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Against The Grain

Against The Grain

Written by: Gary King
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About this listen

"Against the Grain" isn't just another podcast – it's a gateway to a realm of diverse perspectives, unconventional wisdom, and deep exploration. From global events to the enigma of crop circles, from ancient megalithic monuments to the mysteries of the paranormal, we invite you to embark on a journey where curiosity knows no bounds. With a philosophical lens, we navigate through these subjects, shedding light on their nuances and offering a deeper understanding of the world around us. Join us as we challenge the status quo and delve into the unknown.

© 2025 Against The Grain
Philosophy Social Sciences
Episodes
  • The Bridge Between Mind and Breath: A Conversation with Dr. Iya Whiteley: How breath connects thought, feeling, and the deeper intelligence within.
    Oct 12 2025

    What happens when the mind meets the breath, when science meets intuition, and when philosophy steps into the body?

    In this powerful episode of Against the Grain, Gary King is joined by Dr. Iya Whiteley — a renowned space psychologist, human performance expert, and advocate for conscious evolution — to explore the profound relationship between breath, movement, and the hidden depths of the human psyche.

    Together, they dive into questions that strike at the core of human experience:

    • How does breath shape perception and emotion?
    • Can curiosity truly act as an antidote to depression?
    • What happens when we learn to listen to the intelligence of the body rather than the noise of the mind?
    • And how can ancient wisdom and modern science converge to guide us through times of chaos and change?


    This conversation unfolds like a journey — from the dojo to the therapist’s chair, from the space lab to the inner self. Gary and Iya explore how martial arts can be a mirror for personal transformation, teaching discipline, humility, and the art of conscious movement. They discuss how embracing contradiction can spark creative problem-solving, and how intuitive awareness often precedes intellectual understanding.

    At the heart of their dialogue lies a simple but radical idea: that breath is a bridge — between body and mind, self and other, science and spirit. Through stories, reflections, and practical insight, Dr. Whiteley reveals how breathwork can open doorways to flow states, expanded perception, and even healing at the deepest psychological level.

    But this isn’t just about self-optimization. It’s about connection.

    They delve into the power of narrative in healing, the importance of safe spaces in therapy and personal growth, and how sharing our stories can awaken the hidden intelligence of the psyche. From parenting and intuition to the invisible forces that guide human evolution, the discussion illuminates the threads that connect us all — across disciplines, generations, and ways of knowing.

    This episode will challenge your assumptions, stretch your imagination, and invite you to reconsider what it means to be truly alive, aware, and curious in a world that often rewards distraction.

    Ultimately, the conversation returns to a timeless truth:

    that love — in its broadest, most mysterious sense — remains at the heart of human experience. To live with curiosity, compassion, and presence is to remember that we are all part of a larger story — one still being written with every conscious breath.

    If you’ve ever wondered how intuition, science, and spirituality might speak to one another… this episode is your invitation to listen.

    🎧 Against the Grain is a podcast for those who dare to think differently, question deeply, and explore the unseen dimensions of life.

    LINKS:
    https://againstthegrain.site/
    https://www.instagram.com/againstthegrain2024/
    https://rumble.com/c/c-5952207
    https://twitter.com/the_against777
    ttps://www.patreon.com/user?u=123451290


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    2 hrs and 23 mins
  • Episode 36 – Jeff Kripal: Let the Impossible Speak.
    Jun 4 2025

    Episode 36 – Jeff Kripal: Let the Impossible Speak
    🎙️ Against the Grain Podcast with Gary King

    In this deeply resonant episode, Gary King sits down with philosopher and religious studies scholar Dr. Jeffrey Kripal to explore one of the most urgent and overlooked frontiers of our time: the relationship between altered states, personal meaning, and the mystery at the heart of human experience.

    Together, they unpack why validating subjective experiences—dreams, synchronicities, mystical moments, even crop circles—is essential in a world dominated by materialist thinking. They discuss how traditions, especially in martial arts and writing, are often born from inspired states, and how creativity itself may flow from something beyond us.

    The conversation dives into:
    • The cultural denial of the paranormal
    • How altered states shape great ideas
    • Personal trauma as a doorway to transformation
    • Crop circles, sacred geometry, and synchronicity
    • Why the weird might be more real than the rational
    • The call for a new narrative that unites science and spirit

    This episode isn’t about easy answers—it’s about learning to think impossibly, embracing mystery, and rediscovering awe in the everyday.

    🌀 Whether you’re a skeptic, a seeker, or somewhere in between, this is a conversation that will stretch your worldview.

    📚 Featuring insights from Jeff’s books: The Superhumanities, Authors of the Impossible, and How to Think Impossibly.

    💬 Share your thoughts in the comments—have you ever experienced something you couldn’t explain?

    #JeffreyKripal #AgainstTheGrainPodcast #AuthorsOfTheImpossible #SacredGeometry #ParanormalPhilosophy #AlteredStates #ConsciousnessStudies #Superhumanities #CropCircles #ThinkImpossibly

    Credits:
    Music: Shattered Trust by ArcticFoxMusic
    Link to Video: • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZwcnKbRBpo

    Takeaways

    Morning thoughts can lead to creative insights.
    Different people have different cycles for productivity.
    Tradition can help in understanding flow and creativity.
    Altered states of consciousness are key to big ideas.
    Martial arts can be seen as a form of art and philosophy.
    Subjective experiences should be validated and explored.
    Young people today often feel a lack of meaning.
    Materialism contributes to feelings of depression and meaninglessness.
    The intersection of science and the paranormal is a rich area for exploration.
    Personal narratives shape our understanding of reality.

    =====================================================================

    Email me at gary@againstthegrain.site

    Check out my website: https://againstthegrain.site/

    Against the grain instagram: https://www.instagram.com/againstthegrain2024/

    Support the channel on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AgainstTheGrain777

    Against the grain on X: https://x.com/the_against777

    Against the grain on Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-5952207

    Buy me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/againstthegrain

    Make a donation to support the Against The Grain Channel. https://paypal.me/againstthegrain777?

    LINKS:
    https://againstthegrain.site/
    https://www.instagram.com/againstthegrain2024/
    https://rumble.com/c/c-5952207
    https://twitter.com/the_against777
    ttps://www.patreon.com/user?u=123451290


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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • Ep 35: Doctor Changes Everything After Son’s Autism Diagnosis
    May 30 2025

    In this episode of Against the Grain, I sit down with Dr. Christian Bogner, a physician whose professional journey took a radical turn after his son was diagnosed with autism. What began as a deeply personal search for answers became a mission to uncover the root causes of neurological and chronic conditions—leading him into the world of functional medicine, genetics, and the microbiome.

    Together, we explore the complex terrain at the intersection of autism, gut health, vaccines, and environmental toxins. Dr. Bogner opens up about his investigation into compounds like sodium thiosulfate, and how it—and other unconventional treatments—are offering new hope to families navigating autism spectrum disorders. We discuss the controversial and often misunderstood relationship between vaccination protocols and neurodevelopment, and the systemic challenges many parents face when seeking answers in a medical system that often discourages questioning.

    The conversation also turns toward the concept of neurodiversity, recognizing that children on the spectrum may possess extraordinary sensitivities and abilities that challenge conventional views of intelligence and cognition. Dr. Bogner shares his insights into how gut health, the microbiome, and neurotransmitters like serotonin and tryptamines—including DMT and bufotenin—may be intimately linked to mental health and developmental outcomes.

    We also examine the role of environmental toxins such as glyphosate and cyanide, and how diet, detoxification, and personalized treatment protocols are becoming essential tools in addressing both physical and cognitive well-being.

    This is an episode for anyone interested in the cutting edge of autism research, the healing potential of functional medicine, and the emerging science that connects mind, body, and environment in profound new ways.

    Dr Bogners website: https://www.drbognerhealth.com/about-dr-bogner/

    Dr Bogners podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1ZSjbHHFKESZpij8JAgIzH

    Intro music credit:
    Credits:
    Music: Ticking Tension by Soundridemusic
    Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCCNCJEsRes

    =====================================================================

    Email me at gary@againstthegrain.site

    Check out my website: https://againstthegrain.site/

    Against the grain instagram: https://www.instagram.com/againstthegrain2024/

    Support the channel on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AgainstTheGrain777

    Against the grain on X: https://x.com/the_against777

    Against the grain on Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-5952207

    Buy me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/againstthegrain

    Make a donation to support the Against The Grain Channel. https://paypal.me/againstthegrain777?

    LINKS:
    https://againstthegrain.site/
    https://www.instagram.com/againstthegrain2024/
    https://rumble.com/c/c-5952207
    https://twitter.com/the_against777
    ttps://www.patreon.com/user?u=123451290


    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 24 mins
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