How To Die Happy

Welcome to the How To Die Happy podcast, where we explore the different ways to find peace and happiness in life so that we might have a significantly better departure in death. In this episode, hosts Martin O'Toole and Julia Malcolmson discuss the healing power of Kundalini Yoga with guest, Kundalini alchemist and spiritual mentor Chiara De Lucia. Kundalini Yoga is an ancient practice that deals with the movement of lifeforce energy around the body. It is a form of yoga that focuses on awakening the dormant energy within us and bringing it into a state of flow. According to Chiara, this powerful energy lies dormant within our root chakra, the lowest energy centre, located at the base of our spine. A series of practices are available to help unlock this sacred lifeforce energy. Addiction is widespread, with millions of people struggling with drug and alcohol abuse worldwide. Despite the prevalence of addiction, traditional substance abuse treatment methods often overlook ancient healing therapies like yoga. Chiara talks in detail about how Kundalini Yoga helped her overcome her cocaine addiction. However, studies have shown that yoga can be beneficial when used in conjunction with other traditional substance abuse treatment methods. Practising yoga increases gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) produced by the brain, which helps manage anxiety and stress response. This is particularly helpful for those attempting to quit, as they will experience psychological side effects, including fatigue, insomnia, emotional withdrawal, anxiety, stress, and depression. Kundalini Yoga provides profound healing for people struggling with addiction or other issues. It can potentially cultivate or block the flow of lifeforce energy in our chakras, which are the energy centres throughout our bodies. Learning how to keep our chakras clear, balanced, and open allows our energy to flow constantly, providing a long list of transformational benefits. Studies have shown that Kundalini Yoga can benefit people struggling with age-related cognitive decline, depression, PTSD, and other issues. In a study carried out in 2017, participants who practised Kundalini Yoga showed short and long-term improvements in executive functioning, depressed mood, and resilience. In another study, participants who practised Kundalini Yoga for eight weeks experienced significantly improved symptoms, including better sleep, less perceived stress, more positive mood, more resilience, and less anxiety than did the Control group. Kundalini Yoga involves a series of exercises called Kundalini kriyas, designed to awaken and move lifeforce energy through the body. These kriyas involve movement, breathwork, chanting, and meditation, all of which work together to bring the body, mind, and spirit into a state of balance and harmony. This balance and harmony can have profound healing effects on people struggling with a range of issues, from addiction to anxiety to depression. In conclusion, Kundalini Yoga is an ancient practice that has the potential to provide profound healing for people struggling with a range of issues. Whether you're dealing with addiction, anxiety, depression, and more, Kundalini Yoga can help awaken your dormant energy and bring it into a state of flow. With the proper guidance and practice, you can unlock the incredible power within you and experience the transformational benefits of Kundalini Yoga. Listen to this informative and inspiring episode to find out more! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/howtodiehappy/message

Welcome to the How To Die Happy podcast, where we explore life, regrets, death, and living well and offer insights into how to live a fulfilling life. In this episode, hosts Martin O'Toole and Julia Malcolmson delve into the topic of relationships and why they fail. According to the Life Project, divorce rates have increased by 122% in the UK between July and October 2020. This trend is also seen in other countries, with divorce rates at 50% in the US, 42% in the UK, 87% in Luxembourg, and 65% in Spain. These statistics beg the question, why do relationships fail? To understand why relationships fail, we first need to understand the psychology of relationships. A study by the American Psychological Association has identified the top five reasons why relationships break down, including withdrawing during arguments, being on different pages with life decisions, holding unrealistic standards, staying despite relationship issues, and relying on body language to convey feelings. Other reasons include a lack of compromise, comparison, balance, holding onto the past, and taking out anger on one another. In this episode, Martin, Julia, and guest (and friend to the show) Kartika Alexandra, an integrative hypnotherapist and founder of Bali's Maja Healing, offer their observations and suggestions on how to avoid these relationship pitfalls. They discuss practical utilities to help conscious couples improve their communication and relationship with their partner, including learning to self-regulate, love, forgive, be present, courageous, and truthful. It's no surprise that many deathbed regrets relate to relationships. Unfortunately, many people reach their last moments filled with regret for the way they handled their relationships with lovers, family, and friends. These regrets highlight the importance of developing emotional maturity and relationship skills before it's too late. Relationship skills are not innate knowledge, and if parents carry unhealed trauma throughout their lives, their children will likely develop and recycle the same traits. To break this cycle, we need to learn how to optimise our relationships and live more fruitfully and happily together. In this episode, Martin, Julia, and Kartika explore how couples can improve their communication and relationship with their partner. They discuss the importance of conscious couples working on themselves, finding the right balance, and learning to let go of grudges. They also offer practical advice on how to improve your relationship with your husband or partner. At the How To Die Happy podcast, we believe learning to optimise our relationships is vital to living a fulfilling life. In this episode, Martin, Julia, and Kartika offer their observations and insights on why relationships fail and how to avoid these pitfalls. Tune in to the How To Die Happy podcast to discover more on this and other topics related to living a fulfilling life. If you enjoy the show, please get busy reviewing us on your favourite podcast platform! Algorithms like reviews. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/howtodiehappy/message

As we tumble through our life stories, doing our best to survive, love, be loved, and achieve our versions of success, we inevitably make a mess here and there. You can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs, right? But what happens when some of us make a mess time and time again, hurting those close to us? What if we're apparently oblivious to the trail of destruction in our wake? A relatively new term, 'Gaslighting', is as old as relationship dysfunction. Named after a 1944 movie where the male protagonist convinced his wife she was losing her mind, it is a genuine relationship issue. Perhaps more so, with the advent of paranoia, mistrust, and low esteem ever-present in our younger generations. Narcissistic gaslighting, communications, toxic masculinity, vulnerability and authenticity were just a few of the topics served up, aired and thrashed in this week's episode, with conscious dating coach Josh Campbell. Josh works with a whole host of women keen to understand better how to navigate the wild chicanery of relationships and dating in the modern world. With digital interactions and personas playing such a vital part in today's dating scene, it's no wonder that folks like Josh are in high demand. It is especially so when they (or at least, he) make a point of openly expressing their ability to "lean into the feminine", placing consciousness and awareness front & centre of their advice. Since 'swiping' has become the new romantic communication tool, what effect does this less-than-delicate selection process have on its participants? And with smartphones now the main interface in the dating process, is it possible that daters are less diligent when researching, meeting, and indeed developing relationships? Furthermore, as new generations cling to image consciousness, honing skills in creating highly optimised digital personas, are we moving further away from our true selves? Rather than listening to intuition, are we now searching for what the internet tells us women, men (and anyone in between) want? For sure, we are at a crossroads where Narcissism, gaslighting, and toxic masculinity are all commonly discussed areas of concern in relationships. Furthermore, understanding gaslighting and the various tactics used by gaslighters appear to be significant areas of online search. In fact, May 2021 saw an all-time high in online search volumes for the query "how to expose a gaslighter". But it's not only romantic relationships affected by narcissism and gaslighting. Family members and so-called friends can cause just as much (if not more) long-lasting harm to the unwitting and open-hearted victims in their wake.  All that said, as Martin points out during this discussion, all 'persecutors' have more than likely also been 'victims'. Narcissistic personality disorder, for example, is a mental disorder born of neglect and or trauma. Abusive behaviour and emotional underdevelopment are usually the product of previous trauma, taking many shapes and sizes (not necessarily abusive). With this in mind, while it's natural for us to suffer due to someone's actions, we might help ourselves by understanding the root cause of others' behaviour. Not to accept it, but as a reminder that we are not losing our minds despite perhaps being regularly told as much. This week's How To Die Happy podcast is a whistle-stop tour of some of these issues. Since Josh is a podcaster, he also turned the tables on Martin, throwing a few poignant questions his way, resulting in some incredibly vulnerable shares about Martin's past as an addict and narcissistic gaslighter. As always, there weren't enough hours in the day to do this subject justice. So if you haven't already, please hit the 'follow' or 'subscribe' button. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/howtodiehappy/message

Welcome to the How To Die Happy podcast, where we talk to people hell-bent on changing the world on various scales. In this episode, our hosts Matin O'Toole and Julia Malcolmson spoke to a man who's taken on one hell of a challenge. One of the most pressing crises facing our planet is caused by waste, particularly plastic. The Indonesian island of Bali is famous for its stunning beaches and lush green tropical countryside, but it is also grappling with a massive plastic emergency. Poor education, inconsiderate tourists, mass sales of single-use plastic, and a grave lacking waste management infrastructure have contributed to the problem, with beaches like Kuta, Seminyak, and Legian being inundated with up to 60 tonnes of plastic rubbish each day. The trash is a combination of foreign waste brought to the island by the Indian Ocean's Java Sea waves and plastic from the island itself, brought to the sea by the many rivers and tributaries. One example of the plastic waste problem is the dead sperm whale that washed up at an Indonesian nature reserve. An autopsy revealed that the creature's stomach contained 6kg of plastic waste, including 115 single-use Danone Aqua plastic cups. The pandemic has only worsened the situation, leaving tens of thousands of Balinese families desperate and starving due to the island's heavy reliance on tourism. In response, Made Janur Yasa saw an opportunity to address both issues and created the Bali Plastic Exchange. This sustainability movement empowers communities to change their waste behaviour through dignity-based exchange systems. Plastic Exchange invites Balinese communities to collect all types of plastic rubbish from their local area and trade it for rice. The idea is profound and simple in equal measure since Janur believes that giving people rice does not benefit the community, as it is rescuing rather than enabling. Instead, this model empowers the people of Bali to help themselves and clean up their island as a united collective. Janur's uncomplicated concept has taken flight, and Plastic Exchange has connected with over 200 villages, collected over 700,000kg of plastic, and distributed over 170,000kg of rice to families in dire need of this staple food to survive. Since its inception, Plastic Exchange has fed over 30,000 families, and while naturally in need of ongoing awareness and support, the NGO continues to grow as the word is spread. "Within every crisis lies an opportunity," says Made Janur Yasa, who received a CNN Hero Award in 2021 for his work. He speaks with humility, of community, and always of "we" (never "I"). Above all, Janur speaks of "action," as he believes "edu-action" trumps charity or straightforward education every day of the week. Having heard the man speak of this with such passion, we are inclined to agree. The How To Die Happy podcast aims to provide practical utilities and stories for living and dying well. Serving others through generosity and compassionate help is perhaps the epitome of what it means to live well, and you can hear more about this in our interview with Made Janur Yasa of the Bali Plastic Exchange. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/howtodiehappy/message

Welcome to the How To Die Happy podcast. In this episode, we explore the world of psychedelic-assisted therapy with psychotherapist Keith Hagenbach, who shares his experience with Ayahuasca and its impact on his perspective. Psychedelic-assisted therapy is an emerging field gaining attention, with 13 US cities decriminalizing psychedelics. Ketamine, psilocybin, MDMA, and DMT are being trialled for clinical use in substance-assisted therapy. As research continues, psychedelics may create change in psychotherapy. Keith advocates for psychedelic-assisted therapy, but plant medicine remains illegal in his UK practice. In October 2021, Boris Johnson promised to examine the evidence for plant medicine's healing benefits. Ayahuasca is a psychoactive plant medicine known for its intense effects. Keith refers to Ayahuasca as "The Mother" and credits it with helping him let go of fear and gain a new lease on life. Psychedelic therapy holds promise, but there is a risk of a synthetic psychedelic black market. Proper guidance is crucial, and treatment should only be conducted in a controlled and safe environment by trained professionals. Michael Pollan's book, How to Change Your Mind, has sparked interest in psychedelic-assisted therapy by exploring psychedelics' history, science, and potential therapeutic benefits. Research shows potential for treating mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Thank you for tuning in to the How To Die Happy podcast. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on your favourite podcast platform. Some books and psychedelic stuff, as recommended by Keith: Recommended Books How To Change Your Mind - Michael Pollan. Deservedly a best-seller. Well written and informative. Entangled Life - Merlin Sheldrake. How fungi make our worlds, change our minds, and shape our futures. This is Your Mind on Plants - Michael Pollan (follow up to the above). Sacred Knowledge - William A Richards. Particularly good for anyone interested in the spiritual aspects of psychedelic experiences. It includes a list of music used during research into such experiences at Johns Hopkins University in the USA. When The Impossible Happens - Stan Grof. An informative and entertaining account of his explorations into the world of psychedelic research over five decades. Drug Use for Grownups - Dr Carl C Hart TED Talks Michael Pollan Robin Carhart-Harris Graham Hancock David Nutt Rick Doblin Movies/Documentaries The Psychedelic Drug Trial (BBC doc on UK trial for depression) Magic Medicine - Netflix (another perspective on the same UK trial) The Last Shaman (drama doc - young American seeks ayahuasca healing in Peru) Fantastic Fungi (good intro to mushrooms) The Way of the Psychonaut Have A Good Trip --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/howtodiehappy/message

Welcome to a very special episode of the How To Die Happy podcast, where we recorded our first studio podcast with a small audience and live music featuring the Indonesian LGBTQ+ activist and singer-songwriter Kai Mata. Kai Mata is a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and representation, known for "being the first openly gay musician in Indonesia" (The Diplomat). She uses her platform to promote empathy and raise awareness about the lack of LGBTQ+ rights in Indonesia. Alongside Kai, our hosts Martin O'Toole and Julia Macolmson delve deep into the issue of cultural bigotry and governments' treatment of people in the LGBTQ+ community. The Indonesian Psychiatrist Association classes homosexuals and bisexuals as people with "psychiatric problems", and transgender people have been declared to have "mental disorders". Unfortunately, Indonesia is not the only country that demonstrates a lack of tolerance towards the LGBTQ+ community. While same-sex marriage is now legal in 29 countries (with Chile and Switzerland joining the ranks in 2022), there is still a long way to go when accepting people who do not fit the societal norm of being straight and cisgender. In fact, 72 countries currently criminalise all things LGBTQ+. The situation is dire in some countries, as being queer could result in the death penalty. Of these, 11 jurisdictions reserve the right to impose the death penalty for anyone engaging in consensual same-sex, with regular executions in Iran, Northern Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, and Yemen. It is heartbreaking that we still live in a world where hate based on personal consensual sexual and gender preferences can lead to severe injury or death. Many believe that LGBTQ+ folks need to be locked up, receive electro-shock therapy, and even participate in what is known as "corrective rape" — a criminal practice that has no place in this world. Kai Mata lives in a country where homosexuality and bisexuality are taboo. The Indonesian government recently tried to pass The "Family Resilience Bill", which would force LGBTQ+ people to undergo conversion therapy treatment to "cure" their sexual orientation or gender ambiguity. This proposal inspired Kai's accidental entry into the world of LGBTQ+ activism when she infamously posted a video on social media stating, "My name is Kai Mata; I'm Indonesian, and I am also flaming gay. No laws will change that, no conversion therapy will change that, and neither will the hate and threats". The video went viral, turning Kai's life upside down, as she was thrust into the spotlight for sharing what was apparently an incredibly controversial truth. Despite the tsunami of death threats and hatred, Kai Mata has continued to use her music to spread love and compassion, promote empathy, and raise awareness about the void of LGBTQ+ rights in Indonesia. Her indie-released single, Where Love Goes, has been streamed over 2.5 million times on Spotify. In the podcast interview, Kai shares her experience as an accidental queer activist and how she balances this while growing as a young woman and artist. Interwoven through the chat, Kai performs some live songs, showcasing her incredible talent as a singer-songwriter. The How To Die Happy podcast is about making life changes now to avoid a long list of deathbed regrets. Kai Mata has dared to express her truth, and not doing so is a common death regret. For that reason and many more, she is a welcome guest and friend to the show. Whether you're straight, bi, gay, cis, or trans, this podcast is worth a listen. In this informative and entertaining show, Kai Mata, Martin O'Toole, and Julia Malcolmson dive into the worlds of intolerance, love, music, and more. Plus, the girl can sing. Oh boy, that girl can sing. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/howtodiehappy/message

Welcome to the How To Die Happy podcast, where we explore the art of living well, dying happy, and everything in between. In this episode, we dive into the world of kids' yoga and mindfulness with Jeanne Welsh, a specialist in teaching yoga and mindfulness to children. For many of us, the concept of yoga might seem like foreign territory, let alone yoga for kids. However, studies reveal that only 10% of American adults practice yoga, less than 1% of Brits, and an estimated 300 million worldwide, with 72% being female. That's a small percentage of the world's population. So, when it comes to yoga for kids, it might seem like we're a way off from considering it as a means to help our children grow in mind, body, and spirit. As we discovered in this episode, teaching yoga and mindfulness to kids is an entirely specialist field. Jeanne Welsh teaches yoga and mindfulness to kids and their respective adults and trains yoga teachers how to teach kids specifically. Jeanne explains that kids' yoga isn't just about giving kids a structured outlet for their pent-up energy. Mindfulness practice for kids eases anxiety, doubt, and confusion, improves concentration and attention span, and increases a child's focus and memory capacity. And there isn't a screen in sight. "We are experiencing a global public health crisis in youth mental health that began long before the pandemic". — Tami D. Benton, MD. According to Psychology Today, children now spend half as much time outdoors as they did before 1992. Kids between 8 & 18 spend 7 hours and 38 minutes using entertainment media in a typical day. That's a whole workday for many adults. While only 6% of kids play outside on their own. Additionally, in 2018 in the USA, 1.9 million kids aged 3 – 17 were diagnosed with depression. Worldwide, children's depression and anxiety have doubled since 2019. Depression, suicide, and other mental illnesses are rising among young people. Studies indicate that almost a quarter of teenage girls display depressive symptoms, and over two-thirds of teenagers taking antidepressants are girls. Suicide is now the third leading cause of death for 12-18 year-olds and the fourth leading cause of death among 15-19 year-olds. Jeanne explains that we're at a pivotal moment where our children inherit trauma from parents who've not healed themselves. Meanwhile, the medical system is hell-bent on prescribing pharmaceuticals over natural, holistic techniques to improve kids' well-being. "I want to empower young minds with the skills to be in touch with their inner being and become the best they can be", says Jeanne. Teaching yoga and mindfulness to kids from a young age can be truly transformative in many areas of a child's life, allowing them to process emotions and energy in a completely new way. It can be especially beneficial for children who may have experienced trauma or other significant adversities. The practice of emotional regulation can benefit kids by providing a sense of calmness and control over their emotional responses. If you have kids or know of kids who might benefit from learning yoga and mindfulness, or you're interested in what yoga and mindfulness practice for kids is like, then you'll love this episode. Delivered with the usual balance of serious and light-hearted fun, stories and practical utilities are packed into this podcast. In conclusion, the rise of depression, suicide, and other mental illnesses in young people is a concerning trend. However, studies show that mindfulness practices for children and young adults can significantly reduce the severity of these issues. So, let's explore the world of kids' yoga and mindfulness and empower our children with the skills to be in touch with their inner being and become the best they can be. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/howtodiehappy/message

Welcome to How To Die Happy, the podcast that explores the big questions in life, death, and everything in between. In this episode, host Martin O'Toole and Terae De Cou ask the question that has fascinated people for decades: do aliens exist? In May 2021, the Pentagon verified declassified UFO footage as legitimate evidence that UFOs had been tracked by US military pilots. This revelation delighted UFOlogists worldwide but had little impact on broader society. The question remains: if the US government is now saying that these crafts are real and not human-designed, who is in the UFOs? Where are they from? And why are they not making contact? UFO sightings are not a new phenomenon. They date back to cave paintings, and in 1952, UFOs were famously sighted over the White House in Washington, DC. Despite all this evidence and the recent disclosure, many of us still choose not to believe that there might be intelligent extraterrestrial entities entering our air space. It begs the question: are UFOs real, or are they a hoax? According to recent statistics, a majority of Americans believe that UFOs are real. In a Gallup poll conducted in 2019, 60% of Americans said that they thought some UFO sightings were of actual alien spacecraft. In 2020, the US government released a report on UFOs that concluded that some sightings remain unexplained. This report also raised questions about the safety of US military pilots. But why do we have little to no interest in incredible phenomena that bring into question everything we think we know about physics, the universe, and our place in it all? We may be so used to seeing them in popular culture and have thus become desensitised to their existence. During the podcast, Martin also discussed Operation Highjump, a significant Antarctic mission between 1946 and 1947 involving 4,700 men, 13 ships, and 33 aircraft. Its purpose was to research ice bases and test equipment in frigid conditions. However, according to some theories, the Nazis built secret bases in Antarctica to develop superweapons. It's no secret that the Nazis wanted to build an electromagnetic "flying saucer"; the theory is that they succeeded in developing incredible interstellar technology. Operation Paperclip, a US program that took more than 1,600 German scientists from former Nazi Germany between 1945 and 1959, employed one of these scientists as the first head of NASA: Wernher von Braun. Martin argues that aliens aren't just interstellar. As the pair discusses the link between DMT and interdimensional travel, he mentions the documentary DMT: The Spirit Molecule, where Graham Hancock highlights the typical report of people having contact with entities while working with plant medicine. In conclusion, the question remains: do aliens exist? Are UFOs real, or are they a hoax? What are UFOs, and why are they not making contact? Despite decades of countless sightings and encounters, our governments have kept quiet, and they might still be concealing information from us. Join us in this fun and informal Chinwag as we try to find the answers. Thanks for listening! If you're enjoying the How To Die Happy podcast, please do write us a review. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/howtodiehappy/message

Welcome to the How To Die Happy podcast, where we explore the art of living and dying well. In today's episode, our hosts Martin O'Toole and Julia Malcolmson are joined by American chef Evan Rilling, who is on a mission to change people's relationship with food and the land from which it comes. As an artist at heart, Evan's journey as a chef began at a young age, inspired by his family's love for growing and cooking food. He is a master of health-conscious farm-to-table cuisine and spent four and a half years working as a freelance chef for the actor Will Smith and his family. His love for travel has led him to design menus, create recipes, and cook for health-conscious retreat centres, health food brands, and restaurants around the world. According to the 2019 documentary, The Need to Grow, industrial agriculture is now the most destructive human activity on the planet. The United Nations estimates that at current depletion rates, we have fewer than 60 years of soil left on Earth due to these activities. In response to this crisis, Evan and his friend Maggie co-founded Ulu Food Forest, a community permaculture garden in Bali that aims to create a new system that restores degenerated land, regenerates the natural ecosystems, and grows forest-based sustainable businesses that honour the Earth and local people. In this episode, Evan invites us to consider what we are consuming, its provenance, and what farming and manufacturing methods are used to grow and create the food we eat. He discusses permaculture farming, a contrasting sustainable model to mono-crop agriculture, and its 12 principles. These principles include observing and interacting with nature, catching and storing energy, obtaining a yield, applying self-regulation and feedback, producing no waste, designing from patterns to details, and creatively using and responding to change. Aside from some surprising yet welcome spontaneous rapping, Martin, Jules, and Evan discuss travelling, surfing, our fundamental relationship with food and the planet, and Evan's stunning new cookbook, RetrEAT. The book is heart-centred, deeply enriching, and genuinely nourishing, packed with over 30 delicious and easy-to-make healthy recipes that appeal to a broad audience. It includes cooking secrets from a master chef, tips for creating greater connections and gathering with loved ones, and expands your awareness of health-conscious food and cooking. Join us in this episode as we seamlessly roll between seriousness and fun while sharing stories and practical utilities for the arts of living & dying well. After all, what we consume profoundly affects our mind, body, and soul. Suppose you're interested in permaculture farming, want to grow your own food, or simply want to learn more about living and eating healthily. In that case, you won't want to miss this episode with the wonderfully happy, incredibly tall surfing and rapping chef Evan Rilling. Tune in to the How To Die Happy podcast, and let's explore the art of living and dying well together. Postscript note: During the interview, Martin mentions a man in South Central, LA, but can not recall his name. The Gangsta Gardener's name is Ron Finlay, and you can find out more about his wonderful man and his project here. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/howtodiehappy/message

Welcome to the season one finale of the How To Die Happy podcast! In this episode, Chris Plow, Bitcoin and cryptocurrency coach, joins hosts Martin O'Toole and Julia Malcolmson to discuss the current state of the crypto market, the nature of Central Bank Digital Currencies, and the power of Bitcoin. But don't worry; we also have a festive treat for you. As we approach the end of the year, the conversation turns to the inevitable death of fiat currency. Central Bank Digital Currencies, or CBDCs, are at the forefront of this new financial landscape. CBDCs are digital cash issued by central banks and pegged to the value of the country's fiat currency. Over 80 countries are currently in various stages of development and implementation of CBDCs, and nine countries and territories have already launched their own CBDCs, including The Bahamas, Nigeria, and St. Kitts and Nevis. But what is a CBDC exactly? It's essentially digital cash that is not anonymous and can be programmed. This programmability raises some privacy concerns but also allows for new features that were not previously possible with traditional money. CBDCs enable central banks to control and monitor transactions to a greater extent than conventional cash. They could disincentivise saving money by putting a cap on cash balances and charging negative interest rates on balances over the cap. They could also program CBDCs to only be spendable at certain retailers, during specific periods, and/or only by specific individuals. Can CBDCs be trusted? Given what we've just shared, that's a valid question. While CBDCs have been touted as a means to fight fraud and enable greater financial stability, there are concerns about the potential abuse of power that could come with this new financial system. The programmability of digital cash gives central banks (privately-owned businesses) the power to monitor and censor transactions, which could threaten personal liberty and freedom. So, what can we do as individuals? It's unlikely we can prevent the adoption and implementation of CBDCs, but we can educate ourselves and be well-prepared for this new global financial system. As CBDCs become more prevalent, staying informed and aware of the potential risks and benefits of this new form of digital cash is essential. The ISO 20022 standard, which will be used by central banks and financial institutions in the cross-border and international money movement, will begin in November 2022. But let's remember the festive cheer! While this episode features a profound turn towards predictions of a dystopian future, it's bookended with holiday spirit. It's a Christ-opian discussion that will leave you both informed and entertained. Thanks to Martin's dad (Mike) for reading 'Twas The Night Before Christmas. We hope you enjoy this episode and wish you a very merry Christmas wherever you are in the world. Remember to subscribe to the How To Die Happy podcast and stay tuned for season two! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/howtodiehappy/message

Welcome to the How To Die Happy podcast, in which we talk to fascinating people dedicated to improving the art of living. In this How To Die Happy Chinwag, our hosts Martin O'Toole and Julia Malcolmson share their favourite highlights of season one of the How To Die Happy podcast. In addition to hearing clips from past shows, the pair discuss their personal highlights from what could only be described as a curious year for humankind.  What a year! Join us in this penultimate episode of 2021 (broadcasted 21.12.21), and perhaps, while the world around you sinks deeper into an ever-increasingly turgid quagmire, get in touch to tell us what you're celebrating. ;) But seriously... This episode is all about gratitude, and it's loaded with thanks to you, our listeners. The How To Die Happy podcast only exists with your support. We've got all the love for you.  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/howtodiehappy/message

Welcome to the How To Die Happy podcast, in which we talk to fascinating people dedicated to improving the art of living. In this episode, hosts Martin O'Toole and Julia Malcolmson visit Bali's famous sound healing centre, the Pyramids of Chi. The Pyramids of Chi were built by Peter and Lynn McIntosh, a retired Australian couple, in the rice paddies outside Ubud in central Bali. The centre has become a highlight for Bali visitors and residents seeking to immerse themselves in sound healing. During the podcast, Martin and Jules speak with Peter about the mysteries of the pyramids, healing frequencies, and more. The session concludes with an interview and live sound healing demonstration with Jordan Humphreys. So what is sound healing? Sound healing is a holistic healing practice that uses vibrations, frequencies, and sound to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. The practice is based on the principle that everything in the universe vibrates, including our bodies. When the body's natural frequency is out of balance, it can lead to physical and emotional imbalances, which can cause illness and disease (dis-ease). Sound healing practitioners use a variety of instruments, such as Tibetan singing bowls, gongs, tuning forks, and chimes, to produce specific vibrations and frequencies that can restore the body's natural balance. The sound waves produced by these instruments can penetrate deep into the body, affecting every cell and organ, and help to release blocked energy and tension. During the podcast, the team explores the theories surrounding how the ancient pyramids were used as healing chambers. They discuss how there are pyramids all over the world, even underwater, and speak of the mysteries surrounding these fascinating structures. The team also dives into the fascinating territory of sound healing. This episode ponders the question: Can sound heal us? Since we are, on a sub-atomic level, 99.9999999% energy, we are walking vibrations rather than matter. So, can sound, vibration, and frequency really affect us? The conversations get into how sound healing can treat a wide range of physical and emotional conditions, including anxiety, depression, chronic pain, insomnia, and stress. It can also be used to promote deep relaxation, enhance creativity, and improve concentration and focus. Sound healing is often used in conjunction with other holistic therapies, such as meditation, yoga, and acupuncture, to enhance their benefits. It is a non-invasive and gentle therapy that is safe for people of all ages and backgrounds. In conclusion, this episode of the How To Die Happy podcast takes listeners on a journey through the mysteries of the pyramids and the power of sound healing. Through interviews with experts and a live demonstration, Martin and Jules explore the fascinating world of sound healing and its potential to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. If you're interested in learning more about this transformative practice, this podcast is a must-listen! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/howtodiehappy/message

Welcome to How to Die Happy, the podcast that explores how to live life to the fullest and leave this world with few to no regrets. In this episode, we delve into the topic of self-healing and whether we can heal ourselves. Several common deathbed regrets are associated with neglecting our body, mind, and heart. But how do we begin the healing process after years of conditioning, abuse, and self-abuse? Is it even possible for us to heal ourselves, or are we destined to be who we have become—the sum of what has happened to us? In this How To Die Happy podcast episode, we spoke to the incredible ball of healing energy, Alexander Mendeluk (AKA The Poet Yasin). Formerly an actor and executive coach, Alexander found his true calling as a healer. Together with his wife Shayoon, he founded the LightForce Healing Center, which offers unique and transformative self-healing techniques through a series of powerful programs. The LightForce Healing Center has been helping people for many years. Chronic illnesses like heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes are the leading causes of death worldwide. Many of these illnesses are preventable and are associated with neglecting our body, mind, and heart. Through their modalities, the LightForce Healing Center has helped people with chronic illnesses to heal themselves. By following a unique set of modalities, they can address the root causes of illnesses and help their clients heal from the inside out. Their modalities include Chakra Healing, Breathwork, Meditation, and Sound Healing, among others. An excerpt from the LightForce Center's website: "The medical system has conned the masses into believing that health comes in a pill, or something genetically engineered in a lab, by profit-above-life pharmaceutical companies that "have our best interests." They only focus on treating symptoms, ignoring root causes, as, let's be honest... healing is bad for business. We've given those in the white coats our trust, our power, and even more... our loved ones' lives." In this fun and passion-packed discussion, hosts Martin O'Toole and Julia Malcolmson, alongside Alexander Mendeluk, cover a whole host of issues related to the power of transformational healing. They talk about how to identify the root causes of illnesses, address them, release negative emotions, and create positive change in our lives. Alexander talks about how he and his wife, Shayoon Mendeluk, founded the LightForce Healing Center and how they have helped many people to heal themselves. Listeners will be inspired by the conversation, which tries to answer the question: "Can we heal ourselves?" They also discuss the importance of self-healing and how it can lead to a happier and more fulfilling life. The Lightforce Center's offerings and Shayoon Mendeluk's and Alexander Mendeluk's expertise in the healing field are also explored in-depth. This episode also features an extra special shoutout to this week's Be My Guest listeners for the beautiful and vulnerable questions they submitted. By the end of this episode, listeners will better understand how to begin the healing process, address the root causes of illnesses, and heal from the inside out. They will also learn more about the LightForce Healing Center and the transformative self-healing techniques they offer. Join us on How to Die Happy as we explore the power of transformational healing and learn how to heal ourselves. Tune in to learn more from the wisdom of Alexander Mendeluk (AKA The Poet Yasin). --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/howtodiehappy/message

Welcome to the How To Die Happy podcast, where we talk to incredible people about living, dying, and everything in between. In this episode, hosts Martin O'Toole and Julia Malcolmson had a heart-to-heart conversation with the legendary surfer and cosmic wizard Jake Mackenzie. A recovered addict of 26 years, Jake is an inspiration for many who struggle with addiction. He shared his incredible story of transformation, peace, and love in this soulful discussion. Jake's journey to recovery wasn't an easy one. He struggled with addiction for years before he found the help he needed to turn his life around. But he didn't let his past define him. Instead, he found solace in surfing and cycling adventures to wizard hats, Rainbow Gatherings, and ashrams in India. In this episode, he offers advice to the parents of addicts and anyone affected by addiction. It's never too late to turn your life around, and Jake is living proof that there is life after addiction. Not only that, but it's possible to thrive in recovery. Jake's thriving Uluwau business, Drifter Cafe & Surf Shop, is a testament to this. The success statistics of traditional treatments such as AA, NA, and residential rehabs have been mixed. Some people swear by them, while others find them ineffective or even harmful. This has led to a rise in alternative treatments as we struggle to cope with an increasingly addicted population. Of course, the addiction pandemic is a global issue that affects millions of people worldwide. So, how do we cope with addiction? Is it possible to overcome it? The answer is yes, but it's not easy. Addiction is a complex issue, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. But the good news is that recovery is possible. It takes time, patience, and a lot of hard work, but it's worth it. One of the keys to successful recovery is finding a support system that works for you. This might include traditional treatments such as AA or NA, but it could also involve alternative therapies such as meditation, yoga, or even surfing. Whatever works for you, it's essential to have a support system that will help you stay on track. Another critical factor in recovery is addressing the root of the addiction. Is addiction passed on through genetics or learned? How much attention should we pay to symptoms versus seeking out the source of the sickness (namely trauma)? These are essential questions that need to be addressed to achieve successful recovery. This episode is a must-listen if you or someone you love is struggling with addiction. It's full of hope, inspiration, and practical advice for anyone looking to overcome addiction and live a happy, healthy life in recovery. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/howtodiehappy/message

Welcome to the How To Die Happy podcast — sharing stories and practical utilities for the art of living well! In this episode, host Martin O'Toole sits down with his friend and Oxford-graduated addiction psychologist, Terry Spokes, to discuss the psychology of addiction. Is addiction passed down through genetics, or is it learned behaviour? How much attention should we pay to symptoms versus seeking out the root of sickness, namely trauma? These are just a few of the thought-provoking questions Martin and Terry explore in this fascinating conversation. As someone who has been through the journey of addiction and recovery, Martin offers a unique perspective on this growing public health pandemic. As a health expert in the field, Terry shares insights on the various schools of thought around the causes of addiction, including genetics, environment, and trauma. One thing that becomes clear in this discussion is that addiction is a complex issue with no simple solution. However, there are treatments available that can help those struggling with addiction find their way to recovery. Martin and Terry discuss some therapies, including therapy, support groups, and medication-assisted treatment. But recovery is not just about treating the addiction itself; it's about finding a way to live a fulfilling life in sobriety. Martin and Terry talk about the importance of mindfulness and meditation in addiction recovery and the transformative power of healing trauma. Martin also discusses his unique recovery story involving the potent psychedelic plant medicine, Ayahuasca. Gabor Mate's work on the link between addiction and trauma is also discussed, along with the notion that many of us may be struggling with addiction in one form or another, whether we choose to admit it or not. According to the World Health Organization, addiction affects millions of people worldwide and significantly contributes to the global disease burden. In the United States alone, over 20 million people suffer from addiction. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, this episode offers valuable insights and resources for treating addiction and finding life in recovery. Martin and Terry's thoughtful conversation will leave you feeling hopeful and inspired, knowing that recovery is possible and that support is available. The psychology of addiction is a complex and challenging topic, but it also needs to be discussed openly and honestly. Tune in to this Chinwag on the How To Die Happy podcast to hear Martin and Terry's candid conversation about addiction, recovery, and the road to living a fulfilling life in sobriety. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/howtodiehappy/message