Ep13 - Albert Strasser: Good F*cking Grief (and Don’t Forget the Humor)

Being human is messy, something Albert Strasser knows first-hand. As a coach who once studied to become a Tibetan monk, he was dealt a one-two punch of sorrow in recent years. First, his dad’s death, which broke him. Soon after, his brother flatlined during an iboga plant medicine journey, but was revived, only to go into a coma, and is still in an unresponsive wakeful or “vegetative” state. Albert, who now specializing in grief and depth work, brings all the wisdom he has gained from these experiences (along with a healthy sprinkling of irreverence) to clients and his workshop, “Good F*cking Grief.”

In this episode, we delve into the transformative power of grief, the healing potential and potential dangers of plant medicine, the importance of human connection, and how being "broken open" can be a gateway to deeper understanding of oneself and life. We also share our vision quest experiences, explore the role of nature in healing, and the art of turning life experiences into stories. Last but not least, we discuss the extra challenges men have in accessing their full range of emotions, and how embracing the human experience can lead to a more authentic and alive existence. This episode if chock-full of insights, humor, and truth. You don’t want to miss it.

(This plant medicine content herein is for educational and harm-reduction purposes. We do not promote or support illegal activity, the sale or use of restricted substances, or the use of associated tools or accessories. Not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional for health decisions.)

 

Albert's Links

Website | Instagram | Amazon

 

Scott's Links

Instagram | Tiktok | FaceBook | Website

 

MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)” 

 

CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro

02:51 The Vision Quest Experience

10:01 Navigating Uncertainty and Helplessness

11:15 The Role of Connection in Grief

18:20 Gifts of Grief and Sensitivity

20:06 Recovery vs. Integration in Grief

21:57 Gender Differences in Grief Processing

26:30 Cautions Around Plant Medicine

29:10 Completing the Vision Quest Journey

30:09 Embracing Discomfort and Finding Magic

32:45 The Messiness of Being Human

34:10 Lessons on Love Through Grief

40:31 Transmuting Life Experiences into Art

46:13 Understanding Depth Work

49:10 The Importance of Aliveness

51:57 Sacred Clowning and Full Expression