Welcome to another episode with host Shawn McGuire Meeks and Conjuring the Human Spirit. Shawn explores how algorithms and a 24-hour news cycle exploit empathy, raise cortisol, and keep people locked in outrage and “us vs. them” thinking for profit, referencing The Social Dilemma.

He offers “permission” to tune out without shame and argues that reclaiming local life and your time with partners, animals, friends, family, and community - is a spiritual act. Shawn shares a dinner story where phones, conflicting news details, and a heated conversation led him to make an insensitive remark and go on an apology tour.

He encourages a digital fast, one local act of presence, and an uninterrupted hour with loved ones, closing with Ho’oponopono and inviting listeners to the “Magic of Listening” workshop March 20–22 at the farm.

You are invited to share your thoughts and experiences. TAP or CLICK HERE to leave a message.

Thank you for listening!

Please explore our AVENUES FOR CONNECTION:

WATCH Conjuring the Human Spirit on YOUTUBE

TAP HERE to Meet Shawn

WELCOME to The Farm Retreat Center in South Georgia

Learn more about Upcoming Events & Experiences at The Farm

Proudly produced by Dee Daniels Media Podcast Network

FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Welcome to the Show

00:36 Digital Overload and Permission

01:49 How Algorithms Exploit Us

05:32 Personal Device Boundaries

06:32 Dinner Table Blowup Story

10:51 Repair and Reflection

13:18 Act Local Like Grandma Norma

14:58 Micro Challenges to Recalibrate

16:24 Hooponopono Closing Practice

16:50 Workshop Invite and Farewell

Shawn McGuire Meeks and his dad, Jack Meeks continue their conversation, connecting a mother’s influence to the love Jack has for his gay son and now for trans grandson Max (who transitioned from Mia).

They revisit how Jack reconnected with extended family through a cousin relationship and how that eventually led to knowing Max from infancy, though only periodically. Jack shares how he first learned about Max’s transition from Max’s uncle and later through Max’s older sister and reflects on his instinct to approach the situation with a lesson he learned long ago: “listen, listen, love, love.”

The conversation explores the family rejection Max faced, his deep emotions before attending the “Magic of Listening” weekend, and how being around grounded, loving adults shifted him. Jack describes stepping up as a supportive male relative, attending Max’s graduation, and feeling honored to mentor him.

A key moment is Max asking to call Jack “Gramps,” deepening their relationship, followed by a Christmas Eve surprise visit from Max and his family.

Shawn and Jack discuss how love and acceptance can heal generational trauma, how sincerity and authenticity matter, and how rigid religious beliefs can become exclusionary. The episode closes with reflections and a call to stop the ripple of rejection and start a ripple of grace, and a listener challenge to consider who they have chosen as family and where mentorship and belonging can be claimed.

You are invited to share your thoughts and experiences. TAP or CLICK HERE to leave a message.

Thank you for listening!

Please explore our AVENUES FOR CONNECTION:

WATCH Conjuring the Human Spirit on YOUTUBE

TAP HERE to Meet Shawn

WELCOME to The Farm Retreat Center in South Georgia

Learn more about Upcoming Events & Experiences at The Farm

Proudly produced by Dee Daniels Media Podcast Network

FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Welcome Back: Ripples of Love & Today’s Topic—A Trans Grandson

00:42 Recap of Prior Episodes + Introducing “Magic Max”

01:23 Family Ties Explained: Cousins, Live Oak, and Reconnecting After Years

03:21 Mia as a Child: How Often They Saw Each Other

04:21 Hearing About the Transition: The Call, the News, and Initial Reactions

06:31 “Listen, Love, Love”: A Prison Ministry Lesson Applied to Family Acceptance

08:25 Stepping Up as Family: The Hotel Blanche Conversation with Max & Holly

10:00 From “Mad Max” to “Magic of Listening”: Finding Grounded, Loving Adults

12:39 Chosen Family Moment: Max Asks to Call Jack “Grandfather”

13:33 How Being Trans Changed the Family Dynamic—and Opened a New Window

15:16 Watching Their Bond Heal Old Wounds (and a Little Jealousy)

16:10 “Call Me Gramps”: How the Grandfather Name Happened

17:46 Christmas Surprise & Meeting Max’s Family

19:58 The Ripple Effect: From Anger to Purpose Through Listening

21:53 Scars, Laughter, and the “Triangle of Love”

24:30 Authenticity vs. Performance: The Nixon “Be Sincere” Story

25:39 Redefining Family & Faith: Love Over Rigid Religion

28:07 You Are Not Alone: Prison Ministry Story & Final Micro‑Challenge

This episode of 'Conjuring the Human Spirit' features a heartfelt conversation between Shawn McGuire Meeks and his chosen-Dad, Jack Meeks. They explore their unique, intentional father-son relationship rooted in love and faith that transcends traditional boundaries.

The discussion covers Jack's upbringing in a small Florida town, his journey through personal loss and faith, and the transformative impact of embracing Shawn, a gay man, as his son. They also touch upon the influence of a maternal love that echoes across generations, and how this rippling love has recently welcomed a trans grandson into their family.

The episode highlights themes of acceptance, healing, and the expansive power of the human spirit to choose love over prejudice.

You are invited to share your thoughts and experiences. TAP or CLICK HERE to leave a message.

Thank you for listening!

Please explore our AVENUES FOR CONNECTION:

WATCH Conjuring the Human Spirit on YOUTUBE

TAP HERE to Meet Shawn

WELCOME to The Farm Retreat Center in South Georgia

Learn more about Upcoming Events & Experiences at The Farm

Proudly produced by Dee Daniels Media Podcast Network

FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Introduction: A Journey of Love and Family

01:10 Meeting Jack Meeks: A Father's Love

01:54 Jack's Upbringing and Early Life

04:14 Faith and Integration in a Small Town

06:02 Reflections on Family and Faith

09:03 The Bond Between Shawn and Jack

10:19 Navigating Rejection and Acceptance

12:50 Finding Faith and Love Again

15:42 The Beginning of a New Family

19:11 The Power of Unconditional Love

26:42 A New Chapter: Shawn McGuire Meeks

33:28 Conclusion: The Ripple of Love Continues