Laraaji guides us in a laughter meditation. Note: this is not a regular episode of Platinum Ranch, but a bonus segment from episode 17. If this is your first time at Platinum Ranch, do not start here! For more about Laraaji and laughter, listen to episode 17 of Platinum Ranch.

Laraaji is a new-age musician and a laughter connoisseur. While trying to make it as a stand-up comedian, he landed a small role in Robert Downey Sr’s 1969 film, Putney Swope. He then paused “to sit down with [him]self and find out what it is [he] wanted [his] life to represent in the mass media”. So began his spiritual journey, which eventually brought him to music and laughter. He went on to collaborate with Brian Eno, release several records, and tour the world with his music and laughter workshops. Laraaji talks to Fez about his journey from stand-up comedy to new-age music, how his spirituality led him to his primary instrument– the zither, the benefits of laughter, laughter as a practice, how to access our bliss, and more. Fez shares an experience he had that left him wondering, "How can we share our bliss?" Laraaji offers some insight. Laraaji's music: www.laraajimusic.bandcamp.com The lecture excerpt featured in this episode is from "Polishing The Mirror" by Ram Dass.

A mixture of psychedelic easy listening platinum bits for your living room, kitchen, a walk, or maybe some other scenario. Bruce Langhorne - Idaho Transfer Carli Cottrell - WIP Bailey's Nervous Kats - I Don't Know Everything Is Everything - Witchi Tai To Lesley Duncan - Heaven Knows J.J. Cale - Wish I Had Not Said That Circus Maximus - Wind Ennio Morricone - Il Pinguino Anne Joyal - Harmonie Little Wings - Let Them Talk Stickerbrush - Dolan Scrup Sally Oldfield - Morning Of My Life David Wise - Aquatic Ambience Wilma Burgess & Bud Logan - Wake Me Into Love Abdullah Ibrahim - Maraba Blue Roger Miller - What I'd Give to Be the Wind Bruce Langhorne - No Further Need Jimmy Smith - Turquoise Terry Melcher - The Old Hand Jive

Dick Flood was a singer-songwriter in Nashville in the 60s. Besides landing a couple B-sides for Roy Orbison and Skeeter Davis, he never quite broke through. His own recordings have a haunting quality, with shadowy instrumentation and a voice that quivers with desperation. After many attempts at a music career, Flood concluded that “Nashville’s no place for a nobody”. He left it all behind and resettled in the Okefenokee Swamp in South Georgia, where he changed his name to Okefenokee Joe and became a naturalist devoted to a life of preservation and solitude. Dick/Joe spoke to Fez about music, his friendship with Patsy Cline, contracting Dengue fever in Vietnam, his mission as a wildlife educator, and the present day-- reflecting on his journey, no longer in Nashville or Okefenokee, physically unable to play music. If you use Spotify, you can listen to a selection of Dick Flood's music assembled by Platinum Ranch: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0Rs3RNCsZsvKhNutGxF5g2?si=ZKiI1AulQ_6MUQ5nZDiteQ For more info on Dick Flood and Okefenokee Joe, visit: www.okefenokeejoe.com

In a fundamentalist Mormon community on the Utah/Arizona border called Short Creek, residents are being evicted. Christine Marie Katas has gained access to this famously reclusive community, and is helping them navigate trauma. Fez talks to Christine about Short Creek, and her own harrowing experiences that inform the work she does today. Content warning: discussions of sexual assault and human trafficking (from the 27 minute mark to the 37 minute mark). Follow Christine Marie Katas on Instagram at www.instagram.com/christinemariekatas Cover art by Fez, using photos by Christine Marie Katas

Fez speaks with Lubomyr Melnyk, the fastest piano player in the world, about the "insidious religion" of science. From Lubomyr: "EVERYONE, everyone .... IS TERRIFIED AT THE THOUGHT THAT SCIENCE IS TOTALLY WRONG ABOUT EVERYTHING .... PEOPLE HAVE THE IDEA THAT IF SCIENTISTS ARE LIEING ABOUT EVERYTHING, THEN THE GROUND WILL OPEN UP UNDER US AND WE FALL INTO THE TWILIGHT ZONE ... well, that will not happen, and the world will continue just as it is doing today.... and we will still have fun ! .. in fact, more fun !"

More twang for summer

Rev. Chris Korda is a musician, engineer, and the founder of the Church of Euthanasia. Fez speaks with her about the history of the church, antihumanism, her conversion to post-antihumanism, and why humankind is worth preserving.

A trainsona is the locomotive version of a person. Fez talks to Froggyman145, a DeviantArt user and longtime member of the Trainsona community. (Image: "Sleeping in the Sheds" by Froggyman145)

Platinum Ranch presents: Platinum Twang Mix of twangs, slides, honks, tonks