In this thought-provoking episode of The Tragedy Academy Podcast, host Jay Hicks welcomes Leo Marrs—spiritual technologist, founder of America’s first breathwork studio, and creator of the AI-integrated mindfulness app, Ether. Their powerful conversation dives into the intersection of consciousness, creativity, and technology.
From fasting as a path to mental clarity to breathwork as a tool for healing trauma and building resilience, Leo shares how ancient wisdom and modern tools can reconnect us to ourselves. The episode explores Integral Theory, the risks of spiritual bypassing, and how breath, language, and stillness foster self-awareness. Jay and Leo reframe AI not as a threat, but as a reflection of human consciousness.
Whether you're seeking healing, inspiration, or a better understanding of the mind-body-tech connection, this episode invites you to breathe deeper and think broader.
🔑 Key Takeaways
• 💡 00:03:34 – “Worry serves zero purpose.”
• 🤖 00:05:31 – AI mirrors our internal state.
• ✍️ 00:11:30 – Language shapes consciousness and culture.
• 🔥 00:18:18 – Fasting is empowerment, not deprivation.
• 💨 00:35:00 – Breathwork regulates the nervous system.
• 🧘 00:39:06 – “The breath always comes back.”
• 🧠 00:46:36 – Meditation is possible even with a dysregulated nervous system.
• 🧽 00:47:11 – Yoga helps release emotional residue.
• 🗣️ 00:48:22 – Authenticity is the foundation of real influence.
👤 Guest Bio: Leo Marrs
Leo is a founder, philosopher, and consciousness explorer helping people bridge ancient wisdom with modern innovation. From Alaska-born wilderness survivor to nightclub impresario and breathwork pioneer, Leo’s work blends spiritual practice with futurist thinking. He is the creator of the Ether app and author of the upcoming book The New Creator, focused on resilience, creativity, and mindful evolution in the Meaning Economy.
📢 Support & Connect
💬 Love the episode?
Subscribe, rate, and share to help grow the Tree of Knowledge. 🌳
🎧 New episodes weekly exploring the human experience through tragedy and triumph.
🌟 Be cool. Keep learning. 🌟
🌐 Dive Deeper into Leo’s World:
🔗 Website: leomarrs.com (https://leomarrs.com) (two R’s!)
📱 Try Ether (7-day free trial): ethr.one (https://ethr.one)
📚 Follow his newsletter and upcoming book The New Creator
🎙️ More from The Tragedy Academy:
• Podcasting Tools: bit.ly/3LSCBh5 (https://bit.ly/3LSCBh5)
• Jay’s Gear: bit.ly/431MLD5 (https://bit.ly/431MLD5)
• Bookshop Picks: bit.ly/42pPHcv (https://bit.ly/42pPHcv)
• YouTube: Subscribe (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEUXqlregig6vcrvuVNGlKg)
📲 Follow Us
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | TikTok: @tragedyacademystudios
💖 Support the Show
• PayPal (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=YMU9L4TBWX6AG)
• Buy Me a Coffee (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/tragedyacademy)
