Grand Rising with Ryan Stober: Sedona's Weekly Heartbeat of Consciousness and Community

There's something grounding about beginning with breath. In the opening moments of Grand Rising, host Ryan Stober doesn't launch into announcements or agendas—he invites viewers to inhale for four, hold for four, exhale for six. Three rounds. Simple. Centering. It's the kind of practice that reminds you this isn't just another livestream—it's a gathering.

Ryan hosts humankind's weekly community update show from Sedona, Arizona, and his presence is both practical and playful. When his co-host Sheela Rahman is away at Tesla Tech, he introduces a houseplant as his stand-in. "Say hello," he prompts. The plant, predictably, says nothing. "All right, you're being shy again," Ryan responds with a grin. It's this lightness—this refusal to take himself too seriously—that makes the show feel less like a broadcast and more like a conversation with a friend who happens to know everything happening in town.

What Makes Sedona an Accelerator of Consciousness?

Midway through the show, Ryan sits down with Lily Nova, one of the presenters at the upcoming Divine Alignment Conference. Lily describes herself as "a contactee, a starseed, an energy healer, a content creator"—but what becomes clear is that she's someone who has learned to work with energy, not just talk about it. "I've studied for years different techniques and also learned from my cosmic friends different techniques on how you can become your best version," she says, and there's no performance in her voice. Just sincerity.

When Ryan asks what brought her to Sedona, Lily doesn't offer tourism brochures. She offers lived experience: "Sedona is an amplifier of energy. It's also an accelerator. For healing purposes and awakening purposes, inner work, you can experience quantum leaps here... as opposed to being in other places where the energy isn't so ripe, it might take you years to reach the same spot." Ryan responds with recognition: "I've definitely noticed the speed at which things happen here. It's actually caught me off guard."

Lily will be presenting alongside Laura Eisenhower—great-granddaughter of President Eisenhower and longtime voice in the awakening movement—and Dr. Charnell, who works with consciousness and healing modalities. The conference explores DNA activation, divine alignment, and what Lily calls "hacking the matrix." She'll also be performing a sound bath, using frequency and vibration to help participants reach "heart and brain coherence, which is the state where you can become an active creator."

What's Happening at Humankind This Month?

Ryan walks viewers through an impressively full calendar: Frequency Friday with Linda Arnold, the Divine Alignment Conference weekend with Star Lord, Jace, and Arcturus Ra performing at the after-party, a Divasonic Ethereal Sound Voyage, Ancient Egyptian Knowledge with Luxor Egyptologist Mr. Abraham, cacao and paint gatherings for families, esoteric dance nights, Stargate DNA activation with Jerome Martin, galactic sound journeys, and a yin yoga self-care series with crystal bowls and massage.

"You have a lot of chances to activate a lot of different galactic DNAs and whatnots coming up over the next few weeks," Ryan notes with humor, "so take advantage of that." He encourages viewers to visit the Eventbrite page or create a free account at app.humankind.center to stay updated as events populate in real time.

Then there's the weekly ritual: Book of the Week with Giselle. This time, it's The Romance of Atlantis by Taylor Caldwell, written when the author was twelve years old in 1912. Giselle describes how the manuscript sat for fifty years because Caldwell's publisher grandfather couldn't believe a child had written it. The book eventually found its way to publication through a friendship with a writer who specialized in reincarnation. "It's like we're just in the same loop," Giselle says. "Everything that was happening there is happening here." Ryan asks for examples. "The allowing of immigrants... the advancement of technologies... the politics, the connivory," Giselle lists, landing on "the rejuvenation chamber. Longevity, immortality." She pauses, then quotes her astrologer friend Cal Garrison: "We're all just a bunch of reincarnated Atlantean assholes."

Watch the full episode to catch Ryan's conversation with a philosophical tarantula named Toby (who prefers acai bowls with extra almond butter) and the playful moments that make Grand Rising feel like home.

How Does Ryan Hold the Room?

What stands out about Ryan's hosting style is his embodiment of what Lily describes as Sedona itself: unpretentious, accelerated, open. He moves seamlessly from guided breathwork to event logistics to a bit where he and "Plant" supposedly installed a camera on the moon. He interviews a tarantula with full commitment. He asks Giselle if reincarnated authors could be accused of plagiarizing their own past-life work. These aren't distractions—they're invitations to not take the spiritual journey so seriously that you forget to laugh.

"I say inspiration," Lily tells Ryan during their interview. "I'm always chasing inspiration. Whatever lights you up, whatever inspires you, that's the universe leaving breadcrumbs to what you can explore." Ryan nods. He seems to already know this. His show is breadcrumbs—a weekly trail through events, ideas, books, and moments that might spark something in someone watching.

Before signing off, Ryan reminds viewers: "Don't forget to give some love to Monday, because Monday's never getting any love." Then he prompts the plant one more time. "Say bye, Plant." It doesn't. But somehow, that's perfect.

Catch the full Grand Rising replay and discover why this weekly show has become Sedona's heartbeat for consciousness community updates, playful wisdom, and the kind of connection that only happens when someone genuinely loves what they're sharing.

▶ Watch the replay on humankind →