Six hours distilled. Mark van der Pol and Adrienne Fritze of Conundrum House Experiences sit with us and we wander through massacre sites and magic carpets, dissociation learned at five and the skill it became, We play Know Thyself and discover that Mark seeks harmony while Adrienne seeks freedom... and that neither of them are who they thought they were. We talk about brains as rendering agents, emotions as the actual processors, and the terror of disintegrating in a crowded room. And we find the slick bubble that lets you walk back into the noise without losing yourself.

This conversation is healing happening in real time.

🖇️Shoutouts & Tags:

• Conundrum House — Play and event space in Corvallis, OR. Come play differently.
• Know Thyself — The card game that guarantees you'll never finish knowing yourself.

Original music by Buddy Anderson! Check out his portfolio website: aaronbuddyanderson.com

👇Here's my contact… I'd love to hear what you think!

Email: averycookgroup@gmail.com

Socials: @thisisemotionart

We have sponsorship/advertisement opportunities! Sponsor an episode and be SEEN by our growing community of open-minded, curious listening partners.

Start here: www.averycookgroup.com

In this deeply moving and expansive conversation, Michael Avery sits down with Christopher Hupp, an intuitive massage therapist, Reiki Master, and Meridian Massage practitioner whose work bridges ancient wisdom, energy medicine, and heartfelt spiritual guidance.

Christopher shares his extraordinary journey from a debilitating back injury and open-heart surgery, to studying directly under an 83-year-old master healer, to embarking on multiple Native American vision quests that forever changed how he perceives reality. Together, they explore the parable of the blind men and the elephant, the importance of moving from head to heart, forgiving ourselves and others, and remembering that love is the primordial soup we all swim in.

This episode is a masterclass in perspective-shifting, intuitive healing, and living as a conscious expression of emotion and spirit.

Guest Bio: Christopher is the owner of Wise Hands Massage in Oregon. He combines therapeutic massage, Meridian Massage (a technique he learned directly from his mentor), Reiki, and direct guidance from spirit to help clients release pain, trauma, and energetic blocks so they can remember who they truly are.

Connect with Christopher: Phone/Text: (503) 910-6110 Facebook: Wise Hands Massage

Thank You Sponsors!

The Fundamental Sense Massage Studio

Conundrum House Experiences

Journey Empowered

- Sponsor an episode today and be SEEN @ www.averycookgroup.com

Original music by Buddy Anderson!

Check out his portfolio website: aaronbuddyanderson.com

Here’s my contact… I'd love to hear what you think!

Email: averycookgroup@gmail.com

Socials: @thisisemotionart

In this special collab, Weird Fruits (Marebear & Stevie) joins Michael for a playful, profound dive into Joan Osborne's "One of Us"... sparking reflections on seeing God in the everyday, somatic receiving of compliments, mortal-immortal balance, belonging as Earth's "fruit," and sacred fruit rituals (red kiwi fireworks, pomelo sunrises). From energy exchanges to archetypes, we explore curiosity, presence, and what it means to feel seen. A joyful, curiosity-fueled mashup of podcasts, perfect for weird fruits and seekers questioning the divine in the details.

References:

• Joan Osborne's "One of Us" (song discussed as God's voice)
• Somatic practices: Receiving compliments (pause and feel), sacred meals (taste/give thanks for life forms), rose petal visualization (blessings for challenges)
• Fruits: Red kiwi (firework energy, crunchy seeds), Pomelo (soft sunrise, ancestral grapefruit)

Sponsors:

• The Fundamental Sense (2 & 3 hour intuitive massage)
• Living Balance Wellness (empower your health journey)
• Conundrum House Experiences (unique game and roleplaying experiences curated for you)
• Discover Oregon Real Estate (where you can find YOUR place)

Original music by Buddy Anderson!

Check out his portfolio website: aaronbuddyanderson.com

Here’s my contact… I'd love to hear what you think!

Email: averycookgroup@gmail.com

Socials: @thisisemotionart

We have sponsorship/advertisement now!

Sponsor an episode and be SEEN @ www.averycookgroup.com

In this unfiltered sit-down, John Patrick Rist unpacks his life's raw edges: childhood shadows of fear, family fractures, spiritual quests through drugs and Eastern paths, and a seismic surrender to Jesus at 19. We wander through terror, identity wounds, and the pursuit of unshakeable truth, touching on unwanted same-sex attraction, demonic dread, and the quiet war between light and lies. No polished answers here, just the truth of what one human sees when he opens his eyes.

• Evangelism Explosion International (eeinternational.org)
• Yogananda's Self-Realization Fellowship (yogananda.org)
• Phil Keaggy & Keith Green… music that sticks in my soul

Original music by Buddy Anderson!

Check out his portfolio website: aaronbuddyanderson.com

A special thank you to our buddy Spencer Thomas with Kreator Kulture for our first ever intro reel! Check him out at https://kreatorkulture.com/ and follow him on socials @Kreatorkulture

What did you think of the episode? I’d love to hear... your feedback fuels our conversations!

• Follow on Socials: @thisisemotionart for updates & community chats.
• Email Me: averycookgroup@gmail.com – Share stories or guest ideas!
• Partner with Us: Sponsor an episode to support our mission of creating connections through emotional/artistic exploration. Reach a lot of curious minds... details, rates, and sponsorship options: www.averycookgroup.com
• Subscribe, rate, and review this is emotionart on YouTube/Spotify/Apple to help us spread the word!

In this episode, Michael sits down with Sarah Matson, a spiritual guide, retreat leader, and advocate for personal transformation. From childhood visions of angels to overcoming profound grief and family challenges, Sarah shares her journey of rediscovering love as the ultimate emotion, shedding fear, and creating life-changing retreats worldwide. They dive deep into relational spirituality, the epidemic of fatherlessness, long-term marriage dynamics, and how neuro-linguistic programming unlocks subconscious healing. If you've ever felt trapped by past trauma or curious about blending faith, mysticism, and self-love, this raw, inspiring dialogue will ignite your own awakening. True connection starts with embracing your inner daughter of the divine.

Reading Material

• Gnostic Gospels: Sarah discusses diving into these ancient Christian texts as part of her exploration of Christian mysticism.
• Alan Watts' Works: Referenced in the context of embracing the "messy, broken, tattered, squishy human."

Social & Web links

• Sarah Matson's Socials:
• @sarahmatsoncommunity – Follow for updates on retreats, spiritual insights, and community events.
• @sarahmatsonbellydance - Follow Sarah’s art and join a class, in person or remote!
• Website: journeyempowered.co – Explore her retreats, coaching services, and resources on healing and empowerment.

Referenced Podcast

The Worldwide Fatherlessness Epidemic & call to action (thisisemotionart x The Curiosity Collective): https://youtu.be/AqtwtmjS3Io

Check out our sponsors!

• Discover: Oregon Real Estate: discoveroregon.realestate; Find YOUR Place.
• Journey Empowered: journeyempowered.co; offering healing retreats and coaching in the world’s most beautiful settings.
• The Fundamental Sense: thefundamentalsense.com; specializing in 2 and 3 hour intuitive massages.

Music by Buddy Anderson!

Check out his portfolio website: aaronbuddyanderson.com

What did you think of the episode? I’d love to hear... your feedback fuels our conversations!

• Follow on Socials: @thisisemotionart for updates & community chats.
• Email Me: averycookgroup@gmail.com – Share stories or guest ideas!
• Partner with Us: Sponsor an episode to support our mission of creating connections through emotional/artistic exploration. Reach a lot of curious minds... details, rates, and sponsorship options: www.averycookgroup.com
• Subscribe, rate, and review this is emotionart on YouTube/Spotify/Apple to help us spread the word!

This is a conversation with an ancient brother who we met through our dear friend Merka, daughter of Coyote. This is a pleasure stroll without a destination, just one unique window into our #joyfuluniverse.

Always be a little kinder than necessary. -J.M. Barrie

Books:

Message Down Under - Marla Morgan,

Mind in the Waters - Joan McIntyre

Podcast:

The Nature Of podcast: Willow Defebaugh’s interview with Robert Macfarlane on Embracing Flow and Letting Rivers Heal Us (Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VsaWyfEBPM)

Newsletter:

Marginalien - unselfing one’s self and what is love all about?

Music and Audio by the one and only... Buddy Anderson!

-Gigging music artist -Concert sound guy -Audio engineer and music production teacher at LBCC.

Check out his portfolio website: aaronbuddyanderson.com

Spotify @fromanothamista

What did you think of the episode? I’d love to hear... your feedback fuels our conversations!

• Follow on Socials: @thisisemotionart for updates & community chats.
• Email Me: averycookgroup@gmail.com – Share stories or guest ideas!
• Partner with Us: Sponsor an episode to support our mission of creating connections through emotional/artistic exploration. Reach a lot of curious minds... details, rates, and sponsorship options: www.averycookgroup.com
• Subscribe, rate, and review this is emotionart on YouTube/Spotify/Apple to help us spread the word!

This episode is a collaboration with and introduction to The Curiosity Collective.

This is a conversation between my friends, Tim Rist and John Rist, son and father. They explore the profound impact of fatherlessness on individuals and society, and the journey towards finding connection and faith.

takeaways

• Fatherlessness is a significant issue affecting many individuals today.
• Personal stories of fatherhood can provide insight and healing.
• Vulnerability is essential for connection and healing.
• Faith plays a crucial role in overcoming feelings of isolation.
• The journey through pain can lead to profound encounters with God.
• Spiritual adoption can fill the void left by fatherlessness.
• Community support is vital for those dealing with fatherlessness.
• Addressing the symptoms of fatherlessness requires awareness and action.
• Healing is a lifelong process that involves trust and openness.
• Everyone has the potential to be a loving figure for others.

Reach out with questions and we'll talk!

Tim's email: tim.rist@dore.llc

Michael's email: averymedic@gmail.com

What did you think of the episode? I’d love to hear... your feedback fuels our conversations!

• Follow on Socials: @thisisemotionart for updates & community chats.
• Email Me: averycookgroup@gmail.com – Share stories or guest ideas!
• Partner with Us: Sponsor an episode to support our mission of creating connections through emotional/artistic exploration. Reach a lot of curious minds... details, rates, and sponsorship options: www.averycookgroup.com
• Subscribe, rate, and review this is emotionart on YouTube/Spotify/Apple to help us spread the word!

A conversation with our new friend and wizard of the elven realm: TIM

Get ready for a super fresh perspective from a deep thinker, with Jesus as a central pillar.

Tim is committed to building a new kind of community network in his mission to heal the world.

This conversation delves into the themes of emotion, spirituality, and personal growth. Explore Tim's journey through art, faith, and identity... experiences that shaped his understanding of love and community. We discuss the impact of family dynamics, the challenges of adolescence, and the transformative power of plant medicine in reconnecting with spirituality and faith. This conversation emphasizes the importance of connection, service, and the ongoing journey of faith, with a call to the action of embracing love and truth in a complicated world.

Takeaways

• Emotion is a fundamental part of art and expression.
• Personal experiences shape our understanding of spirituality.
• Identity is multifaceted and influenced by relationships.
• Faith can evolve through any life experience.
• Struggles in adolescence can lead to deeper self-awareness.
• Community plays a crucial role in personal growth.
• Family dynamics significantly impact our life paths.
• Entrepreneurship in the a journey of self-discovery.
• Plant medicine as a tool to facilitate faith and spiritual awakening.
• Reconnecting with faith can lead to profound insights.

Tim also leads real estate teams, coaches business leaders and empowers dynamic individuals.

Check out his portfolio of homes at:

Discover: Oregon Real Estate (DORE): https://dore.llc

I'm curious to hear what YOU think of how Tim sees the truth of existence...

Could it be so simple? (My contact is right down there!)

Music and Audio by the one and only... Buddy Anderson!

-Gigging music artist -Concert sound guy -Audio engineer and music production teacher at LBCC.

Check out his portfolio website: aaronbuddyanderson.com

Spotify @fromanothamista

What did you think of the episode? I’d love to hear... your feedback fuels our conversations!

• Follow on Socials: @thisisemotionart for updates & community chats.
• Email Me: averycookgroup@gmail.com – Share stories or guest ideas!
• Partner with Us: Sponsor an episode to support our mission of creating connections through emotional/artistic exploration. Reach a lot of curious minds... details, rates, and sponsorship options: www.averycookgroup.com
• Subscribe, rate, and review this is emotionart on YouTube/Spotify/Apple to help us spread the word!