Musing: The Stockdale Paradox — Managing the Tension Between Reality and Hope

#4: On Love and the Art of Making it Weird with Stacey Tompkins

In this fun and heartfelt episode, I sit down with Stacey Tompkins, a spiritual guide and integration coach, to discuss the journey of healing, love, and transformation. We delve into personal histories, the power of psychedelics in veteran communities, and the importance of breaking free from childhood traumas. Stacey shares her profound wisdom on the interconnectedness of all beings and the role of love in our lives. Together, we explore how psychedelic experiences and breath work can help release emotional containers, fostering a deeper connection with ourselves and the world around us. Join us for an inspiring conversation about rediscovering love and living authentically.As always, you can check out the full episode here on Substack or on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/through-feather-and-fire-podcast/id1822262765] and Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/episode/3WMIhOQhKhzfU6ysaKdI1Y]podcasts. Shine on, my friends. ~ Justin Enjoying the conversation? Let us keep it going! I keep my Substack free for all subscribers, but if you are nourished even a little bit by this content, I remain grateful for whatever contribution you choose to make. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Warm Greetings 00:34 Discussing Enneagram Types 01:58 Reading from 'Hearticulations' 04:21 Introducing Stacey Tompkins 05:18 Stacey's Journey and Life Experiences 10:10 The Value of Travel and Cultural Immersion 20:57 Reflections on Awe and Connection 27:09 Early Childhood Programming and Healing 38:28 The Role of Psychedelics in Healing 42:29 Healing Old Wounds with Medicine 43:19 The Legacy of Ancestral Suffering 44:22 Veterans and the Struggle of Transition 45:46 Rick Perry's Psychedelic Advocacy 47:35 The Power of Jungle Medicine 01:03:24 Breath Trance and Consciousness 01:06:33 The Irony of Psychedelic Prohibition 01:11:03 The Science and Advocacy of Psychedelics 01:17:32 Concluding Thoughts on Love and Healing Get full access to Through Feather and Fire at justinlanejackson.substack.com/subscribe [https://justinlanejackson.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Musing: The Stockdale Paradox — Managing the Tension Between Reality and Hope

In this short musing, we explore the gripping story of James Stockdale, a U.S. Navy pilot who survived seven years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. Detailing his mental and physical endurance, we highlight the Stockdale Paradox—the balance between confronting brutal reality and maintaining hope. Drawing parallels to modern-day struggles, it emphasizes resilience through stoicism, hard truths, and unwavering belief in the future. Join me as I dive into what it truly means to survive and thrive in the face of adversity. Enjoying the conversation? Let us keep it going! I keep my Substack free for all subscribers, but if you are nourished even a little bit by this content, I remain grateful for whatever contribution you choose to make. 00:00 The Moment of Impact 00:43 The Harsh Reality of Captivity 01:39 The Stockdale Paradox 01:52 Lessons from Plebe Summer 02:49 Discovering Stoicism 04:19 The Bamboo Analogy 05:00 Applying the Paradox to Modern Life 06:13 Confronting Brutal Facts with Hope 06:55 Final Words of Resilience Get full access to Through Feather and Fire at justinlanejackson.substack.com/subscribe [https://justinlanejackson.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

#3: On The Burden of Command with Tom "Hobbit" Dolan

In this episode of the Through Feather and Fire podcast, I sit down with my old commanding officer, Tom Dolan, a remarkable leader whose impact on my life and career is immeasurable. Tom shares his incredible journey from his early days in the Marine Corps to his extraordinary leadership during our combat deployment in Afghanistan. We delve into some of the pivotal moments, both challenging and inspiring, that defined our time in the service. Tom's unwavering commitment to his Marines, his empathetic approach to leadership, and the profound lessons he has carried throughout his career offer invaluable insights for anyone seeking to lead with integrity and compassion. Join us for an honest and powerful conversation that celebrates the legacy of one of the greatest Marines I have ever had the honor to serve with. Enjoying the conversation? Let us keep it going! I keep my Substack free for all subscribers, but if you are nourished even a little bit by this content, I remain grateful for whatever contribution you choose to make. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Greetings 01:37 Tom Dolan's Background and Career Overview 02:36 Life in Montana and Outdoor Adventures 03:48 The Positivity of Dogs 09:56 Reflecting on Leadership and Commanding Officers 13:00 Becoming the First MARSOC FAC 14:14 Experiences with MARSOC and Special Operations 25:49 Transitioning Back to the Regular Marine Corps 30:51 Challenges and Reflections on Aviation 47:16 The Importance of Leadership and Respect 48:22 Combat Deployment and Command 49:26 Challenges of Returning from Deployment 51:58 Preparing for Afghanistan Deployment 54:04 Splitting the Squadron for Iraq and Afghanistan 01:00:10 The Decision to Rescue Downed Pilots 01:04:48 Executing the Rescue Mission 01:18:32 Reflecting on Leadership and Decision Making 01:30:24 Reflecting on QRF and Trust in the Field 01:31:18 The Decision-Making Process in Combat 01:32:52 Heroic Actions and Trust in the Squadron 01:36:52 A Memorable Deployment and Its Challenges 01:41:00 The Burden of Command and Coping with Loss 01:46:00 Leadership and Empathy in Difficult Times 02:05:57 Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life 02:13:08 Finding Solace in Nature and Helping Others 02:14:43 Final Thoughts and Gratitude Get full access to Through Feather and Fire at justinlanejackson.substack.com/subscribe [https://justinlanejackson.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

#2: On Addiction to Advocacy — Chase Rowan's Journey with Psychedelic Therapy

In this episode of the Through Feather and Fire Podcast, we delve deep into a conversation with Chase Rowan, a former Army Ranger and veteran advocate who has bravely navigated the challenging journey from addiction to recovery. Chase shares his poignant story about growing up with a troubled family background, serving in the military, enduring the depths of substance abuse, and ultimately finding hope and healing through psychedelic therapy, specifically Ibogaine. His transformation not only highlights the immense potential of these treatments but also underscores their importance in the broader context of mental health and addiction recovery. This episode is a heartfelt testament to the power of resilience, the significance of emotional healing, and the boundless possibilities that lie at the intersection of science and spirituality. Timestamps 01:05 Chase Rowan's Background and Early Life 03:50 Struggles with Addiction and Military Service 11:12 Rehabilitation Attempts and Relapses 16:10 The Turning Point: Discovering Ibogaine 20:23 The Road to Recovery 28:44 A New Beginning: Walking on the Beach 29:04 Crossing the Border: Arrival in Mexico 29:49 The Ceremony Begins: Setting Intentions 30:11 Safety First: Screening and Preparations 33:30 The Psychedelic Experience: Facing Inner Demons 34:45 Revisiting Childhood Memories 35:59 Confronting Family Trauma 38:54 The Power of Healing: Post-Experience Reflections 40:12 The Role of Psychedelics in Mental Health 52:47 Veterans Leading the Psychedelic Movement 01:02:13 Confronting Fear and Trauma 01:02:59 Unexpected Connections 01:04:20 The Struggle for Purpose 01:06:18 Veterans Leading the Way 01:08:14 The Power of Psychedelic Medicine 01:11:50 The Importance of Emotional Healing 01:15:34 Spreading Awareness and Support 01:17:49 The Future of Psychedelic Therapy 01:27:23 Final Thoughts and Call to Action Get full access to Through Feather and Fire at justinlanejackson.substack.com/subscribe [https://justinlanejackson.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

#1: On Bears and Music that Moves with Mákete

What happens when a wilderness guide, poet, and soul musician sits down for a heartfelt conversation about presence, purpose, and the improbable miracle of being alive? In this wide-ranging episode, I speak with Mákete—one of my favorite humans, a gifted songwriter, and Glacier National Park guide—about everything from grizzly bears and heartbreak to the sacred technology of biology and why some songs make us weep (and want to live better). We reflect on: * 🌲 How a physics class bathroom break led him from engineering school to grizzly bear conservation * 🎶 The paradox of music as both heartbreak and healing * 🐻 What bears teach us about presence, power, and peace * 💀 Near-death experiences, soul contracts, and the odds of our existence * 🤍 Why Earth isn’t a courtroom—it’s a classroom If you’ve been craving stillness, meaning, or that subtle nudge back toward wonder, you’ll want to sit with this one. The episode is also available on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/episode/7HKIdQ4RqACLnHzNhbW0Hd] and Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-1-on-bears-and-music-that-moves-featuring-m%C3%A1kete/id1822262765?i=1000714185817]. Want to hear more from Mákete? His music is available on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/artist/0fHrOqvei4sgrU7WtEUDwW] and Apple Music [https://music.apple.com/us/artist/m%C3%A1kete/1546526820]. Please give him a listen! Enjoying the conversation? Let us keep it going! I keep my Substack free for all subscribers, but if you are nourished even a little bit by this content, I remain grateful for whatever contribution you choose to make. Get full access to Through Feather and Fire at justinlanejackson.substack.com/subscribe [https://justinlanejackson.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]