No Guest, no problem: Dodging rubbish cancellation attempts
In this episode of "Laughing Through the Pain: Navigating Wellness," hosts Andrew Esam and Dr. Richard L. Blake take listeners on a deep dive into the often unpredictable world of breathwork and life coaching. When a guest canceled last minute, Andrew and Richard turned the setback into an opportunity for an insightful "duo soad."
The conversation reveals the often harsh realities and financial risks associated with these professions, emphasizing the necessity of having a backup plan and being aware of the competitive nature of the field.
The episode begins with a discussion about the challenges and realities of pursuing a career in breathwork and life coaching. Richard shares his recent experience in a breathwork masterclass where he spoke about the less glamorous side of these careers. He reveals that only a small percentage of practitioners can make a full-time living from breathwork, likening it to the precarious career path of actors. This candid discussion leads to some backlash, particularly from one irritated participant who reacted negatively to his frankness. The hosts explore the necessity of having a backup plan and being realistic about the financial risks involved in these fields.
Navigating misunderstandings and controversies is a key theme in this episode. Richard recounts a challenging experience he had while discussing his PhD research on conscious connected breathing (CCB) and its limited adoption in the NHS. A heated exchange with a critic who misinterpreted his comments underscores the importance of accurately representing one's statements. The conversation delves into the challenges of promoting breathwork within the NHS and reflects on the personal impact of such criticisms. The hosts also touch on the nature of PhD defenses and the support Richard has in his efforts to advance his field.
The episode then addresses the debate surrounding CCB and its classification as a form of hyperventilation. The hosts explore the distinctions between voluntary, controlled hyperventilation and involuntary, panic-inducing hyperventilation. They discuss the physiological effects of CCB, including the Bohr effect and changes in cerebral hemodynamics, which can lead to emotional processing and reduced anxiety. Highlighting a study, they share significant findings that CCB significantly reduces anxiety with a large effect size, though daily self-practice showed no additional benefit. They consider the potential reasons for this, such as the need for longer sessions or live facilitation, and ponder the future directions for breathwork facilitation and research.
Replicability in scientific studies is another important topic discussed. The hosts highlight the ease of bias and manipulation in research and explore the necessity of pre-registering studies to ensure transparency and integrity. They compare the limitations and benefits of CCB to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for anxiety treatment, noting that while CBT has a modest effect size and high relapse rates, CCB shows promise in achieving more significant, lasting results in fewer sessions and at a lower cost. The conversation underscores the potential of CCB as a more effective and accessible alternative for anxiety relief, despite the need for further longitudinal studies to fully understand its long-term efficacy.
The episode also explores the limitations of traditional medicine and therapy, particularly for men, and highlights the potential benefits of alternative methods such as breathwork and psychedelics. The hosts discuss the frustrations some people face with conventional talk therapy and antidepressants, noting that men, in particular, might find non-verbal therapeutic methods more effective due to societal norms and biological responses. They examine the potential role of psychedelics in therapy, specifically MDMA, and the recent controversies surrounding its approval. The appeal and effectiveness of breathwork as a legal and potent alternative to psychedelics is also highlighted.
A discussion on water quality and health concerns adds another layer to the episode. The hosts compare the water quality between Fiji and Cleveland, highlighting a controversy where Cleveland's municipal water was found to be cleaner than the more expensive Fiji water. They discuss the hierarchy of water quality, the importance of local spring water, and the drawbacks of plastic bottles. Contaminants found in municipal water systems, such as heavy metals and hormones, are also explored, along with the limitations of water quality tests that don't account for potential pipe contamination.
Richard's personal journey with experimental stem cell treatments for chronic pain is another fascinating topic covered in this episode. He shares his experience at CPI Stem Cells, a clinic in Tijuana, Mexico, detailing the various treatments offered, such as stem cell injections, NAD infusions, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and PEMF.
3.23 - Link to Scott Galloway
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dylx_-MM9To
4.38 - Link to Jay Shetty
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/ng-interactive/2024/feb/29/jay-shetty-self-help-empire
4.40 - Link to Alan Dolan
https://www.breathguru.com/
6.17 - Taylor's Book on Shadow Culture
Taylor, E. (1999). Shadow culture: Psychology and spirituality’ in America. Counterpoint.
19.38 - Link to explanation to ‘replication crisis’
https://www.news-medical.net/life-sciences/What-is-the-Replication-Crisis.aspx
26.12 - Link to statistic to show shortage of 8,000 psychotherapists/psychiatrists in the US
Understanding the U.S. Behavioral Health Workforce Shortage. (2023, May 18). https://doi.org/10.26099/5km6-8193
30.20 - Link to Laughing Through The Pain Ryan Parke episode
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2289623
32.53 - Link to Laughing Through The Pain Joseph Anew episode (as above)
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2289623/14802414-beyond-the-biohack-discover-who-should-not-do-psychedelics
33.33 - Link to research stumbling block for MDMA use in therapy
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240620-fda-advisors-voted-against-mdma-therapy-researchers-are-still-fighting-for-it
35.15 - Link to Fiji Water and Cleveland Water
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/20/AR2006072000322.html
37.11 - Link to Laughing Through The Pain - Dorian Soanes
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2289623/14647825-debunking-nutrition-bs-from-salt-is-bad-to-veganism-and-detox-programs
40.34 - Link to CPI Stem Cells, T
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