
Hosted by Josh Patrick · EN

In this episode, I sit down with Anna Melikian, who’s faced multiple cancer diagnoses, to explore what resilience actually looks like when life gets very real.Anna shares the shock of her diagnosis, how she moved from denial into action, and why having a plan gave her something to hold onto. We also talk about the reality of treatment—the parts doctors don’t fully prepare you for—and how staying connected to her work helped her maintain a sense of normalcy.We explored:Why resilience isn’t something you force—it’s something you grow intoThe importance of support and being open instead of going it aloneHow to take things one step at a time when the future feels overwhelmingThis is an honest conversation about uncertainty, mortality, and what it means to keep going when you don’t know how things will turn out.We’re all just trying to figure this out together.

Who’s Driving Your Bus? Navigating the Internal Family SystemHave you ever felt like there’s a literal argument going on inside your head? One part of you is ready to conquer the world, while another is whispering that you’re a fraud, and a third just wants to hide under the covers with a bag of Hershey’s kisses.I’ve been there. In fact, I’m 73, and I’m still figuring out who’s actually behind the wheel. In this episode of The Long Strange Trip, I sit down with Tammy Sollenberger, a gifted Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapist, to talk about why we do the "stupid" things we do—and how to stop vilifying ourselves for it. We dive deep into the "multiplicity of the mind" and why "No Bad Parts" isn't just a catchy book title, but a way to find actual internal peace.We explore:The Internal Family: Why your mind is less like a single person and more like a crowded dinner party (and yes, sometimes it’s rowdy).Managers vs. Firefighters: How our protective parts try to keep us "likable" or "numb" to avoid the pain of our inner exiles.The "C" Qualities: How to access your Authentic Self—that core of calm, curiosity, and compassion that’s often buried under the noise.The Skiing Dilemma: A personal look at my own struggle with aging and the conflicting voices that crop up when life forces a transition.If you’ve ever felt "stuck," "ineffective," or just plain curious about why your brain works the way it does, this conversation is for you. We aren't just talking psychology; we're talking about how to become a more integrated, self-led human

In this episode, we’re asking a question that most of us spend our lives trying to outrun: What does it actually mean to have a "good death"? It’s a heavy topic, and I’ll be the first to admit that exploring this territory can feel very disconcerting. Today, I’m sitting down with Rose Zeeland, who looks at the end of life through a unique, dual lens as both a Certified Financial Planner and a Death Doula. We aren't just talking about the clinical or the legal "stuff" here. We’re digging into the emotional and logistical challenges that start to feel much more real for those of us in our 40s and 50s. I’ve often found myself thinking about the "way less life going forward" part of the journey, and Rose offers a perspective that’s grounded in both professional expertise and deep human care. In this episode, we explore:The Transition: Why Rose believes midlife is the critical time to start these honest investigations. The Family Table: How to have those necessary discussions with the people you love without it feeling morbid. Logistics vs. Legacy: Navigating the complex financial wealth management side while holding space for the emotional weight of loss. Being the Support: What it looks like to walk alongside a client or loved one through their final transition. I’ll be honest—I teach this kind of stuff, and I still find it difficult to apply to my own life sometimes. Rose is a fellow traveler who provides more than just a checklist; she provides a way to navigate the uncertainty with a bit more grace. Whether you're a business owner in transition or just someone trying to figure out how to support a parent, I think you’ll find this conversation as helpful as I did. How are you handling the "un-talkable" conversations in your own life?

In this episode of The Long Strange Trip, Josh sits down with long-time friend and transition expert Susan Bradley, founder of the Sudden Money Institute. Together, they explore why we’re so afraid of the "in-between" and how we can learn to embrace it as a vital part of our personal evolution.In this conversation, we dive into:The Threshold: Why liminal space is universal but rarely understood or celebrated in Western culture.Pilots and Navigators: A new way to look at professional help—where you fly the plane, and your advisor helps you read the map.Throwing Out Anchors: Practical tools like the "quadrant exercise" and "anchoring" to help you stabilize when the weather gets rough.The Power of the Question: Why "What do you want to protect?" might be the most important thing you ask yourself today.Whether you’re selling a business, navigating a loss, or just feeling a bit "stuck" in the transition, this episode offers a warm, reflective look at how to find your way when the path forward isn't clear.

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?🌐 Learn more: thelongstrangetrip.com 💬 Share your thoughts. I’d love to hear your perspective 📩 jpatrick@stage2solution.com

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.