In this episode of the Long Strange Trip, I sat down with Adam Hansen to explore what it really means to become wise. What started as a simple question—“How do you actually become wise?”, quickly turned into a deeper conversation about curiosity, self-awareness, and personal growth.

This isn’t a step-by-step guide. It’s an honest exploration.

We talk about:

• Why wisdom is more about asking better questions than having the right answers
• How curiosity shapes the way we grow and understand the world
• Why experience alone isn’t enough without reflection
• The trap of confusing your perspective with reality
• And why grace for yourself and others matters more than being right

We also unpack the idea of “metabolizing experience” , learning from life in real time instead of just going through it.

No conclusions. No perfect answers. Just a conversation.

If you’re interested in mindset, self-awareness, and real personal development, this episode will make you think.

So here’s the question:
How do you define wisdom?

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In this insightful interview, Susan Schramm discusses the nature of risk, change, and resilience in launching initiatives and personal growth. She shares practical strategies for managing risk, overcoming fear of failure, and building resilient teams to succeed in innovative endeavors.

In this episode of the Long Strange Trip podcast, Josh Patrick interviews Michelle Glass, an IFS practitioner and psilocybin guide. They explore the intricacies of psilocybin guided journeys, including the preparation, the journey experience, and the integration of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy. Michelle explains how the journey can facilitate healing by accessing different parts of oneself, particularly in the context of mental health issues like PTSD. The conversation also covers the training required for psilocybin guides and the diverse motivations individuals have for embarking on these journeys.

In this episode of the Long Strange Trip podcast, Josh Patrick and Mike Holbrook discuss the concept of Elder Life Planning, which focuses on helping clients navigate the complexities of late life and end-of-life decisions. They explore the importance of family conversations around death, the role of healthcare in these discussions, and the significance of having a healthcare power of attorney. The conversation also highlights the Five Wishes framework for planning end-of-life care and the necessity of empowering families to make informed decisions. Mike shares personal experiences and insights on how financial planners can play a crucial role in reducing elder abuse and ensuring that clients' wishes are honored.

In this engaging conversation, Josh Patrick and Jennifer Hough explore the concepts of resilience and flourishing, discussing how individuals can navigate life's challenges with presence and wisdom. They delve into the importance of accepting circumstances, the journey from mere survival to thriving, and the role of vulnerability and support in personal growth. The dialogue emphasizes the significance of being present and the transformative power of asking the right questions to foster resilience and create a fulfilling life.

In this episode, I’m sitting down with Jeffrey Deckman, a death doula, to poke around a topic most of us spend our entire lives avoiding. We dive into the world of death doulas and the kind of compassionate, human support they provide outside the cold machinery of the "medical industrial complex". Jeffrey shares the personal journey that led him to this work and why it’s so vital to start seeing death as a natural part of life rather than a problem to be solved. We also get into a pretty honest critique of our current medical system, the strange liminal space between living and dying, and how near-death experiences can completely flip your perception of what it means to go.

In this episode of the Long Strange Trip podcast, host Josh Patrick engages in a profound discussion with Amy Bruce and Betsy Walkerman from Patient Choices Vermont about medical aid in dying. They explore the history of Act 39, the importance of understanding end-of-life options, and the challenges faced in discussing these topics within the medical community. The conversation emphasizes the need for better training for healthcare professionals, the personal nature of end-of-life decisions, and the integration of hospice and palliative care. The episode also highlights the resources available for patients and families navigating these difficult conversations.

In this special episode of The Long Strange Trip Podcast, host Josh Patrick sits down with his son, Sam Patrick, a recently retired Special Operations veteran and campus coordinator at The Honor Foundation. Together, they explore the emotional and practical challenges of transitioning from military to civilian life from losing a sense of identity and purpose to rebuilding community and direction.

Sam shares his powerful journey after 20+ years of service, offering honest insights into the realities of retirement, mental health, and reinvention. He also explains how The Honor Foundation helps special operations members prepare for life beyond service — focusing on self-discovery, resilience, and purpose.