Mind Shaman Meets Brain Shaman | Guest Podcast #1Mind Shaman Meets Brain Shaman | Guest Podcast #1
Brain Shaman
Michael Waite and Lincoln Stoller share an extended conversation about mental health, creativity, culture and authenticity, using their own lives as examples. The talk drifts from philosophy and brain rhythms to religion, comedy and work, while questioning how to step out of rigid boxes and into more honest ways of living.
1:34:38•7 Oct 2026
Philosophy, Brain Rhythms and Breaking Out of the Box
Episode Overview
- Creating regular free time away from work and output can let new, more authentic interests emerge.
- Changing brain rhythms through music, nature, movement or rest may shift mood and perspective without more thinking.
- Honesty in action – not just in words – can mean leaving rigid environments or roles that no longer fit.
- Productivity and money can become traps if they override joy, curiosity and creative play.
- Comfortable routines and cultural "boxes" feel safe but may block growth, so small, scary changes can be worthwhile.
“"You cannot add to a cup that is already full."”
Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey? Here, Brain Shaman host Michael Waite sits down with therapist, researcher and fellow podcaster Lincoln Stoller for a wide‑ranging chat that feels part philosophy seminar, part therapy session, and part late‑night confessional. You’ll hear Michael trace his path from studying philosophy at UC Berkeley to his "alcohol party, women chasing days" in Korea and Japan, and the family shocks of his mum’s death and his brother becoming homeless.
Those experiences fed directly into the creation of his podcast and his growing unease with trend‑driven mental health talk, as he admits he’s "getting tired of all this mental health stuff, at least in the traditional sense" and drifting back toward deeper philosophical questions. Lincoln, meanwhile, brings a clinical and shamanic flavour, talking about brain rhythms, intention, and how changing our internal "tempo" through things like nature, music, or simple walking can shift our state.
He links mental illness to being stuck in one mode and suggests that sometimes "the less talking you do, the more your client moves," a reminder that silence can be powerful in healing. The conversation swings from comedy and creativity to autism, religion (Michael grew up Mormon with nine siblings), cultural boxes in Japan, and the tension between authenticity and making money.
Both men wrestle openly with the pressure to be productive, the comfort and trap of routine jobs, and the scary idea of "jumping out of the box" to follow what truly feels alive—whether that’s painting, playing guitar, or writing and comedy. If you’re someone questioning your own path, feeling boxed in by work, culture, or old habits (including past drinking), this episode offers honest companionship more than neat answers.
What small bit of free time could you protect and let something new grow in?
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