Welcome to Ray...Inspired! I’m glad you’re here.
I have a story to share – some may call it an awakening, some the journey from darkness to Light, and some may call it just living life. Much of what I share comes in the form of a daily journal entry, processing whatever is happening in the moment.
I spent the first part of my life hiding, hesitant to open up and give expression to the inspirational world that lived on the inside of me, thinking I wasn’t good enough to share it, or that others were already doing it really well so why bother.
Rock bottom moments, such as being held in ICE detention for 75 days, and having crises in almost every area of my life, really brought me through the fire, burning off all that needed to go. I have since received greater awareness and clarity on just exactly who I am, why I am here, and what I am moving towards.
Through many walks and inspiring conversations, I explore topics including spirituality, self-care, boundaries, relationships, and mental health with radical vulnerability.
We’ve made it so far, and that is worth celebrating. I now invite you to share in this adventure together with me, and to live inspired!
E19 | Learning How to Slow Down, Focus Our Energy, and Keep it Simple
Life can get complicated really fast if we let it! It has been some time since I went for one of these walks, so if you happened on this episode I am glad you are here :)
Lean back (or get outdoors!) and listen in to learn how to clear the noise and slow things down. Also, be inspired.
Here are some of the things shared:
focused energy
divine guidance
what the mirrors show us
paying attention (14min)
passing the level, beating the boss (17:25)
the forest metaphor (23:30)
the destination as the path (26:10)
boundaries focus the path (29:02)
a day of nothing (31:05)
high vibration (38:31)
letting go of controlling the process (44:04)
what we can learn from the dark (46:11)
some paradox fun - light and dark (49:09)
If this episode inspired you, I would be grateful to have you share it with someone who needs to hear this today.
Questions? Interested in connecting? Please email info@rayinspired.com or reach out on Instagram.
Thank you for listening, and for being here!
5 Jul 2025
The Kind of Things You Think About When You Have Finally Been Released from ICE Detention
If you have ever wondered what it's like to be in ICE detention for, oh, say 2.5 months, and then finally be let out, then perhaps this is a good episode for you!
The first half of this is me reflecting on the original recording, some 1.5 years after the event. I'll put some timestamps in here if you wish to jump around a bit. Enjoy!
Recent reflection (two weeks ago):
reflection
creating affirmations (4.58)
coincidence?
identity and our thoughts and emotions (10:55)
what it's like to be back in Manitoba (14:26)
understanding who I am and who I am not
seeing the cycles (19:53)
no longer a victim
From Nov, 2023 (23:03):
what it sounds like to feel free
dying to the false self and the ego
the micro and the macro in terms of how we act (28:05)
how to say no
"Free in here, free out there" (37:46)
our reality begins within
more on affirmations
If this episode inspired you, I would be grateful to have you share it with someone who needs to hear this today.
Questions? Interested in connecting? Please email info@rayinspired.com or reach out on Instagram.
Thank you for listening, and for being you!
15 Jun 2025
E17 | Be Intentional (With Who and What You Surround Yourself With)
In this episode I ponder the nuances of identity, expectations, perfectionism, triggers, and being intentional about who and what we allow into our lives. Of all the wisdom I have gained along the way, this is perhaps one of the most important things to fully realize and understand.
While I recorded this six months ago, I find it is still very relevant to my life and to what I see happening in the world today, and I do pray that it inspires you in some way.
Listen in as I draw from my experiences and reflect on:
acceptance, self-love and self-respect
expectations...perhaps we expect more from ourselves than we realize
The earlier episode with Marshall that I refer to can be found here.
Bending to fit into the mold of others
Projecting our discomfort on others
Who is the “I”, really?
The inner child
Where are we getting our identity from?
Who am I and who am I not?
Pondering union and partnership with God
Are we becoming or remembering?
Looking out the windows of the ego room we’ve been trapped in, getting out of the comfort zone and going outside
Being mindful of what we listen to, what we allow to enter
Garden of the heart (will upload episode later). Intention toward the seeds that are thrown our way.
How our experiences serve a purpose
Triggers show us where we need to heal
When is it okay to allow ourselves to be exposed again to trauma triggers?
Be intentional when it comes to your healing journey from trauma – certain people or situations may enter your life to hinder or stall your journey
If this episode inspired you, I would be grateful to have you share it with someone who needs to hear this today.
Questions? Interested in meeting over coffee? Please email info@rayinspired.com or reach out on Instagram.
Thank you for listening!
6 Jun 2025
From Fake to Real with Ben – How the World Reflects Back to Us What We Really Are
Are you tired of fakeness? Do we have an influence in the amount of real-ness or fake-ness we experience around ourselves? Is it possible to live authentically and suddenly begin to experience authenticity all around us?
Listen in as I explore (listed here for search-ability):
the struggle with application, self-righteousness, saying vs doing
a bit about grace, to conviction not condemnation
attraction to Christianity vs authenticity
fakeness in the world
judging others
who are we seeing when we look in the mirror, saying I love you
being real vs fake, it starts with us
as we change things around us change, change is reflected back, we've been waiting for me
things happening to vs for, taking accountability
don't like the word "blame", radical ownership
listening to things that aren't Christian
how are you practicing being more real, we need to be real with ourselves, loving yourself (why be someone else).
loving yourself (why be someone else), what I did to get to this place (people-pleasing).
unhealthy teaching, being people pleasing is good, letting go of false self and people pleasing.
get real with ourselves, then with others, being okay with our own company.
judging others indicates something about ourselves.
maintaining the stereotype of being good Christians.
the necessity of hitting rock bottom, do we all need to hit it?
do we all need to hit rock bottom? Questioning reality.
being okay with where we're at (why want to be married so soon?).
forcing a reality check (doing something out of ordinary).
do I feel God brought me back (to MB)? Is God in this?
how can you tell you're being guided by the spirit? Need to quiet minds (the noise).
how can we help ourself be led by spirit? Disciplining flesh.
intimacy with romantic partner vs God.
when non-Christians meet God.
full circle - being real.
fake living = fake reflection, change and same people change.
the world reflects back to us how we're doing.
detaching, renewing the mind
living heaven on earth now, abundant life, what can I do today?
If this episode inspired you, I would be grateful to have you share it with someone who needs to hear this today.
Questions? Interested in meeting over coffee? Please email info@rayinspired.com or reach out on Instagram.
Thank you for listening!
24 May 2025
The Path of the Mystic
As I continue on this path, I can't help but become more aware of what many have come to understand as mystics.
They seem to keep being pulled into my life, largely into the books I find. The real question is this: am I discovering them, or are they finding me? (Or both!)
As I reflect on such things, I can't help but consider how I am being invited to add my voice to those of the many mystics that have gone before.
And it is with great gratitude and humility that I do so.
In this episode I am taking a walk on a trail near Nutimik, MB (Canada). Walks like this are sure to inspire me, and you get to listen to what came of it!
Listen in as I explore these topics below:
the diamond willow (yes, I will find it...or it will find me!)
the spiritual journey I’ve been on
"as you keep walking the next corner will be rounded"
another video game reference
pause for bridge photo – incoming allegory
(a little windy for a minute!)
current book: Simplicity, the Freedom of Letting Go by Richard Rohr. Wow, have I marked it up! It has become a treasure along my journey.
the path of the mystic – what does that mean?
creative tension between polarities, the bridge
a challenge to be a bridge for others
If this episode inspired you, I would be grateful to have you share it with someone who needs to hear this today.
Questions? Interested in meeting over coffee? Please email info@rayinspired.com or reach out on Instagram.
Thank you for listening!
6 May 2025
From Light We Came
Ever get overwhelmed with distraction, stressed with the chaos, feel like you're playing an instrument that's out of tune?
As I drive home, I am inspired as I reflect on an earlier experience at a choir rehearsal and a chat afterward over burgers with the guys.
Listen in as I explore these topics below:
Being present, showing up
Life is like those inflatable battle games
What is our base (amidst the chaos)?
The noise of today, signal jamming
The rooms may be dark, but it's light outside
The story: arrival to choir, shift in perspective, repetition, removing distraction
Purpose in all things
(From guy chat) How God inspires us through one another
Keeping God #1 and what that looks like
Putting gas in before you drive
Letting go, surrender, trust
Alignment with God as our partner
skiing and ripping the groin
The importance of having a shared mission
Tuning an instrument before it is played
Being who we are - but who are we?
Remembering
Heaven on earth
From light we came, to light we are returning
If this episode inspired you, I would be grateful to have you share it with someone who needs to hear this today.
Questions? Interested in meeting over coffee? Please email info@rayinspired.com or reach out on Instagram.
Thank you for listening!
5 Apr 2025
When You Have Eyes to See and Ears to Hear
Ever wonder what it would be like to live in two different worlds?
As I go for a short walk, I am inspired by the Narnia Chronicles as I have recently begun to read them for the first time (I know!). While the focus of my conversation is largely abstract, consider how it can be applied to daily life.
Listen in as I explore these topics below:
heaven
eyes to see and ears to hear
being present in two worlds
can we experience heaven now?
what if there is more now than the eyes can see?
forgetting and remembering
considering the rings
as within so without
sensing in the spiritual realm
uncertainty and the unknown
some Matrix thoughts (of course)
If this episode inspired you, I would be grateful to have you share it with someone who needs to hear this today.
Questions? Interested in meeting over coffee? Please email info@rayinspired.com or reach out on Instagram.
Thank you for listening!
31 Mar 2025
The Art of Repetition in the Puzzle of Life
Ever have wonderful clarity one day and the next it feels like starting all over again?
Let's explore the nuances of puzzles, and then go further with complete puzzles being used as pieces in an even larger puzzle. Though not particularly referenced in this episode, there are other helpful aspects of puzzle-building that are useful to consider, such as how when building a puzzle you typically begin with where you left off the day before, with an idea of the pieces you're looking for; but if you wait too long to get back to the puzzle, you may lose the momentum you initially had at the start.
Listen in as I explore these topics below:
capturing inspiration
moving through "pockets" of inspiration
the importance of consistency (the idea is there, though the word isn't used)
the big picture, and then the bigger picture
putting the pieces together
how we all help one another as we move toward unity and collaboration
If this episode inspired you, I would be grateful to have you share it with someone who needs to hear this today.
Questions? Interested in meeting over coffee? Please email info@rayinspired.com or reach out on Instagram.
Thank you for listening!
22 Feb 2025
Self-sabotage, Patterns, Boundaries, and Letting Go
Listen in as I begin with some recent thoughts. Keep listening to hear a recording I did last July as I was walking the countryside, wondering how I was to get my belongings back to Canada from the US (when I'm not allowed to travel there).
Thoughts in the first part:
introducing the episode
victim mentality
reflections from today (around 7 mins in):
self-sabotage, enjoying life, do I deserve good things?
boundaries, and the time and energy we have been given
serving from a place of abundance
how can one who is drowning help another who is also drowning?
From the walk recorded in July, 2024:
when my belongings were stuck in the US (post-deportation)
looking outside for someone or something to come to my rescue (vs extreme ownership)
conscious pattern-breaking wisdom
pondering Jesus as "the way"
the "shoulds", following the rules, doing what's normal
more on boundaries!
when chaos comes
humility vs the ego
to save or be saved...or both?
trust and letting go vs the paralysis of analysis
If this episode inspired you, I would be grateful to have you leave a comment, send me a message, or share it with someone who needs to hear this today.
Questions? Interested in having a good chat over coffee (or tea)? Please email info@rayinspired.com or reach out on Instagram.
Thank you for listening!
11 Jan 2025
Jesus and the Matrix
Let's explore the nuances of the matrix and Jesus. I love movies like The Matrix as it is so much fun to consider their deeper meanings. Though the main part of this episode was recorded in mid-2024, it seems relevant to share during this time of the year when Jesus is on the top of many of our minds and hearts.
Listen in as I explore these topics below:
Jesus enters, defies, and transcends the matrix
Picking sides
Duality
Jesus meets us in the middle
Jesus as the ultimate saver
What is worship
Jesus showing us the way
Receiving purpose while reflecting on what Jesus did
The matrix grid, signal jamming, disrupting the control system
The inner matrix
Releasing judgment, letting go, unconditional love, heaven on earth
If this episode inspired you, I would be grateful to have you share it with someone who needs to hear this today.
Questions? Interested in being a guest? Please email info@rayinspired.com or reach out on Instagram.
Thank you for listening!
13 Dec 2024
Meet the Guys from the Rage Room
In this episode I am joined by the frontmen of the Unleashed Rage Rooms in Niverville, MB, a place where people can release, well, rage!
Learn more about what inspired this whole enterprise as we sit in the coffee shop, and listen in as the conversation flows into these topics:
Mental health
Putting ourselves out there
The feeling of powerlessness
Affirmations vs limiting thoughts
Distractions!
Finding a balance in the duality
Perfectionism vs progression
Spontaneous convo with some ladies nearby about kids and their phones
If this episode inspired you, I would be grateful to have you share it with someone who needs to hear this today.
Questions? Interested in being a guest? Please email info@rayinspired.com
Thank you for listening!
29 Nov 2024
An Invitation to Generational Healing
In this episode I share a moment of awareness I had on Oct 4, 2024, while reflecting on high expectations and family dynamics. The conversation flowed into an inspirational realization of the role I (and you) play in helping to heal what past generations have passed on to us, and in doing so that we help our family to heal and pass this blessing to the family that comes after us.
Here are the main points:
Generational healing
We are here for this
We are what we are waiting for
Moving beyond the fear
Balancing the energy, pacing, self-care
Engaging in this mission
Our capacity to tune in
Bringing wonder and awe and curiosity back to life
If this episode inspired you, I would be grateful to have you share it with someone who needs to hear this today.
Questions? Interested in being a guest? Please email info@rayinspired.com
Thank you for listening!
29 Nov 2024
The World I See Is a Reflection of Me
Time for another walk-and-talk. Listen in and explore these topics with me:
the positive effects of walking
clutter, focus, getting things done (aka the difficulty dealing with ADHD!)
Snowball (the cat) chimes in
feeling vs acting on emotions
self-awareness
systems - yes
scheduling creativity - no
seeing the big picture
remembering who I am
carrying the clarity, consistently
the perfect Antagonist (revisited)
increasing our capacity through difficulty
learning the lesson
walking away from God
protecting your heart
knowing your worth
reflections in the world around you
the people that enter and leave your life
rising up and increased opposition
this now moment
the movement of birds in the air
resilience and Manitobans
when it all goes to hell...
God raising up powerful, beautiful souls
If this episode inspired you, I would be grateful to have you share it with someone who needs to hear this today.
Questions? Interested in being a guest? Please email info@rayinspired.com
Thank you for listening!
23 Nov 2024
Managing the Flow of Energy
Listen in as I reflect on my personal experience with managing energy:
energetic boundaries
observing the effects of redirecting our energy
balance of energy flow in and out
If this episode inspired you, I would be grateful to have you share it with someone who needs to hear this today.
Questions? Interested in being a guest? Please email info@rayinspired.com
Thank you for listening!
23 Nov 2024
What I've Learned about Life, Gratitude, Energy, and Authenticity
Listen in as I process things on my drive to a family Thanksgiving:
what I've learned about women and the language of energy
the manchildren
grateful for what I learned from my ex
remembering who I am, letting go of false self
grateful in vs for
happening to vs for
challenges as opportunities to heal and grow
doing the work
I am...
do we all need to go through a personal hell?
the dark night of the soul (aka hell)
5-sense vs energetic living
reflecting on the journey
rant of gratitude
tired of the fakeness
vulnerability
the language of possibility
Be wherever you are
If this episode inspired you, I would be grateful to have you share it with someone who needs to hear this today.
Questions? Interested in being a guest? Please email info@rayinspired.com
Thank you for listening!
23 Nov 2024
Walk and Talk - On Boundaries, AI, Hitting Rock Bottom, ICE Detention, and More...
Listen in as I go for one of my walk-and-talks, covering the usual random assortment of things. This time around, it's about:
boundaries in relationships
my rant relating my life to that of Jesus'
AI and originality
reflecting on ICE detention (around 30:26)
touching on the hard times and rock bottoms of the past six years
the Antagonist
being authentic
If this episode inspired you, I would be grateful to have you share it with someone who needs to hear this today.
Questions? Interested in being a guest? Please email info@rayinspired.com
Thank you for listening!
16 Nov 2024
Mental Health and Relationships with Carl
After many years of life's journey, Carl and I reconnect and begin to share our stories, including topics of:
mental health
the harsh inner critic
high expectations of ourselves
going to the food bank
detachment
repressed emotions
learning to not resist along the healing journey
ADHD
gaining clarity during the healing process
If this episode inspired you, I would be grateful to have you share it with someone who needs to hear this today.
Questions? Interested in being a guest? Please email info@rayinspired.com
Thank you for listening!
16 Nov 2024
Life Lessons from Two Recovering Codependents with Marshall
Listen in as Marshall and I catch up after some 10-15 years and cover a lot of ground, from dating and relationships to authenticity and being present, from boundaries and codependency to healing and self-awareness.
While it is a long episode, we hope you enjoy the authenticity and wisdom shared.
Topics covered:
processing grief
writing and podcasting
dreaming and tension
shame, fear of success
authenticity, humility, compassion, presence, curiosity, vulnerability
ego and projection
boundaries and relationships, codependency
managing fear
law of attraction, engaging
limiting thoughts
controlling the outcome
the victim mentality, toxicity
the daily remembering
If this episode inspired you, I would be grateful to have you share it with someone who needs to hear this today.
Questions? Interested in being a guest? Please email info@rayinspired.com
Thank you for listening!
21 Sept 2024
Pilot Episode - Taking That First Step
In this episode I introduce the "why" behind this podcast and list some of topics I will be exploring. After battling with people pleasing and the imposter syndrome, I am finally putting myself out there. And it's both exciting and terrifying!
Follow me on Instagram and let's connect!
If this episode inspired you, I would be grateful if you could please share it with someone who needs to hear this today.
Live Inspired,
Ray
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