Podcast Summary: The Observable Unknown
Episode: Todd Bloom
Host: Dr. Juan Carlos Rey
Date: August 3, 2025
Overview
In this episode of The Observable Unknown, Dr. Juan Carlos Rey sits down with Todd Bloom, a former automotive CEO-turned-mystic and real estate mogul. Their conversation ventures across the borderlands between science and spirituality, grappling with identity, transformation, the power of silence, and the process of embracing one's authentic path. Todd reflects on his conservative Jewish upbringing, personal awakenings, coming out as gay later in life, and how transparency and the dissolution of "silos of silence" can liberate us to live more meaningful lives.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Emergence of Strangeness and Spiritual Awakening
- Background: Todd’s spiritual journey began only a few years ago, catalyzed by a medium reading (with Dr. Rey), and the passing of his mother.
- Personal Upbringing and Tradition: Raised in a conservative Jewish household, Todd embraced tradition but never felt a spiritual connection beyond ritual until his recent awakening.
- Notable Quote:
- “I felt as a lot of our friends were doing, I would go and have a reading by a medium. And it turned out that that experience… was extraordinary… That only occurred three years ago.” – Todd Bloom [02:55]
- “The fact that my mom’s… transitioning over a period of time impacted so much, and… I was receiving messages… made me think to myself, there is something in this world which is greatly different…” – Todd Bloom [04:16]
2. Living Life in Chapters
- Life as Story: Todd views his life as unfolding in unexpected, novel-like chapters, each with unique characters and plot lines.
- Courage and Openness: Success and contentment stemmed not from specific achievements, but from having the courage to embrace new journeys and self-belief at a young age.
- Adaptability: No single moment defined change; rather, ongoing acceptance of both wonderful and difficult moments continually shapes identity.
- Notable Quote:
- “Each one is like a little novel… Each one has its own wonderful cast of characters and plot lines… that’s pretty fulfilling to me.” – Todd Bloom [07:38]
3. Lessons Learned and the Power of Acceptance
- On Lessons and Regret: Wisdom, appreciation, and the power of gratitude grow with age; family and love become central, surpassing earlier ambitions.
- Authentic Transformation: Dissolutions of former identities sometimes brought excitement, other times sorrow; embracing transformation requires conscious choice.
- Notable Quote:
- “Even in the darkest moments, I try and be appreciative of every gift that I’m given… sit back and say to yourself… how wonderful life can be for yourself.” – Todd Bloom [10:47]
- “There have been moments in which I have seen myself dissolve into a different person and have said, yes, I’m happy, or I’m excited to embrace it and move forward.” – Todd Bloom [12:30]
4. Internal Compass and the Evolution of Perspective
- Youthful Confidence vs. Mature Awareness: Todd contrasts a young entrepreneur’s “delusional” fearlessness with the sober, nuanced understanding gained in later life.
- Authenticity: The search for “true inner self” becomes more valued over time.
- Notable Quote:
- “You’re delusional as a small entrepreneur driving yourself forward, and that’s what you should be. And then you evolve in a better understanding on who you are and truly what is your true inner self…” – Todd Bloom [14:20]
5. Love and Its Evolution
- Letting Love Unfold: Love isn’t discovered but unveiled; it’s an evolving emotion we allow ourselves to embrace.
- Different Kinds of Love: Love for grandchildren, spouse, and family changes and deepens over time.
- Notable Quote:
- “Love is not one dimensional... it’s not a matter of discovering, because I think it’s an evolution of emotion that you allow yourself to embrace.” – Todd Bloom [17:19]
6. Spiritual vs. Personal Truth & Divergence
- Emerging Exploration: Todd admits his spiritual journey is new and he’s open to the possibility that spiritual and personal truths may diverge, with no fear of reconciling that tension.
- No Current Conflict: His Jewish upbringing complements rather than contradicts his spiritual exploration.
- Notable Quote:
- “Probably the jury is out… I see the possibility that those two things can take different paths.” – Todd Bloom [19:20]
7. Silence, Transparency, and "Silos"
- Silence Creates Conflict: Both self-imposed and externally imposed silences (silos) create internal and interpersonal conflict.
- Liberation through Honesty: Removing silos—by living more openly—has led to liberation, especially when coming out as gay and in business transitions.
- Notable Quotes:
- “Silence in itself creates conflict… not a good defense… being authentic in terms of who you are [is better].” – Todd Bloom [23:15]
- “For many gay men… at the moment in which I recognized it and took the action [to come out] was the most liberating… but totally difficult.” – Todd Bloom [25:26]
- “Transparency in the end will serve you… an albatross only occurs at a point at which you’re no longer liberated…” – Todd Bloom [30:07]
8. Building and Breaking Silos Over a Lifetime
- Familial and Societal Silos: Traditional and practical reasons create silos, but emotional burden lessens as they are dismantled; this process is cathartic, though sometimes painful.
- Ongoing Process: Even in authenticity, new silos may build; the goal is to minimize and mindfully manage them.
- Notable Quote:
- “Depending on how much of a burden that silo has created is how much difficulty you will face to break it down. But… the more cathartic that exercise will be.” – Todd Bloom [34:55]
9. Redefining Success and Embracing Spiritual Contentment
- Shifting Priorities: Success is increasingly quantified by contentment, spiritual growth, and peace, rather than material or career attainment.
- Grief and Growth: Spiritual perspective provided comfort during loss, such as his mother’s passing.
- Notable Quote:
- “I understood that world enough that I knew that my mom was in a good place… I celebrated her in a way, and I still do.” – Todd Bloom [36:28]
10. Overthinking, Anxiety, and the Quest for Joy
- Overthinking’s Double Edge: Overthinking rarely serves well; letting go—through conscious effort—brings more peace.
- Managing Anxiety: Managing anxiety via meditation and acceptance is key; anxiety is a hurdle to fulfillment.
- Notable Quotes:
- “Let it go, don’t overthink it. Because in the overall scheme of things, it honestly is not going to matter.” – Todd Bloom [42:22]
- “Anxiety… is the one that we’re all striving to control… it prevents you from being fulfilled, it prevents you from finding joy…” – Todd Bloom [45:18]
11. Motivation Over Time and Embracing Openness
- Changing Drive: Motivation shifts from external achievement (career, money) to internal fulfillment (joy, understanding, sharing with others).
- Openness Enables Growth: Letting go of resistance and embracing openness is the root of personal evolution.
- Notable Quote:
- “When the opportunity presented itself, I was able to step away from my traditional values and to open myself up to the possibility… that this could be an exciting journey.” – Todd Bloom [40:13]
12. Generational Wisdom and Final Reflections
- Parental Influence: Todd expresses deep admiration for his parents’ resilience and partnership, drawing wisdom from their journey.
- If He Could Advise His Younger Self:
- “Enjoy the ride as much as you can, but there’s a lot more to life you’re going to learn about in the future.” – Todd Bloom [41:07]
- Parting Advice for Listeners:
- “Have the courage to experience life in the most meaningful way that you can.” – Todd Bloom [56:11]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “I have this moment in which I was receiving messages, and I wasn’t sure what they were, where they were coming from…there is something in this world which is greatly different…” – Todd Bloom [04:16]
- “Each one [chapter] has its own wonderful cast of characters and plot lines…that’s pretty fulfilling to me. And that’s in the end, what matters.” – Todd Bloom [07:38]
- “Being transparent…you’re no longer liberated or you’re no longer free from the thinking that, that, that you had…” – Todd Bloom [30:07]
- “For many, many gay men… at the moment in which I recognized it and took the action [to come out] was the most liberating… but totally difficult…” – Todd Bloom [25:26]
- “Have the courage to experience life in the most meaningful way that you can.” – Todd Bloom [56:11]
Key Timestamps
- Introduction: [00:02 – 02:23]
- Todd’s spiritual awakening: [02:55 – 06:48]
- Living in chapters/life transformations: [07:38 – 10:47]
- On authenticity and inner compass: [14:20 – 16:58]
- Love and its evolution: [17:19 – 19:20]
- Silence, transparency, and coming out: [23:15 – 27:42]
- Building/breaking silos and catharsis: [30:07 – 34:55]
- Redefining success and contentment: [36:28 – 39:18]
- Overthinking and managing anxiety: [42:22 – 46:41]
- Openness and embracing chapters: [40:13 – 56:11]
- Final advice & wrap-up: [56:11 – 56:31]
Tone & Takeaways
The conversation balances warmth, candor, and philosophical depth, welcoming listeners at all stages of spiritual and personal exploration. Todd’s reflections are deeply honest—at times humble, contemplative, and encouraging. Listeners gain a vivid sense of how one man’s journey—from tradition and conformity to self-authenticity and spiritual openness—offers a roadmap for navigating their own “observable unknowns.”
“Have the courage to experience life in the most meaningful way that you can.” – Todd Bloom [56:11]