Welcome back, cosmic hearts! In this episode, Barrett Perlman (your host + heart-led psychedelic coach) is joined by Tyler Lyle — mystical lyricist, lead singer of The Midnight, and lifelong seeker — for a deep and playful exploration of music, philosophy, psychedelics, mortality, and the inner drive that fuels all creative purpose.
From reading Freud under bleachers to being digested by God in a mushroom trip, Tyler unpacks his layered evolution from Southern Baptist worship leader to synthwave poet-philosopher. This conversation is a ride through sound, soul, and spirit — and a masterclass in what it means to live on purpose.
🎧 In This Episode, Tyler & Barrett Dive Into:
How Tyler’s early religious roots shaped his existential hunger
Why he left the church and studied philosophy (and what Sartre + Hegel taught him about creativity)
The spontaneous origins of The Midnight — and how breaking all the rules led to their success
His psychedelic experiences, including a vivid mushroom journey involving “God’s lower intestine”
The myth of Er, soul contracts, and why we forget in order to remember
His recent pull toward India and collaborating with musicians from Pondicherry
The tension between nostalgic art and creative evolution — and how The Midnight is rising to that challenge
Key Takeaways from Tyler’s Soul:
“Philosophy is not about perfection — it’s about waking up to the crisis that is your life, and choosing to create from that sacred urgency.”
“We are each the universe incarnate… slowly remembering what we already knew.”
“The winds always come when you’re aligned — not when you’re hustling to catch up.”
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Tyler Lyle, one of the creative forces behind the synthwave duo The Midnight. Initially gaining fame through songwriting, he relocated to Los Angeles where he collaborated with producer Tim McEwan, forming The Midnight in 2012. Beyond his work with The Midnight, Lyle maintains a solo career, tours extensively, and hosts the podcast "From The Secret Lair."
Connect with Tyler:
Website: tylerlyle.com
Instagram: @tylerlyle
Band Website: themidnightofficial.com
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tyler-lyle-from-the-secret-lair/id1187633029
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Barrett’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barrettperlman/
The Modern Hippie Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themodernhippiepod/
Barrett’s Website: http://www.barrettperlman.com
Ready to re-orient to love and awaken your spiritual gifts alongside the powerful tool of psychedelics to realize your true potential? Apply for Psychedelic Empowerment Coaching with Barrett Perlman here: https://www.barrettperlman.com/apply-to-work-with-me
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DISCLAIMER: Nothing contained in this podcast should be used as medical advice or encouragement to consume any substance. The information provided is for informational purposes only.
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Need immediate emotional support during your psychedelic experience? Call or text the Fireside Project Psychedelic Peer Support Line at 62-FIRESIDE.
Open everyday 11:00 am - 11:00 pm PST.
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