Episode 9: "Dropping Stones, Finding Paths" with Steve Hershberger

Episode 9: "Dropping Stones, Finding Paths" with Steve Hershberger

Guest: Steven Hershberger – Serial entrepreneur, writer at The Chosen Path Substack, and founder of Amplify Flow (amplifyflow.co), whose four near-death experiences reshaped his journey from victimhood to purpose. A decades-long friend of Smoke from their dot-com days. Setting: Smoke in Sedona’s radiant calm, Steve beaming in from his space—old pals syncing up for a soul-deep chat.

See the Full Pre Episode Q&A on Smoke’s Substack here Summary

Smoke Wallin welcomes Steve with brotherly warmth, their entrepreneurial roots setting the stage for a raw exploration of transformation. Steve, a veteran of the dot-com boom like Smoke, unpacks his shift from chasing material wins to embracing a higher calling, catalyzed by four brushes with death—most vividly a hit-and-run truck crash that flatlined him for two minutes. That NDE, guided by a mysterious figure (Black Horse or Dark Horse), gifted him a cosmic map of consciousness, from tar-like victimhood to buoyant joy. Together, they riff on shedding ego’s burdens—Smoke’s “emotional hairballs,” Steve’s “stones”—to reveal the innate light within. Gratitude emerges as their anchor, a practice Steve hones via Substack and Smoke lives through this podcast, amplifying positive energy in a noisy world. Check out Steve’s reflections at The Chosen Path and his work at amplifyflow.co.

Learnings

• Drop the Stones: Steve’s NDE vision—releasing burdens into a stream—echoes Smoke’s trauma-clearing process. Let go of what weighs you down; peace lies on the other side.

• Gratitude as Fuel: Both tout gratitude as the vibe that lifts you—Steve’s daily stance, Smoke’s gateway to clarity. Start small, watch it grow.

• Listen, Don’t Judge: Smoke’s shift to active listening—seeking essence over rebuttal—pairs with Steve’s openness to synchronicity. Drop judgment, unlock insight.

• Stack the Journey: Smoke adapts Scott Adams’ talent stack to spirituality—layer practices (meditation, reading, reflection) until an avalanche of awareness hits.

Universal Truths

• Consciousness is Innate: Steve’s map and Smoke’s tar metaphor agree—what’s divine isn’t found; it’s uncovered by chipping away ego’s clutter, à la Michelangelo’s David.

• Energy Amplifyies: Higher states (love, joy) dwarf lower ones (fear, shame) in power—Steve’s radio station analogy aligns with Smoke’s log-10 scale. One uplifted soul shifts the field.

• Trauma’s Scale is Relative: Smoke’s EMDR insight and Steve’s 148 strangers reveal—big or small, perceived pain sticks until released. It’s not the event, it’s the holding.

• Time Hides Progress: Steve’s season-shift take and Smoke’s snowflake avalanche affirm—growth’s subtle until it’s undeniable. Trust the process.

Examples

• Truck NDE: Steve’s hit-and-run—broken neck, back, skull—brought a meadow vision and a choice from Black Horse. Dropping stones fast-tracked his recovery, defying medical odds.

• Nepal Prayer: Smoke’s electric jolt at Buddha’s birthplace, asking for peace, mirrors Steve’s dream-led pivot—both sought help, got cosmic downloads.

• Coffee Shop Wake-Up: A stranger’s plea—“If I’m worth it, don’t stop writing”—reignited Steve’s Substack, proving small acts ripple, like Smoke’s podcast intent.

• Gravel Race Grit: Steve’s 156-mile Unbound prep, shedding victimhood, set him up to survive the crash—Smoke ties it to his own shedding of tar via plant medicine.

Smoke Trail Threads

Episode 9 builds on Episode 7’s forgiveness (Luke’s enemies, Smoke’s past) with Steve’s stone-dropping release, and Episode 8’s presence (Liv’s human medicine) via their shared listening evolution. Smoke’s Nepal epiphany (Ep. 8) and Luke’s star-gazing (Ep. 7) echo in Steve’s NDE meadow, reinforcing serendipity’s pull. Sedona’s vibe hums again, grounding tools like gratitude and awareness—core to Smoke’s mission of lighting paths for seekers.

The Smoke Trail - Episode 9 Pre-Show Q&A with Steve Hershberger

Introduction The Smoke Trail explores life, spirituality, and enlightenment amid the material world’s challenges. Through these talks, I dive into each guest’s journey—how you’ve found what matters, faced shadows, and uncovered lessons to inspire others. It’s about sharing deeply, a true gift. Leadership is a core thread, especially how personal growth and spiritual insights shape your approach. Below, Steve Hershberger answers pre-show questions, offering a glimpse into our Episode 9 chat, “Dropping Stones, Finding Paths.” These will spark thought for listeners. Catch Steve’s work at The Chosen Path and amplifyflow.co.

Bio

Steve Hershberger is a dynamic entrepreneur who’s led multiple tech and analytics startups, holding 11 USPTO patents in IoT, AI services, and decision management. His expertise spans Decision Science, Retail Tech, Data Strategy, Product Development, Marketing, Customer Engagement, and Operational Flow (Growth, Alignment, Performance Optimization). A longtime endurance athlete, Steve’s tackled grueling gravel cycling races across North America and Iceland. He’s dodged death four times—diving, surfing, and twice cycling, with the latest hit-and-run flattening him before Unbound 200. That NDE, amid a broken back, neck, and more, revealed a new chapter. Now, he shares lessons: Are life’s worst moments here to destroy or liberate us?

Journey of Self-Discovery

Q: Please share a pivotal moment or experience in your life that shaped your understanding of what truly matters. When you realized what truly mattered to you, did it challenge or conflict with how you were living at the time? How did you reconcile that?

A: It unfolded over years. After selling SteadServ amid a shareholder fallout, I hit rock bottom. The climb back—capped by my accident—clarified what matters. Everyday reality omits more than it includes; that epic journey was my entry to understanding my true self and purpose. It clashed with my old script—playing a role not mine. I reconciled it by embracing authenticity, letting the universe guide me to what’s real.

Overcoming Shadows

Q: What internal challenges or fears have you faced, and how did overcoming them shape your personal philosophy or leadership style? What’s one shadow or fear that still lingers for you today? How do you confront it, and what does it teach you about yourself?

A: I spent decades reading a script not my own, a character actor forgetting who I was. Authenticity’s tough—society doesn’t always reward it—but losing it costs more. Headwinds signal adjustment; I’ve learned to heed them. A lingering shadow? Slipping back into that role. I confront it by staying true, reminding myself those winds aren’t resistance—they’re the universe saying, “Pay attention.” It’s taught me resilience and trust in my core.

See the Full Pre Episode Q&A Here

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