#031 All Aboard The Vision Train: Painting our Reality into Existence with Amanda Sage

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As this decade comes to a close and we bring in the “Soaring 20s”, my partner Sarafina and I have been doing some reflecting. I’m very big on releasing the past and staying present in the moment, but have found that healthy reflection can be a great exercise to have gratitude for how far we’ve come and to appreciate all of life’s lessons and experiences— both the “positive” and seemingly “negative”. Sarafina and I had discussed the idea of wanting to start this new year, 2020, with a clear 20/20 vision, so that we may truly become our greatest versions this next decade; and fully step into our individual powers so that we may contribute more greatly to the collective.

We started writing things down and thinking deeply about our intentions. While hashing it out, we quickly realized that in order to have this clear vision, there were some things that we would like to bring with us, and some things that we could benefit greatly by letting go of and leaving in 2019. What limiting beliefs are we holding onto? What mindsets are serving us? Who feeds our soul and who sucks our energy? What brings us joy and what does not?

In this two part series, Sarafina and I will share how we plan to keep our “2020 Vision” with a list of 20 things that we plan to leave in 2019, and 20 things that we’ll bring with us into this new year, new decade, and new paradigm.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode and we’re intending to leave behind:

What “other people” think & “shoulds” - (2:00)
Any thoughts of not being enough (3:10)
Resentments (4:25)
People who bring us down (5:15)
Worry (7:15)
Low vibrational and highly processed foods (8:08)
Giving into Resistance & its control (9:45)
Guilt (11:45)
The need to be right (13:25)
Bad habits (15:00)
Things that don’t align (17:00)
A mindset of scarcity (18:50)
Judging others (19:48)
Digital distractions (22:38)
Comparison (25:00)
Unconscious business practices (26:18)
Being too hard on ourselves (29:13)
Single-use plastics (30:30)
Attachment to personal history/”stories” (32:50)
Anything that no longer serves our greatest good (35:24)

We really enjoyed creating this list and had a lot of fun recording our little #2020VisionSeries. We hope you enjoy this episode as well and would love to know what you plan to leave in 2019 + bring into 2020!

Make sure to check back next week to find out the 20 things that we’re bringing into the new year and decade to come!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS and BIG LOVE,

Garrett and Sarafina <3

Connect with Garrett and Sarafina:

Garrett’s Instagram: @g__link

Sarafina’s Instagram: @sarafina_xox

Garrett Brill

December 10, 2019

#019 Impacting Over a Million Lives and Making a DIFFerence with Chad Dime

Garrett Brill

December 10, 2019

Itunes

When I say the word- “millionaire” what pops into your head? What usually comes up is someone who personally has a net worth of $1 million. I would like to start thinking about and striving for a new type of millionaire; someone who has positively and directly impacted over a million lives. Today, I’m connecting with my good friend Chad Dime, someone who is one of these “new millionaires” that I’m talking about. Chad is the Co-Founder of DIFF Eyewear, a charitable eyewear company that has helped with the eyesight and vision care of over one million people in need. They do this by providing a pair of reading glasses or an eye exam for every pair of glasses they sell, among other amazing initiatives that the company has created (which you’ll hear more about in this episode). Chad is a great reminder that good things happen with the right intentions and not to overthink the process- simply BEGIN, and go all-in on what you believe in! Check out this episode to hear more on how Chad and his co-founders built this incredible company and continue finding ways to give back.

Chad Dime Show Notes:

(2:17) Garrett and Chad talk about their long history as friends and how their worlds connected
(4:42) Chad discusses DIFF Eyewear and its foundation
(8:14) Chad tells the story of how DIFF started and their intentions to give-back, starting with giving a pair of reading glasses for every pair of glasses purchased
(8:37) Chad discusses the beginnings of giving back and working with Sherry Rigsby of “Eyes On Africa”
(11:37) Chad shares how they had to shift as the one-for-one initiative scaled (selling upwards of 500,000 frames per year)
(13:22) Chad shares how DIFF created new initiatives to be more sustainable that focus more on empowerment and education
- Local: Heal The Bay, Food Bank of LA
(14:37) The Pouch Program - Chad shares a cool story of meeting Kelsey Sabo, how she helped DIFF create this program, and the impact that it has had on the community
(19:13) Chad shares how DIFF has affected over 1,000,000 humans since starting their initiatives.
(20:32) Chad tells one of his most impactful stories since the creation of DIFF: we’ll hear about his journey to Uganda to meet the people that make up the Pouch Program and school
(25:52) Chad shares some of the tipping points to the business and how Instagram took their business to the next level
- (29:22) Chad remembers a big moment, when they had their first thousand dollar day as a company
- (30:12) Teaming up with Joelle Fletcher
(31:52) Chad explains the beginnings of DIFF and meeting his partners Zach and Chad
(39:52) Chad shares what the festival world has taught him
- (40:52) Chad’s first experience at Lightning In a Bottle (LIB)
- (42:22) Garrett shares his first experience at LIB
(44:52) Chad shares his first connection with Burning Man
(51:10) Chad’s Three Truths
- 1) Be Impeccable With Your Word (Four Agreements)
- 2) All or Nothing
- 3) Help others (don’t harm)

Connect with Chad:

Instagram: @dimetimee

DIFF: @diffeyewear

Website: www.diffeyewear.com

Project DIFF

Garrett Brill

November 26, 2019

#017 Good for Me, Good for You, Good for Everything it Touches: Demonstrating Right Livelihood with Steve Demos

Garrett Brill

November 26, 2019

Itunes

Steve is the founder of Good Belly Probiotics and White Wave Foods. You may know White Wave by all the non-dairy, plant based “Silk” products that you see all over the place. This episode means so much to me because when I first met Steve in Costa Rica and heard his message of “Right Livelihood” and how he built a business rooted in virtue, I truly wished that everyone could hear his incredible story. When you learn Steve’s story, I think you’ll understand. Our conversation in the jungle was a big reason why I even started this podcast because I came home and tried to explain everything he taught me and my words couldn’t do justice. I remember writing down in my journal everything that I was looking for in a mentor, and just a few days later I was fortunate enough to meet Steve. For me, it was a big confirmation that I had made the right decision to follow my gut and head down to Costa Rica, because I felt what he shared was invaluable. Steve embodies what I look for in a leader. He does what’s right for his people, he does what’s right for his customers, and he does what’s right for the planet.

In this episode, Steve will explain how the Buddhist ideology of “Right Livelihood” gave him a pathway to prove to himself that Capitalism was not as flawed as he had come to believe. He’ll teach us about “Right Livelihood” and expand on how it brought him from living in a cave in India to building a company that was sold for over $300 million. That number is not the point; it’s the biproduct of Steve’s intentions. You need to check out this episode to hear why he did it, how he did it, and what he did to make sure that “Right Livelihood” came full circle for everyone involved. I believe that if everyone instilled this kind of intention into their business, the world would be a better place. I hope you enjoy!

Steve Demos Show Notes:

(4:13) Steve discusses the basis of “Getting it Right” through Right Livelihood:
- “Good for me, good for you, good for everything it touches” - Steve
(5:55) Steve explains how he was a product of the 60’s, the collective disdain for capitalism, and how he left America to live in a cave in India without plans of returning
- Rishikesh
- Maharishi transcendental meditation
(8:40) We learn how Steve found The Eightfold Path and Right Livelihood
(9:43) Steve shares his epiphany regarding Right Livelihood and capitalism and how he and his friend were mistaken for “saintly beings” by pilgrims in the forest
(10:55) Steve explains why he left the cave in India as a responsibility to demonstrate to himself this new form of capitalism
(13:13) We learn what Steve’s product or service would need to be in order to be living by Right Livelihood
(13:55) Steve tells us about transitioning back into the states in an Ashram in New Hampshire, and how he began to fall in love with bean curds (tofu)
- Satyananda Saraswati
- Steve’s practices during this time:
- Hatha yoga
- Vipassana Meditation
- Tai Chi Chaun
(18:30) Steve dives into a story about doing a 76 day Vipassana course in Santa Barbara, making tofu for the community, and explains how tofu became his idea for a channel to demonstrate Right Livelihood
- (20:20) How Steve came up with the logo, the name, and the product line for White Wave
(21:32) Steve explains why soy met his criteria to demonstrate Right Livelihood
- (22:54) Steve shares some of the concerns people bring up about soy
(24:30) We get into the story of how White Wave went from a $500 investment in Kitchen supplies to $300+ million
(26:21) We learn the importance of why a business should be “purpose first and business second”
- Authenticity, honesty and transparency, treating everyone respectfully within the value chain
(28:45) Steve explains the elements of “getting it right’ through a tree metaphor
- The fruit: The product
- The canopy: The administrative, sales, and accounting team
- The trunk: the heart (operations)
- The roots: The spirit, the intention, it comes from a seedling (Right Livelihood)
(31:26) Garrett brings up living with intention and being unconventional, and Steve finds irony with this, as he believes and explains that what he’s done would not be considered “unconventional” as it was in harmony with the earth
(35:18) Steve gives some advice for the younger generation:
- Patience and perseverance
- Learning by experience via J Krishnamurti
  - Steve calls this experience: Scar Tissue
(37:37) Steve dives deeper into his Vipassana experiences and some of the principles
(44:20) Steve talks about the tipping point in Vipassana for him
(48:40) Steve shares his views on the younger generation’s search for meaning
(50:50) We learn Steve’s greatest accomplishments including:
- 1) “My greatest accomplishment was demonstrating that making a livelihood rooted in virtue is as profitable or more profitable in the world of capitalism, than what I’ll call opportunistic capitalism”
- 2) Giving $10 million back to the employees who helped build the company
  - A truck driver received a hefty & unexpected bonus for all the years he put into the company
(54:50) Steve explains why doing this would be the only way to bring Right Livelihood full circle
(58:50) Steve’s three truths:
- 1) Transparency
- 2) Authenticity
- 3) Values

Steve Demos:

#011 The Art of Healing Through Music and Vibration with Rara Avis

Garrett Brill

October 15, 2019

I’m pretty pumped about this episode because we are connecting with my favorite musician Alex King-Harris aka Rara Avis (latin for “Rare Bird”). Alex is truly a dedicated master of his craft with over 20 years in production and performance. He has been a long time collaborator with with Craig Kohland and Amani Friend on the Shaman’s Dream, Desert Dwellers, and Liquid Bloom. He has carved a space for himself where electronic underground, yoga, and ecstatic dance music collide.

Within the music industry, you will find all different types of people. Some people make music to share their story and some make music to sell records. In this episode, we're connecting with Rara Avis who makes his music to heal. Heal himself and heal others. You'll hear how a severe car accident sent Rara on a life-long journey to learn about vibration, musical theory, and the history of music around the world. All aiding him in the creation of his own unique sound that heals and aligns our mind, body, and spirit.

He is also CEO and Co-Founder of YogiTunes.com, a world wide streaming and download service that focuses on delivering top quality sound tracks for yoga and other wellness activities.

I came across Rara Avis and his music during a huge shift in my life. When I was in the start-up phases of the healthcare company that I helped create, his music was the one thing that I could turn on to slow me down and bring me back to center. His music was such a big catalyst to my commitment to growth and healing. I legitimately listen to Rara’s music everyday. While mediating, doing yoga, journaling, walking, running, cooking dinner, eating dinner, taking a bath, or turning down for the night. Anytime I want the reminder to connect and slow down. I truly loved catching up with Alex and hope you enjoy too. Make sure to check out his links below!

Download This Episode:

Itunes

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Connect with Rara Avis:

Artist Website: www.raraavismusic.com

Soundcloud: RaraAvisMusic

Rara’s Business: www.yogi-tunes.com

Garrett’s Favorite Rara Avis Music:
Soundcloud: Desiree Rumbaugh's Class Soundcloud: Sjanie McInnis: Yin Flow

Garrett Brill

October 1, 2019

#009 Master Your Healing and Harness Your Power Through Sex with Melissa Louise

Garrett Brill

October 1, 2019

I want you to think back and ask; what was your sex education? Who did you learn from? What did they teach you? Was your pleasure one of the topics? In this episode, we’re connecting with Melissa Louise, a “Sexpert” who has traveled, taught, and supported clients in 25 countries over the past 30 years. Melissa believes it’s everyone’s birthright to have true, sacred, and guilt-free sexual and menstrual education, that will lead us all to knowing “Our pleasure is NOT optional”. Melissa combines her knowledge of Tantric, Ancient Daoist, and Modern Realizations to shatter, what she believes is a dangerous veil surrounding sexuality, intimacy, and our bodies. Though Melissa says she’s a “Sexpert”, she is so much more than that! Melissa teaches people how to strengthen their relationship with themselves, with their partners, and how to master their life through mastering their sexuality. In this episode, Melissa will help remove any guilt surrounding sex, she will make you question what you know and what you have learned, she will talk about her journey, and give you tangible advice and activities to master your pleasure, your relationships, and your life. I want to say that I feel far from an expert on this topic, and was even a little nervous to do this interview. But all I can say is; through Melissa’s bold, yet down to earth message, I’ve learned so much and feel extremely grateful for everything she has to share. This woman is a powerhouse, her message is very important, and I love and respect her very much. I really think you’re going to enjoy this one!

Show Notes:

5:17- Melissa discusses the importance of our sexuality, and how sex and menstruation are some of the least talked about subjects, even though she feels they are such integral aspects of our healing
10:13- Removing guilt and shame around sex and our sexuality
11:43- Addressing the problems with our sex education. She proposes the question of why our pleasure is never on the docket of discussion
15:56- Melissa delves into some of the conditioning surrounding sex
21:06- Your pleasure is your responsibility
23:30- Melissa explains how to effectively communicate your needs and desires with your partner through empowering language, rather than “griping”or shutting down
25:47- Separating your orgasm from sex and pleasure
29:44- Melissa brings up the history of circumcision & the potential problems & misconceptions surrounding it
35:39- Sexual practices and intimacy activities you can work on yourself and with your partner
41:43- Great questions to ask your partner; eg. “Would you be willing?" & “What do you need right now?”
44:06- What does LOVE look like and what does SEX look like to you?
49:35- Learning & understanding your partner’s menstrual cycle to support them and better both of your knowledge & relationship
50:11- “When to go fishing, when to drink beer, and when to be tying her up” - Melissa Louise
59:05- How Melissa got into her divine work
107:44- When & how Melissa knew this was her path
114:48- How to bring Intention into your erotic play
117:37- Melissa’s three truths
Download This Episode:

itunes