Ep. 9 - What Brings You Joy?

Ep. 9 - What Brings You Joy?

Welcome to the ninth episode of The Way Back In. This week, hosts Tracy and her brother John skip the toxic positivity and dive straight into the messy realities of being human. They kick things off by validating the need to actually sit in the "not-okayness" of our hardest days instead of trying to fix everything immediately or blaming ourselves. John and Tracy discuss how the valleys of life are where we actually build human connection, share our vulnerabilities, and create our most meaningful art. The conversation then takes a surprisingly emotional turn toward a local water treatment plant. A climate action Venn diagram Tracy discovered there prompts the duo to assess their own lives and purpose in real-time. They invite listeners to follow along as they break down three vital questions: * What brings you joy? * What are you good at? * What work needs doing? As they explore their overlapping answers, John shares a revelation that small talk isn't so small after all, recognizing it instead as a valuable exchange of energy and a necessary stepping stone to deeper vulnerability. The episode wraps up with a frank look at the collective fear holding society back from solving massive issues like climate change, and how consciously choosing human connection over fear is the ultimate, subversive work we all need to be doing. Grab a piece of paper, draw your own Venn diagram, and join the conversation.

Ep. 8 - Psychedelics, Samurais, Past-Life Regressions, Orcas, and Matriarchs

In this week's episode, we take a curious, open-minded wander through the mysteries of the mind and the healing power of nature. Join the conversation as we explore everything from ancient plant medicine to the animal kingdom! What we're chatting about this week: * Past Life Regressions: John reports back on his homework and shares an unexpectedly emotional journey as a grateful Japanese samurai, while Tracy recounts her own vivid experience as an herbal healer in the jungle. * Plant Medicine: A thoughtful (and curious!) dive into the history, stigma, and potential healing benefits of psychedelics like DMT and psilocybin. * Orca Matriarchs: Why the ocean's fiercest ladies make the absolute best leaders, and what human society can learn from their wisdom. * Giving Yourself Grace: An honest, relatable check-in about the messy realities of balancing mental and physical health, navigating relationship stress, and why love—not shame—is the best motivator. Tune in for a mix of deep thoughts, wild curiosities, and a gentle reminder that everything you need is already inside you.

Ep. 7 - What's Helping You?

Welcome back to The Way Back In with John and Tracy! We are doing a deep dive into our personal "system updates". What coping mechanisms, mindsets, and routines worked for us in our 20s, and what do we actually need now as we approach 40? In this episode, Tracy opens up about navigating significant hormonal shifts and the empowering realization that it is okay to seek medical support when willpower alone isn't enough. John reflects on his own long-term journey with managing his mental health, the evolution of his daily wellness toolkit, and his shift toward heavily researched supplement routines to stay balanced. We also explore the paradox of turning your passions into a paycheck. Tracy shares why she stepped back from teaching yoga to protect her personal practice , and John discusses how he is approaching his upcoming book revisions without tying his self-worth or livelihood to the final outcome. Topics We Cover: * Navigating major shifts in physical and mental well-being, and why you don't have to push through it alone. * Why John reads the Tao Te Ching every single day and how its ancient wisdom grounds his mind. * The danger of "transactional hobbies" and learning to detach your ego from the results. * How our fitness routines must adapt to our changing cortisol levels—from the high intensity of CrossFit and hot yoga to the grounding effects of barre and calisthenics. * The profound value of bodywork, acupuncture, and chiropractic care for releasing stored physical and energetic tension. * Building genuine community, embracing self-love through practices like IFS, and finally letting go of what other people think. Join us as we talk through the messy, beautiful process of learning to love ourselves, why you should "date" your therapist until you find the perfect fit, and how to stay grounded in the present moment.

Ep. 6 - Is the Universe With Us?

Are we utterly alone, or is there a presence walking right beside us? This week on The Way Back In, We tackle one of the biggest questions of the human experience. Diving deep into the nuances between organized religion, atheism, and the vast frontiers of modern science, this conversation explores how we make meaning in a universe that can sometimes feel overwhelmingly silent. John shares his pendulum swing from evangelical Christianity to atheism, and how scientific data—like near-death experiences and the interconnectedness of nature—brought him to a new understanding of consciousness. Meanwhile, Tracy brings her "free-floating" perspective on the invisible string that connects all living beings, the quiet wisdom of "mother trees," and why she pictures the universe's unconditional love as a giant cotton candy pink sky. In this episode, we explore: * The Invisible String: How physics, nature, and our own hearts show that pulling on one thread moves everything else. * Science vs. Religion: Why finding comfort in data might just be another way of finding the divine. * Destiny and Agency: Do things happen for a reason, or is the universe just waiting for us to take the reins? * Wild Coincidences: Tracy shares a mind-blowing story from a tiny restaurant in Nepal. * The Prodigal Son Reimagined: Looking at the ancient parable not as a story of rules, but as an invitation to follow the desires of your own heart without fear of punishment. * Past Life Regressions: Are we experiencing this human journey together across multiple lifetimes? Whether you find your comfort in a benevolent creator, the laws of physics, or simply by looking into the eyes of the person sitting across from you, this episode is a reminder that we are here to experience this wild, beautiful life together. Where do you land? Do you feel a presence with you, or do you take comfort in creating your own meaning? Hit Follow, and drop your thoughts in the comments or Q&A section below! Follow us for more deep dives and weekly highlights: * TikTok/Meta/YouTube: @TheWayBackInPod #TheWayBackIn #SpiritualAwakening #Consciousness #Deconstruction #PhilosophyOfLife #HumanExperience Join the Conversation

Ep. 5 - The Way Back In

"The Way Back In" isn’t just a title—it’s an invitation to rebel against the "robot" version of yourself. Most of us are operating on autopilot, fueled by old survival strategies and societal "shoulds." In Episode 5, we’re breaking down the framework for awakening from that conditioning. We’re talking about the path from feeling fractured to feeling whole, and why the most revolutionary thing you can do is find your way back to your own center. Listen now to hear why we started this journey and what it means for yours.