Podcast Recommendation - AMP #129 Flow State, Power, Purpose and Persona with Ed Skrein

If you're ever looking for a good podcast to check out, I often point people in the direction of the Aubrey Marcus Podcast.

Aubrey Marcus, Founder & CEO of Onnit, and author of the NY Times best-selling book Own the Day, Own Your Life, is also the host of the Aubrey Marcus Podcast. In each episode, Aubrey interviews his guests and discuss health, consciousness, spirituality, psychedelics, mindset, fitness, relationships and more.

As a longtime listener of the podcast, I'd say AMP #129 - Flow State, Power, Purpose and Persona with Ed Skrein is definitely one of my favorites.

Podcast Overview

As a movie buff, I really enjoyed this podcast because it featured actor, Ed Skrein, widely-know for his roles in Deadpool, Game of Thrones (the original Daario Naharis), and the recent sci-fi / action film, Alita: Battle Angel.

I think it was interesting to get the perspective of a successful, yet humble individual like Ed Skrien's who hasn't let the title of "celebrity" change who is as a person, and I really enjoyed his take on topics like flow, intuition, and persona.

Early in the podcast, Ed talks about exploring his intuition in his personal life with something as simple as making plans for the night. He says when deciding between hanging out with close friends, or accepting an invite from someone outside his immediate circle, he chooses "what feels right" to him in the moment.

“You know what, I'm going to check this out -- Maybe I’m going to stay for like an hour and then just leave, I dunno. -- I feel like I want to be on foot, and I wanna be by myself, and I just wanna be open."

I really liked this intention-setting concept of making plans, and I've often found more satisfaction in openness and adventure, than just following what everyone else is doing.

Ed also described his method of getting into character, and a recent project where he says he entered a flow state and allowed the character to come through him, and resulted in a very powerful transcendental experience.

The things that I was thinking of that were placing me in that position were like the Eye of Sauron, and when I put that ring on, I felt good, bro. I enjoyed every moment of it. As a peaceful, Liberal, open-minded pacifist, as a lover, and a fuckin hugger... I enjoyed it.

Ed gives proper context that going to these darker places is not typical of his personality, but on film "when we are playing pretend", it allows him to tap into areas of his mind that he wouldn't normally go to in order to create a more powerful performance.

Ed and Aubrey go on to discuss that we all have this spectrum of human emotions within us and it's all a matter of which emotions you choose to give energy to. Ed says

"We both have Mandela and Trump inside us."

I agree with this idea, and although we all may come from different backgrounds, live in different environments, and experience different challenges, it is ultimately our choice how we choose to conduct ourselves, and the person we want to work to become.

Ed goes on to talk about his experience as a "Hollywood celebrity" and how he doesn't let it affect his true persona. He says it's important to not seek others' validation, but rather let your family and friends keep you in check, and serve as a mirror whenever you get the sense you're not being your TRUE self.

When my peoples [friends] tell me stuff, I listen to that more. Your peoples and your family keep you in check. I might not listen to them immediately, but I marinade on it. And their words mean a lot, but the instinct is the guide.

Ed talks about using that same instinct when he turned down a major role in Hellboy (2004) because of the perceived white-washing of an Asian American character that he was originally chosen for.

Ed says turning down the role felt like the right thing to do, and the support from his friends and family helped reinforce that decision.

Aubrey expands on the topic of diversity in entertainment, and mentions seeing the hit broadway show Hamilton, featuring a talented all-black cast, and what a powerful performance it was.

Ed agrees with Aubrey that seeing more diversity and people of color in entertainment is a step in the right direction for acceptance and equality. Aubrey says:

You can't beat people over the head with it. You can't make people change the way they think about this stuff, but this is one step and we have so much further to go.

After Deadpool, Ed says he made the conscious choice to turn down roles, no matter how lucrative, in order to spend time on projects that he is really wants to do. He jokes that he has what he needs -- his same old track suit bottoms and the ability to buy a steak for his best friend whenever he wants.

He says he has several movie roles that he is cast in and while it would be easier to be cast for the same movie villain or hero role, he says he finds fulfillment in trying different roles, learning different accents, or the historically accurate way to greet a king.

Ed closes out the podcast discussing a short film that he wrote and is directing. He mentions he is excited to learn a new process like directing and although there may be some fear around failing, he says he relishes that feeling is prepared to face it head on.

When looking back after all the different roles and projects that he takes on, Ed says he's greatful for all the opportunities he's had thus far and looking back on it all he says "the journey was the most important thing."

Final Thoughts & Takeaways

I found this podcast to be equal parts entertaining and informative. I liked hearing about Ed's experiences working on various movie roles and his ability to blend a seemingly higher consciousness perspective into his career and daily life.

Ed serves as further proof that men, and women, can strike a balance between leading a seemingly "normal" and successful life, while still exploring and integrating "New Age" philosophies like intuition, flow states, and self-exploration.

I'd highly recommend this episode as a great introduction for anyone looking to dip their toes into the Aubrey Marcus Podcast and similar topics around consciousness, spirituality, and intuition, without having to cannonball into a dashiki, starting an all vegan diet, and changing your name to Lotus Blossom -- but all the power to you, if you do.

More podcast recommendations coming soon!

SOURCES:

• Podcast - Aubrey Marcus Podcast (AMP) #129 - Flow State, Power, Purpose and Persona with Ed Skrein -- originally aired 12/13/2017

• IMDB - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4534098/

IMAGE CREDIT

• Hero Image - https://consequenceofsound.net/2017/08/hellboy-actor-ed-skrein-steps-down-from-role-following-whitewashing-outcry/

• Image #1 - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4534098/mediaviewer/rm3062121728

• Image #2 - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4534098/mediaviewer/rm3890876672

• Image #3 - https://whatculture.com/film/alita-battle-angel-16-wtf-moments?page=13