Know Thyself

E180 - David Ghiyam: The Universal Laws of Creating Prosperity & Wholeness in Life

In this conversation, David Ghiyam shares the spiritual framework that has guided his life for over 25 years—one rooted in the idea that reality operates according to universal spiritual laws, just as it does physical ones. Drawing from Kabbalistic wisdom and lived experience, David explains how the soul’s purpose is not comfort, but transformation, and how life’s challenges are designed to reconnect us with a deeper source of fulfillment.We explore the concept of the “light of the Creator,” the idea of spiritual baggage carried across lifetimes, and why pain, relationships, and adversity act as mirrors for inner growth. David reflects on periods of profound darkness in his own life—financial collapse, loss, doubt—and how a shift from victimhood to responsibility opened the door to unexpected clarity, healing, and abundance.MUDWTR - Up to 43% off sitewide (and a free frother!)https://www.mudwtr.com/knowthyself[Code: KNOWTHYSELF]André's Book Recs: https://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com/book-list___________00:00 Intro - David Ghiyam04:57 The light of the Creator08:25 External teaching vs internal understanding12:36 Kabbalah in the life of David18:39 What is the source of consciousness?26:50 The trap of “needing” energy31:00 Ad: Mudwtr32:21 Does everything happen for a reason?39:43 The magnetic quality of being whole52:51 The role of business in our spiritual paths59:55 Protecting the seed1:09:08 How to practice trust in your intuition1:18:18 One spiritual law people violate daily1:29:26 Closing thoughts___________Episode Resources: https://www.instagram.com/davidghiyamhttps://www.davidghiyam.com/https://www.instagram.com/andreduqum/https://www.instagram.com/knowthyself/https://www.youtube.com/@knowthyselfpodcasthttps://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com

E179 - Reggie Watts: The Absurdity of Being a Human Being

In this conversation, Reggie Watts explores creativity not as a skill reserved for a few, but as the fundamental way human beings relate to reality itself. From comedy and music to improvisation, paradox, and play, Reggie reflects on how we’re constantly creating our experience of life—often without realizing it.We talk about absurdity as a doorway to truth, humor as a form of instantaneous awakening, and why laughter momentarily dissolves identity, ideology, and certainty. Reggie shares how improvisation shapes his philosophy of living, why structure exists to be transcended, and how playfulness restores a sense of freedom in a world that often feels rigid and over-defined.BON CHARGE - 15% off red light therapy products I personally usehttps://www.boncharge.com/knowthyself[Code: KNOWTHYSELF]André's Book Recs: https://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com/book-list___________00:00 Intro - Reggie Watts04:54 The absurdity of being human07:21 The insight gained through self-reflection11:34 The philosophy of improv19:06 Realizing the artist in you24:27 Ad: BON CHARGE25:44 Reggie’s form of death meditation38:14 Altered states as a reference point46:09 Not all transpersonal experiences are equal52:43 Reframing anxiety after altered states1:03:25 It’s all an illusion1:12:44 Service to self vs service to others1:19:28 Building community1:23:15 Closing thoughts___________Episode Resources:https://www.reggie-watts.com/https://www.instagram.com/reggiewattshttps://www.instagram.com/andreduqum/https://www.instagram.com/knowthyself/https://www.youtube.com/@knowthyselfpodcasthttps://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com

E178 - Jesse Michels: What UFO Sightings Reveal About Power, Technology, and the Unknown

In this conversation, Jesse Michels joins me to explore a question that’s becoming harder to dismiss: what if the phenomenon we call UFOs points to something real—and we don’t yet know what it is? Rather than arguing for belief or disbelief, this episode is an invitation to curiosity, careful inquiry, and intellectual honesty about the limits of our current understanding.We examine historical UFO encounters near nuclear sites, government secrecy, and the growing body of anomalies that don’t sit comfortably within a purely materialist worldview. This is a conversation about staying grounded while remaining open. About asking better questions. And about whether phenomena like UFOs, non-human intelligence, or something we haven’t yet named might be nudging us to expand how we think about reality, consciousness, and our place in the universe.Momentous: Best Creatine in the gamehttps://livemomentous.com[Use code KNOWTHYSELF for up to 35% off]BONCHARGE - 15% off red light therapy products I personally usehttps://www.boncharge.com/knowthyself[Code: KNOWTHYSELF]André's Book Recs: https://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com/book-list___________00:00 Intro06:36 Questioning the Nature of Reality09:18 A Timeline of Non-Human Intelligence Evidence23:37 Why Nuclear Sites Attract Attention31:55 Extraordinary Claims, Extraordinary Evidence40:29 Ad: Momentous41:51 Letting Go of Human-Centric Thinking47:49 Studying Claims Without Dismissing People58:58 Non-Human Biologics and Physical Evidence1:06:10 Ad: Boncharge1:07:25 What May Have Been Quietly Explored1:18:55 The Hidden Branch of Physics1:26:38 Reframing Aliens Through Consciousness1:33:33 Grays, Nordics, and Reptilians Explained1:40:10 Why We Don’t See Reality Directly1:53:58 Glimpses Outside Linear Time1:58:44 Why Aliens Look Strangely Human2:07:32 Shared Phenomena in Altered States2:15:32 Jesse’s Personal UFO Experiences2:23:35 The Monolith as a Metaphor2:29:07 The Problem With Visual Proof2:35:24 What Is Actually Happening?2:46:47 Voices Worth Listening To2:51:22 What Would You Ask an Alien?2:53:19 Closing Thoughts___________Episode Resources: https://www.youtube.com/Jessemichelshttps://www.instagram.com/jessemichelsofficial/https://www.instagram.com/andreduqum/https://www.instagram.com/knowthyself/https://www.youtube.com/@knowthyselfpodcasthttps://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com

E177 - Key Insights to Enter 2026 With Clarity, Focus, and Direction

This final episode of the year is a special compilation reflecting on the lessons, reminders, and moments that shaped 2025. It’s a curated journey through insights from across the year—designed to help you slow down, take stock, and step into 2026 with greater clarity, presence, and intention.This episode is less about doing more and more about listening—reflecting on the growth, challenges, relationships, and inner shifts that defined the past year. It’s an invitation to notice what wants to be released, what wants to be integrated, and what seeds you’re ready to water moving forward. Sometimes all it takes is a one-degree change in direction to alter the entire path ahead.Momentous: Best Creatine in the gamehttps://livemomentous.com[Use code KNOWTHYSELF for up to 35% off]2025/2026 Reflections and Intentions: https://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com/yearinreviewAndrés Book Recs: https://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com/book-list___________00:00:00 Intro00:01:37 Review 2025 Instead of Planning 2026 (E166 – Tim Ferriss) 00:05:27 The Most Important Practice of 2026 (E152 – Mark Manson) 00:10:11 There Is No Wealth Without Health (E128 – Mindy Pelz) 00:12:26 The Importance of a Bedtime Routine (E143 – Michael Beckwith) 00:17:59 How To Grasp The Opportunity of Life (E119 – Marianne Williamson) 00:25:16 The Power of Entrainment (E145 – Dr. Theresa Bullard) 00:31:01 Be Careful With What You Desire (E160 – Aaron Abke) 00:35:18 Explore Your Relationship With Money (E140 – Lewis Howes) 00:41:59 Ad – Momentous 00:43:14 Happiness is an Inside Job (E149 – Dr. Thema Bryant) 00:48:16 The Unique Opportunity of Our Times (E154 – Sadhguru) 00:53:25 How To Discover Your Dharma (E155 – Dr. K) 01:01:11 Living The Moment You're Meant To Live (E164 – Dr. John Demartini) 01:07:53 The Problem With Manifestation (E118 – Aaron Doughty) 01:13:29 Finding Stability in Surrender (E135 – Yung Pueblo) 01:16:23 Relaxing Into Instability (E146 – Cory Muscara) 01:20:42 Looking Back To Plan Ahead (E158 – Tom Campbell) 01:24:35 A Different Perspective of the Future (E165 – Dr. Iain McGilchrist) 01:29:04 The Unlimited Potential of Being Human (E134 – Peter Crone)___________Watch the Full EpisodesTim Ferriss: https://youtu.be/NxmUCGuapNwMark Manson: https://youtu.be/to-APJvffFQMindy Pelz: https://youtu.be/pgWnbRg5-cgMichael Beckwith: https://youtu.be/r3wrUmE1L3wMarianne Williamson: https://youtu.be/AQzKagUJGvIDr. Theresa Bullard: https://youtu.be/mrKiH4J0_5UAaron Abke: https://youtu.be/zXMKj8fNnYQLewis Howes: https://youtu.be/PTPjCtF9es4Dr. Thema Bryant: https://youtu.be/ItRCT_L2kpASadhguru: https://youtu.be/FMoXXb-wKE8Dr. K: https://youtu.be/zj40FT631P4Dr. John DeMartini: https://youtu.be/dVR01alAe8oAaron Doughty: https://youtu.be/79INohJ7KTwYung Pueblo: https://youtu.be/bwom9Y6ybcgCory Muscara: https://youtu.be/IrxFMkYUBFgTom Campbell: https://youtu.be/IoGSWLuH2JsDr. Iain McGilchrist: https://youtu.be/LZ5C11mlTH4Peter Crone: https://youtu.be/VCi93m9lloMEpisode Resources: https://www.instagram.com/andreduqum/https://www.instagram.com/knowthyself/https://www.youtube.com/@knowthyselfpodcasthttps://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com

E176 - Dr. Mindy Pelz: Why Midlife Feels So Disorienting (And What It’s Trying to Teach You)

Dr. Mindy Pelz returns to explore the deeper meaning of aging, menopause, and the profound psychological and neurological transformations women undergo as they grow older. Drawing from neuroscience, anthropology, mythology, and personal experience, Mindy reframes menopause not as a decline—but as an initiation into wisdom, sovereignty, and inner authority.We discuss the concept of the “second innocence,” the pruning and rewiring of the female brain across hormonal transitions, the grandmother hypothesis, and why modern culture fears aging women. Mindy shares how trauma, grief, solitude, and uncertainty can become gateways to resilience, neuroplasticity, and self-discovery—especially when women stop outsourcing their worth and begin listening inward.Boost your hydration with Pique Life Tea (20% off here):https://www.piquelife.com/knowthyselfAndrés Book Recs: https://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com/book-list___________00:00 Intro - Dr. Mindy Pelz03:39 The return to the second innocence08:18 What’s the purpose of menopause?16:09 Where the shift begins23:04 Supporting others without abandoning yourself31:57 Being considerate vs owning others’ emotions34:14 Ad: Pique Life35:55 The power of solitude43:26 Letting go52:48 From power over to power within56:48 The brain architecture of wisdom1:02:24 Transformation: From a caterpillar to a butterfly1:19:58 Fasting during menopause1:26:35 Knowing when and how to detox1:32:31 Healing through breathwork, EMDR, psilocybin1:45:12 Lacking a support system1:49:07 Closing thoughts___________Episode Resources: Her new book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/age-like-a-girl-why-the-brain-changes-that-happen-after-40-set-you-up-for-your-best-life-yet-dr-mindy-pelz/1d7c0fe95ab52c4f?ean=9781401975562&next=thttps://www.instagram.com/dr.mindypelzhttps://www.drmindypelz.com/https://www.instagram.com/andreduqum/https://www.instagram.com/knowthyself/https://www.youtube.com/@knowthyselfpodcasthttps://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com