied vitality and healing practices 25:53 - The significance of ritual, community, and ancestral reverence in land and land-based medicines 30:07 - The evolution of festival culture from escape to embodiment and service 35:51 - Building intentional fires and communal hearths as primal gathering spaces 42:17 - Personal stories of trauma, healing, and the power of vulnerability 54:49 - Reclaiming ancestral lineage and walking with elders in Ecuador and beyond 75:28 - The importance of supporting sustainable cacao cultivation and honoring land-based knowledge 82:36 - Living a thriving life: choosing vitality, offering, and presence Connect with Jamie: * Jamie’s Instagram/ https://www.instagram.com/jamie.finnan/ [https://www.instagram.com/jamie.finnan/] * Jamie’s Website/ http://www.jamielightheart.com [http://www.jamielightheart.com] * Corazón de Luz Cacao/ http://Www.jamielightheart.com/cacao [http://Www.jamielightheart.com/cacao] Connect with Brooke & Matt: * Brooke & Matt Website / https://lnk.bio/rise2thrivetribe [https://lnk.bio/rise2thrivetribe]  * Brooke [https://www.instagram.com/sunbeam_brookie/?hl=en]’s Instagram / [https://www.instagram.com/sunbeam_brookie/?hl=en]https://www.instagram.com/sunbeam_brookie [https://www.instagram.com/sunbeam_brookie]  * Matt Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theadventureengineer/?hl=en] / https://www.instagram.com/theadventureengineer [https://www.instagram.com/theadventureengineer] Resources & Links: * The Ultimate Lifestyle Transformation [https://www.ultlifestyle.com/?giftcard=RISE2THRIVE] / https://www.ultlifestyle.com/?giftcard=RISE2THRIVE [https://www.ultlifestyle.com/?giftcard=RISE2THRIVE] * Our Drinks: Can’t BEET This [https://link.sharepurium.com/XJSH] / https://link.sharepurium.com/XJSH [https://link.sharepurium.com/XJSH] * Our Amino Acids [https://link.sharepurium.com/XJSB] / https://link.sharepurium.com/XJSB [https://link.sharepurium.com/XJSB] * Spirulina / https://link.sharepurium.com/LUSU [https://link.sharepurium.com/LUSU] * Chlorella / https://link.sharepurium.com/LUSM [https://link.sharepurium.com/LUSM] Join Our SKOOL Community: * Connect with us on SKOOL HERE😃 [https://www.skool.com/rise-2-thrive-2177/about]/ https://www.skool.com/rise-2-thrive-2177/about [https://www.skool.com/rise-2-thrive-2177/about] Subscribe to Matt + Brooke’s “Updates from the Road” Newsletter: * Subscribe Here: [https://rise2thrive.kit.com/subscribe] https://rise2thrive.kit.com/subscribe [https://rise2thrive.kit.com/subscribe]

#17 - LiveStream: Spirulina, Parasites & The Green Goblin: Our Twice-a-Year Reset

Matt and Brooke broadcast their first-ever offline live stream from a private cove on the Yuba River, fresh off Brooke's birthday camping weekend in the Sierra Buttes. After four days with no phone service, no social media, and no email, they unpack what a real reset looks like — not just unplugging from technology, but a full-body detox. They go deep on their twice-a-year parasite cleanse, why drainage matters more than the cleanse itself, and the greens and superfoods fuelling it all. Plus: why they hike mountains on one meal a day, the truth about sunscreen and seed oils, and a camp host named Kim who put the whole "why bother" question into perspective. If you've ever felt the resistance of going back to "real life" after time in nature, this one's for you. In this episode: * The benefits of unplugging: a technology detox in nature * Hiking the Sierra Buttes: a challenging trek with epic views and health benefits * Deep dive into parasite cleansing: protocols, supporting organs, and natural supplements * The power of green foods: spirulina, chlorella, and chlorophyll for detox and energy * Nutrient-dense eating habits: OMAD (one meal a day), fat-rich elixirs, and mindful snacking * The importance of sun exposure at high elevation and natural hydration * Community and lifestyle shifts: making health a priority through baby steps * Real-life examples of aging healthfully: seniors hiking and staying active * Practical tips for reducing toxin exposure: safe sunscreens, water hydration, and avoiding chemicals Timestamps:  00:00 - Introduction: Exploring nature, detox, and vitality  00:47 - First live stream from the Yuba River  01:44 - Hosts welcome listeners and share current outing plans  02:20 - Choosing nutrient-rich beverages for outdoor days  03:10 - The benefits of unplugging from technology and social media  04:33 - Day four of a social media detox and feeling great  05:16 - Hiking Sierra Buttes: elevation gains and stunning views  06:23 - The importance of reconnecting with nature and childhood roots  06:50 - Deep dive into parasite protocol and holistic health routines  08:30 - Supporting detox pathways: kidneys and drainage techniques  09:43 - Monitoring your body's detox readiness with urine and bowel health  10:12 - Understanding detox reactions and the long-term journey  11:14 - The role of spirulina, kamut wheatgrass, and greens in detox  12:39 - The significance of liver support with green foods  14:08 - Nutrient-dense, minimal eating: OMAD lifestyle and the power of fats  15:48 - Elevating energy with amino acids and strategic supplementation Resources & Links: * The Ultimate Lifestyle Transformation [https://www.ultlifestyle.com/?giftcard=RISE2THRIVE] * Our Drinks: Can’t BEET This [https://link.sharepurium.com/XJSH] * Our Amino Acids [https://link.sharepurium.com/XJSB] * Spirulina [https://link.sharepurium.com/LUSU] * Chlorella [https://link.sharepurium.com/LUSM] * Super Xanthin (Astaxanthin) [https://link.sharepurium.com/LUSW⁠] Connect with Brooke & Matt: * Brooke & Matt Website [https://lnk.bio/rise2thrivetribe] * Brooke [https://www.instagram.com/sunbeam_brookie/?hl=en]’s Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sunbeam_brookie/?hl=en] * Matt Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theadventureengineer/?hl=en] Join Our SKOOL Community: * Connect with us on SKOOL HERE😃 [https://www.skool.com/rise-2-thrive-2177/about]/ https://www.skool.com/rise-2-thrive-2177/about [https://www.skool.com/rise-2-thrive-2177/about] Subscribe to Matt + Brooke’s “Updates from the Road” Newsletter: * Subscribe Here: [https://rise2thrive.kit.com/subscribe] https://rise2thrive.kit.com/subscribe [https://rise2thrive.kit.com/subscribe]

#16 - CoupleCast: Brooke’s Birthday Hot Seat - He asked. I Unraveled.

Join Matt and Brooke as they celebrate Brooke’s birthday and reflect on the past year’s growth, breakthroughs, and shifts. This episode invites you to explore the importance of self-care, gratitude, and embracing each season of life with honesty and joy. Main Topics Covered: * The significance of celebrating milestones beyond age * Personal reflections on clarity, peace, and grounding over the past year * Lessons learned from spontaneous adventures and unexpected challenges * The evolving dynamics of their relationship and shared experiences * Practices that deepen self-awareness, including breathwork and solitude * How navigating health challenges strengthens love and commitment * The power of community, new opportunities, and bold conversations * The importance of presence and enjoying the moment amid life’s chaos Timestamps:  00:00 - Welcome to a special birthday episode with outdoor vibes 01:16 - Brooke’s reflections on not counting birthdays and celebrating life transitions 02:02 - The importance of celebrating life as a milestone, not just age 03:28 - Brooke’s thoughts on the magic of each year and living fully 05:01 - Visualizing future podcast opportunities and live event setups 06:15 - Recalling a inspiring podcast setup at Miners Foundry and creative ideas for expansion 08:08 - Brooke’s one-word summary of the year: clarity 09:42 - Unpacking the depth behind her sense of clarity and purpose 11:16 - Deep dive into personal health explorations and building confidence in their work 13:48 - The balance of work, service, and play as a pathway to fulfillment 16:07 - Surprising insights into Brooke’s evolving sense of self—chaos, adventure, peace 18:15 - Solo reflections and shifts through meditation and breathwork 23:24 - The power of deep breathing and reconnecting with vitality 27:44 - An unexpected trip camping in freezing weather and lessons in discernment 33:56 - Highlights from recent retreats, festivals, and their dynamic as a team 41:03 - Setting boundaries and taking aligned action in health journeys 65:03 - Closing thoughts: embracing every day as an opportunity to celebrate and give gratitude Connect with Brooke & Matt: * Brooke & Matt Website [https://lnk.bio/rise2thrivetribe] * Brooke [https://www.instagram.com/sunbeam_brookie/?hl=en]’s Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sunbeam_brookie/?hl=en] * Matt Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theadventureengineer/?hl=en] Join Our SKOOL Community: * Connect with us on SKOOL HERE😃 [https://www.skool.com/rise-2-thrive-2177/about]/ https://www.skool.com/rise-2-thrive-2177/about [https://www.skool.com/rise-2-thrive-2177/about] Subscribe to Matt + Brooke’s “Updates from the Road” Newsletter: * Subscribe Here: [https://rise2thrive.kit.com/subscribe] https://rise2thrive.kit.com/subscribe [https://rise2thrive.kit.com/subscribe]