The Drop the Needle Podcast

What if the sacred and the secular were never two different things to begin with?Rev. Dr. Rob Zahn is a Lutheran pastor, a theologian, a semiotician, and a musician. He wears Converse under his liturgical robes. He also wrote a book about LSD, a drug smuggling ring, and the birth of contemporary Christian music.To him, none of that is a contradiction. That is the whole point.In this episode of The Drop the Needle Podcast, Jim Alstott sits down with Rob to trace a life that runs from a small town childhood with an absent father, through a doctorate in semiotics, to the hidden history behind his book, LSD to Galilee: Incarnation in the Psychedelic Subculture.Rob explains why he does not frame his father's absence as a forgiveness issue, even after a reunion that surfaced anger, grief, and questions nobody answered. He walks Jim through the line that runs from the Brotherhood of Eternal Love to the Jesus People movement to Maranatha Music, and why Lonnie Frisbee got quietly written out of the cleaner version of that story.Then there is the music. Mumford and Sons in a stadium full of strangers singing the same words. Dave Matthews Band. Meatloaf. Hamilton. Disney soundtracks he refuses to apologize for.Can a pastor tell the truth about where his faith came from and still keep his pulpit?✨ In this episode:✅ Growing up in small town America, raised by a single mother✅ Why forgiveness may be the wrong frame for an absent father✅ The father he found through one mailed letter, and the Las Vegas hotel room✅ What semiotics reveals about culture, congregations, and blind spots✅ Why the sacred and secular divide does not hold✅ Converse under the robes, and other small acts of resistance✅ The Brotherhood of Eternal Love to the Jesus People to Maranatha Music✅ How Lonnie Frisbee was written out of the story✅ Psychedelics, sacrament, and music as portals to the divine✅ Why the church has to keep being put in check by people, not powerSound bites"I'm not sure forgiveness is necessary.""There's no division between the sacred and secular. I think that's a made up thing.""I don't know if there's a more human experience than music.""Which means he wasn't paranoid. He was still underground."Chapters00:00 Welcome: a pastor, a semiotician, a musician01:24 Rob's childhood, music upbringing, and path into ministry03:41 Questioning father absence through theology and identity06:48 Why forgiveness may not be the right frame12:07 The anger and grief that surfaced anyway13:59 What semiotics reveals about signs, culture, and the church19:35 Mumford and Sons, spirituality, and a stadium full of shared meaning22:58 Why the sacred and secular divide doesn't hold26:46 How psychedelic culture and Jesus music are historically connected30:46 Why Lonnie Frisbee was written out of the cleaner church narrative35:14 How Rob's congregation responds to his full story39:42 The Chosen, outsiders, and meeting people where they are46:53 Doubting certainty and embracing the unknown56:43 Music, worship styles, and Rob's first ministry in Las Vegas01:02:26 Rob's father, cancer, and the Brotherhood's underground history01:08:01 Jim shares his own father story and reconnection01:10:57 The music round begins: first radio song, road trip songs, high school anthem01:15:15 Guilty pleasure soundtrack and Disney singalongs01:16:55 A song that could change how people see the world01:18:38 A song that feels written for Rob's life right now01:22:12 Where to find Rob, and we drop the needleToday's Playlisthttps://open.spotify.com/playlist/7C9T8To450S3f03qK4Gelq💬 QUESTION FOR YOUWhere have you been told the sacred stops and the ordinary starts, and who decided that?Share your story in the comments.👍 Like, Subscribe, and Share to help others discover meaningful conversations about faith, music, and meaning.🔗 MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODELSD to Galilee: Incarnation in the Psychedelic Subculture, by Rob ZahnZumbro Lutheran Church, Rochester, MNThe Brotherhood of Eternal Love, Lonnie Frisbee, Calvary Chapel and Maranatha Music🌐 CONNECT WITH REV. DR. ROB ZAHNWebsite: robzahn.comInstagram: @rzahn001Facebook: rob.zahnLinkedIn: robzahn🎙️ CONNECT WITH JIM ALSTOTT📖 Did I Just Have a Spiritual Awakening, or Was It Something I Ate?🌐 jimalstott.com🎙️ dtnpodcast.com#DropTheNeedlePodcast #RobZahn #LSDtoGalilee #JesusPeople #LonnieFrisbee #Semiotics #Faith #Deconstruction #ChristianMusic #Psychedelics #Lutheran #SacredAndSecular

What if the signs you've been asking for are already happening... but you're overlooking them?Psychic medium Gina Versace, better known as The Inked Medium, believes our loved ones and even our pets, never truly leave us.From repeating numbers and feathers to dreams and unexpected encounters, Spirit is constantly communicating. The key is learning how to recognize the messages.Do our loved ones continue communicating after they pass away?In this heartfelt episode of The Drop the Needle Podcast, Jim Alstott sits down with Gina Versace, internationally known as The Inked Medium, to explore spirit communication, intuitive development, pet communication, and the everyday signs that remind us we are never truly alone.Gina shares remarkable stories from her own life, beginning with seeing spirits as a young child, through discovering her calling as a professional psychic medium, and building a life dedicated to helping people reconnect with loved ones on the other side.Together, Jim and Gina discuss how Spirit communicates through numbers, dreams, symbols, animals, and emotional impressions, why setting energetic boundaries is essential, and how anyone can begin strengthening their own intuition.✨ In this episode:✔️ Childhood spirit encounters✔️ How loved ones communicate after death✔️ Pet communication and animal spirits✔️ Why repeating numbers like 444 matter✔️ Spirit guides and signs✔️ Meditation and energetic protection✔️ Developing intuitive gifts✔️ Private vs. group mediumship readings✔️ The importance of spiritual boundaries✔️ Music, healing, and raising your vibration"Spirit signs are in everyday things."Whether you're curious about mediumship or you've experienced signs from someone you've lost, this conversation offers comfort, insight, and practical guidance for trusting your own spiritual connection.Playlist link:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4mzHMk1ZHacW3XBCiYxiin?si=37e9376925b646e2💬 QUESTION FOR YOUHave you ever received a sign from a loved one or pet that made you stop in your tracks?Sound bites"Music lifts my spirits and helps me heal.""My dad sends me 444""Spirit signs are in everyday things"Chapters00:00 Introduction to Gina Versace and her background01:22 Gina's childhood spirit sightings and family heritage04:19 The influence of early childhood experiences on her gift06:14 Connecting with spirit through signs and protection08:12 The significance of asking for signs and guidance10:07 The story behind the Inked Medium brand12:48 Her Italian Sicilian heritage and spiritual upbringing15:52 Transition from corporate career to full-time mediumship17:29 How to recognize signs from spirit in everyday life19:46 Meeting spirit guides and their presence22:09 The message of never being alone from spirit24:00 Gina's motorcycle accident and recovery story27:01 The role of pets in spirit communication30:18 How animals come through in readings and their surprises33:31 Spirit orbs and sacred geometry in photos36:00 Signs from loved ones and spirit guides in daily life37:55 Family and friends on the other side and their connections42:47 Differences between private and group readingsPlaylist link:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4mzHMk1ZHacW3XBCiYxiin?si=37e9376925b646e2Share your story in the comments.👍 Like, Subscribe, and Share to help others discover meaningful conversations about spirituality, healing, and connection.🌐 CONNECT WITH GINA VERSACEWebsite: The Inked MediumInstagram • Facebook • TikTok(Charity work and social links in the description.)🎙️ CONNECT WITH JIM ALSTOTT📖 Did I Just Have a Spiritual Awakening, or Was It Something I Ate?🌐 jimalstott.com🏕️ The Listening Field Retreat#DropTheNeedlePodcast#GinaVersace#TheInkedMedium#Mediumship#SpiritCommunication#SignsFromSpirit#SpiritGuides#PetCommunication#AnimalSpirit#Intuition#PsychicMedium#SpiritualAwakening---🎙️ The Drop the Needle Podcast explores the intersection of spirituality, healing, personal growth, and the power of music through insightful conversations with thought leaders and intuitives.🌐 Visit our website: dtnpodcast.com📲 Follow us on social media: @thedtnpodcast📧 Reach out to Jim: [email protected]🔗 The Drop the Needle Podcast is on Apple and Spotify

What do you do when the excitement is gone, nobody is watching, and you no longer feel motivated?Dre Baldwin calls that moment “The Third Day.”It's the point where most people stop and where professionals decide to keep going.From riding the bench in high school to playing professional basketball for nine years, Dre built his career by learning how to perform regardless of how he felt. In this episode, he reveals why discipline, perception, confidence, and the unseen work matter far more than motivation.What separates professionals from amateurs when talent isn't enough?In this episode of The Drop the Needle Podcast, Jim Alstott sits down with former professional basketball player, author, speaker, and entrepreneur Dre Baldwin to explore the mental game behind high performance.Dre's journey didn't begin as a star athlete. He went from riding the bench in high school to building a nine-year professional basketball career, delivering four TEDx talks, and creating Work On Your Game — a philosophy and business centered around discipline, confidence, mental toughness, and consistent execution.At the heart of this conversation is Dre's concept of “The Third Day”: the moment when the excitement has worn off, motivation has disappeared, and you have to decide whether you're going to keep showing up.Jim and Dre also explore the connection between discipline and the flow state, why perception can influence performance before talent ever enters the equation, and how the best performers make difficult things look effortless because of the work nobody sees.✨ In this episode:✔️ Why discipline matters more than motivation✔️ The meaning of “The Third Day”✔️ Dre's journey from benchwarmer to professional basketball✔️ How to stay ready when opportunity hasn't arrived yet✔️ Mental toughness and performing under pressure✔️ Why consistency builds confidence✔️ The connection between discipline and flow state✔️ How perception shapes performance✔️ The unseen work behind elite performance✔️ Spirituality and the inner game of achievement✔️ Music, mindset, and the songs that shaped Dre's journey“Discipline is the doorway to the flow state.”---🎙️ The Drop the Needle Podcast explores the intersection of spirituality, healing, personal growth, and the power of music through insightful conversations with thought leaders and intuitives.If you're an athlete, entrepreneur, creator, leader, or simply trying to become more consistent in your life, this conversation will challenge the way you think about motivation and success.Sound Bites“Discipline is the doorway to the flow state.”“Ether by Nas is like he's fighting back.”“Jay-Z's album came out on September 11th, 2001.”Playlist Link:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/09NKTFGAgVWHrq2ncDNWyb?si=dcbb0de05942470d💬 QUESTION FOR YOU:When motivation disappears, what keeps you showing up?Tell us in the comments.👍 Like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who needs the reminder to work on their game — especially when nobody is watching.🔗 CONNECT WITH DRE BALDWINWebsite — DreAllDay.comWork On Your Game — workonyourgame.comBook — The Third Day: The Decision That Separates The Pros From The AmateursInstagram — @DreBaldwinYouTube — Dre BaldwinFacebook — Work On Your GameLinkedIn — Dre BaldwinX — @DreAllDay#DropTheNeedlePodcast #DreBaldwin #Discipline #MentalToughness #Mindset #Motivation #WorkOnYourGame #HighPerformance🎙️ CONNECT WITH JIM ALSTOTT📖 Get the book — Did I Just Have a Spiritual Awakening, or Was It Something I Ate?🌐 Jim's author website — jimalstott.com🏕️ The Listening Field Retreat — Registration & Details🌐 Visit our website: dtnpodcast.com📲 Follow us on social media: @thedtnpodcast📧 Reach out to Jim: [email protected]🔗 The Drop the Needle Podcast is on Apple and Spotify

Have you ever walked into a room and immediately felt the energy change?In this special panel episode of The Drop the Needle Podcast, Jim Alstott brings together the practitioners behind The Listening Field Retreat for an open conversation about spiritual awakening, group energy, intuitive development, mediumship, manifestation, sound healing, and the power of community.Featuring Julie Grant, Connie Smock, Carolyn Sidgwick, Gail Alexander, and Kerry Muller, this episode explores what can happen when spiritually open people gather with intention and why the energy of the room may become part of the healing experience.The panel shares personal stories of awakening, moments when they learned to trust their intuition, and the signs from spirit that helped guide them toward their work.They also explore why energy can sometimes feel physical, how group environments may strengthen spiritual awareness, and why finding the right practitioners and community matters when developing your gifts.In this episode:✔️ What high-vibration energy can feel like in the body ✔️ Why group energy may accelerate spiritual growth ✔️ How to distinguish intuition from fear or imagination ✔️ Signs and messages from spirit ✔️ Mediumship and intuitive development ✔️ Energy healing and stored emotional trauma ✔️ The importance of grounding and energy awareness ✔️ Choosing trustworthy spiritual practitioners ✔️ Why community creates belonging and courage ✔️ Moving from fear into spiritual freedom ✔️ Why manifestation requires action ✔️ What makes an in-person retreat different from solo practiceThe conversation also offers a preview of The Listening Field Retreat, taking place at Eaglewood Resort & Spa in Itasca from August 21–23, 2026.This is not simply a retreat about learning spiritual concepts. It is an opportunity to experience connection, healing, sound, intuition, and community in one shared space.Sound Bites“Energy can mimic physical illnesses.”“Your loved ones are with you all the time.”“Pay attention to signs from your soul.”Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Retreat and Participants00:19 Jim introduces the panel and the upcoming retreat01:32 What happens in the body when in a high-vibe environment02:14 Physical sensations and energy fluctuations during sessions06:52 Feeling the energy in group settings and individual differences08:17 Group energy as a catalyst for leveling up spiritual gifts10:13 Connecting with spirit and recognizing awakening moments12:36 The difference between childhood psychic abilities and adult awakening13:46 Mentorship and trusting your intuition15:15 Signs of spirit and validation of the unseen18:23 The normalcy and science behind energy work20:39 Childhood experiences and normalizing spiritual gifts22:37 How spirit communicates through signs and symbols27:30 Stepping into the space: courage and community30:46 The power of group energy in accelerating spiritual growth35:01 The uniqueness of each retreat and its energy40:11 Signs and nudges from spirit to take action44:17 The importance of community and belonging50:21 Overcoming fear and taking the leap into spirituality55:24 From fear to freedom: the purpose of the retreat01:00:05 The frequency of love and the sound of the retreat01:02:36 Myth-busting: energy work and spiritual misconceptions01:08:36 The ongoing journey of spiritual development01:14:29 Service, purpose, and shining your light01:20:23 Final encouragement and registration details💬 Question for you:Have you ever felt your energy change when you entered a room or joined a group?Share your experience in the comments.👍 Like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone beginning their spiritual awakening.The Listening Field RetreatJim Alstott — Podcast Host📅 August 21–23, 2026 📍 Eaglewood Resort & Spa, Itasca 🌐 Registration and details: thechillcrew.orgFeatured practitionersCarolyn Sidgwick — PractitionerJulie Grant — PractitionerGail Alexander — PractitionerKerry Muller — PractitionerConnie Smock — Practitioner (Instagram)Connect with Jim Alstott📖 Did I Just Have a Spiritual Awakening, or Was It Something I Ate? 🌐 jimalstott.com 🎙️ The Drop the Needle Podcast