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In this episode of Across The Table, James Finochio sits down with Safra Turner, founder of iHolistica, for a wide-ranging conversation on geopolitics, consciousness, and personal sovereignty.

Safra shares how her background in international relations and global affairs shaped her perspective on current world events, and how that perspective evolved into a deeper exploration of spiritual awakening and the nature of reality.

They discuss the illusion of separation, the systems that influence society, and what it means to reclaim personal power in a world that often feels uncertain and divided.

This conversation moves between the physical and the philosophical — from global conflict and media narratives to inner awareness, resilience, and the path toward collective awakening.

If you’ve ever felt like there’s more beneath the surface of what we’re told, this episode invites you to explore that question more deeply.

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The Truth About Cannabis Prohibition (They Don’t Want You to Know This)

What if everything you’ve been told about cannabis… was built on lies?

In this episode of Across The Table, James Finochio sits down with Danny and Veronica Rivera — owners of True Healing Concepts and founders of Altoona’s Canna-Toona Festival — to break down the real history of cannabis prohibition, the legal confusion around hemp, and why the system still hasn’t changed.

This isn’t just a conversation about weed.

It’s about power, policy, money… and who actually benefits from keeping things the way they are.

From the origins of prohibition to modern-day crackdowns on hemp, this episode exposes how legislation, media narratives, and enforcement have shaped public perception — and why small businesses and everyday people are the ones caught in the middle.

They also share their personal story of building a cannabis business from the ground up, navigating legal battles, and creating a local movement that’s bringing people together instead of dividing them.

If you think this is just about getting high… you’re missing the bigger picture.

In this episode:

🔥 The real origins of cannabis prohibition (and why they still matter today)
⚖️ Hemp vs marijuana — what the law actually says vs what people believe
🚨 How enforcement, loopholes, and “gray areas” impact real people
💰 Why cannabis is still a “pay-to-play” industry
🏛 Who benefits from keeping cannabis restricted
🌿 The fight to keep hemp alive in Pennsylvania
🤝 Building a community-driven business in a controversial industry
🎉 How the Canna-Toona Festival is changing the narrative locally

👤 Guest Info — Danny & Veronica Rivera

🌿 True Healing Concepts
https://www.facebook.com/share/1EaxQp4qmH/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🎉 Canna-Toona Festival
https://www.facebook.com/share/19yHBdc1x6/?mibextid=wwXIfr

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EPISODE 27 — John David on Writing Thrillers, Media Narratives, and AI
In this episode of Across The Table, James Finochio sits down with author John David to talk about his transition from public relations into novel writing, and the real-world inspiration behind his thriller The Bystander.
John shares how a combination of personal experiences, conversations around gun rights, and a real-life incident helped shape the foundation of his story.
The conversation goes beyond writing and into bigger topics — including media narratives, the role of AI in modern work, and how storytelling is influenced by real events, bias, and perspective.


They talk about:
🏛 transitioning from a career in PR to writing fiction

📖 the inspiration and themes behind The Bystander

✍️ how novels are structured, written, and edited

🎭 building realistic characters with flaws and depth

📰 media influence and how narratives are shaped

🤖 the benefits and risks of using AI in writing and research

📚 the challenges of publishing and promoting a book today

🎯 why real-life experiences often shape the best stories


John also shares insights into the publishing world, the importance of having a strong editor, and what it actually takes to go from an idea to a finished novel.
If you're interested in writing, media, storytelling, or how real-world events influence fiction, this is a conversation worth listening to.


👤 Guest Info — John David
🌐 Explore John’s work, books, and updates
⁠https://byjohndavid.substack.com/⁠


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If you enjoyed this conversation, consider following the podcast, sharing it, or sending it to someone who’s interested in writing, media, or storytelling.

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