A lot of spiritual people are exhausted by politics—and for good reason. It can turn friends into enemies, wreck families, and pull your heart off the path.

But what if total disengagement comes with a cost?

In this episode of the 8th Element Podcast, Gargs Allard and Buzz Ryan wrestle with one of the hardest questions for people of faith: Should spiritually-minded people pay attention to what’s happening in the world… or is that a distraction?

We explore: - Why “staying out of it” can feel peaceful (and why it can also feel irresponsible) - How to talk about world events without losing your spiritual center - The difference between discernment and obsession - Why civility, boundaries, and humility matter more than being “right” - How faith can become a shelter for people who feel mentally and emotionally ungrounded

This is a conversation about discernment, spiritual responsibility, and staying anchored in God while the noise gets louder.

Note: This episode includes commentary on current events and public health topics. This is discussion—not medical advice.

Do your own research, consult qualified professionals, and keep the conversation respectful.

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At 16 years old, he was shot during a triple homicide. Two of his friends died.

He shouldn’t have survived. But in the middle of chaos… he started chanting the holy name of God.

In this episode of the 8th Element Podcast, Dava shares the night that changed everything — from selling drugs as a teenager to facing death head-on, forgiving the man who killed his friends, and discovering a faith that could never be shaken again. This conversation goes deeper than survival.

We talk about: - What happens in your mind when you think you’re about to die - Karma, accountability, and personal responsibility - Forgiveness after trauma - Why he doesn’t question whether God exists - Why society desperately needs to make loving God “cool” again.

This isn’t theory. It’s lived experience.

If you’ve ever questioned faith, struggled with bitterness, or wondered whether transformation is really possible — this episode will challenge you.

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What happens when an author leaves this world—and other people decide their words need “improving”? In this episode of the 8th Element Podcast, we sit down with Graham Schweig, PhD aka Garuda Das, a direct disciple of His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (professor of religion & philosophy; Harvard-trained scholar and author) to unpack one of the most sensitive integrity questions any spiritual community can face: posthumous editing.

Using a Bob Dylan story as a “crude example” (draft recordings released without consent), we explore why the issue isn’t just grammar—it’s authority, moral rights, transparency, and legacy.

When editors change translations and commentaries after the author is gone, are readers still receiving the original voice… or someone else’s lens?

We get into: - Why “making the author consistent” can erase paradox, texture, and intent - The difference between correcting typos vs changing meaning - Why an annotated edition is a respectful alternative to rewriting - How institutional pressure can create entitlement—and silence debate - The long-term stakes: what future generations inherit as “the real thing”

If you’ve ever wondered how truth gets preserved—or quietly rewritten—this conversation will challenge you. Subscribe for more conversations on growth, faith, leadership, identity, marriage, and self-development.