Two colorful koi fish jumping out of a calm river under a starry night sky with the Milky Way visible. The scene is surrounded by trees and power lines, with the text 'The Reality Check Podcast' at the top and 'Awaken to Your Highest Calling' at the bottom.

REALITY CHECK

Discover your divine purpose, heal your soul, and awaken to your highest calling.

Join Zachary Phillips on a journey towards living a more examined life with talks delving into the nature of reality, the search for meaning and the pursuit of happiness.

Listen below or via: iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, & YouTube.
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164: What Is It Like To Be You?

Is it possible to see the world objectively, to understand events as another does, to truly empathise, and to step outside of ourselves?

We are blinded by our bias; our upbringings, religions, parents, education, gender, age and ethnicity.

These things will dictate what we believe, and how we interoperate new information, and thus how we perceive and act upon the world.

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162: Putting My Money Where My Mouth Is

Today I am going to share the financial side of my online work, breaking down the profit’s made against hours spent working.

I hope to show you the growing success, as well as highlight how all of what I am doing here is clearly a passion project.

My ongoing hope is to create the resources (books, blogs, podcasts, teachings) that I wish had have existed when I needed it most, and to destigmatise mental illness, trauma and the recovery process.

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160: The Diagnosis Dilemma - Is it BPD, ASD or C-PTSD?

I have long since struggled to find the right diagnosis, as well as with the concept of a diagnosis it self.

Not only can a diagnosis be prescriptive and limiting, it can also be given incorrectly. There is a massive crossover between the symptomologies, and some specialists have a tendency to over diagnose to the affirmative of their area…

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157: What Is Mindfulness Meditation - Introduction, FAQ & Beginning Your Practice

Mindfulness Meditation is the act of purposefully paying non-judgmental attention to the present moment.

To begin meditation, focus on the sensations of your breath. When you notice that you are distracted, gently return your focus back to the breath. Sounds simple enough, however, the beginning meditator quickly runs up against a plethora of questions, concerns and insights.

This talk aims to inform and empower all who wish to start a successful mindful meditation practice.

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151: Strategic Caffeination, Abstinence & Other Self Improvement Hacks

Coffee is a drug, but unlike prescription medication it’s not given any respect. This despite the fact that we consume it to alter our mental states.

I practice ‘strategic caffeination’ - specifically choosing when to use it, and abstaining at other times - just as I would with all drugs.

Coffee is a useful tool, but over use reduces its effectiveness and causes anxiety.

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146: I Over Thought It & Hurt My Own Feelings

Navigating trauma isn’t easy. Not for the person suffering, nor for the people around them.

When triggered, I am faced with an overwhelming gush of emotionality. I feel afraid. I feel like I am reliving the past trauma. This can cause me to act in a way that seems selfish - I will lash out, require comfort or alone time. I can seem angry and ungrateful - Despite this, I need the support of those close to me.

Open and honest communication is key.

In this episode, I read and dissect my poem 'I Over Thought It & Hurt My Own Feelings,’ and discuss how you can help someone who has been triggered.

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145: How Do I Explain This Feeling?

As a response to trauma, we may dissociate.

This is a defence mechanism, one that keeps us safe from the terrors of the moment. It blocks us off from reality and keeps us safe.

Unfortunately, this process can run rampant, triggering itself in times of safety and peace, leaving us confused and unable to understand what is happening or explain it to ourselves or others.

In this episode I read and dissect my poem ‘How Do I Explain This Feeling’.

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144: When Ideals & Reality Clash, Violence Occurs - On Systemic Racism, Protests & Making Real Change

Protesters are on the streets and people are rioting. Police are out in force.

Clearly something needs to change, but will it? Will the passion, anger and outrage over George Floyd's death result in real world change? Or will it die out, only to be reignited following another similar tragedy?

In this episode I explore the causes and results of racism, and dissect the impact of the medias twisting of the narrative to pander to their viewers bias.

I discuss if it is even possible for a ‘privileged’ person to truly empathise and understand systemic racism, and suggest that the changes that are needed may realistically take a long time to be implemented.

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