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Heather Sullivan's avatar

Absolutely brilliant episode—finishing my second listen today (driving the first time..:) Richard had a tremendous impact on my direction of thinking and, ultimately, my worldview. Both of you are 3rd Factor rock stars! (Emma too!)

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Chris Wells's avatar

Thank you, Heather! I’m so glad to know this episode was meaningful. It felt that way for me, too. Listening to the episode made me really miss our study group discussions. ❤️

I’m also deeply grateful for Richards’s influence, and I’m happy to have this one out in the world. 🙏

You’re welcome to join us on Positive Disintegration to talk about your own third factor journey any time!

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Michelle P. Epona Creations's avatar

I was going to say how much I missed the study group! I loved this episode so much. Thank you Richards for your wisdom🙏💙

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Kerry Mondragon's avatar

This is a great episode and I so relate to the toxic inculturation aspect…it made me think how social media supercharged it to the next level.

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Chris Wells's avatar

Thank you, Kerry! I’m glad the episode resonated. And I completely agree with your point about social media.

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Alana's avatar

I cried when I listened to this episode. My brain was exploding but in a way I could handle, and I needed. I am so incredibly lucky to have found PD, Chris and Richard's work. I also resonate with positive disintegration and its fresh take on emotion. I laughed when Chris said their mind is exploding from Richard as so was mine. Safe people for me are also everything, and starting to feel mirrored, seen and safe among you all. I feel my disintegration is definitely waking me up to everything and to dynamisms. I'm learning the always integral importance of my voice and how it being stifled has manifested throughout my life. I felt numb for so long and recently I have never felt more alive and awakened. This concept of the third factor also resonates deeply, and I look forward to reading more about it

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Chris Wells's avatar

Alana, thank you for sharing this so openly. I’m really touched by what you wrote. I felt the same resonance during this conversation with Richard, like my mind was exploding in the best way, and i love knowing that came through for you too.

What you describe about safe people, feeling mirrored, and finding your voice is so powerful. Disintegration can be painful, but it also wakes us up to ourselves and to the dynamisms within us, just as you said. I’m glad you’re feeling alive and awakened, and I’m grateful you’ve found this community where your voice is welcomed and valued. ❤️

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Eric Larson's avatar

A superb episode. It seems the ones where I simply reading the title and wonder, "Is this going to be interesting at all?" typically end up being highly engaging, stimulating, and insightful. 😹

This may be one of the first instances where I've seen a connection made between the personal and the collective vis-à-vis Positive Disintegration. We can get caught up in workings of the "little self." That's an important journey unto itself. Yet, that personal struggle is often also about finding connection with the higher self. Very interesting conversation and new fodder for some of us to explore and contemplate!

And I'm so pleased to see Seth Rogan's The Studio referenced! It's a hilariously brilliant comedy about the complex collective insanity that the entertainment industry can foster. It hits home since my former partner was (and still is) part of that world. The observation about how some who initially come to create and find expression can become consumed by elements almost opposed to those aspirations resonated. I'm laughing out loud remembering various scenes and scenarios from it as I type!

P.S. If The Studio resonates, see Robert Altman's landmark The Player. The Studio pays homage to that in subtle ways (especially via the character name Griffin Mill).

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Chris Wells's avatar

Thank you so much, Eric. I love how you picked up on the connection between the personal and the collective in this conversation. That is something I have been wanting to bring forward more directly, because as you say, our “little self” journeys matter, but they are also nested within these much larger dynamics.

Thanks also for pointing out the reference to The Studio. Your reflection about how creativity can get co-opted by forces that run counter to its spirit is exactly what we were pointing toward. It is affirming to hear how it resonates from your own perspective.

I am so grateful you are listening and engaging with these ideas. Your reflections expand the conversation in ways that make me want to keep going. ✨

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Sarah Teresa Cook's avatar

I'm still wrapping my brain around PD, but this conversation was really exciting to listen to! Right now I'm in an integration period after doing a therapeutic dose of psilocybin, and there was SO much said here that sort of plucked the strings of what this neuroplastic-y period is feeling like for me. (I wish I could say more, but it hasn't quite reached language yet!)

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Chris Wells's avatar

Thank you so much for listening and for sharing this, Sarah. I can relate to that feeling of not quite having the words yet. I’m glad the episode resonated with you in this way, and I hope the ideas from positive disintegration can be a companion in what you’re moving through right now. Wishing you gentleness with yourself as it continues to unfold.

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