Welcome to Observations from Life!

Observations from Life

The journey in this life is filled with wonder, humor, sadness, and everything in between. Scott talks about life - especially spiritual aspects of it, promoting kindness, self-reflection, and love.

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Recent Episodes

Sept. 30, 2024

Demons, Ghosts, and Evil Spirits: Part I - The Exorcist and the Cultu…

This is the first of three episodes covering demons, ghosts, and evil spirits. Do they exist? Can a person be possessed? How do our own fears shape our interpretation of events around us? Part I starts with The Exorcist and …

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May 17, 2024

A Kiwi in America: David Farrier's Weird and Wild Journey

David Farrier, journalist and documentary filmmaker, shares insights about his life and career, including behind the scenes events while discussing his films "Tickled" and "Mister Organ" as well as his Netflix series, "Dark Tourist." He also talks about Webworm, his …

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May 12, 2024

Once Upon A Nightmare

What happens when your fairy tale story turns into a nightmare? Rebecca Craig talks about this very thing - how she, a female pastor, survived a relationship with a narcissistic, abusive man who had perfected gaslighting, lying, and manipulation. Her …

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April 24, 2024

Satanic Panic, Trauma, and the Value of Faith Rooted in Ambiguity

Dave Canfield, a former member of Jesus People USA, shares his journey from being a holiday Catholic to joining the Christian counterculture community. He discusses the vibrant music scene, the impact of Christian rock and roll, and his involvement in …

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March 31, 2024

Beyond Fear: Healing from Religious Trauma

In this episode, I dive into fundamentalism and fear-based Christianity. This includes a revisit of the Satanic Panic of the 70s and 80s, Jack Chick, and movies like The Burning Hell and A Thief in the Night. What's it like …

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March 13, 2024

Finding Your Spiritual Community

In this episode, I interview Reverend Joanna Fontaine Crawford, lead minister for the Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Church in Cedar Park, Texas. Joanna talks about her experience growing up a UU in Texas, how she came into the ministry, and …

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Dec. 24, 2023

The Akashic Records

What are the Akashic Records and how do they work? I talk about them, another experience with Emily, and a surprising discovery about one of my past lives.

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Nov. 12, 2023

Beyond the Veil: Exploring the Spiritual Side of Emily's Journey and …

This is the second episode related to my daughter, Emily's, recent death. In it, I discuss a series of Tarot and Oracle card readings, a couple of dreams, and Emily's surprise drop in to send me a message a couple …

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Nov. 5, 2023

Lessons in Love and Loss: Reflecting on My Relationship with Emily an…

This is the first of two episodes, talking about the recent passing of my daughter, Emily, and how, in the midst of it, I learned alot about love, empathy, and compassion and just how powerful they are. It's probably a …

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June 20, 2023

Surviving and Thriving!

Hannah Smith shares her incredible journey from being trapped in an abusive cult to engaging in many self-destructive behaviors that nearly ended her life. She had a true Dark Night of the Soul experience that led to her find...

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June 14, 2023

Living in the Bonus Round

Steve is a multi-award winning composer, lyricist, pianist, and performer who believes in the healing power of music, crediting the writing of the score of his Off-Broadway hit musical The Last Session, as having saved his life. He shares his …

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June 1, 2023

Sex, Evangelicalism, and the Patriarchy

Sheila Gregoire is an author, podcaster, and researcher into evangelicalism and sex. On this episode, she shares her research and observations about how evangelical Christianity has often taken a toxic and harmful approach to sexuality in marriage, especially when it …

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Recent Blog Posts

Beyond the Veil Supplement - Tenth Reading (October 24th)

This is part of series of posts meant to as a supplement to the podcast episode entitled, "Beyond the Veil: Exploring the Spiritual Side of Emily's Journey and Passing from this Life." As you listen to the episode, you will hear me reference these r…

Beyond the Veil Supplement - Ninth Reading (October 24th)

This is part of series of posts meant to as a supplement to the podcast episode entitled, "Beyond the Veil: Exploring the Spiritual Side of Emily's Journey and Passing from this Life." As you listen to the episode, you will hear me reference these r…

Beyond the Veil Supplement - Eight Reading (October 9th)

This is part of series of posts meant to as a supplement to the podcast episode entitled, "Beyond the Veil: Exploring the Spiritual Side of Emily's Journey and Passing from this Life." As you listen to the episode, you will hear me reference these r…