Inner Alchemy with George Stuby – Trauma, Music and Plant Medicine

E16 - Dr Darragh Stewart: The Inner Work Men Have Been Avoiding

A molecular geneticist walked away from the lab to guide men into the parts of themselves they had spent a lifetime hiding. What he found there might surprise you. Summary In this conversation, I sit down with Dr Darragh Stewart, who holds a PhD in molecular plant genetics and now co-founds psychedelic retreats and leads men's work. Darragh spent more than a decade inside the rational, materialist world of science before practices like meditation, breathwork and psychedelics opened up a different way of relating to himself and the world. We talk about what it means to bridge that scientific grounding with ancestral wisdom, and why he believes the data, however valuable, cannot explain everything. Much of our conversation turns toward men. Darragh shares how the loss of two colleagues moved him to start running men's circles, and why so many men have learned to bury their emotions, their creativity, even their own singing voice. We explore shadow work as a way of reclaiming those lost parts, the difference between genuine integration and chasing peak experiences, and how to recognise a facilitator worth trusting. Throughout, Darragh returns to something simple and steadying: connection to nature, to community, and to the sense that you were never broken to begin with. Chapters 0:00 Bridging Science and Ancestral Wisdom 3:05 How a Scientist Found the Holistic World 6:00 What Nature-Based Spirituality Means 9:39 Small Daily Acts of Reconnection 10:02 Prescribing Nature for Anxiety and Low Mood 13:11 Men, Identity and the Golden Cage 17:02 What a Vision Quest Actually Is 18:48 The Origin Story of Inward Bound 25:03 The Psychedelic Wave and Its Shadow Side 28:37 When Clinical Settings Get It Wrong 31:31 Why Men Need Co-Regulation and Nurture 33:11 Shadow Work and the Gold We Bury 37:02 Reclaiming a Voice, Reclaiming Art 40:13 What Integration Really Looks Like 44:06 Men's Work and the Critics Who Doubt It 50:26 How to Recognise a Good Facilitator 54:21 Beyond Fluffy Spirituality 56:34 You Were Never Broken Guest Bio Dr Darragh Stewart holds a PhD in molecular plant genetics and is the co-founder of Inward Bound, which runs legal psilocybin retreats in the Netherlands and Costa Rica. He is one of Ireland's leading men's work facilitators, blending a scientific background with breathwork, meditation, movement and nature-based practice to help people reconnect with themselves. His work is grounded, non-dogmatic, and committed to safe, well-held journeys with altered states. Psychedelic work: inwardbound.nl [http://inwardbound.nl] Men's work, events and retreats: innerwork.ie [http://innerwork.ie] Listen and Connect If this conversation moved something in you, the next step is learning how to work with your own nervous system. Comment or DM me REGULATE and I'll send you my free resources, or go straight to https://georgestuby.com/resources?source=podcast [https://georgestuby.com/resources?source=podcast]. You can find more of my work at georgestuby.com [http://georgestuby.com] and on Instagram at @iamgeorgestuby.

E15 - Ignacio Diaz Jr. (The Monroe Institute): How Sound Unlocks the Doors of Consciousness

What if the right sound could carry you into states most people only reach after years of practice? Ignacio Diaz Jr. explains how. In this episode, I sit down with Ignacio Diaz Jr., a classically trained pianist and director of music strategy at the Monroe Institute, for a conversation about how sound opens the door to deeper states of awareness. Ignacio traces his path from a quiet experiment with meditation at age eleven — using a cassette he later discovered was one of Bob Monroe's own recordings — to four decades of teaching music and exploring consciousness. He explains binaural beats in plain terms, why pleasing music matters as a carrier for that technology, and the crucial point that sound never gives us an experience; it simply quiets the noise so we can observe what is already there. We explore meditation as a living practice rather than a goal, the link between altered states and creativity, and how Ignacio raised his daughter with affirmations, candle focus and vision boards that became second nature to her. The conversation moves into desire and honesty — learning to tell which longings are truly ours and which belong to ego or the expectations of others — and lands on the quiet truth that what most of us are really after is connection and meaning. It is a warm, far-reaching talk about presence, intention and the most direct of all the arts. Chapters 0:00 Meeting Ignacio Diaz Jr. 2:18 An early meditation journey 6:34 Bob Monroe and the Institute 10:39 Understanding binaural beats 14:32 Music as a carrier inward 18:19 Meditation as a practice 22:33 Parenting with awareness 40:15 Affirmations and attraction 52:37 The power of vision boards 55:45 Telling true desire apart 01:01:42 What we really long for 01:06:25 Sound and self-discovery 01:12:46 Intentional music 01:22:59 Where to begin Guest bio and links Ignacio Diaz Jr. is a classically trained pianist with degrees from Augustana College and Northwestern University, and has taught music for over four decades alongside a lifelong path of consciousness exploration. He serves as director of music strategy and development, audio engineer and trainer at the Monroe Institute, and his own programme, Creation Station, uses Monroe Sound Science to help people reach expanded states and access their creativity. Monroe Institute: https://www.monroeinstitute.org/ [https://www.monroeinstitute.org/] Expand: Beyond Meditation app: https://info.monroeinstitute.org/get-expand-app [https://info.monroeinstitute.org/get-expand-app] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/idjr/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/idjr/] More at georgestuby.com [http://georgestuby.com] · Subscribe to Inner Alchemy wherever you listen · Instagram: @iamgeorgestuby

E14 - Eliah Prichard: From Anxiety to Authenticity – Embracing Emotional Freedom

Discover how reconnecting with your body and emotions can transform your mental well-being, reduce stress, and foster authentic self-expression. In this episode, Eliah Prichard and George Stuby explore practical tools like grounding, breathwork, and somatic practices that help you develop emotional fluency and build a resilient nervous system. Key Topics: - The importance of emotional fluency and understanding body language of emotions - Grounding practices as foundational tools for everyday stress management - The role of breathwork, movement, and sensory engagement in nervous system regulation - How trauma and childhood experiences influence emotional responses - The significance of connecting with emotions to access self-awareness and authenticity - Strategies for integrating body awareness into daily life and relationships - The impact of emotional regulation on societal issues like overconsumption and climate change - The difference between external and internal sources of safety and security - How consistent practice accelerates emotional and spiritual growth - Resources for learning emotional fluency, somatic experiencing, and psychedelic-assisted therapy Connect with Eliah: https://www.kaleidos-cope.com/ [https://www.kaleidos-cope.com/] https://www.instagram.com/kaleidos.cope/ [https://www.instagram.com/kaleidos.cope/] Connect with George: https://www.georgestuby.com/ [https://www.georgestuby.com/] 10 Day "The Missing Piece" Course: ⁠course.georgestuby.com/10daycourse⁠ [http://course.georgestuby.com/10daycourse⁠]

E13: Uria Tsur - The Art of Leading Singing Circles

In this episode, Uria Tsur and Georg Stuby explore the profound connection between music, voice, and human expression. Uria, an international musician and facilitator, shares his journey of using music to foster community and personal growth. They discuss the challenges and joys of leading singing circles, the importance of presence, and the transformative power of music as a form of medicine. The conversation delves into themes of authenticity, vulnerability, and the collective experience of singing together. Takeaways * Uria Tsur emphasizes the power of music to connect and heal. * Singing circles are a space for mutual expression and learning. * Presence is a key element in Uria's workshops and teachings. * Music serves as a form of medicine, offering insight and connection. * Authenticity and vulnerability are encouraged in Uria's sessions. * The balance between personal desires and collective harmony is explored. * Uria shares his journey of becoming a facilitator and musician. * The importance of community and shared experiences is highlighted. * Uria discusses the role of music in personal and collective growth. * The episode explores the concept of presence and its impact on life. Keywordsmusic, voice, human expression, singing circles, presence, authenticity, vulnerability, collective experience, music medicine, personal growth

E12 - Florian Haik Schirmacher: A Producer's Journey from Success to Soul

In this conversation, Florian Haik Schirmacher discusses the transformative power of music, its connection to personal growth, and the role of plant medicine in shaping his musical journey. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity, deep listening, and the healing aspects of music, while also navigating the complexities of the music industry and the realities of touring. The dialogue explores the intersection of music and spirituality, highlighting the significance of freedom in artistic expression and the legacy one leaves behind through their work. Key takeaways * Music is a powerful tool for transformation and healing. * Plant medicine can enhance the understanding of music's role in life. * Authenticity in music is essential for true expression. * Traveling and touring can provide inspiration and growth opportunities. * Deep listening is crucial for connecting with music on a profound level. * Freedom in music allows for genuine expression and creativity. * The music industry presents unique challenges that require resilience. * Honesty in artistic endeavors leads to meaningful connections with audiences. * Music serves as a mirror for personal growth and self-discovery. * The legacy of music is defined by the honesty and research behind it.