Bradley Lovell (@burntbybradley) is my friend with whom I've hiked across America on the Pacific Crest Trail, traveled to Nepal to live with a spiritual teacher, and who continues to inspire me to this day.

In this podcast, we discuss artistic pursuit, child-like play vs. mature play in daily practice, and various tools for dissolving life's challenges. We then explore the ideas of the changing and unchanging Self, using sensations and feelings as guides, and waking up to the reality of suffering. Finally, we wrap things up by getting Bradley's perspective on being written into David's books.

It was a blast of a conversation. I hope you enjoy the interaction as much as I did.

Love,

David

Love,
David

I'm extremely pleased to release this truth-telling, marathon-of-a-podcast featuring two of my closest college fraternity brothers and present-day homies, Bradley Lovell (@wake.shake.roll) and Alex Skold (@skoldblooded). This episode gets better and better as it goes along and those who stick around until the end will be greatly rewarded.

We spend the first hour of the podcast in disagreement while attempting to sync up, a somewhat frustrating display of poor communication skills on all ends until Alex had to dip. From there, Bradley and I proceed onward, analyzing what went wrong, then dive into sharing deeply personal stories about relationships, integrating the shadow, and important lessons learned over these past few years. It's a showcase of vulnerability and honesty between friends, and a fascinating self-study of the great difficulties and great rewards of communication and connection. Strap in and enjoy the ride.

Love,
David

Malcolm "Lil Bird" MacDuffie (@lilbirdtweettweet) is a hip-hop artist, meditator, and friend.

I've been a fan of Lil Bird and his music for the last year, so when he agreed to come on the podcast, I was stoked. The vibe of Malcolm's music resonates and feels to me highly melodic, lyrical, and intentional—birdsong, you could say. In our conversation, Malcolm pulls back the curtain to reveal his musical process as we discuss the importance of opening up to others, sharing your true self, the influence of meditation and isolation on his creativity, and the formation of his most recent album, Yellow Bird, which he wrote on a goat farm in a tiny, secluded Airbnb cabin. Featured on the podcast is one of my favorite songs of his, "Home/Sunshine." Stick around until the end to hear Lil Bird serenade us with an acoustic version of his hit song "Always."

It was truly inspiring to speak with an artist who so consistently puts out high quality and highly intentional music while simultaneously living a simple, balanced, and mindful life. Here's to many more years of success, brother. Lil Bird is on the come up at this very moment, so watch out for this guy and go listen to his music, yall—he's the real deal. If you didn't know, now you know. Hope you enjoy the conversation.

Love,

David

🐥Connect to Lil Bird🐥

Instagram: http://instagram.com/lilbirdtweettweet

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6P2eLfUASOvfwRDTv9BVRp?si=ZlpGQly8SUqAq_KLyHr4ig

👁Blog, Podcast & More:👁 https://www.thinkingwithdavid.com

✌️Connect with me, David✌️

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stay.in.alive

Facebook: http://facebook.com/thinkdavidsmart

🙏Special thanks to🙏

Patrons, for your financial support. http://patreon.com/thinkingwithdavid

Friends & Family, for your love and support.

🏕Purchase my thru-hiking memoir, The Trail Provides🏕

Ebook/Paperback/Audiobook (affiliate): https://amzn.to/304PqLK

🎙Sign up to Audible and claim the audiobook for free (affiliate): https://www.audible.com/pd/B07QXM9ZPT/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-149999&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_149999_rh_us

Thanks and wishing you well.

Love,

David 💛

Here's the latest episode of the podcast, featuring yours truly talking to myself.

In the midst of ego backlash, I discuss my uncertain future, taking a break from the podcast, and creating space. I do my best to point you/me in helpful directions.

Here are some of the links and resources I can provide you with to aid in your journey:

- Difficult Conversations by Douglass Stone: useful audiobook/ebook on navigating difficult conversations

- Procabulary: an effective language course by Mark England

- Actualized.org: an insightful YouTube channel by Leo Gura

- Vipassana Retreats: 10-day, donation-based meditation retreats

- Spiral Dynamics Resources: Leo Gura Intro, Liturgists Intro

Love,

David

Access Early Podcast/Blog Content:

• Subscribe to Patreon: bit.ly/twdpatreon
• Subscribe to the Blog: bit.ly/twdblogsubscribe

Connect with David:

• Blog, Stories, Podcast & More: thinkingwithdavid.com/
• Instagram: @stay.in.alive
• Read my book: The Trail Provides