In this eye-opening episode of "Eyes Wide Open," host Nick Thompson sits down with Kim Rogers, affectionately known as the "Worm Queen."

Kim is a holistic wellness professional and co-founder of Rogers Hood Apothecary, and joins to share her incredible journey from battling chronic illness to becoming a viral sensation on TikTok.

Discover how Kim's personal health struggles led her to develop the Parify Kit, a detox regimen aimed at eliminating parasites, candida, and heavy metals from the body.

Kim and Nick delve into the often-overlooked world of parasites and their impact on health. Kim explains the science behind her detox process, the importance of proactive health measures, and the surprising ways parasites can affect our bodies.

Nick shares his own experiences with alternative health practices, and the two discuss the challenges of advocating for natural remedies in a world dominated by traditional medicine.

Join us for a candid discussion that challenges conventional health narratives and empowers listeners to take control of their well-being.

Whether you're curious about detoxing, interested in holistic health, or simply looking for an inspiring story of resilience, this episode is a must-listen.

Tune in to learn how you can make your body inhospitable to unwanted guests and embrace a healthier lifestyle so you can show up in the world with your eyes wide open.

Find Kim Rodgers here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrsrogers.hood/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mrsrogershood

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mrsrogershood

LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/RogersHood

Website: https://rogershood.com/

Find Nick Thompson here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nthompson513/ | https://www.instagram.com/the_ucan_foundation/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EyesWideOpenContent

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickthompson13/

UCAN Foundation: https://theucanfoundation.org/

Website: https://www.engagewithnick.com/

In this episode, Dr. Trish Leigh, a cognitive neuroscientist, discusses the impact of p*rnography and social media on mental health, relationships, and brain function.

She emphasizes the normalization of p*rn, the effects of hypersexualization in media, and the importance of self-regulation and setting boundaries.

Dr. Trish shares insights on the neuroscience behind addiction, p*rn addiction, the crisis of masculine vitality, and offers practical strategies for managing screen time and improving brain health.

Nick and Dr. Trish explore how these digital influences shape our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and uncover strategies to maintain a healthy balance in a tech-driven world.

Join us as we discuss expert insights and personal stories that reveal the hidden costs of our digital habits.

Tune in to learn how to protect your mental well-being and cognitive function in the age of screens and instant gratification.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Trish Leigh

01:28 The Impact of Pornography on Brain Health

04:31 Navigating the Normalization of Sexual Topics

07:09 Understanding Compulsive Behaviors and Their Effects

10:20 The Relationship Dynamics Affected by Pornography

13:04 The Role of Social Media in Sexualization

15:57 Parasocial Relationships and Their Consequences

18:51 The Science Behind Brain Changes Due to Pornography

21:34 The Rise of Erectile Dysfunction in Young Men

24:36 The Importance of Open Communication in Relationships

32:19 Understanding Brain Desensitization and Arousal

36:48 The Role of Testosterone and Compulsive Behaviors

42:40 Navigating the Wired and Tired Brain

48:40 Strategies for Intentional Living and Boundaries

55:38 Creating a Life of Purpose and Balance

Find Dr. Trish Leigh here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtrishleigh

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrTrishLeigh

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-trish-leigh-2742129a/

Mind Over Explicit Manner: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1400346991

Website: https://drtrishleigh.com/

Find Nick Thompson here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nthompson513/ | https://www.instagram.com/the_ucan_foundation/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EyesWideOpenContent

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickthompson13/

UCAN Foundation: https://theucanfoundation.org/

Website: https://www.engagewithnick.com/

In this solo episode, Nick shares his personal experiences with burnout and explores its recurring nature in his life and the symptoms that accompany it.

He discusses the cognitive overload he has been experiencing and the impact of chronic stress on his mental health.

Through research, he uncovers the neuroscience behind burnout and shares strategies for recovery, emphasizing the importance of self-care, setting boundaries, and rewiring the brain for better mental health.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Burnout: My Personal Journey

08:05 Researching The Neuroscience of Burnout

13:59 Strategies for Recovery and Rewiring the Brain

21:58 Taking Action: Prioritizing Your Mental Health

Find Nick Thompson here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nthompson513/ | https://www.instagram.com/the_ucan_foundation/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EyesWideOpenContent

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickthompson13/

UCAN Foundation: https://theucanfoundation.org/ Website: https://www.engagewithnick.com/

In this episode of Eyes Wide Open, Nick Thompson engages with Julian Bermudez, a trauma-informed psychedelic integration guide.

They explore Julian's journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a guide for others seeking healing through psychedelics.

Julian shares insights on trauma, the importance of self-awareness, and the stigma surrounding psychedelics, emphasizing the need for compassion and understanding in healing processes.

Julian emphasizes the need for individuals responsibility in addressing emotional pain and the role of service animals in providing comfort and safety.

He discusses the impact of trauma on individuals, the importance of reconnecting with one's true self, and how psychedelic experiences can facilitate healing.

As the conversation progresses, Julian discusses the multifaceted nature of the psychedelic experience, emphasizing its historical significance and the importance of preparation and intentionality in navigating such journeys.

He explores the concept of bad trips, the therapeutic approaches he employs in his practice, and the distinction between healing and curing.

They also discuss the role of pharmaceuticals in mental health and the profound impact of animals, particularly his dog Layla, in the healing process.

Julian concludes by sharing insights on daily practices for maintaining mental health, highlighting the importance of structure and humor.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Julian Bermudez and His Work

05:19 The Catalyst for Change: Near-Death Experience

12:27 Reconnecting with the True Self

19:37 Understanding Trauma and Its Impact

27:22 Healing Through Self-Compassion and Awareness

31:51 The Stigma of Psychedelics and Their Potential

33:03 The Psychedelic Experience: A Historical Perspective

34:56 Navigating the Psychedelic Journey: Preparation and Intent

39:29 Understanding Bad Trips: Resistance and Acceptance

44:49 Therapeutic Approaches: Integrative Therapy and Inquiry

48:57 Healing vs. Curing: The Journey of Emotional Recovery

52:16 The Role of Pharmaceuticals: A Double-Edged Sword

54:14 The Healing Power of Animals: Layla's Impact

01:00:02 Daily Practices for Mental Health: Structure and Humor

Find Julian Bermudez Here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/psycheintegration

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@psycheintegration

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julian-bermudez-ma-ccmp/

Website: https://www.humantherapists.com/

Find Nick Thompson here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nthompson513/ | https://www.instagram.com/the_ucan_foundation/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EyesWideOpenContent

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickthompson13/

UCAN Foundation: https://theucanfoundation.org/

Website: https://www.engagewithnick.com/

In this episode, Nick chats with Laura Shipler-Chico and Andy McLeod, the creative minds behind Gooper Dust Productions and their upcoming play, Reality Bites.

The conversation explores their motivations behind founding their theater production company, and the themes of their play ‘Reality Bites.”

“Reality Bites” critiques the impact of reality TV on individuals and society. They discuss the complexities of character development, the importance of tone in storytelling, and the audience's role in the consumption of media.

The episode emphasizes the need for empathy and understanding in the portrayal of real people on screen, as well as the challenges of maintaining authenticity in a curated world.

I hope this conversation enlightens you on the importance of arts as cultural commentary and helps you show up in the world with your eyes wide open.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Gooper Dust Productions

02:44 Childhood Dreams and Career Paths

05:17 The Leap into Acting and Producing

08:21 The Vision Behind Reality Bites

11:17 The Impact of Reality TV on Lives

14:18 Exploring Themes of Consumption and Identity

17:24 Character Perspectives in Reality Bites

20:21 Directorial Approach to Monologues

23:37 The Role of Social Media in Reality TV

26:26 Concluding Thoughts on Reality and Performance

36:12 Character Exploration and Direction

37:25 Patty's Motivations for Joining Reality TV

39:10 The Complexity of Patty's Character

40:29 Tone and Humor in Storytelling

45:25 Reality TV and Identity Crisis

49:23 Post-Show Life and Advocacy

50:25 Authenticity vs. Narrative in Reality TV

55:30 Viewer Complicity in Reality TV

59:17 Final Thoughts on Humanity and Reality TV

Find Laura Shipler-Chico & Andy McLeod here:

Laura Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terranewell

Andy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andymcleod09/

Gooper Dust Instagram: https://www.gooperdust.com/

Indie GoGo: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/off-in-a-cloud-of-gooper-dust#/

Website: https://www.gooperdust.com/

Find Nick Thompson here:

Nick Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nthompson513/

UCAN Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_ucan_foundation/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EyesWideOpenContent

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickthompson13/

UCAN Foundation: https://theucanfoundation.org/

Website: https://www.engagewithnick.com/

Full Live Stream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGoZ5tc-Hjc&t=518s

SPECIAL NOTE: This episode of Eyes Wide Open features several key clips from a Hard Lens Media live stream, where Nick, Kit Cabello, and Larry Sharpe discuss the aftermath of the recent military strikes ordered by President Trump against Iran.

Kit Cabello is a veteran, co-founder, and host of Hard Lens Media, a daily independent news show. Larry Sharpe is a veteran, former candidate for NY Mayor, and host of the Sharpe Way Show.

Kit, Larry, and Nick explore the implications of these actions on international relations, public opinion, and the potential for escalation into a larger conflict.

They go on to emphasize the need for public engagement and the importance of diplomacy over military action, while also addressing the potential consequences of the current trajectory.

The conversation delves into the complexities of war, politics, and public perception, emphasizing the need for unity in the face of war with Iran and the importance of independent media.

They emphasize the importance of activism and collective action in driving change, while also addressing the challenges presented by political hypocrisy and the impact of media narratives.

Find Nick Thompson here:

Nick Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nthompson513/ UCAN Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_ucan_foundation/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EyesWideOpenContent LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickthompson13/ UCAN Foundation: https://theucanfoundation.org/ Website: https://www.engagewithnick.com/

In this conversation, Nick Thompson speaks with Cassandra Musumeci and Andrea Rockefeller, licensed mental health counselors and co-founders of the Human Therapist Community.

They discuss their personal journeys to becoming therapists, the motivation behind creating a supportive community for therapists, and the challenges of navigating virtual therapy during the pandemic and now as a new normal.

The conversation also explores the impact of social media on therapy, the importance of setting boundaries, and the necessity of self-care among therapists.

They emphasize the humanity of therapists and the importance of creating a safe space for connection and collaboration.

As the discussion progresses, many other topics are explored, including how therapists are perceived as experts and the responsibilities that come with this role, how social media both helps and harms the mental health community, and how they strive to achieve their goal of humanizing therapists.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Human Therapist Community

02:01 Personal Journeys to Becoming Therapists

04:00 Transitioning to Private Practice

08:10 Building Connections in a Virtual World

11:16 The Motivation Behind the Human Therapist Community

14:42 Navigating Virtual Therapy

18:55 The Role of Social Media in Therapy

22:59 The Impact of TikTok on Mental Health Awareness

28:07 Ethics and Challenges of Social Media for Therapists

31:29 Navigating Leadership and Imposter Syndrome

32:51 The Impact of Cancel Culture

36:52 Self-Reflection and Online Interactions

38:47 Building Resilience in the Face of Criticism

44:11 Creating a Supportive Community for Therapists

48:24 Setting Boundaries in Therapy Practice

56:08 Engaging with the Therapist Community through Book Clubs

Find Cassandra & Andrea here:

Instagrams: https://www.instagram.com/yourhumantherapists/ | https://www.instagram.com/yournytherapists/

Website: https://www.humantherapists.com/

LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/yourhumantherapists

Find Nick Thompson here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nthompson513/ | https://www.instagram.com/the_ucan_foundation/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EyesWideOpenContent

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickthompson13/

UCAN Foundation: https://theucanfoundation.org/

Website: https://www.engagewithnick.com/