Brain Shaman: Recent Episodes
Michael Waite
Brain Shaman is a scientific and philosophical journey towards better brain health. Michael Waite discusses how you can change your brain state via nutrition, nature, technology, and healthy habits. Mental illness and addiction are destroying so many people and societies. By becoming increasingly disconnected from the natural world and plugged into the artificial one, we are getting sicker, weaker, and less free. We must become more conscious of how the information that we consume (in the form of food, drugs, sensory input, and media) affects our brain. This podcast teaches you how to reconnect with nature, reprogram your brain, regain your freedom, and ultimately rebuild your life.
Andrew Engbring is a family intervention specialist and founder/CEO of Reflection Family Interventions, a recovery and family-intervention organization that helps families navigate drug addiction and mental health challenges while healing together as a family system.
Connect and Learn More
Website: reflectionfamilyinterventions.com
Resources
Books: When the Solution Becomes the Problem by Mike Barnes
People: Claudia Black, Mike Barnes, Tian Dayton
Lincoln Stoller is a psychotherapist, physicist, and author of books including The Learning Project, Becoming Lucid, and Operating Manual for Enlightenment.
In this episode, we discuss living with honesty, courage, and commitment, and why meaningful growth often means moving beyond conformity and reward-driven paths. Lincoln shares perspectives on taking action without guarantees, embracing exploration for its own sake, and giving yourself space to get lost while remaining calm. We explore creativity, lucid awareness in dreams and daily life, doing things you’re not good at, finding mentors, breaking the rules, exploring beyond the traditional boundaries of education and career, and not focusing on profit or reward. The conversation centers on expanding awareness, stepping out of limiting boxes and choosing a path guided by curiosity, authenticity, and adventure.
Connect and Learn More
Website: mindstrengthbalance.com
Books: The Learning Project| Becoming Lucid| The Path to Sleep, Exercises for an Ancient Skill| Operating Manual for Enlightenment | COVID-19 | Sensations Thoughts and Emotions
Podcast: Stream of Subconsciousness
Facebook: @lincolnstoller
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lincolnstoller
Resources
Books: Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
TV Series: Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
People: Albert Einstein, Douglas Adams, Franz Kafka, Isaac Newton, Joey Krebs, John Cage, Louis Pasteur, Martin Luther King Jr., Stephen Hawking, Sydney Coleman, Theodore Maiman, Thomas Edison, Vincent van Gogh
Jacob Hill is the founder and CEO of Offploy, a UK-based social enterprise he started in prison in 2016 to help people with criminal convictions find employment. In this episode, we discuss crime, what causes it, and how rethinking our labels and assumptions about criminals can create opportunity, meaningful work, and help reduce crime.
Connect and Learn More
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jacobrohill
Website: offploy.org
Resources
Books
- Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman
- Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
People
- Daniel Priestley
- Richard Branson
- Oliver Burkeman
- Sam Arbesman
- Viktor Frankl
TV Shows & Movies
- Breaking Bad
- Narcos
- Orange is the New Black
- Prison Break
- Shawshank Redemption
Lisa Riegel is the author of NeuroWell and CEO of the Educational Partnerships Institute, helping schools design brain-based classrooms that support how students learn and thrive. In this episode, we discuss how to use neuroscience to create better learning environments and outcomes for today’s world.
Connect and Learn More
Website: lisariegel.com | epinstitute.net
Books: NeuroWell| Aspirations to Operations| Stop Doing What Doesn’t Work
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lisariegel
Resources
Books
- To Kill a Mockingbird
People
- Bruce Perry
- Tristan Harris
Podcasts
- Your Undivided Attention
Documentaries
- The Social Dilemma
TV Shows
- The Love Boat
- Family Ties
- Little House on the Prairie
- Survivor
- The Real Housewives
Joelle Kaufman is a cancer survivor and the author of Crushing the Cancer Curveball. In this episode, she shares insights from her own cancer journey and the mindset shifts and practical steps we can take to prepare for and navigate a cancer diagnosis and other curveballs in life.
Connect and Learn More
Website: joellekaufman.com
Book: Crushing the Cancer Curveball
Podcast: Kicking Cancer's Ass
Instagram: @kickingcancers.ass
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joellekaufman
Resources
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
We’re back with Amy Weintraub, yoga therapist, author, and founder of LifeForce Yoga. In this episode, we learn about and practice some simple yet powerful yoga exercises focused on the hands and breath to shift your energy, mood, and perception.
Connect and Learn More
Website: amyweintraub.com
Books: Yoga for Depression · Yoga Skills for Therapists · Temple Dancer
Card Deck: Yoga for Your Mood
YouTube: @AmyWeintraubAuthor
Instagram: @amylifeforceyoga
Facebook: @AmyEWeintraub
Upcoming Events
LIFEFORCE YOGA & INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS
New Tools To Bring Balance To Your Life
August 9-14, 2026
A Summer Retreat at Kripalu.
https://amyweintraub.com/event/lifeforce-yoga-ifs-new-tools-to-bring-balance-to-your-life-3/
Resources
Books
- Four Quartets by T.S. Eliot
- Lifting Depression by Kelly Lambert
People
- Andrew Huberman
- Andrew Weil
- Diane Poole Heller
- Kelly Lambert
- Krishna Das
- Laura Schmidt
- Richard Miller
- Stephen Porges
- T.S. Eliot
We’re back for round 2 with Alan Lazaros, exploring how to find your authentic self and path to success through curiosity, contemplation, and honest reflection. We talk about how to learn, think, and grow into your highest potential.
Connect and Learn More
Website: nextleveluniverse.com
Podcasts: Next Level University · The Conscious Couples Podcast
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc
Instagram: @alazaros88
Resources
Books
- Algorithms to Live By by Brian Christian and Tom Griffiths
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
- Decoding Greatness by Ron Friedman
- Essentialism by Greg McKeown
- Making Numbers Count by Chip Heath and Karla Starr
- Neurodiscipline by Peter Hollins
- The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss
- The Art of Impossible by Steven Kotler
- The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy
- Thinking in Bets by Annie Duke
- Willpower by Roy F. Baumeister and John Tierney
Movies
- Home Alone
- Free Willy
People
- Annie Duke
- Brian Tracy
- Gregory McKeown
- Joe Rogan
- Leonardo da Vinci
- Leonardo DiCaprio
- Roy F. Baumeister
- Shaquille O'Neal
- Simon Sinek
- Steven Kotler
- Steven Pinker
- Tim Ferriss
Jules Acton is a British environmentalist, author of Oaklore, and ambassador for the Woodland Trust. In this episode, we explore the enchanting world of oak trees, from the tiny creatures that live in them to the interconnected life around them, and how these trees weave through human history, culture, and life.
Connect and Learn More
Book: Oaklore
Website: julesacton.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jules-acton-574b0522
Instagram: @julieblowfish
Resources
Books
- Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake
- The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben
Organizations & Projects
- Woodland Trust
- Nature's Calendar (by the Woodland Trust)
Kisha Reynolds is a hypnotherapist and coach who works with body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs), including hair pulling, nail biting, and skin picking. This episode explores BFRBs and how hypnotherapy can help.
Connect and Learn More
- Website: 321deepsleep.com
- Facebook: @3-2-1-DEEP-SLEEP-Kisha-Reynolds-CHt-61553394489335
Resources
- Christina Pearson
- The TLC Foundation for BFRBs
Dmitri Mugianis is a psychedelic practitioner, musician, and space creator. In this episode, we explore addiction, psychedelics, music, culture, modernity, space, healing, community, and religion, topped off with some coffee, cigars, and Harlem fried chicken.
Connect and Learn More
Websites: dimitrimugianis.com · cardea.net
Instagram: @dimitrimugianis
Resources
Books: How to Change Your Mind, Virtue Hoarders
People: Allen Ginsberg, Alexandre Tannous, Andrew Huberman, Catherine Liu, Deacon Seraphim, Federico Fellini, Glenn Johnson, Herbert Hunkie, Joe Rogan, Ingmar Bergman, John Sinclair, Lou Reed, Martin Buber, Martin Luther King Jr., Michael Pollan, Michel Foucault, Michel Negroponte, Peter Attia, Pier Pablo Pasolini, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Randy Polumbo, Richie Ogulnick, Robert F. Kennedy, Ross Ellenhorn, Sara Glatt, Walter Cronkite
Films: Frostbiter, I’m Dangerous with Love
Musicians: Fela Kuti, Leisure Class, MC5, Sun Ra, The Stooges , The Velvet Underground
Podcasts: Huberman Lab, This American Life, The Peter Attia Drive, The Joe Rogan Experience, The Symbolic World
Amy Weintraub is a yoga therapist, author, and founder of LifeForce Yoga, a mood regulation protocol supporting those with anxiety, depression, and PTSD. She is the author of Yoga for Depression, Yoga Skills for Therapists, and Temple Dancer, and the creator of the Yoga for Your Mood card deck.
In this episode, we discuss the neuroscience, philosophy, and practice of yoga, including three guided, embodied exercises using breath, hands, imagery, and more to help regulate your mood and feel more connected, grounded, and alive.
Connect and Learn More
Website: amyweintraub.com
Books: Yoga for Depression · Yoga Skills for Therapists · Temple Dancer
Card Deck: Yoga for Your Mood
YouTube: @AmyWeintraubAuthor
Instagram: @amylifeforceyoga
Facebook: @AmyEWeintraub
Upcoming Events
LIFEFORCE YOGA & IFS Virtual Workshop
A Synergistic Integration to Soothe, Restore and Heal
Wednesday June 17 | 5:00-7:30pm MT
https://amyweintraub.com/event/lifeforce-yoga-and-ifs-internal-family-systems-virtual-workshop/
LIFEFORCE YOGA & INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS
New Tools To Bring Balance To Your Life
August 9-14, 2026
A Summer Retreat at Kripalu.
https://amyweintraub.com/event/lifeforce-yoga-ifs-new-tools-to-bring-balance-to-your-life-3/
Resources
Books
- The Relaxation Responseby Herbert Benson
People
- Erica Sharpe
- Henry David Thoreau
- Herbert Benson
- Jake Panasevich
- John Keats
- Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
- Percy Bysshe Shelley
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
- Richard C. Schwartz
- Samuel Taylor Coleridge
- Stephen Porges
- William Wordsworth
TV Shows
- Mad Men
Caroline Hughes is an executive coach, leadership mentor, and founder of Conscious Leadership Development. She works with leaders and organizations to build high-performing teams while helping them avoid burnout and create healthier, more sustainable workplaces. In this episode, we discuss occupational burnout, including how to recognize it, how it can be prevented at both the personal and organizational levels, and the lessons and tools Caroline discovered through her own experience of burnout.
Connect and Learn More
Website: consciousleaders.ie
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/caroline-hughes-coach
Facebook: @carolinehughescoach
Instagram: @caroline_consciousleaders
Resources
People: Christina Maslach, James Clear, Viktor Frankl
Books: Atomic Habits by James Clear
Eric O'Neill is a cybersecurity expert, lawyer, former FBI operative, and author of Gray Day and Spies, Lies, and Cybercrime. In this episode, we discuss how cybercriminals exploit our psychology, the evolving landscape of scams and cyberattacks, and practical ways to protect yourself online.
Connect and Learn More
Website: ericoneill.net
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/eric-m-oneill
Instagram: @ericoneill.official
YouTube: @ericoneill.official
Books: Gray Day| Spies, Lies, and Cybercrime
Resources
- Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
Dr. Héctor Rodriguez ("Dr. Hector") is an integrative psychiatrist and founder of Miami’s White Butterfly Clinic. In this episode, we discuss the neuroscience behind ADHD, autism, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, and trauma, and how SPECT imaging helps us better understand and treat these conditions. He shares practical, natural strategies, including nutrition, supplementation, dance, and exercise, to improve brain function and mental health.
Connect and Learn More
Websites: whitebutterflyclinic.com | doctorhector.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/doctorhector
Instagram: @doctor_hector
Sam Arbesman is a complexity scientist, writer, and Scientist in Residence at Lux Capital, known for his books The Half-Life of Facts, Overcomplicated, and The Magic of Code. In this episode, we explore human understanding, its limits, the power and unpredictability of technology, our relationship with machines, coding, AI, and sci-fi, and how to navigate an increasingly complex and entangled world.
Connect and Learn More
Website: arbesman.net
Books:The Half-Life of Facts · Overcomplicated · The Magic of Code
Resources
Books
- Why Greatness Cannot be Planned by Kenneth Stanley and Joel Lehman
Games
- Minesweeper
- SimCity
- SimCity 2000
People
- Danny Hillis
- Joel Lehman
- Kenneth Stanley
- Larry Wall
- Richard Feynman
- Robin Sloan
Jerzy Gregorek is a Polish-American four-time World Weightlifting Champion, world record holder, poet, and creator of The Happy Body program - a 30-minute daily system for strength, flexibility, posture, speed, leanness, and body weight control designed to build a robust, injury-free body for life. In this episode, we explore the principles, practices, and experiences that shaped his body, philosophy, and lifestyle, and how you can apply them to build a calm, strong, and joyful life.
Connect and Learn More
Book: The Happy Body: The Simple Science of Nutrition, Exercise, and Relaxation
Website: thehappybody.com
Instagram: @jerzygregorek
X: @TheHappyBody
Facebook: @jerzy.gregorek
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jerzy-gregorek-ab87475
Resources
People
- Confucius
- Jerzy Popieluszko
- Pantanjali
- Thich Nhat Hanh
- Simone Biles
- Socrates
- Usain Bolt
Pamela Michaux is the author of Mundele Diaries, a memoir about her childhood in Congo and Belgium. In this episode, she shares the challenges she faced, how she reclaimed her life, and the lessons she learned along the way.
Connect and Learn More
Instagram: @mundelediaries
Website: mundelediaries.com
Phyllis Leavitt is a psychotherapist and author of America in Therapy. In this episode, we explore how the United States can be understood as a wounded system shaped by history, trauma, and unmet needs for love, safety, and belonging. Phyllis explains how much of what we see in society is unprocessed pain being expressed at scale. We talk about healing through deep listening, creating safety, and restoring connection within ourselves and with one another.
Connect and Learn More
Website: phyllisleavitt.com
Books: America in Therapy · A Light in the Darkness · Into the Fire
Resources
Braver Angels (organization)
John Kammer is the founder of Guardian AIngels, an AI-powered grief journaling platform designed to help people process loss and maintain connection with loved ones after death. In this episode, we explore grief and how journaling, AI, and other tools can help people move through it.
Connect & Learn More
Website: guardianaingels.ai
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnkammer
Resources
Books:
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
People:
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
J. William Worden
Jamie Woodhouse is a philosopher and advocate for sentientism, a worldview grounded in evidence, reason, and compassion for all sentient beings. In this episode, we explore what sentientism is, how it compares to other ethical frameworks, and the practical implications for how we treat animals and other beings, including possibly aliens and AI. Jamie discusses the importance of grounding ethics in both understanding and empathy, the challenges of putting these ideas into practice, and how broadening our moral scope can reshape our choices, culture, and society.
Connect & Learn More
Website: sentientism.info
Podcast: Sentientism
YouTube: @Sentientism
Facebook: facebook.com/groups/sentientism
Twitter (X): @Sentientism
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/sentientism
Gualtiero Piccinini is a philosopher and cognitive scientist who studies the mind as a multi-level, complex system, combining philosophy, neuroscience, and cognitive science to understand consciousness and its underlying mechanisms.
In this episode, we discuss the multi-layered nature of consciousness and the mind, along with sleep, meditation, learning, memory, and techniques for exploring your mind and understanding yourself.
Connect & Learn More
Google Scholar: Gualtiero Piccinini
University Profile: University of Missouri | Philosophy
X: @gualtieropicc
Resources
People
- Anil Seth
- Ned Block
- Russell Hurlburt
- Thomas Edison
- William James
Michelle Dosanjh-Johal is the mother of two children with autism and mental illness and the author of The Warrior Sings. In this episode, we talk about autism and mental illness inside the family, including both the challenges and the beauty that can exist alongside them. She shares stories from her family and practical ways she built resilience as a mother during difficult times, including writing poetry.
Connect & Learn More
Website: michelle-dosanjh-johal.mykajabi.com
Instagram: @mindful.warriors.way, @mothers.of.mentalhealth
Book: The Warrior Sings
Larry O’Nan is a nonprofit fund development leader, author, and mentor with over five decades of experience helping individuals and organizations live with purpose and steward their resources. He has counseled Christian ministries, led fund development initiatives that raised millions, and written books including Giving Yourself Awayand Intentional Living and Giving.
In this episode, he discusses finding your authentic path, understanding your strengths, embracing the freedom to fail, and focusing on mission rather than personal gain. We talk about living intentionally, stewarding what you’ve been entrusted with, and giving yourself away.
Connect & Learn More
Website: larryonan.com
Books: Intentional Living and Giving; Giving Yourself Away
Resources
- CliftonStrengths — online strengths assessment
- The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul — book
- The Truth About You by Marcus Buckingham — book
- Tunnel to Towers Foundation — charitable organization
Paige Alexander and Jamie Morgan Reno are the creators of the Real Food Recovery movement. In this episode, we talk about what food addiction is and how to start moving out of it. Paige and Jamie share their own stories and the simple steps they use to help people change their relationship with food.
Connect & Learn More
Book: Real Food Recovery
Podcast: Real Food Recovery
Website: realfoodrecovery4u.com
Ana Pashyanti is a meditation teacher. In this episode, we talk about embodied meditation and returning to the body, nature, and self.
Connect & Learn More
Website: anapashyanti.com
YouTube: @AnaPashyanti
Richard Jay Hutto is a historian and author who focuses on America’s Gilded Age, with books like A Peculiar Tribe of People and The Countess and the Nazis. In this episode, we talk about what life was like for wealthy Americans during that era, especially the women who married into European royalty, like Muriel White.
Connect & Learn More
Website: rickhutto.com
Book: The Countess and the Nazis
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rick-hutto-80a30b25
Alan Lazaros is the CEO and co-host of Next Level University. In this episode, we discuss strategies for increasing success and fulfillment in life by examining the tradeoffs between a life driven by subjective experience and one grounded in objectivity — rationality, logic, measurement, and systems.
Connect & Learn More
Website: nextleveluniverse.com
Podcast: Next Level University
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc
Instagram: @alazaros88
Resources
Books
- Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
- Rationality by Steven Pinker
- Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
- The Goal by Eliyahu M. Goldratt
- The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek
- The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien,
- The Story of the Human Body by Daniel Lieberman
Movies
- Wicked: For Good
- The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
People
- Emilia Smith
- Kevin Palmieri
- Leonardo da Vinci
- Simon Sinek
Lara Briden is a naturopathic doctor specializing in women's health and the author of Metabolism Repair for Women, Period Repair Manual, and Hormone Repair Manual. In this episode, we explore metabolic dysfunction, how hormones and the environment influence it, and practical ways to support metabolic health.
Connect & Learn More
Website: larabriden.com
Books: Metabolism Repair for Women, Period Repair Manual, Hormone Repair Manual
Podcast: The Lara Briden Podcast
Instagram: @larabriden
YouTube: @LaraBriden
Resources
Books: The Slow Moon Climbs by Susan Mattern
People: Benjamin Bikman, Chris Masterjohn, Francis Bacon, Susan Mattern
Harmony Hannigan is a yoga, tantra, meditation, and breathwork teacher and founder of Nayana Yoga. In this episode, we explore tantric embodied practices as a path to reconnecting with the body, the larger self, and the living non-dual cosmos. We discuss and practice meditation through the senses and breath, learning to use direct experience, the body, and feeling as our teacher to cultivate curiosity, presence, connection, and transcendence.
Connect & Learn More
Websites: nayanayoga.com, parentesisvital.com
Instagram: @harmony_hannigan
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/harmony-hannigan
Robert Radnoti is a hypnotist who works with behavior and cognition through hypnosis. In this episode, we discuss how hypnosis works and how it's used to change your thinking, attitude, success, and life.
Connect & Learn More
Website: robertradnoti.com
Podcast: Raditude
Facebook: facebook.com/RUNNRAD
Instagram: @robertradnoti
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/robertradnoti
Kadri Aworigo is a psychotherapist and counsellor who helps adults heal from trauma, shame, and emotional disconnection. In this episode, she shares her story and lessons on reconnection.
We talk about trauma, relationships, faith, and what helped her reconnect with herself and others.
Connect & Learn More
Website: arisetherapies.co.uk
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kadri-aworigo-558b90105
George Haymaker is an ex-addict turned neuroscience coach who helps people rewire their behavior, identity, and habits. In this episode, George shares his recovery story and explains the neuroscience behind addiction and recovery.
Connect & Learn More
Website: georgehaymaker.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/georgehaymaker
YouTube: @georgehaymakerbrainperformance
Jess Frost is a coach for adult children of alcoholics. In this episode, she shares how she survived a chaotic childhood and rebuilt her life from the inside out.
Connect and Learn More:
Instagram: @iamjessfrost
Website: the3espace.com
Podcast: Have you got space for this?
YouTube: @The3ESpace
TikTok: @iamjessfrost
Facebook: @jessfrostempowerment
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jessfrost
Simon Rowbottom is a musician and psychotherapist, and a member of the English alternative rock band The Boo Radleys, best known for their hit Wake Up Boo!. We talk about his early life with music, the rise of the band, and what it feels like when success looks great from the outside but feels very different on the inside. Simon describes the difference between process and outcome, how pressure can drain the creative spark, and what it was like to walk away when the band split.
We explore how he found his way into therapy, how years of touring and chronic stress shape the brain and nervous system, and the psychological challenges that musicians often face. And we talk about The Boo Radleys reuniting more than two decades later with a different mindset. No expectations. No pressure. Just the simple joy of making music again and expressing what is happening inside through sound.
Connect and Learn More
The Boo Radleys: thebooradleys.com
Music Industry Therapist Collective: musicindustrytherapists.com
Simon’s novel: Thimblerigger
RESOURCES
Albums: C'mon Kids, Kingsize, The Wall
Bands: Bon Jovi, Eggman, Happy Mondays, My Bloody Valentine, Oasis, Paperlung, Pink Floyd, Primal Scream, Ride, Simon & Garfunkel, The Boo Radleys, The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Smiths, The Stone Roses, The Wedding Present
People: Alan McGee, Daniel Day-Lewis, Dick Green, Elvis Costello, Martin Carr, Timothy Brown,
Songs: Wake Up Boo!, When I'm Sixty-Four
TV shows: Boys from the Blackstuff, Top of the Pops
Bernd Haber is the author of Fritz Häber, The Complete Diary: 16 Months in an American POW Camp, drawn from his grandfather’s journal and interview. We discuss German history, communism and capitalism, East Germany, Berlin, ideology, freedom and control, family memory, generational change, communication, war, sudden shifts, personal turning points, and how an ordinary life can be shaped by circumstance, intertwined with other people, history, and forces that push us in new directions.
Bernd’s own story mirrors these themes. He grew up in East Berlin, watched the wall fall, stepped into the West, and eventually built a new life in America. His path is shaped by history, serendipity, opportunity, unexpected conversations, and small moments that opened new possibilities. This episode looks at how history, choice, external forces, and timing collide to redirect a life, and why talking with parents and grandparents, and understanding their experiences, can transform how we understand ourselves.
Connect and Learn More
Book: Fritz Häber, The Complete Diary: 16 Months in an American POW Camp
Website: 16monthsaspow.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/berndhaber
RESOURCES
Bands: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Steppenwolf
Books: Blitzed by Norman Ohler, Life of Service, Man of Purpose by Jim Waite, Steppenwolf by Hermann Hesse
People: Albert Einstein, Barbara Minton, Bob Dylan, Herbert Haber, Hermann Hesse, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, John Kay, Joseph Goebbels, Tom Gundelfinger O'Neal, Wilhelm I, Wilhelm II, Winston Churchill
TV Series: Babylon Berlin, Titans: The Rise of Hollywood
Barbara Minton is a psychologist and musician who creates neuroscience-informed music designed to support and heal the brain. In this episode, we explore the relationship between music and the brain, and how we can use it to guide or change our mental and emotional states.
We talk about how music affects the brain, the difference between making it and listening to it, and why different genres influence us in different ways. We get into transcendent and altered states, how music can support grief, loss, pain, insomnia, and emotional processing, and how individual differences like ADHD or PTSD shape the nervous system’s response. We also look at music as a tool for social connection and the unique experience of creating and playing music with others.
We discuss how different instruments feel to play, what makes the guitar and pipe organ special, and how music ties into memory. We explore how to use it deliberately to enhance learning and recall, why our emotional reactions to songs change over time, and how lyrics shape the way we see the world. We also explore why certain genres explode at particular moments in history, why pop music remains so consistently popular, which musical elements most strongly affect the brain, what it feels like to make and play music, how live music differs from recorded music, and the overall healing power of music.
Connect and Learn More
Website: musicandhealing.net
Album: Calm the Storm
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/barbara-minton-057957164
RESOURCES
People: Ana Lapwood, Aretha Franklin, Calum Graham, Freddie Mercury, Hans Berger, Peppino D’Agostino, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Songs: Amazing Grace, Pavane for a Dead Princess
Studies: Contrasting effects of music on reading comprehension in preadolescents with and without ADHD(Madjar et al., 2020), Human song: Separate neural pathways for melody and speech( Hamilton, 2022)
Adrian Cois is an emergency physician trained in Australia and working in the U.S. We discuss the structure of the U.S. healthcare system and its rising costs, limited access, and clinician burnout. Topics include prevention, fear of medical bills, public and private models, and lessons from Australia and other countries.
We also explore ideas for reform, including centralized systems, universal access, and better data sharing, and how these changes could lead to a more equitable, evidence-based, and sustainable healthcare system for everyone.
Connect & Learn More
Instagram: @dr_cois
LinkedIn: Adrian Cois
Keith Kurlander is a psychotherapist, co-founder of the Integrative Psychiatry Institute, and host of The Higher Practice podcast. The discussion covers psychedelics, trauma, nervous system regulation, and mental health.
Topics include the therapeutic and disruptive effects of psychedelics, trauma as a physiological state, the importance of listening to one’s inner purpose or "North Star," rising mental health challenges, and the impact of technology and AI on psychological well-being.
Connect & Learn More
🎙️ Podcast: The Higher Practice for Optimal Mental Health
🌐 Website: psychiatryinstitute.com
📘 Book (coming March 2026): Psychedelic Therapy
Resources
👥 People: Amrit Desai, John Demartini, Ken Wilber, Stanislav Grof, Will Van Derveer
William Person is a former Olympic bobsledder for Team USA. He talks about what it was like flying 90 mph down the ice, taking up to 80 Gs, and what happened after the cheering stopped: brain fog, headaches, memory and focus loss, sensitivity to sound and light, disorientation, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
We talk about the hidden suffering in sports, how CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) might relate to ADHD and other mental health struggles, why so many athletes and veterans go untreated, and the deadly consequences that follow. William shares his lowest moments, his fight to stay alive, and how hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) helped him when nothing else could.
Connect & Learn More
🍭TikTok: @hyperbarichealing
📘 Facebook: One Man With a Chamber | William Person
💼 LinkedIn: William Person
📸 Instagram: @willp1234567
▶️ YouTube: @braininjurysurvival
💰 GoFundMe: CTE Recovery for Athletes and Military
Resources
🎢 Six Flags Magic Mountain — Goliath
📰 Sledding Athletes Are Taking Their Lives. Did Brain Injuries Play a Role? – The New York Times
⚖️The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA)
👥People: Cuba Gooding Jr., Jamie Foxx, Jay-Z, Joe Namath, Kanye West, Lance Armstrong, Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael Jackson, Russell Crowe
🎬 Films: A Beautiful Mind, In Whose Name?, Jerry Maguire, One Battle After Another
💥Incidents: 2025 Anaconda Shooting, 2025 Grand Blanc Township church attack, 2025 Midtown Manhattan Shooting, Washington Navy Yard shooting
Ewelina Kurtys is a neuroscientist and Strategic Advisor at FinalSpark, a Swiss company building computers from living brain cells. We talk about how neurons differ from silicon chips, why they’re more energy-efficient, how they’re grown and programmed in the lab, and how biocomputing could shape the future of AI.
Connect and Learn More:
🌐Website: finalspark.com
💼LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ewelinakurtys
Resources:
🏢Companies: AlpVision, Amazon, Cortical Labs, Ekai.io, Google, Microsoft, Neuralink
👤People: Elon Musk, Fred Jordan, Martin Kutter
Mary Petto is a Rapid Turmoil Resolution specialist and the author of The Family Guide to the Law of Attraction. We talk about trauma, how it gets stuck in your subconscious, hijacks your nervous system, and keeps you in mental loops. She explains why talking or reliving it doesn’t work, how metaphors and stories communicate with your inner mind, and how Rapid Turmoil Resolution can help you get calm, neutral, and open to new possibilities.
Connect and Learn More
🌐Website: portablevisions.com
📖Book: The Family Guide to the Law of Attraction
🎁The Loop Locator: portablevisions.com/gift
📸Instagram: @Livinginthevortex
💼LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/marypetto
🍭TikTok: @marypetto
In this episode, I talk with Jeff Sorensen, founder of breathARMY. He shares how the breath became the central tool in his recovery from trauma, addiction, and mental illness. We explore how his years of substance use, time in a Mexican prison, near-death experiences, and struggles with identity led him to discover how breathing habits influence and reflect the nervous system, emotions, and perception of reality.
Jeff explains the power of returning to a natural, effortless breath and how awareness of the breath can help release fear, old patterns, and habitual ways of being. We also discuss how meditation, plant medicine, yoga, pets, and time in nature supported his journey, and how he learned to channel his energy and emotion into practices that foster healing, presence, freedom, and personal growth.
Connect and Learn More:
Website: breatharmy.com
Facebook: @breathARMY
Instagram: @breatharmy
Resources:
Books
- A World Made New by Paul Selig
- The Quantum Revelation by Paul Levy
- Wetiko by Paul Levy
People
- Paul Levy
- Paul Selig
In this episode, I talk with Steven Puri, co-founder of the focus app Sukha and former Hollywood executive, about focus and flow — what it feels like, why it matters, and how to increase it. We cover a range of tools and techniques, including: sound, physical space, to-do lists, community, solitude, time of day, and simple items like a pencil, paper, and a timer, along with lessons from Hollywood on creating great work and fulfilling your dreams.
Connect and Learn More:
Website: thesukha.co
Email: Shared in the episode
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/steven-puri
Resources Mentioned:
Apps: Brain.fm, Endel, Forest, Todoist
Books: Deep Work by Cal Newport, Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Indistractable by Nir Eyal, The Net and the Butterflyby Olivia Fox Cabane & Judah Pollack
Companies: Alaska Airlines, Amazon, Disney, Dreamworks Animation, Fox Corporation, Hilton, LucasFilm, Marvel, Meta, M. Fredric, News Corp, Nike, Oura Health, Pixar, Spiegel, TikTok, Twitter, Universal Studios, Vine, YouTube
Movies: A Good Day to Die Hard, Alien vs. Predator, Ant-Man, Die Hard with a Vengeance,Independence Day: Resurgence, Live Free or Die Hard, Mission: Impossible III, My Best Friend's Wedding, Rain Man, Stargate, Star Trek, The Island, The Mask of Zorro, The Wolverine, Transformers, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
People: Alex Kurtzman, Bob Iger, Bob Orci, Chase Carey, Dean Devlin, Elon Musk, Evan Spiegel, Francesco Cirillo,George Lucas, Hephaestus (character),Jake Paul, James Clear, James Dean, John Diemer, Judah Pollack, Logan Paul, Mark Zuckerberg, Marie Curie, Michael Jordan, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Nir Eyal, Olivia Fox Cabane, Pablo Picasso, Prometheus (character), Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Ronald Bass, Ronald Emmerich, Rupert Murdoch, Spike Jonze, Steve Jobs, Tony Mauro
Places: Austin, Bali, Chiang Mai, Cyprus, Kathmandu, Puerta Vallarta, San Francisco, Vienna
Podcasts: Deep Questions with Cal Newport
In this episode, I talk with Dr. Paul Taylor, author, neuroscientist, exercise physiologist, and host of The Paul Taylor Podcast. He is an expert in hardiness, the science of turning stress into strength.
Modern life is quietly weakening us through the way we eat, move, sleep, socialize, and use technology. By introducing stress, challenge, and discomfort in safe and deliberate ways through exercise, nutrition, temperature, sunlight, and other natural experiences, we can regain our strength and hardiness. This idea is rooted in hormesis, the concept that exposure to manageable stress or challenge can strengthen the body and mind.
We also discuss Paul’s lessons from his upbringing in Ireland, his time in the military, and his experiences as a parent, in sport, and through personal challenges. He shares practical ways to build hardiness in daily life: move regularly, play outside, eat mostly minimally processed foods, limit screen time, set simple rules and routines, gradually increase effort, and reflect on how you spend your time. Seeing life as a challenge and viewing stress as a chance to grow helps us step out of our comfort zone, so we can strengthen ourselves physically and mentally and be better prepared for whatever life throws our way.
Connect and Learn More:
Website: paultaylor.biz
Instagram: @paultaylor.biz
Podcast: The Paul Taylor Podcast
Books: Death by Comfort, and the upcoming The Hardiness Effect
Resources Mentioned:
Books: Antifragile, Elite Minds, Enchiridion, The Black Swan,
People: Arrian,Bengt Saltin, Bente Klarlund Pedersen, Epictetus,Frank Booth, Friedrich Nietzsche, Grant Schofield, Nassim Nicholas Taleb, Seneca, Stan Beecham, Walter Mischel
In this episode, I talk with Qi Gong practitioner and holistic life coach Tamas Konya. We discuss the philosophy and practice, Qi Gong, its benefits, how it has helped Tamas, and how it can help you too.
Connect and Learn More:
- Website: tamascoach.com
- LinkedIn: Tamas Konya
- Facebook: Tamas Konya
- Instagram: @tamascoach
- YouTube: @tamascoach
Resources Mentioned:
- Weightless by Marconi Union
- Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
- 1984 by George Orwell
- Fight Club (film)
- Avatar (film)
- Stephen Covey
What do you do when you have three interviews scheduled and no one shows up? You make a SOLOOOOO episode. Mikey’s back, in his classic state - all alone. This is a musing on what to do when you’ve planned, prepared, and done everything you could, but reality has other ideas. What do you do? Keep going, keep trying, re-channel that energy into something even more amazing, and love and embrace yourself that much more. This lone wolf is waking up from his long winter slumber, howling, roaring, and ready to roam.
In this episode, Lori Tsugawa, author of Let the Samurai Be Your Guide, shares her journey of overcoming traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) by drawing on her Japanese heritage and values. We explore Japanese concepts like bushido (the way of the warrior), ikigai, and ganbaru (never giving up), and discuss how you can apply these principles to your own life.
She also talks about her experiences working in a women’s prison, shares Japanese folk tales, and highlights her favorite places in Japan. Listen in, and let your inner samurai and otaku lead the way toward healing, resilience, and growth.
Connect and Learn More
- Website: loriwhaley.com
- Book: Let the Samurai Be Your Guide
- Podcast: The Samurai Way
- LinkedIn: Lori Tsugawa
Resources Mentioned:
- Attractions: Adachi Museum of Art, Dogo Onsen, Japanese American Museum of Oregon, Kenrokuen, Nagoro Doll Village, Noguchi Museum, Pine Wind Japanese Garden, Ritsurin Garden, Shikoku Mura, SL Yamaguchi, Torrance Art Museum
- Books: Man's Search for Meaning
- Films: Fight Club
- Japanese folktales: Momotarō, The Mouse's Marriage, The Singing Turtle
- Organizations: Albert Camus, Amen Clinics, Ikigai Lab, Kinokuniya, The Ritz Carlton, Toastmasters International, Tuttle Publishing
- People: Ayano Tsukimi, Chiune Sugihara, Daniel Amen, Daniel Inouye, Friedrich Nietzsche, Jean-Paul Sartre, Isamu Noguchi, Sam Ushio, Victor Frankl, Yayoi Kusama
- Places: Hokkaido, Iya Valley, Kochi, Matsue, Matsuyama, Naoshima, Naruto, Portland, Shikoku, Takamatsu, Tokushima, Torrance, Tsuwano
In this episode, I talk with Eric Zwigart, CEO of Rock Solid Capital Investments, about how ADHD has shaped his career, faith, and life. Eric shares how ADHD shows up for him — both the challenges, like distraction, difficulty listening, and time blindness, and the advantages, including intense focus, pattern recognition, and creative problem-solving.
He reflects on running a $150 million-a-year oil company that collapsed during COVID, costing him $35 million personally, and how that experience changed his perspective.
We discuss entrepreneurship, real estate, and what it takes to thrive in a field full of risk and opportunity. Eric shares lessons from both successes and setbacks: leveraging strengths, recognizing weaknesses, working with others, having faith, balancing risk, and more. He explains how these experiences have helped him prioritize family, community, and faith, guiding him in building a life, career, and investments aligned with what matters most.
Connect and Learn More
Website: rocksolidcap.com
Email: (mentioned in the episode)
LinkedIn: Eric Zwigart
YouTube: @ROCKSOLIDPARTNERS
Instagram: @eric.zwigart
X: @EricZwigart
Resources Mentioned
People: Bernie Madoff, Donald Trump, Dr. Phil, Elon Musk, Grant Cardone, Søren Kierkegaard
Entertainment: Mad Men (TV show), Mario Kart (video game), Street Fighter (video game)
In this episode, I talk with ADHD specialist Jennifer Dall about ADHD in women. We discuss the symptoms, features, different forms, possible causes, benefits, overlaps with other conditions, tools that can help, and more.
Connect and Learn More
🔗Website: adhdholistically.com
📷Instagram: @adhd.holistically
💬Threads: @adhd.holistically
Resources
Books
- A Radical Guide for Women with ADHD – Sari Sulden
- Journeys Through ADDulthood – Sari Sulden
- Women with Attention Deficit Disorder– Sari Sulden
Organizations
- CHADD
- Understood.org
People
- Danielle Elliot
- Kristen Carder
- Sari Sulden
Podcasts
- Climbing the Walls
- I Have ADHD
In this episode, I talk with actress and entrepreneur Jenae Alt about cannabinoids like CBD, CBG, and THC, terpenes, and the effects they can create — including relaxation, pain relief, better sleep, creativity, presence, focus, energy, immune support, beauty, sexual pleasure, and overall well-being. We also discuss delivery methods, other natural ways to experience a high, the risks involved, how to get started, cannabis for pets, and more.
Connect and Learn More
Jenae’s Instagram
📸 @jenaealt_
CalyFX
🌐 calyfx.com | 📸 @calyfxuk
Neo Sensual
🌐 neosensuality.com | 📸 @neo.sensualus
SkinnyWeed
🌐 skinnyweed.com | 📸 @skinnyweedinc
RESOURCES
- Dennis Dellesio (CEO of CalyFX)
- Eeyore (character)
- Jack Herer (cannabis rights activist)
- Pink Floyd (band)
- Scott Page (musician)
- Snoopy (character)
In this episode, I talk with Dustin Dunbar, author of You're Doing Great! (And Other Lies Alcohol Told Me) and founder of Alcohol-Free Revolution.
We discuss the illusion that alcohol benefits us, how calling it what it truly is—ethanol—can reframe our perspective, and why quitting doesn’t have to be a lifelong struggle. Dustin shares the dream that changed his life, how trauma often underlies drinking, and what happens when you stop numbing and start feeling.
We also get into:
- The difference between the AA model and joyful alcohol-free living
- Alcohol as a blocker of consciousness and connection
- Why quitting can lead to more energy, libido, clarity, and weight loss
- How to socialize without alcohol and what to say when people ask why
- The link between drinking and childhood trauma
- Tools like meditation, nature, infrared therapy, and travel
- An alcohol-free bar experiment where people had even more fun
- The role of family and industry culture around drinking
- "Sober" vs. "alcohol-free": a shift in mindset
Dustin’s story is a powerful example of what’s possible on the other side of alcohol.
Connect and Learn More
📘Book: You're Doing Great! (And Other Lies Alcohol Told Me)
📸Instagram: @DustinDunbarUSA
📺YouTube: @DustinDunbarUSA
🌐Website: dustin-dunbar.com
🤝Non-profit: Alcohol-Free Revolution (AFR)
RESOURCES
📚Books
- This Naked Mind by Annie Grace
- The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober by Catherine Gray
🐸 Characters
- Budweiser Frogs
- Spuds MacKenzie
- Superman
- The Guinness Toucan
👤 People
- Annie Grace
- Catherine Gray
- Coors Light Twins (Diane and Elaine Klimaszewski)
- James Swanick
- Janet Gourand
- Tony Robbins
🎙️ Podcasts
- Alcohol-Free Lifestyle
- This Naked Mind Podcast
- Tribe Sober
👥Programs
- Alcohol-Free Lifestyle
- Alcohol-Free Revolution (AFR)
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
- Tribe Sober
In this episode, I talk with health guru, spiritual traveler, former math prodigy, and president of Relax Saunas of Momentum, Phillip Wilson, about his philosophies on life and death.
Reflecting on his own journey, we explore some of the keys to a good life, including balancing thinking and feeling, meditation, contemplation, presence, listening, patience, paying attention, following your inner guidance, observation, non-judgment, boundaries, self-acceptance and love, discipline, positive thinking, letting go of beliefs, desires, and fears, reframing your thoughts, desiring freedom, taking risks, treating life as an adventure, being okay with not having, not playing the victim, holding on and letting go, seeing through the illusions of death, identity, duality, and time and space, gratitude, appreciation, laughter, having fun, eating less, honoring people, biofeedback, herbs, hot springs, massages, hugs, and far-infrared saunas.
We also discuss the benefits of far-infrared saunas and how to get one.
Connect and Learn More
🌐 Websites: phillipawilson.com | ♨️ relaxsaunas.com
📚 Book: picturesofthemind.com
▶️ Relax Saunas YouTube: @relaxsaunas
💸 Discount code: SHAMAN — $100 off the Silver or Black sauna at relaxsaunas.com
RESOURCES
📚Books
- Adventures of Huckleberry Finn – Mark Twain
- Aladdin – Antoine Galland
- Alice's Adventures in Wonderland – Lewis Carroll
- Be Here Now – Ram Dass
- Cancer and the New Biology of Water – Thomas Cowan
- Conversations with God – Neale Donald Walsch
- Destiny of Souls – Michael Newton
- Hamlet – William Shakespeare
- How to Solve It – GeorgePólya
- Journey of Souls – Michael Newton
- Kinship With All Life – J. Allen Boone
- Narcissus and Goldmund – Hermann Hesse
- The Politics of Experience – R.D. Laing
- The Practice of the Presence of God – Brother Lawrence
- Saved by the Light – Dannion Brinkley
- Siddhartha – Hermann Hesse
- Steppenwolf – Hermann Hesse
- The Celestine Prophecy – James Redfield
- The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood – Howard Pyle
- The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge – Carlos Castaneda
- Winnie-the-Pooh – A.A. Milne
🎬 Films & TV
- A Beautiful Mind (film)
- Groundhog Day (film)
- Saved by the Light (film)
- The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (TV show)
- The Secret (film)
🎵 Music
- “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” – Neil Sedaka
- Fleetwood Mac (band)
- “Hold On” – Wilson Phillips
- “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” (nursery rhyme)
- The Rite of Spring – Igor Stravinsky
- Tommy (album) – The Who
- “When You Wish Upon a Star” – Leigh Harline & Ned Washington
👥 People
- Andrew Huberman
- Bertrand Russell
- Bill Wilson
- Buddha
- David “Avocado” Wolfe
- George W. Bush
- Hippocrates
- Hulda Clark
- Joe Rogan
- Lewis Carroll
- Max Planck
- Paul Twitchell
- Plato
- Pythagoras
- René Descartes
- Richard Wagner
- Ronda Patrick
- Rumi
- Socrates
- St. Jiminy (Jiminy Cricket — character)
In this episode, I talk with Steffani LeFevour, happiness coach and author of You Are A Badass Mom, about the real challenges of motherhood — and how to move through them using tools that support your body, mindset, and actions.
We cover practices like gratitude, focusing on what’s going well, redirecting your attention to what you do want, journaling, physical movement, getting outside, calling a friend, stopping complaints, canceling negative thoughts, memento mori, and radical acceptance.
By making simple shifts in in thought, body, and behavior, you can reshape your reality and feel calmer, happier, and more free. And when stress hits, you’ll have the tools to meet the situation with greater peace, clarity, and calm.
These tools aren’t just for mothers — they can help anyone reduce stress, improve their energy and mood, and feel more in control of their experience.
Connect and Learn More
📖 Book: You Are A Badass Mom
🌐 Websites: coachwithsteff.com | myhappilife.com
📸 Instagram: @coachwithsteff
💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/steffanifortlefevour
RESOURCES
📚 Books
- A Return to Love by Marianne Williamson
- Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch
👥 People
- Deepak Chopra
- Dalai Lama
- Wayne Dyer
- Pema Chödrön
- Mother Teresa
- Neale Donald Walsch
- Oprah Winfrey
- Marianne Williamson
In this episode, I talk with creative and filmmaker Rachel Dunn about her experiences with narcolepsy, emotions, and animal communication. We discuss the upsides of narcolepsy — such as creativity and the ability to quickly nap or fall asleep — how intense emotions trigger REM sleep and cause her body to collapse, and how she’s learned to suppress those emotions. Rachel also shares her experience with medications, sleep paralysis, a possible link to shift work, and how she channels her emotions through filmmaking and animals.
She communicates with animals through telepathy, mental images, the camera, and by quieting her mind to truly listen. We also cover eye contact, in-person encounters, and how to stay calm in potentially dangerous situations.
Rachel’s story offers a glimpse of what it’s like to live with narcolepsy, the power of emotion, and reconnection with animals amidst the noisy modern world.
Connect and Learn More
🌐 Website: girldirector.com
🎬 Documentary: throughelephanteyes.com
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/racheldunn101
💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rachelgirldirector
📸 Instagram: @girldirector
RESOURCES
📚 Books
- The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony
🎥 Films
- The Mask
- The Matrix
- Symphony of the Earth
👥 People
- David Attenborough
- David Dunn
- Jim Carrey
- Lawrence Anthony
- Peter (elephant)
- Rupert Sheldrak
In this episode, I talk with Amanda Wiggins, CEO of The cGP Lab in New Zealand. We explore how about how our choices across early, middle, and later life can influence brain health and long-term risk of dementia. Many of these factors—like high blood sugar, diabetes, hypertension, drinking, and smoking—are closely tied to vascular health. Amanda explains how blood vessels function, how they get damaged, and what we can do to protect and repair them.
She also introduces cGP (cyclic glycine proline), a supplement that helps regulate IGF-1, supports blood vessel repair, and may lower the risk of dementia, Parkinson’s, and other neurological conditions.
Connect and Learn More
💼LinkedIn: /amandawiggins
🌐Website: cgp-health.com
💊Supplement: cgpmax.com
🧪Chief Scientist at The cGP Lab: Dr. Jian Guan
Lisa Nezneski is a pharmacist, certified mindfulness teacher, shamanic healer, and author of Grounded in Chaos. She used meditation, grounding, visualization, and energy work to navigate a period of intense stress and loss—and now helps others do the same.
In this episode, we discuss how shamanic healing works, how mindfulness and visualization support emotional well-being, and how we can use and learn from pets during hard times. Lisa shares her personal story of transformation and the tools that continue to help her stay present, connected, and calm.
Connect and Learn More
📚 Grounded in Chaos: Leaning into Adversity, Learning Joy
📖 Seven Mindful Questions: Stop Wasting Time, Redirect Your Life
🌐 Website: lisanezneski.com
📘 Facebook: @LisaNezneski
📸 Instagram: @LisaNezneski
🔗LinkedIn: /lisa-nezneski
▶️ YouTube: @UCKleHLgeXrTYIYCxR4DMijA
🧘♀️ Join her Thursday night mindfulness meditation group at 7 pm Eastern—sign up through her newsletter on the website.
RESOURCES
Indigenous Tribes
- Q’ero
- Ojibwe
People
- T. J. Oshie
- Thich Nhat Hanh
Dog Breeds
- Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie)
- Shih Tzu
- Dachshund (Doxen)
Theme Parks
- Kennywood (Pittsburgh)
- King’s Island (Cincinnati)
- King’s Dominion (Richmond)
- Busch Gardens (Williamsburg)
- Disney World (Orlando)
Sports Teams
- Pittsburgh Penguins
In this episode, Brian Karr, co-founder of We Inspect and host of #moldfinders RADIO, explains how to understand mold, find it, prevent it, and reduce your exposure.
We cover how modern homes create the perfect conditions for mold, how it impacts your health, and what steps to take to keep it out of your home and brain.
🌐 Connect and Learn More:
📞 Schedule a free call with Brian’s team: http://form.yesweinspect.com/Brain-Shaman-Podcast
🏠 Website: yesweinspect.com
🧹 The Dust Test: TheDustTest.com
🧼 Clean Your Moldy Stuff: cleanmymoldystuff.com
🚫 Remediation Mistakes: RemediationMistakes.com
🎙️ Podcast: #moldfinders RADIO
📸 Instagram: @moldfinders
RESOURCES
Companies
- Certified Mold Inspections
- HomeCleanse
- The Mold Guy
People
- Corey Levy
- Mark Levy
- Michael Rubino
- Ritchie Shoemaker
- Steve Levy
- Yosemite Sam (cartoon character)
What if your sense of self is the very thing holding you back? In this episode, author and yoga retreat founder Yogi Aaron invites us to explore how yoga can help dissolve the ego and strip away the layers of identity we cling to — our habits, defenses, roles, and masks. We discuss how fear, mistrust, and attachment create instability and confusion — and how yoga offers a path toward clarity, freedom, and authenticity.
Through deliberate movement, breath, silence, and stillness, we begin to see what we’re protecting — and why. This conversation is about breaking cycles, softening resistance, and reconnecting with who we are beneath the masks and personas. Letting go becomes the gateway to presence, trust, and inner stability.
Connect and Learn More
📚 Book: Autobiography of a Naked Yogi
📘 Book: Stop Stretching!
🎧 Podcast: Stop Stretching
🌴 Retreat: Blue Osa Yoga Retreat and Spa
📷 Instagram: @yogi_aaron
🌐 Website: www.yogiaaron.com
🎬 YouTube: @YogiAaron
In this episode, my guest is men's yoga and health expert Jake Panasevich. We discuss yoga for men — how to get started, how it differs from other forms of exercise and yoga for women, its benefits for physical and mental health, and more.
Jake shares tips on finding the right class, what to look for in a teacher, effective teaching methods, overcoming common obstacles, and building a consistent practice. We also talk about breathwork, pain, social connection, the politics of yoga studios, and the unique health challenges men face today — and how yoga can help.
Connect and Learn More
📸 Instagram: @yogawithjake
▶️ YouTube: YogaWithJake
📘 Facebook: YogaWithJakeP
🐦 X: @yogawithjake
🌐 Website: yogawithjake.com
🎧 Podcast: Yoga With Jake
RESOURCES
PEOPLE
- Richard Reeves
- Jett Stone
- Troy Jackson
ORGANIZATIONS
- American Institute for Boys and Men
- US News & World Report
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Philadelphia Phillies
- Philadelphia Union
- University of Pittsburgh
- Philly Power Yoga
PLACES
- Philadelphia
- Fishtown, Philadelphia
- Rocko's Italian Sausages & Philly Cheese Steaks
- Brooklyn
In this episode, I talk with Lisa Skinner, behavioral expert and author of Truth, Lies & Alzheimer's: Its Secret Faces. We discuss common myths, symptoms, risk factors, and practical tools for prevention and caregiving.
Connect and Learn More
🌐Website: mindingdementia.com
📚Book: Truth, Lies & Alzheimer's: Its Secret Faces
🔗LinkedIn: @lisaskinnerauthor
In this episode, my guest is Dr. Mary Newport — physician, author, and Alzheimer's expert. We talk about how nutrition impacts Alzheimer’s, focusing on coconut oil, MCT oil, the ketogenic and Mediterranean diets, and the dangers of sugar and refined carbohydrates.
We also cover lifestyle factors that may contribute to Alzheimer’s — and how addressing them can help prevent the disease and improve the lives of those affected.
This conversation blends science and personal stories to help you protect your brain, with or without Alzheimer's.
Connect and Learn More
🌐 Website: coconutketones.com
📸Instagram: @marynewportmd
📚 Books:
- Alzheimer's Disease: What If There Was a Cure? The Story of Ketones
- Cleary Keto: For Healthy Brain Aging and Alzheimer's Prevention
- The Coconut and Low-Carb Solution for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Other Diseases
- The Complete Book of Ketones: A Practical Guide to Ketogenic Diets and Ketone Supplements
RESOURCES
ORGANIZATIONS
- Alzheimer's Association
- Bazsucki Family Foundation
- Brown University
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- Scientific American
- Tampa Bay Times
- The Lancet
PEOPLE
- Albert Einstein
- George Cahill
- Richard Veech
- Samuel Henderson
- Stephen Cunnane
- Theodore Van Itallie
ALZHEIMER'S TESTS
- Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Test
- Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS)
- Clock Drawing Test (CDT)
- Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE)
In this episode, I talk with Raj Khedun about his 3:3 Metaverse Breathing Method. We explore how it works, its impact on the nervous system, and how it compares to other popular breathing techniques—and we even practice it together.
Our conversation also explores metaphysics, the metaverse, chakras, technology, vocalizations, nostril flow, and the nature of reality—and how all of these connect to this simple yet powerful breathwork practice.
Connect and Learn More
🌐Website: keepfitkingdom.com
RESOURCES
BREATHING TECHNIQUES
- 3:3 Metaverse Breathing Method
- 4-7-8 Breathing
- Box Breathing
- Physiological Sigh
- Wim Hof Method
MOVIES
- Avatar: The Last Airbender
- The Matrix
PEOPLE
- Andrew Huberman
- Andrew Weil
- Larry Ellison
- Mark Zuckerberg
- Robert Nozick
- Steven Kotler
- Wim Hof
In this episode, my guest is Dr. Vaibhav Diwadkar, professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences at Wayne State University School of Medicine. We discuss the powers and limits of the human brain, the tentative yet evolving role of neuroscience, and the science of thermoregulation in both animals and humans.
Our conversation explores the concept of hormesis-enhanced interoceptive refocusing—how combining stressors like cold exposure and breathwork with parasympathetic practices such as meditation or introspection can influence brain function, mood, and perception.
We also discuss mental health disorders, drugs, pharmaceuticals, animal research, technology, exercise, the abundance of information and food, and the dynamic relationship between the mind, body, and environment.
Connect and Learn More
Professor Profile: psychiatry.med.wayne.edu/profile/ax3112
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vaibhav-diwadkar-7ba3107
RESOURCES
PAPERS
- “Brain over body”–A study on the willful regulation of autonomic function during cold exposure , NeuroImage (March 2018)
- Human regulatory systems in the age of abundance: A predictive processing perspective, Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences (February 2025)
- The impact of a focused behavioral intervention on brain cannabinoid signaling and interoceptive function: Implications for mood and anxiety, Brain Behavior and Immunity Integrative (January 2024)
PEOPLE
- Andrew Huberman
- Emerson Pugh
- Franz Gall
- Martin Heidegger
- Otto Musik
- Wim Hof
In this episode, my guest is Dr. Jett Stone, clinical psychologist and author of Quiet Your Mind: A Men's Guide. We explore the struggles many men face in today’s world—alienation, confusion, and lack of footing—and how to navigate this modern world with more meaning, purpose, confidence, and connection.
We discuss:
- Masculinity and femininity
- Marriage, dating, and parenthood
- Work—both paid and unpaid, including domestic labor
- Community and friends
- Challenges for women and couples
- Overthinking and practical tools to overcome it
Actionable tools for men living in the modern world:
- Journaling, writing, and finding the right language
- Mentorship, social infrastructure, and third places
- Joining clubs, leagues, or churches
- Getting out of the house and putting in effort
- Slowing down, listening to classical music
- Embracing exercise and movement
- Experimenting, taking small risks, and shifting perspective
- Seeking curiosity and awe
- Defining your values and constructing your own masculine code
Whether you're feeling lost, confused, or alone, this conversation offers practical insights to help you build a more meaningful, purpose-filled, and connected life.
Connect and Learn More
🌐 Website: jettstonephd.com
📚 Book: Quiet Your Mind
📸 Instagram: @flex.flexibility
🧠 Psychology Today: /jett-stone-phd
RESOURCES
ORGANIZATIONS
- Boys & Girls Clubs of America
- Psychology Today
PEOPLE
- Karl Kahler
- Loretta Breuning
- Steven Hayes
PLACES
- Vietnam
In this episode, I talk with yoga teacher and researcher Erica Sharpe about yoga nidra. We explore the emerging science behind this ancient practice, how to do it, and how it can help with insomnia, anxiety, addiction, PTSD, depression, pain, and more.
Yoga nidra lets you rewire memories and habits, break free from past constraints, and open new possibilities. It enhances sleep, relaxation, learning, mood, memory, and overall well-being by guiding you into a deep state of conscious rest.
We also discuss sleep, dreams, nightmares, psychosis, symbols, language, imagery, audio, intention, sensory perception, sensory withdrawal, environment, posture, timing, duration, potential risks, the distinction between yoga nidra and NSDR, and the deeper impact of yoga on the mind and body.
Explore how yoga nidra unlocks your subconscious mind and guides you into deeper states of rest, awareness, and transformation.
Connect and Learn More
📺 YouTube: @ericasharpe5711
✉️ Email: shared in the episode
RESOURCES
BOOKS
- Hatha Yoga Pradipika by Svatmarama
- Yoga Nidra by Swami Satyananda Saraswati
ORGANIZATIONS
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
- National University of National Medicine (NUNM)
- SUNY Canton
- Yoga Vidya Gurukul
PEOPLE
- Andrew Huberman
- Friedrich August Kekule
- Lord Voldemort (fictional character)
- Mr. Hyde (fictional character)
- Swami Satyananda Saraswati
- Thomas Edison
- Vishwas Vasant Mandlik
PRACTICES
- Asana
- Ashtanga yoga
- Dharana
- Dhyana
- Hatha yoga
- Hypnosis
- Omkar
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
- Non-Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR)
- Nyasa
- Pratyahara
- Shavasana
- Vamachara
In this episode, I talk with yoga teacher and health journalist Sonia Azad about meditation for beginners. We explore Vipassana, yoga nidra, mindfulness, and more—guiding you into practices that bring more calm, peace, presence, and freedom.
Whether you're just starting your meditation journey or looking to deepen your practice, this episode is for you.
Connect and Learn More
🌐 Website: sonia-azad.com
🎙️ Podcast: The Shift with Sonia Azad
📸 Instagram: @SoniaAzadTV
📘 Facebook: @SoniaAzadTV
🔗 LinkedIn: /sonia-azad
🐦 X: @SoniaAzadTV
RESOURCES
APPS
- Calm
- Headspace
- Insight Timer
COURSES
- Vipassana Meditation
- Yoga with Sonia
PEOPLE
- Jake Panasevich
- S.N. Goenka
PODCASTS
- The Shift with Sonia Azad
- Yoga with Jake
In this episode, I talk with Cambridge zoologist Arik Kershenbaum about why communication evolved in animals and humans. We explore how social structure, status, needs, movement, distance, environment, emotions, sense of self and other, theory of mind, genetic relatedness, technology, ideas, words, language, and the senses shape the way we communicate.
We also discuss interspecies communication, pets, plants, gossip, names, autism, mental illness, other minds, information media (books, radio, etc.), language breakdown, variation in language abilities, fighting, isolation, and anthropomorphism.
Learn more about how wolves, dolphins, parrots, hyraxes, gibbons, chimpanzees, humans, and other species communicate in Arik’s latest book, Why Animals Talk.
RESOURCES
BOOKS
- Alex and Me by Irene Pepperberg
- Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
- The Zoologist's Guide to the Galaxy by Arik Kershenbaum
- Why Animals Talk by Arik Kershenbaum
PAPERS
- Epiphenomenal Qualia by Frank Jackson
- What Is It Like to Be a Bat? by Thomas Nagel
PEOPLE
- Alex (parrot)
- Irene Pepperberg
- J.K. Rowling
- Rick McIntyre
- Temple Grandin
Connect and Learn More
Search "Arik Kershenbaum" to find his books, podcast interviews, TV appearances, and more.
In this episode, I talk with Peggy DeLong, the Gratitude Psychologist 🙏 about how to cultivate gratitude. Discover simple yet powerful exercises, tools, and tips to help you experience and express more gratitude in your daily life. We also explore the science behind gratitude and its many benefits.
Whether you're facing low mood, stress, jealousy, grief, loss, loneliness, insomnia, fear, hopelessness, negativity, or pain—or simply want to feel better and more alive—this episode is for you.
Thank you for listening!
RESOURCES
PEOPLE
- Eckhart Tolle
- Leon Festinger
- Shawn Achor
- Theodore Roosevelt
- Wayne Dyer
Connect & Learn More
🌐 Website: drpeggydelong.com
📩 Newsletter: drpeggydelong.com/thegratefulday
💎 Bracelets: loveinabracelet.com
📸 Instagram: @the.gratitude.psychologist
🔗 LinkedIn: Peggy Doherty DeLong, Psy.D
In this episode, I interview Rachel White, the 'Skeptical Shaman,' about lucid dreaming 🌙✨ and how we can become more lucid—both in dreams and waking life—through meditation, psilocybin 🍄, flowers 🌸, herbs 🌿, cards, and other substances and practices.
RESOURCESBOOKS
- Dune by Frank Herbert
MOVIES & TV
- 28 Days Later
- Chapelle's Show
- FantasiaPEOPLE
- Carl Jung
- Emma Cook
- Frank Herbert
- Jimmy Dore
- Joe Rogan
- Matt McCusker
- Michael Harner
- Natalie Fehlner
- Neil Brennan
- Sam Harris
- Shane Gillis
PLANTS
- Allium
- Bloodroot
- Blue lotus
- Borage
- Cardinal flower
- Chamomile
- Foxglove
- Hemp
- Kava
- Lavender
- Mugwort
- Myrhh tree
- Nasturtium
- Poppy
- Red raspberry
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Stinging nettle
- Sweet pea
- Thyme
- Willow
- Wormwood
- Yarrow
PODCASTS
- Matt and Shane's Secret Podcast
- The Joe Rogan Experience
- The Skeptical Shaman
RESTAURANTS
- Elske
Connect and Learn More
Website: totemreadings.com
Etsy: @TotemReadingsATX
Instagram: @totemrach
Substack: @totemrach
Podcast: The Skeptical Shaman
In this episode, I talk with Rachel White, the 'Skeptical Shaman,' about lucid dreaming and how
In this episode, I interview Michelle Sherman, a couple and family psychologist and author of Loving Someone with a Mental Illness or History of Trauma and I'm Not Alone. We explore how to love and care for someone with a mental illness while also taking care of yourself. We discuss balancing both individuals' needs, setting limits and boundaries, and navigating the challenges and gifts that arise.
Topics include homelessness, trauma, trust, social isolation, and the power of relationship, presence, acts of love, and social connection—both with your loved one and within broader support systems like NAMI.
Michelle shares practical skills, tools, resources, and strategies for adults and teenagers living with someone who has a mental illness (such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, major depression, or PTSD) or a history of trauma. She also emphasizes the importance of things like sleep, nutrition, exercise, and education.
A core backdrop to our conversation is my own recent, challenging yet beautiful journey with my brother, who has been struggling with mental illness, homelessness, and trauma. This conversation truly helped me, and I hope it provides support for you and your family as well.
RESOURCESBOOKS
- I Am Not Sick, I Don't Need Help by Xavier Amador
- I'm Not Alone by Michelle Sherman and DeAnne Sherman
- Loving Someone with a Mental Illness or History of Trauma by Michelle Sherman and DeAnne Sherman
ORGANIZATIONS
- Minnesota Vikings
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
PEOPLE
- Xavier Amador
VOCABULARY
- Anosognosia
- Electronic benefit transfer (EBT)
- First Episode Psychosis Program
- Food bank
- Minister of Loneliness
Connect and Learn More
website: seedsofhopebooks.com
In this episode, I interview Dr. Fredric Schiffer, psychiatrist, research associate at McLean Hospital, associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and pioneer of Dual Brain Psychology. We discuss his innovative approach to understanding and treating trauma, addiction, and other mental health challenges, as outlined in his latest book, Good-bye Anxiety, Depression, Addiction, & PTSD.Dr. Schiffer explains how each brain hemisphere functions as an independent mind. One side is often troubled, traumatized, and negative, while the other is healthier, more positive, and mature. However, it’s not immediately apparent which hemisphere is which in each individual. Using simple techniques like covering one visual field with your hand, an envelope, or special glasses, you can determine which side is which. This method builds on split-brain research, the brain's visual pathways, and the work of Freud.
We also discuss near-infrared light therapy (transcranial photobiomodulation), applied to the forehead to stimulate the healthier hemisphere. Paired with psychotherapy, these techniques—the light therapy and eye-covering technique—help the healthier side work with its troubled counterpart to facilitate healing. These methods are effective for treating trauma, addiction (likely including fentanyl), and other mental health issues. They can restore health and power to both brain hemispheres and even help transform relationships, communities, and societies.
RESOURCES
BOOKS
- Left Brain, Right Brain by Sally Springer and Georg Deutsch
- Of Two Minds by Fredric Schiffer
PEOPLE
- Michael Hamblin
- Roger Sperry
- Sally Springer
- Sigmund Freud
- Winston Churchill
VOCABULARY
- Buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone)
- Id, ego, and superego
- Fentanyl
- Psychoanalysis
- Split-brain
- Triune brain
Connect and Learn More
Website: dualbrainpsychology.com
Email: Available in the episode
Book: Good-bye Anxiety, Depression, Addiction & PTSD
In this episode, I interview Dr. Chris Aiken, psychiatrist, editor-in-chief of the Carlat Psychiatry Report, and author of Bipolar, Not So Much. We explore bipolarity and depression as a spectrum—from depression to mania and mixed states—framing them as circadian rhythm disorders.
Dr. Aiken shares practical tools for managing moods, with a focus on sleep regulation. We cover light exposure, dark therapy, sleep schedules, and strategies to reduce jetlag, travel-related mood swings, and seasonal changes. He also discusses technologies like dawn simulators and blue-light-blocking glasses.
We dive into nutrition, including helpful foods, herbs, and supplements, and the effects of substances like alcohol, caffeine, ketamine, and psilocybin. We also explore the role of psychedelic and spiritual experiences.
Additionally, we touch on ADHD, creativity, the history of bipolar, and other factors that influence mood swings, along with resources to help you better understand and manage your mood.
RESOURCESDRUGS
- Armodafinil (Nuvigil)
- Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
- Lamotrigine
- Lithium
- Modafinil (Provigil)- Valproate (Depakote)GENERAL RESOURCES
- Hypomania Checklist 32 (HCL-32)
- Jet Lag Rooster
- Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ)
- Supplements that Work
- The Antidepressant Diet
PEOPLE
- Andrew Huberman
- Arthur Quiller-Couch
- Chris Palmer
- David Baszucki
- Emil Kraepelin
- Jan Ellison Baszucki
- Jay Olson
- Jules Angst
- Philip McNee
PRODUCTS
- dawn simulator
- light box
SUPPLEMENTS
- Ashwagandha
- Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
- N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)
- Rhodiola rosea
Connect & Learn More
website: chrisaikenmd.com
books: chrisaikenmd.com/books
podcasts: The Carlat Psychiatry Podcast / PocketPsychiatrist
In this episode, I talk with Karl Kahler, author of Manic Dawn. He shares wild stories of his father’s manic adventures, capturing the extremes of bipolar disorder—its brilliance, chaos, and mix of comedy, drama, and tragedy. We explore historical figures with the condition, creativity, suicide, drugs, justice, imagination, divine connection, the impact on relationships, and the art of storytelling, weaving a vivid portrait of the bipolar experience. Prepare to laugh, gasp, and cry.
RESOURCES
BOOKS
- An Unquiet Mind by Kay Redfield Jamison
- Exodus by Leon Uris
- Jurassic Park by Michael Chrichton
- The Cult that Snapped by Karl Kahler
- The Hypomanic Edge by John Gartner
- The Molecule of More by Daniel Lieberman
- The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
- Touched with Fire by Kay Redfield Jamison
MOVIES
- Jurassic Park
- Red Dawn
- Rocky
- The Mask of Zorro
PEOPLE
- Alexander Hamilton
- Andrew Carnegie
- Ann-Margret
- Bob Dylan
- Catherine Zeta-Jones
- Christopher Columbus
- Elon Musk
- Ernest Hemingway
- Groucho Marx
- James Cameron
- Jerry Kahler
- Jim Morrison
- John Wayne
- Kay Redfield Jamison
- Kurt Cobain
- Matthew McConaughey
- Michael Chricton
- Michael Jordan
- Patrick Swayze
- Quentin Tarantino
- Sylvia Plath
- Vincent van Gogh
- Virginia Woolf
- Winston Churchill
Connect and Learn More
website: karlkahler.com
book: Manic Dawn
In this episode, I talk with Lisa Roye Bowers about the fascinating world of frequencies—focusing on light and sound—as well as the power of practices like prayer and meditation in balancing brain waves.
We dive into various tools and topics, such as bioresonance devices, music, binaural beats, Solfeggio frequencies, infrared and near-infrared light, silence, voice, affirmations, food, pets, animals, darkness, mindset, belief, imagination, visualization, words, books, conversation, social connection, and the interconnectedness of all things. Learn how to rewire and balance your brain in this quantumly entangled experience with Lisa Roye Bowers.
RESOURCES
MOVIES & TV- Star Trek
- The Philadelphia ExperimentPEOPLE
- Albert Einstein
- Kim D'Eramo
- Gabby Giffords
- Masaru Emoto
- Nikola Tesla
- Royal Raymond Rife
TECHNOLOGY
- AO Hub (by Solex)
- AO Infinity Wand (by Solex)
- AO Scan (by Solex)
- SCIO (Scientific Consciousness Interface Operation)
Connect and Learn More
website: anewcreationwellness.com
LinkedIn: /lisaroye
email: in the episode
In this episode, I speak with Dr. Arwen Podesta, an addiction specialist and integrative psychiatrist, about the science of addiction, with a focus on how drugs impact the brain.
We break down how substances like alcohol, cocaine, methamphetamine, nicotine, and particularly opiates like fentanyl affect brain function. Dr. Podesta explains the role of our dopamine, serotonin, and opioid systems in driving cravings and addiction.
We also discuss the potential benefits and risks of substances like psilocybin, cannabis, and ketamine, along with the causes of addiction—from genetics to environment—and possible solutions, including nature, connection, psychedelics, and nutrition.
Learn about addiction in animals and how their behaviors shed light on human struggles with addiction.
Join us for an action-packed conversation that uncovers the complexities of addiction and explores new approaches to understanding and addressing it.
RESOURCES
ARTICLES
- Magic Mushrooms, Teens, and Young Adults by Mark Gold
BOOKS
- HOOKED by Arwen Podesta
- Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers by Robert Sapolsky
- Zoobiquity by Barbara Natterson-Horowitz & Kathryn Bowers
ORGANIZATIONS
- HMP Global
- Integrative Medicine for Mental Health (IMMH)
- Integrative Psychiatry Institute
- Psychiatry Redefined
- UCLA
PEOPLE
- Mark Gold
- Matthew Perry
Connect and Learn More
website: podestawellness.com
book: HOOKED
Instagram: @podesta.wellness
LinkedIn: /arwen-podesta-md-8a396042
In this talk with Ross Ellenhorn—author and healthcare pioneer—we explore the human condition and how embracing what makes us truly human—meaning, purpose, autonomy, self-efficacy, play, innovation, collaboration, and connection—can reduce mental suffering and bring us back to life.
We also confront the forces that diminish and dehumanize us—alienation, conformity, judgment, labeling, authoritarianism, racism, isolation, and the commodification of people. At the heart of this episode is an exploration of the power of social connection on mental health and well-being.
Ross offers fresh perspectives on the mental healthcare system, drugs, addiction, and the various forms of mental suffering, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and ADHD. He masterfully navigates the gray areas of human existence, seeing both the good and bad in everything and everyone.
This is an episode that will challenge your assumptions, spark new ways of thinking, and leave you with a lighter heart and a deeper appreciation for all the beauties and pains of being human.
RESOURCESBOOKS- Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson- How We Change by Ross Ellenhorn- Purple Crayons by Ross Ellenhorn
PEOPLE
- Aubrey Marcus
- Bootsy Collins
- Crockett Johnson
- Erich Fromm
- George Clinton
- Gregory Bateson
- Henry David Thoreau
- Jean-Paul Sartre
- Jim Carrey
- Karl Marx
- Margaret Mead
- Martin Heidegger
- Martin Luther King Jr.
- Matt Bernstein
- Matthew Perry
- Robin Williams
- Rosa Parks
- Søren Kierkegaard
Connect and Learn More
Accord website: accordmh.com
Cardea website: cardea.net
Ellenhorn website: ellenhorn.com
personal website: rossellenhorn.com
books: harpercollins.com/collections/books-by-ross-ellenhorn
In this episode, I speak with Dr. Matt Bernstein, CEO of Accord Mental Health and Chief Medical Officer at Ellenhorn, about natural ways to improve, heal, and even potentially reverse mental health conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and depression.
The ketogenic diet, a metabolic approach, is the main focus of today’s discussion. We explore its powerful role in supporting brain health, the mechanisms behind how it works, and practical steps for implementation. Beyond nutrition and metabolism, we also delve into the importance of exercise, sleep, light exposure, mindfulness, social connection, and finding meaning and purpose.
Dr. Bernstein offers insights into the risks, benefits, and limitations of medication—including psychedelics, marijuana, and alcohol—and shares strategies for tapering off or replacing them with deeper, more lasting solutions to your mental health challenges.
RESOURCESBOOKS
- Brain Energy by Chris Palmer
- Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind by Georgia Ede
MEDICATIONS
- Aripiprazole
- Clozapine
- Cobenfy
- Metformin
- Olanzapine
- Risperidone
PEOPLE
- Bret Scher
- Chris Palmer
- Erin Bellamy
- Denise Potter
- Georgia Ede
- Lauren Kennedy West
- Nicole Laurent
- Robert Whitaker
TRAINING PROGRAMS
- Advanced Ketogenic Therapies
- Ketogenic Diets for Mental Health Clinician Training Course
- Metabolic Mental Health Programs
- The Brain Fog Recovery Program
VIDEOS & PODCASTS
- Living Well After Schizophrenia
- Metabolic Mind
Connect & Learn More
website: accordmh.com
email: provided in the episode
In this episode, I speak with Tripp Friedler, author of The Tunnel, about his family's harrowing journey navigating the challenges of bipolar disorder. Tripp shares the heartbreaking story of his son’s battle with the illness, which tragically ended in suicide. We explore bipolar disorder from multiple perspectives: the individual, the family, and society.
We delve into the unique struggles faced by each family member and examine how societal systems—education, healthcare, law enforcement—often fail those living with mental illness. Tripp sheds light on how stigma and societal attitudes only deepen these challenges, making an already difficult situation even harder. Along the way, we discuss communication styles, problem-solving approaches, homelessness, psychedelics, and my own family's experience with bipolar disorder.
Despite the immense pain and challenges, Tripp underscores that it is possible to live a meaningful and successful life with bipolar disorder. It requires confronting reality and doing the hard work, but there is hope—both for the individual and their family. As Tripp reminds us, life goes on, everyone does the best they can, and there is light at the end of the tunnel, even when the path is difficult.
This is one of the most emotional, personal, and impactful interviews I’ve ever done. I hope it brings support, understanding, and hope to you and your loved ones.
RESOURCES
ORGANIZATIONS
- Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
- EPIC NOLA Church
- Jewish Family Service
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
PEOPLE
- Ben Stiller
- Britney Spears
- Elon Musk
- Kanye West
PLACES
- Chicago
- Copenhagen
- Florida
- Girl & the Goat
- Louisiana
- New Orleans
Connect & Learn More
book: The Tunnel
website: trippfriedler.com
Instagram: @tfriedler
In this episode, I explore the intersection of bipolar disorder and spiritual experiences with Mari Beth Lutes, author of Is this a Spiritual Awakening? Or my Bipolar? We talk about what it’s like to live with bipolar disorder, practical tools for navigating it, and how it can sometimes open a door to the metaphysical, connecting us to spirits, God, and deeper realities. We talk about clairvoyance, addiction, alcohol, meditation, psychedelics, mediumship, and the blurry line between mania and spiritual connection. Mari also gives me a card reading and helps me navigate my own journey of self-understanding. Whether you're skeptical or curious about the unseen world and its links to bipolar, this conversation invites you to explore new dimensions with Mari Beth Lutes.
RESOURCESBOOKS
- Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch
- Bipolar Disorder for Dummies by Candida Fink
- Seth Speaks by Jane Roberts (book)
- Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach
- One by Richard Bach
- The Big Book (Alcoholics Anonymous)
- The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide by David Miklowitz
- The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield
CARDS
- Angels and Ancestors Oracle Cards
- Talking to Heaven Mediumship Cards
- The Soul's Journey Lesson Cards
MOVIES
- Titanic
- Indigo
- What the Bleep Do We Know!?
ORGANIZATIONS
- Al-anon
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Amen Clinics
- Families Anonymous
- Nar-Anon
- NROTC
- University of North Carolina
- VA
PEOPLE
- Michael (archangel)
- Daniel Amen
- Fyodor Dostoevsky
- James Van Praagh
- Jane Roberts
- Leonardo DiCaprio
- Long Island Medium
- Mario Fields
- Neale Donald Walsch
- Phil McGraw
- Richard Bach
PLACES
- Bakersfield
- Camp Lejeune
- Caribbean
- Chautauqua Lake
- Hokkaido
- Lily Dale
- Okinawa
- Jacksonville, NC
- Outer Banks
- Sanctuary of Truth
- Utah
- Washington D.C. Temple
- Wilmington, NC
Connect and Learn More
Instagram: @aguidedway
Facebook: Guided Way Wedding Officiant
LinkedIn: /mari-lutes-677868186
In this episode, I talk to musician and Manic Memoir author, Matt Masters Burgener. Matt shares his journey from an exciting life of sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll to one grounded in love, responsibility, and genuine connection. Together, we dive into his evolution—from living for the moment to building a future, from chasing fun to discovering lasting bonds—a true transformation from adolescence to adulthood.
Our conversation covers topics like bipolar disorder, drugs and addiction (focusing on marijuana), creativity, anger, death, solitude, love, sex, loss, music, writing, family, parenthood, and social connection. Join us for an intimate look at Matt’s journey from mania to calm, and the wisdom and actions that led him to a life of responsibility, growth, and peace.
RESOURCESPEOPLE
- Beyoncé
- Matt Masters (British DJ)PLACES
- Australia
- Calgary
- Canmore
- Mexico City
- New Orleans
- Niagara Falls
- Texas
- The Old Spaghetti Factory
- Toronto
- South Pacific
- Whitehorse
- Yukon
VOCABULARY
- Alopecia universalis
- Celiac disease
- Thyroid
Connect and Learn More
website: mattmasters.ca
book: Manic Memoir: A bipolar journey in music
company: curbsideconcerts.ca
Instagram: @mattmastersburgener
X: @mastersmatt
Spotify: open.spotify.com/intl-ja/artist/24AhJ8DlTXsxNt2HbstB3N
YouTube: @MattMastersMusic
In this episode, we explore ADHD and the potential of neurofeedback to help manage symptoms such as inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Ofer Lidsky, founder and CEO of Excellent Brain, explains how neurofeedback can be used to train the brain, guiding users toward enhanced focus and cognitive performance. We dive into the role of dopamine, the prefrontal cortex, the benefits and limitations of medication, and examine the impact of the education system on ADHD. Additional topics include consciousness, willpower, and the distinctions between biofeedback and neurofeedback, along with technologies like smartwatches, video games, and VR. Discover how neurofeedback utilizes brain waves to create lasting improvements in attention and cognition.
RESOURCESPEOPLE
- David Passig
- Roger Penrose
- Stuart Hameroff
PLACES
- Bar-Ilan University
- Israel
- University of Arizona
MEDICATIONS
- Concerta (Methylphenidate)
- Ritalin (Methylphenidate)
VOCABULARY
- Cybersickness (VR Sickness)
- Electroencephalography (EEG)
- Galvanic Skin Response (GSR)
- Microtubules
- Orchestrated Objective Reduction
- Quantum Computer
- Sudoku
- Synapse
- Thalamus
Connect and Learn More
website: excellent-brain.com
Forbes: forbes.com/councils/forbestechcouncil/people/oferlidsky
LinkedIn: in/oferlidsky
Welcome to episode 100 of the podcast—celebrating two incredible years since we began! Today, I’ll share my heartfelt gratitude to all my guests and listeners, spotlighting our top cities, countries, and episodes. We’ll explore the most powerful ideas and principles we've discussed, highlight essential tools, outline key things to avoid for better brain health, and give you a sneak peek into the exciting future of the podcast. Thank you for being part of this amazing journey!
In this episode, I interview Dr. Ken Sharlin, a neurologist and the author of The Healthy Brain Toolbox, to discuss Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's and ALS. Dr. Sharlin explores the symptoms, causes, and potential breakthroughs in treating these diseases through both conventional and functional medicine.
What We Discuss:
- Parkinson’s Symptoms and Early Signs: Both motor symptoms (such as tremors, rigidity, and shuffling gait) and non-motor symptoms (including anxiety, depression, constipation, and REM sleep behavior disorder) can appear during a pre-motor phase that may last over a decade before diagnosis.
- The Neuroscience of Parkinson’s: We explore how dopamine loss and damage to the basal ganglia disrupt movement, highlighting the role of dopamine in the disease’s hallmark symptoms.
- Current Treatments: While there’s no cure, treatments like levodopa manage symptoms. Diagnostic tools like DAT and SPECT scans reveal brain abnormalities that guide treatment.
- Levodopa: This vital medication helps restore dopamine but can cause side effects like psychosis, making it important to balance with functional approaches. Explore its science, benefits, risks, and limitations.
- Environmental Factors: Toxins, head injuries, and gut health may contribute to Parkinson’s, with inflammation and oxidative stress playing key roles in its development.
- Gut-Brain Connection: We discuss how gut health affects brain function and the potential of diet and probiotics to slow disease progression.
- Diet and Lifestyle: A plant-based, anti-inflammatory diet, along with sleep, exercise, and stress management, is crucial for brain health and reducing inflammation.
- Understanding Systems Biology: We explore systems biology and how our interconnected bodily systems influence neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's, advocating for a holistic strategy instead of just treating individual organs or symptoms.
- Reversing Cognitive Decline: Dr. Sharlin shares success stories of reversing Alzheimer's through functional medicine, emphasizing the importance of lifestyle changes and controlling inflammation.
RESOURCESBOOKS
- An Essay on the Shaking Palsy by James Parkinson
- The Healthy Brain Toolbox by Dr. Ken Sharlin
- Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers by Robert Sapolsky
DRUGS
- Aducanumab (Aduhelm)
- Donanemab (Kisunla)
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Omeprazole (Prilosec, Losec)
- Lecanemab (Leqembi)
- Levodopa and Carbidopa (Sinemet)
MOVIES & TV
- Awakenings
- Star Trek
- Supersize Me
PEOPLE
- Barbara Pickut
- Brett Favre
- Hans Selye
- James Parkinson
- Leonardo da Vinci
- Morgan Spurlock
- Robert Sapolsky
- Robin Williams
- Robert De Niro
- Walter Cannon
ORGANIZATIONS
- Bened Life
- Biogen
- Eli Lilly
- Eisai
- Green Bay Packers
- The Institute for Functional Medicine
- University of Michigan
VOCABULARY
- Alpha-synuclein
- Cytochrome P450
- General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)
- Glutathione
- Krebs Cycle
- Lateral ventricles
- Montreal Cognitive Assessment
- Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH)
- mTOR pathway
- Postencephalitic Parkinsonism
- Trichloroethylene
Connect & Learn More
Website: functionalmedicine.doctor
Book: healthybraintoolbox.com
The Parkinson's Solutions Summit 2.0: drtalks.com/summit/parkinsons-summit
In this episode, I interview Michael J. Gelb, author of Walking Well and 17 other insightful books. He teaches us how to transform our walking experience, increasing comfort, awareness, connection, energy, creativity, presence, and joy with every step. Learn to undo bad habits that hold you back and discover principles from tai chi, qi gong, aikido, and the natural movements of humans and animals. Explore how to connect with the ground, the air, historical figures, animals, the sacred, each other, and your true self. This episode serves as a quick guide to re-learning the natural art of walking.
RESOURCESANIMALS
- Bear
- Crane
- Eagle
- Heron
BOOKS
- Body Learning by Michael J. Gelb
- How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci by Michael Gelb
- Walking Well by Michael J. Gelb & Bruce Fertman
PEOPLE
- Albert Einstein
- Bruce Fertman
- Georgia O’Keefe
- Giorgio Vasari
- Leonardo da Vinci
- Nikola Tesla
- Thomas Edison
- Thomas Jefferson
- Tony Buzan
PLACES
- Albert Einstein Walk
- Cerro Pedernal
- Coyote, New Mexico
- Mount Kailash
- Omega Institute
- Princeton University
- Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Santiago de Compostela
PRACTICES
- Aikido
- Tai chi
- Qi gong
SONGS
- You’ll Never Walk Alone by Gerry and the Pacemakers
- Walk Like a Man by The Four Seasons
VOCABULARY
- Mind mapping
- Passeggiata
- Pedometer
- Plantigrade
- Digitigrade
- Cervical vertebrae
Connect & Learn More
website: michaelgelb.com
book website: walkingwell.com
Instagram: @michaeljgelb
In this episode, Diante Fuchs, author of The Gift of Anxiety, guides us through our emotions and how they reflect our unmet needs. She emphasizes the importance of listening to and embracing these emotions, allowing them to guide us forward into a better life. Emotions like anger, sadness, frustration, and anxiety often signal unmet needs—such as connection, safety, independence, acceptance, boundaries, and spontaneity. Learning how to understand, engage, accept, and communicate them, will help us improve our mental and emotional well-being, relationships, and overall life.
We delve into various emotions, with anxiety taking center stage. Diante explains how anxiety arises from the need for safety and predictability, manifesting in both mind and body through symptoms like muscle tension, a racing heart, and shortness of breath. Instead of merely managing these symptoms or reducing our anxiety through relaxation strategies such as deep breathing, cold water exposure, and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), Diante advocates embracing your anxiety (as well as anger, sadness, etc.), having self-compassion, questioning and shifting your beliefs, and communicating and fulfilling your unmet needs. This approach allows us to meet our emotions with kindness, process them without self-judgment, and avoid getting stuck in them.
We also discuss societal pressures to conform to a narrow emotional range, cultural influences on emotional expression, and common misconceptions about mental health. Diante reframes mental illness not as a sickness but as emotions that have gotten horribly stuck. She urges us to give our emotions the space they need to be expressed rather than suppressing or ignoring them.
Communication plays a critical role in this process. Diante emphasizes the importance of expressing our needs and being honest about our feelings. By fostering open dialogue without making assumptions about others, we can create clearer, more meaningful connections in our relationships, and reduce our anger, sadness, or anxiety.
A key insight from the episode is Diante’s perspective on anxiety as a gift—a signpost for change. She explains how anxiety and excitement share the same physiological response, showcasing anxiety as a positive force guiding us toward growth and transformation. Self-compassion remains the best tool for navigating these moments, allowing us to embrace discomfort as part of our journey.
RESOURCESPEOPLE
- Jeffrey Young
PLACES
- Denmark
- Japan
- Norway
- United States
THERAPIES
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Cold Water Immersion (CWI)
- Schema therapy
Connect or Learn More
website: theunstuckinitiative.com
book: The Gift of Anxiety
podcast: EASE Anxiety
Instagram: @the.unstuck.initiative
Birthday boy is back! Join me on this wacky, healthy journey as we gear up for the big day. Instead of relying on quick, distracting thrills like sweets, alcohol, social media, or overloaded schedules and stomachs, we’ll focus on creating a birthday that brings true, lasting happiness—one built on long-term healthy habits.
We’ll break down the difference between short-term and long-term happiness, and why the days and weeks leading up to your birthday may actually matter more than the day itself. By shifting your focus beforehand to habits like sleep, healthy eating, time in nature, and meaningful connections, you can frontload the happiness, making it easier to avoid that post-birthday hangover, exhaustion, and regret.
You can still have fun on your special day—embrace those dopamine highs! But they’ll feel even better if you’ve taken care of yourself in the days leading up to it. Pre-game your brain, load it up with health and happiness, and launch yourself into pure bliss when your birthday arrives.
RESOURCES
ANIMALS
- Alligator
- Anglerfish
- Blue whale
- Chimpanzee
- Clownfish
- Dingo
- Pterodactyl
CHARACTERS - Care Bears
- Popeye
- Poseidon
FIREWORKS
- Dynamite
- Firecracker
- Piccolo Pete
Media
- Brain Energy by Chris Palmer (book)
- Chimp Crazy (documentary)
- Metabolic Mind (podcast)
People
- Abraham Lincoln
- Chris Palmer
- Matthew Bernstein
- Paul Zak
- Travis (famous chimp)
Places
- Miyakojima Station
- Miyakojima-ku
- Myanmar
- Pacific Ocean
- Thailand
- The Everglades
TOYS
- Jack-in-the-box
- Lincoln Logs
EXTRA VOCAB - Blowhole
- Jump scare
- Kansai-ben
- Mendokusai
- Mitochondria
In this episode, I interview Paul Zak, neuroscientist, oxytocin expert, and founder of Immersion Neuroscience. We explore how to create extraordinary experiences—not just for yourself, but for your customers, employees, patients, and everyone you encounter.
Paul introduces the concept of "Immersion," a state where we are fully present and emotionally engaged. We dive into the neurochemistry behind it, focusing on oxytocin and dopamine, and explore practical ways to ignite this state. You'll learn how to cultivate deeper human connections and harness technology to understand your energy, mood, and preferences.
A key theme throughout our conversation is the power of social connection. Paul shares simple yet powerful ways to enhance this connection, such as hugging, expressing love, giving your full attention, talking to strangers, volunteering, slowing down, disconnecting from tech, spending time outdoors, getting a dog, going to church, and playing together. We also explore cultural practices like "Fika" and "Hygge" in Nordic countries, as well as traditions from Loma Linda's Seventh-day Adventists, such as emphasizing community, Sabbath rest, and living with a strong sense of purpose.
This episode will inspire you to build emotional fitness, deepen your presence, and enhance your connections. Join us in discovering how to make life richer, more meaningful, and filled with extraordinary moments for everyone.
RESOURCESEVENTS- Nudgestock
PEOPLE
- Michael Allison
- Peter Drucker
ORGANIZATIONS
- Boston Celtics
- BrainBit
- Claremont Graduate University
- Department of Defense
- Loma Linda University Health (LLUH)
- Loma Linda University Medical Center - Murrieta
- Muse
- Ogilvy Consulting
- Polyvagal Institute
- Seventh-day Adventist Church
PLACES
- Denmark
- Kuala Lumpur
- London
- Loma Linda
- San Diego
- Sweden
- Tahiti
VOCAB
- Blue zones
- EEG
- Fajr prayer
- Fika
- Hygge
- PPG
- prodrom
- sieve estimator
- striatum
Connect and Learn More
app: SIX
book: Immersion
website: getimmersion.com
In this episode, we talk with Dr. Torkil Færø — a general practitioner, emergency physician, photographer, and author of the best-selling book The Pulse Cure— to explore heart rate variability (HRV) and how you can harness smartwatches to measure and regulate stress, enhance health, and ultimately extend your lifespan.
Dr. Færø delves into common sources of stress that can lead to low HRV, such as dietary choices, meal timing, alcohol and nicotine consumption, overexercising or lack of physical activity, and environmental factors like heat, noise, and nighttime light exposure.
We also discuss effective strategies to bolster the resilience of our nervous system and raise our HRV. Key practices include cold exposure, moderate exercise, adequate sunlight, quality sleep, and intentionally scheduling time for relaxation.
Gain insight into how HRV functions, what it signifies, and practical steps you can take to monitor and improve yours. In today’s world, stress is linked to a range of health issues and chronic diseases, from heart disease to cancer to infertility. By utilizing HRV data from wearables like smartwatches, we can identify our individual stressors and proactively mitigate their impact, fostering a longer and more fulfilling life. Empower yourself by taking charge of your health through HRV tracking.
Topics discussed include: alcohol, food, temperature, exercise, the menstrual cycle, seasonal changes, circadian rhythms, trauma, interoception, ECG vs. PPG sensors, photography, play, and more.
RESOURCES
BOOKS
- The Body Keeps The Score by Bessel van der Kolk
- The Pulse Cure by Torkil Færø
- Kamerakuren by Torkil Færø
- When the Body Says No by Gabor Maté
COMPANIES
- Apple
- FitBit
- Firstbeat Analytics
- Garmin
- Samsung
PLACES
- Panama Canal
- French Polynesia
- Seychelles
PEOPLE
- Bessel van der Kolk
- Charles Darwin
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- K. Anders Ericsson
- Gabor Maté
- Loretta Breuning
- Peter Attia
PODCASTS
- The Drive
- WHOOP Podcast
Connect or Learn More
website: thepulsecure.com
Instagram: @dr.torkil
LinkedIn: /torkil-færø-97348b1
In this episode, Susi Amendola — yoga therapist, meditation teacher, and author — shares insights from over four decades of experience in stress management and yoga. We explore practical tools from yoga that can help you manage stress, enhance presence, and nurture your heart and well-being.
Susi delves into key yogic practices for stress management, including meditation, breathwork, connection with nature, gentle movement, compassion, relaxation, and imagery.
She reflects on how yoga has evolved since the late 1970s, emphasizing the importance of listening — not only to your body but also to the natural world and the rhythms impacting our mind-body health.
We also examine how breath and movement influence the nervous system, with Susi explaining the connection between our breath patterns and the cycles of the sun and moon. She introduces techniques such as right and left nostril breathing to balance energy and calm both heart and mind.
Other key topics include the role of imagery and meditation in stress reduction, the effects of technology on memory and presence, the benefits of yoga nidra and slow gentle movement, and strategies for managing anger and emotional outbursts.
Reconnect with your inner wisdom, return to a calm and spacious heart, and embrace your full, loving self through these Yogic tools that have guided people in navigating stress for millennia.
RESOURCESBOOKS
- The Centered Heart by Susi Amendola
- Radical Healing by Rudolph Ballentine
- You Are the Placebo by Joe Dispenza
ORGANIZATIONS
- Menninger Foundation
- Minnesota Zen Meditation Center
- Mutual of Omaha
- Ornish Lifestyle Medicine
- Yoga Now
PEOPLE
- Andrew Huberman
- Dainin Katagiri
- Dalai Lama
- Dean Ornish
- Immanuel Kant
- Joe Dispenza
- Rudolph Ballentine
- Swami Satchidananda
PLACES
- Kuala Lumpur
- Chicago
- Omaha
- Pocono Mountains
VOCAB
- Agni
- Ashram
- Asana
- Ayurveda
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Drishti
- Electroshock therapy
- Homeopathy
- Leukemia
- Mad studies
- Pratipaksha Bhavana
- PTSD
- Sanitarium
- Simon Says
- Swami
- Yogi
- Yoga nidra
- Yoga sutras of Patanjali
Connect and Learn More
website: yourcenteredheart.com
Facebook: /SusiAmendolaYoga
Instagram: @thecenteredheart
Yoga studio: doyoganow.com
In this episode, I sit down with Amita Sharma, co-founder of NourishDoc, a platform that focuses on integrative and holistic health solutions for women. We dive into the nuances of perimenopause and menopause, shedding light on what these life stages mean for women’s bodies and minds.
Perimenopause can start as early as the late 30s or mid-40s and may last up to 10 years before menopause fully sets in. Symptoms like night sweats, hot flashes, brain fog, and a decline in libido are all tied to fluctuating hormone levels, especially estrogen and progesterone. Amita explains how these hormonal changes impact mood, memory, and overall cognitive function. We also discuss the potential connection between hormonal imbalances and the increased risk of dementia, breast cancer, osteoporosis, and heart disease as women age.
Lifestyle factors—such as poor diet, lack of exercise, and high stress—can trigger early menopause, which might explain why certain ethnic groups like African Americans, Latinas, and Indians are experiencing early perimenopause. Amita emphasizes the need for early awareness, preparation, and self-care strategies, encouraging women to proactively adopt healthier habits, including proper nutrition, stress management, and mindfulness practices.
The episode also touches on natural solutions to alleviate perimenopause and menopause symptoms, including dietary changes, herbal supplementation, and holistic therapies like acupuncture, aromatherapy, hypnotherapy, breathing exercises, and cleanses. Amita highlights how alcohol and caffeine can worsen symptoms like hot flashes, making it crucial for women to limit or avoid them, especially during these pivotal stages in life. We explore how integrative approaches, such as those offered by NourishDoc, can support women during these transitions, helping them maintain balance without solely relying on hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Key topics covered in this episode:
- Hormonal shifts in perimenopause and their impact on mood, anxiety, and cognition
- The importance of lifestyle changes to prevent early menopause
- Natural remedies and holistic therapies to manage symptoms
- Cultural and ethnic differences in menopause experiences
- How to naturally cool down your body and reduce hot flashes
- Why it’s crucial for both women and men to be aware of these changes
RESOURCESPEOPLE
- Mario Fields
PODCASTS
- Unarmored Talk
VOCABULARY
- buttermilk
- CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
- estrogen
- hypothalamus
- Kitchari cleanse
- Meno belly
- menopause
- perimenopause
- progesterone
- Sitkari
- Sitali
Connect or Learn More
website: nourishdoc.com
LinkedIn: /nourishdoc
app: coming soon! Check the website for updates.
Dr. Jennifer Stelter is a clinical psychologist, the CEO of the Dementia Connection Institute, and the author of The Busy Caregiver's Guide to Advanced Alzheimer Disease. In this episode, she shares insights on how to better care for and connect with individuals with dementia. Dr. Stelter delves into the neuroscience and psychology behind their frustrations and behaviors, offering sensory-based tools to enhance the well-being of both those with dementia and their caregivers.
We explore how engaging the senses — smell, sight, sound, taste, and touch — can create positive experiences. By incorporating tools like essential oils, music, color, and hands-on tactile experiences, we can enhance mood, attention, memory, language, neuroplasticity, food intake, independence, and connection. Likewise, reducing or eliminating negative stimuli, such as distressing news, violent media, or disruptive lights and sounds, helps diminish negative emotions and behaviors, fostering a more positive environment and overall experience.
We discuss the psychological effects of various scents, including lavender, rosemary, citrus, and peppermint, and how we can use them to alter our mood and actions.
Even if you don’t have a loved one with dementia, these sensory tools can still benefit your own mood, health, cognition, and overall well-being. Experiment with different sensory experiences, embracing those that work best for you while removing those that don’t.
RESOURCESBOOKS
- The Busy Caregiver's Guide to Advanced Alzheimer Disease by Jennifer Stelter
- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald
ORGANIZATIONS
- International Caregivers Association (ICA)
- Johns Hopkins University
- McDonald's
PEOPLE
- Barry Reisberg
TV PROGRAMS
- Memory Lane TV
VOCABULARY
- activities of daily living (ADLs)
- amygdala
- hippocampus
- limbic system
- Memory Care
- occipital lobe
- olfactory bulb
- Pavlov's dog
- retrogenesis
- Santa Fe
Connect and Learn More
Website: dementiaconnectioninstitute.org
Book: The Busy Caregiver's Guide to Advanced Alzheimer Disease
Instagram: @neuroessenceorg
LinkedIn: /neuroessenceorg
In this solo episode, we explore the myriad of everyday ways we exhale beyond traditional breathing practices. While techniques like the physiological sigh or the 4-7-8 breath are great, there are plenty of other, often overlooked ways to exhale that can be just as effective yet easy and fun.
From screaming and laughing to crying and humming, discover how everyday actions like singing, whistling, blowing on your food or furniture, and even blowing raspberries, bubbles, or kisses, or farting and spitting, can serve as excellent ways to exhale and thereby calm down, reduce your energy and anxiety, and balance out your nervous system and mood.
Embrace these natural exhalations, get creative, and explore ever more ways to get playful with your breath and life.
Alex Korb is a neuroscientist, author, and personal development coach. In this episode, we explore how to better understand and redirect your unique brain and life. While we all share certain neural circuits, each person's system is wired differently. By applying the iterative process of science and self-inquiry, you can discover your own unique path forward — helping to free your brain and create a happier life.
We discuss the importance of identifying what truly matters to you and focusing on what’s within your control — and paying less energy and attention to the rest. Learn to listen to your emotions and use them as a guide. Question your motivations, accept that you can't have it all, and embrace the fact that your brain and life are constantly evolving. By continually updating your mental map and set of actions, you can better navigate this ever-changing neural and existential landscape.
In this episode, you'll also discover:
- Key brain circuits, including the striatum and prefrontal cortex
- Simple yet powerful mindset shifts
- Strategies for habit change
- Common excuses for staying stuck
- Why even smart people struggle with self-defeating habits and inaction
- The pitfalls of black-and-white thinking
- The hidden strengths of your “bad” brain
- Why your brain resembles the stock market
- How to approach your unique brain like a scientist
- Do-it-yourself tools for changing your brain's biology and elevating your life
RESOURCESBOOKS
- The Upward Spiral by Alex KorbPLACES
- UCLA Brain Mapping CenterVOCABULARY
- amygdala
- butterfly effect
- dorsal striatum
- electroencephalography (EEG)
- functional MRI (fMRI)
- nonlinear systems
- sea slug
- striatum
Connect and Learn More
website: alexkorbphd.com
book: The Upward Spiral
Facebook: @alexkorbphd
Instagram: @alexkorbphd
X: @alexkorbphd
In this episode, our guest is Jonathan Dornell, the co-host of the Let's Get Oral podcast. We explore the oral microbiome and how to understand and nurture this vital ecosystem to optimize your brain and body health.
You'll learn about key topics like: nitric oxide, neurogastronomy, and how simple habits - like chewing mindfully, eating a balanced diet, and avoiding mouthwash and teeth whitening - can protect your oral microbiome, possibly reducing risks for conditions like caries (cavities), dementia, and heart disease.
We also discuss the relationship between bacteria and humans, smell and taste perception, the benefits of slowing down, and the role of prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics, as well as how sugar and sweet flavors influence our oral and overall health.
RESOURCES
BACTERIA
- Candida albicans
- Lactobacillus
- Prevotella
- Prevotella intermedia
- Porphyromonas gingivalis
- Rothia
- Streptococcus mutans
- Treponema denticola
- Veillonella
- Veillonella dispar
- Veillonella parvula
BOOKS
- If Your Mouth Could Talk by Kami Hoss
ORGANIZATIONS
- American Academy for Oral Systemic Health (AAOSH)
- The Integrative Dental Medicine Scholar Society
OTHER VOCAB
- Amylase
- Arginine
- Biofilm
- Commensal
- Culturomics
- Electron micrograph
- Lozenge
- Neurogastronomy
- Nitrates
- Periopathogen
- Periodontitis
- Retronasal smell
- Supertaster
- Xylitol
PAPERS
- Did the Brain and Oral Microbiota Talk to Each Other? A Review of the Literature
- The Oral-Microbiome-Brain Axis and Neuropsychiatric Disorders: An Anthropological Perspective
CONNECT & LEARN MORE
website: letsgetoral.com
podcast: Let's Get Oral
IG: @letsgetoral
LinkedIn: /jddornell
In this episode, our guest is Dr. Lara Salyer, a functional medicine practitioner, author, podcaster, and coach. We discuss burnout and how to overcome it by tapping into flow and using functional medicine.
Key Topics Covered:
- Burnout: Causes, diagnosis, physiology, prevention strategies, and Dr. Salyer's personal story.
- Flow: Neurochemistry, phenomenology, the four phases of the flow cycle (struggle, release, flow, and recovery), triggers, and blockers.
- Functional Medicine: Core principles, inflammation, the effects of alcohol, plant medicine (including psilocybin and cannabis), and more.
- Holistic well-being: Creativity, play, emotional expression, community, creating boundaries, and tips for workplace satisfaction.
RESOURCESBOOKS
- Right Brain Rescue by Dr. Lara Salyer
- Start With Why by Simon Sinek
ORGANIZATIONS
- Drink Wisconsibly
- Flow Research Collective
- The Institute for Functional Medicine
PEOPLE
- Archimedes
- Jeffrey Bland
- Mark Hyman
- Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
- Simon Sinek
- Steven Kotler
- William Shakespeare
VOCABULARY
- anandamide
- Apo-E
- Archimedes' principle
- Cannabidiol (CBD)
- cannabis
- dysbiosis
- functional medicine
- growth mindset
- MDMA
- norepinephrine
- osteopathy
- oxytocin
- psilocybin
Connect and Learn More
website: drlarasalyer.com
Instagram: @drlarasalyer
book: Right Brain Rescue
podcast: The Catalyst
In this episode, our guest is Nicolas Luna, a language and communication coach. We dive into the secrets of learning and mastering any language, regardless of whether you're a beginner or at an upper-intermediate level.
Key Topics Covered:
- Overcoming barriers: Uncover and overcome your fears, increase your confidence, abandon your ego, and let go of limiting identities and habits.
- Stealthy Techniques: Play, stories, music, games, improv, journaling, mindfulness, social media, mentors, and more.
- Personal Growth: Embrace discomfort, work hard, identify and pursue your goals, tap into your needs, do what you love, follow your gut instincts, enter flow, and keep the process fun.
- Teaching Tips: Learn strategies to make language learning more enjoyable and effective for both teachers and students, regardless of class size or age.
RESOURCES
BOOKS
- Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
- The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
CHARACTERS
- Chewbacca
- Obi-Wan Kenobi
- Yoda
MOVIES
- Transformers
PEOPLE
- Benjamin Lee Whorf
- Daniele Scuteri
- Edward Sapir
- Michael Bungay Stanier
- Noam Chomsky
PLACES
- Chiang Mai
- Museum of Insects and Natural Wonders
- UC Berkeley
VOCABULARY
- Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
- Education Abroad Program (EAP)
- flow
- mentalese
- oxytocin
- Pareto principle (80/20 rule)
- Prussian education system
- Quechua
- Sapir-Wharf hypothesis
- Seven Factors of Awakening
Connect or Learn More
website: nicolaslunafleck.com
Instagram: @nicolaslunafleck
italki: italki.com/en/teacher/4815496
LinkedIn: /nicolas-luna-a0bb5820
podcast: The Language Journey
In this episode, our guest is ADHD coach Penny Kennedy. We talk all about ADHD - what it is, what it is not, the neuroscience, dopamine, challenges, frustrations, strengths, and more.
We discuss various tools to help people with ADHD (or anyone experiencing challenges with executive functioning), including: nutrition, supplements, cold exposure, discomfort, exercise, technology, social connection, coaching, retreats, nature, pausing, and slowing things down.
Connect with Penny, learn more, or get a free consultation at: www.advanceadhd.com
BOOKS
- ADHD 2.0 by Ned Hallowell
- Dopamine Nation by Anna Lembke
- Living With Adult ADHD by Bernadette Ashton
- Out of My Skull by James Danckert & John Eastwood
- Taking Charge of Adult ADHD by Russell Barkley
EVENTS
- Darshan (eye gazing event)
- Fairwood Escape (ADHD retreat)
- Vipassana Meditation (course / retreat)
PEOPLE
- Andrew Huberman
- Anna Lembke
- Bernadette Ashton
- James Danckert
- John Eastwood
- Ned Hallowell
- Russell Barkley
- Thomas Brown
- Tom Cruise
- Wim Hof
SUPPLEMENTS
- L-tyrosine
- Elite Focus
- get dopa
- lion's mane
VOCABULARY
- body doubling
- cob house
- Gower Peninsula (place)
- Swansea (place)
- yurt
Connect & Learn More
website: www.advanceadhd.com
Facebook: @penny872
LinkedIn: /penny-kennedy-calc-acc
X: @AdvanceADHD
In this episode, our guest is Janet Gourand, the founder of Tribe Sober, an alcohol sobriety community and podcast. We discuss alcohol blackouts and other alcohol-related dangers.
Learn all about blackouts (and brownouts) - risks, causes, science, signs, interactions, preventative measures, horror stories, and more. And become reminded of alcohol's scary links to crime, violence, disease, and even death. One of these times, you could wake up from your blackout inside a hospital, jail cell, or not at all.
Entering into and navigating sobriety can be hard at first. So Janet shares various tools that help, such as: social connection, joining a community, and having a project or goal.
Alcohol might shut down the brain, but sobriety can help power it back up, increasing things like energy, motivation, mood, creativity, imagination, and connection.
RESOURCESBOOKS
- Blackout by Sarah Hepola
- We Are the Luckiest by Laura McKowen
- Why You're Unhappy by Loretta Breuning
COMPANIES
- Miller Brewing Company
- Philip Morris
COMMUNITIES
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
- Tribe SoberPEOPLE
- Ernest Hemingway
- Jeffrey Dahmer
- Laura McKowen
- Loretta Breuning
- Lucy Denith
- Sarah Hepola
PLACES
- Cape Town
- Johannesburg
- London
- Sapporo
PODCAST EPISODES
- Why You're Unhappy with Dr Loretta Breuning (Tribe Sober, 1/20/2024)
- Playing Russian Roulette... with Alcohol - Michael Waite (Tribe Sober, 4/13/2024)
TV SERIES
- Dahmer – Monster
VOCABULARY
- Ativan
- benzodiazepines
- brownouts
- CBD
- CB1 receptor
- hippocampus
- ketamine
- THC
Connect, learn more, or join the community
website: tribesober.com
Instagram: @tribesober
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In this episode, we talk with Julia Yanker, an adventurer, coach, and Somatic Experiencing Practictioner. We discuss her experiences with adventure sports, trauma, nature, and healing through Somatic Experiencing (SE).
Learn about the neuropsychology behind the world of adventure sports, as well as the dangers, drugs, psychosocial dynamics, addictions, anxieties, traumas, disembodiment, and other issues often involved.
Discover new ways to safely and gently re-connect with your body, emotions, self, world, and others, such as through: somatic experiencing, nature, touch, physical exercises, memory, imagination, reparenting, therapy, coaching, support groups, loving self talk, and good environments & people.
We live in a society that pressures us to be disembodied, productive, consuming, stressed, distracted, busy, obedient little robots. But you don't have to live that way. You can remove the distractions, re-enter your body, heal your nervous system & childhood wounds, and live a more happy authentic connected life. Somatic experiencing and the other tools & ideas discussed today can help take you there.
RESOURCESCONCEPTS
- attachment theory
- avoidant attachment style
- Bwiti
- co-regulation
- disorganized attachment stylePEOPLE
- Loretta Breuning
- Mother Teresa
- Peter Levine
- Raja Selvam
PLACES
- Beartooth Mountains
- Bozeman, Montana
- Hokkaido
- Sistine Chapel
Learn more and connect
website: juliayanker.com
Facebook: /julia.yanker
Instagram: @juliayankercoaching
Send me a text message here 👍
In this episode, our guest is Robert Cefoli, the Director of Health and Fitness at FDNY and Co-Founder of Fyr Tribe, a non-profit dedicated to helping firefighters recover from trauma. We discuss the work environment, the stress and trauma that firefighters are exposed to, the mental and physical health challenges they face, the state of their nervous system, and how body-based therapies like TRE can help.
or send me a text message here 👍
In this episode, we dig into Huberman's study, 'Brief structured respiration practices enhance mood and reduce physiological arousal'
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In this episode, we talk with Niraj Naik, the founder of SOMA Breath. We discuss breathing practices and techniques for altering your cognition, mood, and health. Learn how to quiet down your thinking mind, find focus and calm, and enter mystical, psychedelic, and blissful flow states via the breath. Breath patterns, speed, frequency, and force are all part of this. We can change our breath to change how we think, feel, perceive, and connect.
Music, visuals, symbols, light and dark, dance, touch, social connection, sex, exercise, and TRE can also be combined with these breathing experiences to enhance the psychophysical effects further. By using these other sensory and somatic techniques, combined with the breath, you can more deeply and enjoyably tap into the programming of your body and mind. We talk about all that.
You will also learn about tantric sex breathing practices, psychedelics (e.g. the different varieties of magic mushrooms), and more.
Connect with Niraj Naik
website: somabreath.com
Instagram: @Nirajnaikofficial
RESOURCESORGANIZATIONS
- HeartMath InsitutePEOPLE
- David Berceli
- Jan Kounen
- Lao Tzu
- Robert Sapolsky
PLACES
- Ibiza, Spain
- Gili Islands, Indonesia
- Ko Pha-ngan, Thailand
VOCAB
- 5-MeO-DMT
- Buteyko method
- collective coherence
- dark retreats
- default mode network
- DMT
- fractals
- Ganesha (psychedelic)
- mandelas
- Pranayama
- psilocybin
- Siddhi powers
- sigils
Connect & Learn More:
website: somabreath.com
app: somabreath.com/soma-app
Instagram: @Nirajnaikofficial
21-Day Awakening Journey: somabreath.com/the-awakening-breathwork-journey
book: Breathworks (coming soon!)
Cambridge study: biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.02.19.580985v1
FREE Masterclass: somabreath.com/soma-awakening-meditation-ewo
or send me a text message here 👍
In this episode, our guest is Daniele Scuteri, a fitness enthusiast, language learner, black belt, and former amateur soccer player. We talk about how to level up your mental and physical performance, happiness, and growth by embracing hard things. Challenges and difficulties can be opportunities for transformation along your journey through sports, work, love, learning, and life.
We discuss various tools for improving your ability to embrace and push through challenges, including: breath work, cold exposure, discomfort, coaches, mindfulness, nutrition, exercise, social connection, goals, and mindset.
RESOURCESBOOKS
- The Oxygen Advantage by Patrick McKeown
ORGANIZATIONS & EVENTS
- CrossFit
- Flow Research Collective
- Hyrox
- Spartan RacePEOPLE
- Andrea Prondo
- Andrew Huberman
- Andrew Weil
- Gianmarco Citelli
- Lorenzo Pennati
- Matthew Walker
- Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
- Nicolas Luna
- Peter Attia
- Stanislav Grof
- Steven Kotler
- Wim Hof
YOUTUBE CHANNELS
- Breathe With Sandy
Connect with Daniele
LinkedIn: /daniele-scuteri-0a2bb5
or send me a text message here 👍
In this episode, our guest is Al Wadleigh, a Feldenkrais practitioner and the co-host of the Feldenkrais for Life podcast. We talk about how to rewire our nervous system through Feldenkrais, increasing our learning, memory, health, and potential. Returning us to that childlike state of exploration, curiosity, aliveness, and possibility, Feldenkrais is like a playful portal into adult neuroplasticity and change. Waking us up from our habits and removing our rigid societal masks and algorithms, it can likewise unlock self-awareness, self-image, spontaneity, lightness, ease, authenticity, freedom, and growth.
We delve into this via various interconnected angles, including: novelty, making mistakes/errors, correcting, contradictory movements, speed of movement, pausing, relaxation, zooming in and out, focus and unfocus, attention, the eyes, neck, lips, mouth, creativity, the imagination, the voice, the skeleton, effort, finding links and connections, technology (e.g. smartphones, the Internet), and other exercise and movement-based practices.
The episode wraps up by putting all this into action through a short powerful Feldenkrais lesson using the eyes and imagination.
CONNECT & LEARN MORE
podcast: feldenkraisforlife.com
website: achievingexcellence.com
audio lessons & more: achievingexcellence.com/all-products
RESOURCESBOOKS
- The Brain that Changes Itself by Norman Doidge
- The Brain's Way of Healing by Norman Doidge
LESSONS
- Alexander Yanai lessons
- Al Wadleigh lessons
PEOPLE
- Donna Ray
- Moshé Feldenkrais
- Norman Doidge
VOCABULARY
- Functional Integration
- homunuculus
- Weber-Fechner Law
Listen to Feldenkrais for Life, Al Wadleigh and Donna Ray's podcast, on Spotify, Apple, or your favorite podcast app. Connect with Al on his website: achievingexcellence.com.
or send me a text message here 👍
Dr. Ilene Naomi Rusk is a neuropsychologist who helps heal people with trauma and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's. Her education, training, and experience are vast, dancing like a constellation of stars through the nervous system night. We captured glimpses of it today, focusing primarily on the important role that connection and engagement (with others, nature, yourself, your sensory experience, and the beyond) play on your nervous system health and well-being.
You can change, heal, and grow your brain in beneficial ways, what Dr. Rusk calls "positive neuroplasticity." Today we discuss some of the portals into such plasticity, including: education, social connection, nature, positive thinking, mental reframing, memories, and the imagination. Through such, we can learn to overcome our trauma, get our nervous system and life unstuck, and more easily enter into a state of safety, calm, connectedness, playfulness, presence, love, wellness, and hope.
We also talk about: eye contact, humming, the voice, the face, cameras, photos, screens, functional medicine, and more.
This was a very healing and educational conversation for me, and I hope it is for you too.
Sadly, the event Dr. Rusk invited us to has now finished. But she always has lots of upcoming online events, which you can find on the events tab of her website.
CONNECT WITH DR. RUSK
website: ilenenaomirusk.com
Instagram: @dr_rusk
Facebook: /drilenenaomi
RESOURCES
PEOPLE
- Dale Bredesen
- Dan Siegel
- Esther Perel
- Helen Reddy
- Stephen Porges
SONGS
- I Am Woman by Helen Reddy
STUDIES
- Emotional valence modulates the topology of the parent-infant inter-brain network (NeuroImage, Feb 2020)
Learn more, connect, and find out about upcoming events at: ilenenaomirusk.com
or send me a text message here 👍
This is a solo episode reflecting on the behavioral and sensory locks and keys to our inner world, that beautiful melty sacred space where imagination, possibilities, dreams, creativity, freedom, and the unconscious come alive, where we are no longer controlled by the external puppeteers and can instead awaken to the authenticity, simplicity, and greatness of our true natural being.
Today, we discuss how to leverage those sweet gentle tools that bring us inward and avoid those that blast us outward into existential and psychophysiological oblivion.
Learn to shift your attention toward the inside, rather than letting it get hijacked by external stimuli, and watch your health, mood, life, and autonomy re-emerge. Bask in your inner oasis, where all those invisible things you’ve always dreamed of and run from become visible, perty, real. If this sounds like the kind of vibe and life you want, then listen in as together we traverse this wild inner dreamscape where rules do not exist, nature melts with mind, memories dance, and are colorful like a child.
The shamanic keychain provided today contains the following keys (and corresponding locks) into your boundless inner self:
- eyes closed (vs. open)
- darkness (vs. light)
- direct sensory experience (vs. screens and cameras)
- valuing those things on the inside (vs. those on the outside)
- imagination (vs. videos, pictures, and porn)
- silence (vs. noise)
- odorless (vs. fragrance)
- flavorless (vs. flavors)
- nose breathing (vs. mouth breathing)
- exhales *including humming, chanting, singing (vs. inhales)
- fasting (vs. eating)
- breaking rules (vs. obeying cultural and habitual rules, norms, & limits)
- solitude (vs. socializing)
- sleep & dreams (vs. waking life)
- creation (vs. consumption)
- meditation & hypnosis (vs. brainwashing and memes)
- difficulty, discomfort, challenge & pain (vs. easiness, comfort, & pleasure)
- nature (vs. city)
- death, loss, & change (vs. immortality, possessiveness, & permanence)
- minimalism (vs. materialism)
- stillness & slowing down (vs. busyness and going fast)
- curvy and spontaneous movement (vs. rigid and predictable ones)
In addition, there are experiences that sweetly bridge the inner and outer worlds, which can also be embraced to your comfort. Some of these include: books, podcasts, psychedelics, conversations, interviewing, safe connection and embrace, eye gazing, instrumental music,
You can also stack these tools on top of one another, mix and mash them, to create your own little customized meditation-like retreat.
We also discuss a brief history of sense-hacking technologies and how that evolution intertwines with the collapse of the inner world. Don’t let your beautiful mind go the way of the dinosaurs. Become like a bird and fly into the future.
RESOURCES
- Between Two Worlds (episode #60)
- Darshan with Paramahamsa Vishwananda (the darshan event I went to in Osaka)
- Duncan Trussell (podcaster / comedian)
- Duncan Trussell Family Hour (podcast)
- Merlion (overphotographed statue in Singapore)
- scratch and sniffs (fragrance technology)
- Say Cheese and Die! by R.L. Stine (Goosebumps book #4)
message me :D
Roland Verment is a neuropsychologist, biohacker, and the owner of Neurobics, an at-home neurofeedback service. In this interview, we discuss how to understand and change the brain via neurofeedback and nootropics.
We talk about brain waves (delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma) and how they correspond to various brain states, regions, neurochemicals, and disorders, including: OCD, ADHD, autism, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, PTSD, Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome, and visual neglect).
Learn how to manipulate these brain waves in order to increase your creativity, organization, productivity, memory, happiness, focus, flexibility, calm, balance, and overall brain health.
We also discuss: EEG, fMRI, sleep, resurrecting old childhood memories ("time traveling"), alcohol, meditation, medications, VR, emerging tech, and nootropics (including: caffeine, rhodiola, alpha GPC, Huperzine A, and cerebrolisin).
CONNECT & LEARN MORE
Instagram: @neurobicsneurofeedback or @rolandsnap
Facebook: @Neurobics
website: neurobics.care
RESOURCES
NEUROANATOMY
- anterior cingulate cortex
- frontal lobe
- hypothalamus
- occipital lobe
- parietal lobe
- temporal lobe
- visual cortex
COMPANIES
- AppliedVR
- BrainBit
- Cleverpoint
- Divergence Neuro
- GrayMatters Health
- Headspace
- Kernel
- Muse
- Tripp
PEOPLE
- Andrew Huberman
- Cody Rall
- Jay Gunkelman
- Josh Sackman
- Kirill Krasnogir
- Tim Ferris
SUPPLEMENTS & DRUGS
- alpha-GPC
- CDP-Choline
- Cerebrolysin
- Huperzia serrata (Huperzine A)
- lithium
- Methylphenidate (brand names: Ritalin and Concerta)
- rhodiola (active compound: salidroside)
Learn more at: neurobics.care (or on Instagram @neurobicsneurofeedback)
Ken Middleton is the author of Bamboozled: How Alcohol Makes Fools of Us All and the editor of the publication AINYF (Alcohol is NOT Your Friend). In this episode, Ken shares helpful tools and strategies for quitting alcohol. These include: exercise, nutrition, education, sleep, hobbies, social connection, finding a supportive partner, and having a big goal.
We also discuss:
- the neuroscience of alcohol
- addiction and strategies for habit change
- short-term and long-term alternatives to alcohol
- alcohol's effects on sleep, memory, and cognition
- health risks associated with alcohol (e.g. cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer's)
- the costs and benefits of drinking alcohol consumption across different life stages
- how alcohol can hinder personal growth and impede self-improvement
- the deceptive portrayal of alcohol in movies, media, and advertising
- metaphors and analogies to help illustrate the effects and dangers of alcohol
- the gifts and benefits of quitting alcohol
CONNECT & LEARN MORE
book website: thebamboozledbook.com
Dry-90 Challenge: dry90.com
Instagram: @kenmmiddleton
RESOURCESBOOKS
- Alcohol Explained by William Porter
- Alcohol Lied to Me by Craig Beck
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
- Bamboozled by Ken Middleton
- This Naked Mind by Annie Grace
COMMUNITIES
- Alcohol-Free Lifestyle
- Tribe SoberMOVIES & TV
- American Pie
- House Party (starring Kid 'n Play)
- Scandal
- SuperBad
- Sherlock Holmes
PEOPLE
- Annie Grace
- Craig Beck
- James Clear
- James Swanwick
- Janet Gourand
- Robert Downey Jr.
- William Porter
VOCABULARY
- acetaldehyde
- anhedonia
- dynorphin
- nucleus accumbens
Connect or learn more at: thebamboozledbook.com
In this episode, we discuss strategies for managing and reducing alcohol cravings, uncovering alternative pathways to satisfy the deeper needs that fuel them.
Today, we delve into 11 needs, exploring alternative actions to address each:
- water
- nutrition
- social connection
- sex
- touch
- movement
- sleep
- feeling of possibility, novelty, chaos, & adventure
- stimulation (light, sound, etc.)
- stress reduction and calm
- goals/projects
Listen in to discover your hidden needs and other healthier ways to satisfy them, ultimately diminishing the urge to drink and granting you greater freedom in how you choose to live.
RESOURCES:COMMUNITIES:
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Tribe Sober
ENTERTAINMENT
- Six Flags Magic Mountain (amusement park)
- Memento (movie)
SCIENCE VOCAB:
- basal ganglia
- intercostal muscles
- mesolimbic pathway
- prefrontal cortex
- striatum
- substantia nigra
- ventral tegmentum
In this episode, we're joined by Osinakachi Akuma Kalu, the founder of TAFFD's, dedicated to enhancing health and biological longevity for Africans through educational initiatives. He's also an author, futurist, musician, and speaker.
Our discussion centers on traditional African health practices, mindsets, and tools, covering: social connection, community, movement, nutrition, farming, medicine, music, dance, language, metaphysics, morality & ethics, biodiversity, environmental factors, holistic living, and more.
We also discuss how Westernization has negatively impacted the health and longevity of Africans, across these various dimensions. History, politics, education, and big business are a big part of this. Some ways in which Africa is degenerating include: social isolation, fracturing of family and community, poor nutrition (e.g. processed foods and added sugars), environmental toxins, loss of religion and culture, and increasing use of chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
Osinakachi aims to reconnect Africans to their ancestral roots, returning to a time marked by robust health, longevity, strong social bonds, community, safety, trust, empathy, vulnerability, natural exercise, biodiversity, nutritious food, and a mindset that values such. We must redefine wealth, prioritizing health and social cohesion over money, comfort, and convenience. While traditional practices like farming and open dwellings may be disappearing, education and hard work can help revive some of the positive aspects of Africa's heritage.
The principles, practices, and mindsets discussed in this episode can be applied to your individual life, relationship, family, or community, regardless of your location in the world.
Connect with Osinakachi
LinkedIn: /osinakachi-akuma-kalu
Facebook: /authorOsinakachi
website: taffds.org
RESOURCESMUSIC IN AFRICA
- African Traditional Music (ATM)
- Afrobeats
- Amapiano
- Bongo Flava
- Highlife
PEOPLE
- Aristotle
- Feta Kuti
- Izu Marcel Onyeocha
- Ludwig Wittgenstein
- Martin Buber
- Plato
- R.L. Stine
VOCABULARY
- assimilation
- association
- Berlin Conference
- Igbo
- Ohafia War Dance
- Omenala
- palm wine
- Scramble for Africa
- Ubuntu
- Zulu
Josh Sackman, cofounder and president of AppliedVR, joins us today to talk about pain management using virtual reality (VR). We discuss the bio-psycho-social dimensions of pain, and how to manage and reduce it accordingly.
Some of the evidence-based tools and features discussed include: breath (e.g. box, 4-7-8, Wim Hof, diaphragmatic breathing, etc.), visualization, social connection, mindfulness & meditation, distraction & attention control, movement & interactivity, presence & immersion, sleep, biofeedback, interoception-building practices, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), pain education, grit & resilience, voice, and various other self-regulatory techniques.
Although VR has proven benefits for the reduction and management of both acute and chronic pain, the goal of today's episode is to teach you principles, practices, and skills that you can use anywhere and anytime, with or without the headset.
We discuss the various benefits of VR, how it compares with opioids and other existing therapies and technologies, common hurdles that VR helps overcome (e.g. accessibility, availability, affordability, complexity, enjoyability), pain's connection and interference with other facets of life (e.g. sleep, social interaction, mood, etc.), and how to find more peace, stability, and calm amidst your pain.
CONNECT & LEARN MORE
Josh's LinkedIn: /joshsackman
company (AppliedVR) website: appliedvr.io
product (RelieVRx) website: relievrx.com
Instagram: @appliedvr
LinkedIn: /appliedvr
RESOURCESBOOKS
- Breath by James Nestor
COMPANIES, SCHOOLS, & ORGANIZATIONS
- ByteDance
- International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP)
- Stanford University
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of Washington
- USC
- Virtual Human Interaction Lab (@Stanford)PEOPLE
- Albert "Skip" Rizzo
- Andrew Weil
- Beth Darnall
- Bob Jester
- Hunter Hoffman
- James Nestor
- Jeremy Bailenson
- Matt Walker
- Sean Mackey
- Wim Hof
PODCASTS
- Huberman Lab
- Dr. Sean Mackey: Tools to Reduce & Manage Pain (1/15/2024)
- 6-part sleep series with Matt Walker (4/3/2024 ~)
- The Matt Walker Podcast
Learn more at: appliedvr.io
In this episode, our guest is Jan Kounen, French film director and producer, VR creator, author, comic book artist, and Ayahuasca expert explorer.
The conversation focuses on various aspects of the Ayahuasca experience, such as: vision, sound (the chants/songs known as "icaros"), embodiment, fear, thinking, cognition, surrender, fragility, reality, perception, self-discovery, pain, beauty, interconnection, and death. This thereby aims to help us gain a deeper understanding and experience of ourselves and our lives.
Ayahuasca: Kosmik Journey, Jan's VR simulation of the experience (now available on Quest 2 and 3) serves as a template for our discussion. Other mind-opening tools we talk about, that can be used as alternatives to (or, as preparation for) Ayayhuasca include: meditation (e.g. Dzogchen), yoga, various plants, psychedelics, light technology (e.g. roXiva lamp), binaural & monaural sounds, float tanks, music, art, eyes, chants, nature walks, and more.
We also discuss filmmaking, VR/AR, comics, and Jan's continuing evolution as a human and creator. This is a conversation that traverses various technologies, both natural and man-made. It is a journey beyond your standard human experience, diving into the deeper realities of what you are. As with Ayahuasca and VR, you will never look at life the same.
BOOKS
- Doctor Ayahuasca by Jan Kounen
- Visionary Ayahuasca by Jan Kounen
- Why Materialism Is Baloney by Bernardo Kastrup
FILMS
- 8
- 99 Francs
- Baraka
- Blade Runner
- Blueberry
- Captain X
- Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky
- Darshan: The Embrace
- Dobermann
- Koyaanisqatsi
- Other Worlds
- The Story of Panshin Beka
- Vibroboy
IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES
- Ayahuasca: Kosmik Journey (VR experience *available on Quest 2 and 3)
- Shamanic Visions (exhibition at the Musée du Quai Branly - in Paris, France)
ORGANIZATIONS
- Essentia Foundation
PEOPLE
- Alex Grey
- Bernardo Kastrup
- Erasure (band)
- Godfrey Reggio
- Ron Fricke
- Shipibo (indigenous people)
Enjoy a relaxing meditative vacation for your ears with these Hindu chants from Jamie Ananda McConochie. Close your eyes, perhaps sing along, and get swept along on a journey deep into yourself and the cosmos from which you emerged. You can listen to these while meditating, getting ready for bed, or even while making love. Unlimited listens permitted. Let these sounds echo into and expand your being. Om.
In this episode, Jamie Ananda McConochie teaches us all about tantric sex, masturbation, health, and relationship practices. Yes, you will learn how to last longer in bed, love, and life. But you'll also learn how to increase your energy, focus, creativity, presence, and pleasure by using chanting, breathing, voice, movement, meditation, eye gazing, and other sensory-based practices. These techniques can be used alone or in combination with each other, both during sexual and non-sexual activities, to help you connect with the divine flowing energy within yourself, others, nature, and God.
This is a sexy, giggly, awakening dialogue that both men and women can learn from and enjoy. Embark on a journey beginning in a Hindu monastery, where Jamie lived as a monk for 11 years. From there, explore a tapestry of Hindu and tantric practices, serving as tools to invigorate not only your bedroom but also your entire world with renewed vitality, depth, and spirit.
Topics discussed include: sex, dating, masturbating, relationships, porn, tantra, Hinduism, Sanskrit, vocalizing, chanting, mantras, meditation, orgasm, speed, movement, eye gazing, semen retention, and more.
RESOURCESBOOKS
- Bhagavad Gita
- Narcissus and Goldmund
- Tantrasara
- The VedasDEITIES
- Ganesh
- Kali
- Shakti
- Shiva
MANTRAS / CHANTS
- Hari Om
- Shiva Gayatri
- Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha
PEOPLE
- Abhinavagupa
- Ekhart Tolle
- Hermann Hesse
MISCELLANEOUS
- microcosmic orbit (energy/breathing technique)
- puja (Hindu ritual)- Shiva Linga (symbol / object)
CONNECT & LEARN MORE
website: thetantriclife.com
Facebook: /TheTantricLife
podcast: The Tantric Life
YuTantra (dating site): yutantra.com
In this episode, join Norah Al-Azzam, an expert in neuroscience and RNA, as we delve into the intricate cellular biology of rare neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders. Explore the complexities of conditions like ALS, Huntington's disease, Sanfilippo Syndrome (MPS III), and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), gaining insights into the pivotal roles played by RNA, proteins, and sugars. Our conversation spans a spectrum of diagnostic, preventative, and therapeutic tools, encompassing genetics, AI, and lessons borrowed from oncology. We navigate through topics such as aging, autophagy, fasting, biofeedback, gene sequencing, environmental risk factors, pharmaceuticals, supplements, nutrition, and even touch on the impact of Ramadan on health and aging.
Strap on your lab goggles and grab a pen. It's time to dive deep into the cell, so that we can better dissect, detect, and defend against neurodegeneration.
CONNECT WITH NORAH AL-AZZAM
LinkedIn: /norahalazzam
RESOURCESCOMPANIES
- Abbott
- Eli Lilly
- Illumina
- Inhibrix
- Nanomood
- Neurocrine Biosciences
PEOPLE
- Gene Yeo
- Joseph Wang
- Kelly Doran
- Michael Perry
- Philip Gordts
- Rob Knight
SCIENCE VOCAB
- antisense oligonucleotide (ASO)
- Apo-E
- beta-amyloid
- endocytosis
- glycans
- lysosome
- Lyscosomal storage disorders
- phosphorylation
- RNA-binding protein
- sulfamidase
- survival motor neuron (SMN)
- Tau protein
- TDP43
- Trinucleotide repeat-disorder
STUDIES & NEWS
- Cure SMA
- 'Impaired mitophagy in Sanfilippo a mice causes hypertriglyceridemia and brown adipose tissue activation' (Aug 2022)
- 'The world's first CRISPR therapy is approved: who will receive it?' (Nov 2023)
- 'Unprecedented blood biomarker enables ALS drug approval' (June 2023)
- 'Wearable device and smartphone data quantify ALS progression and may provide novel outcome measures' (Mar 2023)
*Check out Nature Biotech for all the latest and more!
In this episode, we talk with the International Caregivers Association (ICA) about dementia. It is a seven-way conversation with basically the entire team: Dr. Ethelle Lord, Dr. Jennifer Stelter, Dr. Andrew Harrison, Ryan Stoffko, Bill Pemberton, and Pad.
You will learn about what it is, potential risks and causes, the various types (e.g. Alzheimer's, frontotemporal dementia, vascular dementia, etc.), detection, symptoms, preventative measures, and the good, bad, and future of dementia care, along with the ICA's revolutionary new systems-based approach.
We discuss the use of various tools such as: sleep, exercise / movement, nutrition, supplements, drugs, aromatherapy, music & sound, color, VR/AR, AI, psychedelics, communication, coaching, teamwork, and more.
Dementia affects 55+ million people worldwide, over 6.7 million people in the U.S alone, and these numbers are rapidly rising. The odds of you or one of your loved ones developing some form of dementia is frighteningly high. Listen in to help save yourself and the ones you love. Step inside the shoes of those with dementia, as well as the family, caregivers, and the experts being interviewed today. This is an uncensored glimpse into the world of dementia and how to navigate it.
RESOURCES
BOOKS
- Alzheimer's Coaching by Ethelle Lord
- Awakening From Alzheimer's by Peggy Sarlin
- HOW IN THE WORLD...AND NOW WHAT DO I DO by Ethelle Lord
- The Broken Brain by Nancy Andreasen
- The Busy Caregiver's Guide to Advanced Alzheimer's Disease by Jennifer Stelter
COMPANIES
- Hanson Robotics (robotics)
- Leafguard (gutters)
- Neurotracker (cognitive training technology)
- OPP Neuro SPA (peak performance information)
- Pragma System USA (physical therapy)
- Rezilient (supplement)
- Team Me (coaching & communication training)
- Yuka (app)
PEOPLE
- Bill Gates
- Duncan Trussell
- Hazel Szeto
PROJECTS
- Hallmarks of Aging
- Norman
- Shelley
- Sophia
TV & DOCUMENTARIES
- Inside Bill's Brain
- The Midnight Gospel
--LEARN MORE & CONNECT--
website: icacares.com
Loretta Breuning returns, with her new book - Why You're Unhappy: Biology vs Politics. In this episode, we discuss that book - debunking various myths about happiness and teaching you how to surf the continuous waves of unhappiness. Take back control over your brain by taking small repeated steps toward goals that fulfill your biological and existential needs. Stop waiting for, chasing, or expecting a constant high. That is the recipe for a life of cortisol, disappointment, and disaster.
Your mind is not broken. Society is not broken. It's time to see through the lies of "Science" and politics and embrace the dark yet navigable realities of human biology. Yes, you are unhappy. And that's okay. We are biologically wired to be unhappy. That's simply part of the package of being a big-brained mammal. But with Loretta's new book and this conversation, you can begin to change your expectations, beliefs, and actions, thereby smoothing out your ride down the rocky roads of dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and cortisol.
We also discuss: Loretta's trip to Japan (our fun hangout together!), her childhood circuits, mindfulness & meditation, Stoicism, eating behavior, habit change, dating & relationships, connection vs. independence, academia, "happy" countries, naked Tahitian girls, cocky poodles, and your inner fish and reptile.
CONNECT WITH LORETTA BREUNING
website: innermammalinstitute.org
RESOURCESBOOKS
- I, Mammal by Loretta Breuning
- Status Games by Loretta Breuning
- The Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas Kuhn
- Why You're Unhappy by Loretta Breuning
- Your Inner Fish by Neil Shubin
DOCUMENTARIES
- Chimp Empire
- My Octopus Teacher
PEOPLE
- Flint the Chimp (*personhood status questionable)
- James Altucher
- Jane Goodall
- Jean-Jacques Rousseau
- Joe Rogan
- Max Planck (he's the one who said, "Science proceeds one funeral at a time.")
- Thomas Kuhn
Learn more or connect
website: innermammalinstitute.org
(scroll to the bottom of the page for your FREE '5-Day Happy Chemical Jumpstart')
course: innermammalinstitute.org/course (use discount code HAPPY20 for 20% off)
podcast: The Happy Brain
(her interview with me: 'Learning a Foreign Language' (Oct 2023))
This is an interview with Glenn S. Cohen, the author of Neurological Intelligence: Volumes 1 and 2. Join us on a wild ride through Glenn's neurological life, as he shares various tools and techniques that have helped him and can help you too.
We all have wounds from our past, inner children trapped in time, and destructive habits and thought patterns that we'd like to replace. The tools we focus on in this episode fall primarily under the category of: visualizations & meditations that engage our various senses. By deliberately and strategically tapping into our memories of sensory data (e.g. sight, sound, and touch), using metaphors and movie-like sequences, spicing it up with humor and goofiness, and repeating and repeating, we can find and fix various patterns in our body and brain. This can revolutionize our relationships both in our inner and outer worlds. We can learn to be less reactive, more calm, and more neurologically free.
We also talk about body-based tools such as breath and movement (e.g. shaking), as well as combining them with visualization exercises (e.g. the 4-7-8 "John Coffey exercise") and with our love partner (e.g. the "mindful discussion technique"). We also discuss psychedelics (such as Ayahuasca), alcohol, IFS, NLP, attachment theory, brain waves, journaling, and comedy.
Still, we will never be perfect. And this hero's journey deep into the nervous system can be dark, scary, and uncomfortable. It also requires you to temporarily let go of logic, rationality, predictability and let the wild unconscious mind roam free. That's how you will find your paths toward truth, freedom, and health.
CONNECT W/ GLENN S. COHEN
website: www.centerforni.com
RESOURCES
BOOKS
- Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins
- Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman
- How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
- Neurological Intelligence: Volume 1 by Glenn S. Cohen
- Neurological Intelligence: Volume 2 by Glenn S. Cohen
EXPERIENCES
- ManKind Project: New Warrior Training Adventure
- Rythmia
- Sedona Soul Adventures
MOVIES & TV
- The Green Mile
- Tom and Jerry
PEOPLE
- Andrew Huberman
- Carl Jung
- Dale Carnegie
- Daniel Goleman
- James Pennebaker
- Joseph Campbell
- Oliver Wendel Holmes
- Richard Schwartz
- Steven Pressfield
- Tony Robbins
Learn more at: centerforni.com
This is an interview with ADHD coach Tony Coward. We talk about how to navigate life with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) - from the fear, frustration, perfectionism, distraction, hyperarousal, and feeling of "not enoughness," to the boundless imagination, creativity, excitement, and out-of-the-box thinking that, if properly harnessed, can lead to immense levels of success and happiness.
We discuss various tools and techniques for finding and focusing on your passion, managing your time and tasks and environment, collaborating with others, visualizing and breaking your goals down into tiny steps, getting feedback, receiving validation, celebrating your wins, and keep diving into your zone of brilliance. Learn to take all those new possibilities trapped in your inner world and passionately unleash them out into reality. ADHD can be a frustrating journey, but Tony Coward is here to help you manage your ADHD so that you can finally become the great person that deep inside you know you are. With ADHD comes great creative and entrepreneurial potential. Let's learn how to tap into it. It is too sad and beautiful to waste. After listening to this episode, you might find that ADHD can become your new best ally in art, business, and life. Listen in to find out how.
CONNECT WITH TONY COWARD
LinkedIn: /tonycowardcoach
website: www.nomadd.coach
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ABOUT ADHD:- ADDITUDE Magazine: www.additudemag.com
- How to ADHD (YouTube channel): @HowtoADHD
Michael Allison is an educator and coach who uses polyvagal theory to help athletes optimize their resilience, performance, and overall nervous system. In this episode, we talk about the neurophysiology of safety, danger, connection, competition, and play. Learn to "meet your body where it is" and use play as a way to regulate your nervous system, connect with others, and improve almost every area of your life. We also talk about how play improves creativity, learning, relationships, health, performance, and so much more.
We discuss tools for both calming down and for leveraging that mobilized energy in a safe, social, and connected way by entering the "play zone." The basic tools include: breath, sound, posture, voice, eyes, facial expression, etc. The real powerful ones are things like: singing, dancing, acting, improv, and sports.
The ultimate goal is to develop safe, playful, and trusting relationships with our own body and each other. Find your trusted teammate(s) by playing together.
CONNECT WITH MICHAEL ALLISON
website: theplayzone.com
RESOURCES
- Polyvagal Institute's website: https://www.polyvagalinstitute.org/
- What is Polyvagal Theory? https://www.polyvagalinstitute.org/whatispolyvagaltheory
- Michael Allison's courses with Polyvagal Institute:
- Play Zone Pro: A Polyvagal-Informed Certificate for Wellness & Performance Coaches
- The Play Zone: A Neurophysiological Approach to Our Highest Performance
Nathalie Giraud Desforges is a sex, couples, and IFS therapist. We talk about how to use tantra to connect with our body, mind, multiple selves, nature, and each other. Concepts from Internal Family Systems (IFS) weave through the conversation.
Learn to be kind and compassionate to both the "good" and "bad" parts and people in both your inner and outer world. Get jiggy with yourself and each other, in a never-ending orgasm that permeates your entire life and being. Blast love through your heart, into everything that you are. You will learn how to have longer-lasting, more pleasurable, connected, satisfying sex. You will learn how to flap your perineum's beautiful butterfly wings and how to feel as powerful, light, and free as that butterfly. The past will become less of a burden as your inner children reunite and inner villains find a friend. You will feel more alive and aware, as your hidden sensations, selves, thoughts, feelings, and memories slowly reawaken. Energy will flow, opening you up and reconnecting you to yourself, the world, and other people.
CONNECT WITH NATHALIE
website: www.nathalie-giraud.fr
Instagram: @nathalie_giraud
Ted Talk (in French): www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQn0A4rGY1Y
We also talk a little about hypnosis. If you want to try to the Reveri app by David Spiegel that I mentioned, you can learn more about it here: www.reveri.com.
I've also found The Hypnotist podcast by Adam Cox to be quite useful (though this wasn't specifically mentioned in this episode).
If you would like to join one of Nathalie's tantric seminars or receive a private consulting (online) offered in both English and French, you can find more information about that on her website.
Faye Sahai is the managing director at Telosity Ventures, a venture capital firm that invests in digital wellness and mental health startups. In this interview, you will learn all about current trends in mental health and the some of the latest technologies and solutions striving to improve it. We discuss this from various angles: cultural factors, human connection, trust, autonomy, agency, personalization, etc. We also talk about the causes of the rise in mental health disorders (especially in youth), the role of technology (such as smartphones, social media, sensors, data, VR, and AI), assessment tools, environment, nutrition, behavior, and more.
For those of you interested in creating or investing in mental health startups, you will also get advice on how to build or identify a great company. As a teaser, some of the things we touch on include: user engagement, determining how well the product/service truly helps people, and diversity.
This is also a nice chance to get to know Faye's story - her upbringing, career journey, motivations, memories, pains, sensitivities, influences, family, hopes, and beyond.
We delve into some darker topics such as suicide, depression, dementia, and social isolation. But there is light at the end of this conversational tunnel.
CONNECT & LEARN MORE
website: telosity.co
LinkedIn: /telosity-co
Telosity Report (Market Guide): telosity.co/mkt-guide
RESOURCESCOMPANIES
- Daybreak Health
- Flipd
- Ksana Health
- Manatee
- Maslo
- MindRight Health
- Neolth
PEOPLE
- Andrew Huberman
- David Eagleman
- David and Jan Baszucki
- Dylan Fox
PODCASTS
- Huberman Lab
- Inner Cosmos with David Eagleman
TELEVISION
- Alive Inside (documentary)
- It's Okay to Not Be Okay (TV series)
- The Brain with David Eagleman (documentary series)
CONNECT & LEARN MORE
website: telosity.co
LinkedIn: /telosity-co
Telosity Report (Market Guide): telosity.co/mkt-guide
This is an episode about finding balance between our two main modes of perception: interoception (the inner world) and exteroception (the outer world). Sometimes we get stuck too far in one direction, either internally within our body-mind or externally out there in the world of other objects and things. We are always dancing between these two realities, struggling to keep our balance with a foot in each world. Often, we pull both feet into one extreme - perceiving too much of the inside and not enough outside, or vice versa. Today, let's talk about how to fine tune that dance, how to build ourselves a home between both worlds, so that we can feel happy and alive both on the inside and the outside.
We also discuss various tools for altering our balance between interoception and exteroception, including: our visual environment, visual exercises, clothing, breathing, food, and more.
Compliments of suno.ai for the semi-sweet song at the end.
Michael Morin Nissen is a psychologist, body-oriented psychotherapist, and TRE trainer. In this episode, we talk about various trauma therapies such as Tension and Trauma Release Exercises (TRE), bioenergetics, and body-oriented psychotherapy. We discuss the history behind such therapies as well as how they can be used to help people with, for example, multiple sclerosis (MS), depression, or childhood trauma. The conversation largely centers around the role of the eyes and face in understanding and releasing such trauma. By the end of the episode, you will have a greater understanding of trauma as a whole-body phenomenon, TRE and other therapies, and the connection between trauma and the eyes. This will hopefully help you better understand your own bodily, facial, and ocular habits, and how to return your nervous system to a safe and regulated state.
Connect with Michael Morin Nissen
website: www.morin-nissen.com
LinkedIn: /michael-morin-nissen-0b6a90114
YouTube: @tredanmark8689
RESOURCES
PEOPLE
- Alexander Lowen
- Bruno Adler
- David Berceli
- Sigmund Freud
- Stephen Porges
- Wilhelm Reich
- Will Davis
THERAPIES
- bioenergetics
- body-oriented psychotherapy
- brainspotting
- EMDR
- Emotional Core Perception (ECP)
- functional analysis
- grounding
- Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE)
CONNECT WITH MICHAEL:
website: www.morin-nissen.com
LinkedIn: /michael-morin-nissen-0b6a90114
YouTube: @tredanmark8689
This is an episode about distraction, busyness, to-do lists, dreams, goals, pleasures, and how all such things are preventing you from seeing yourself and living your authentic life. Stop adding noise, drop whatever it is you think you need or want to do, and roll with the true spirit hidden inside. Time is disappearing as you cover it up with things that do not really matter. We keep ourselves busy running around because we are scared to start living.
This is your brain on Christmas. Hop on this wild neurochemical sleigh ride through the brain. Learn why Christmas feels the way it does and how things like serotonin and dopamine affect and explain your behavior during the holidays. More importantly, learn how to optimize these happy neurochemicals so that you can ensure that you will indeed have a very merry Christmas. Life is a constant battle between connection and solitude, a see-saw between having and wanting, being and becoming, present and future, safety and danger. This episode explores such themes through the lens of neurobiology, culture, and psychology.
This is an interview with Kirill Krasnogir, the CEO of Cleverpoint, which combines VR with physiological sensors (such as EEG, EMG, and ECG) to analyze and assess your mental health state.
It helps people determine and track the state of their nervous system - levels of stress, fatigue, anxiety, risk of burnout, and more. Get to know your unique psychophysiology through emerging technology.
We discuss topics including: heart rate variability (HRV), electroencephalography (EEG), electromyography (EMG), electrocardiography (ECG), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), brain computer interface (BCI), artificial intelligence (AI), fitness trackers, psychological tests (such as the Stroop Test and Schulte Table Test), and more.
A recurrent theme throughout this episode is the idea that we each have our own unique psychophysiology. Health data must therefore be interpreted according to each individual and the numerous variables in their life. For example, stress levels or HRV can be either adapative or maladaptive, depending on the person and various other factors. So, we need to collect and analyze physiological data (e.g. from the brain and heart) from each person so that we can provide more individualized and effective solutions, tools, and protocols. Not every tool will work for every person. So we need to learn the reality of our own body-mind and thereby find our own solutions.
Know thy body and brain. The unexamined mind is not easily treated.
CONNECT
Cleverpoint website: cleverpoint.pro
Stressonika website: stressonika.com
LinkedIn: /cleverpoint-neuro, /kirillkrasnogir, /aleksandr-smirnov-1000-b1733327
Facebook: /CleverPointNeuro
This episode is all about traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Our guest is Adrian Harel, the founder and CEO of Medicortex, a Finnish company that is developing a non-invasive TBI diagnostic tool that detects the biomarker through saliva and urine. Together we explore various aspects of traumatic brain injuries: definitions, types, causes, signs, symptoms, diagnostic tools, technologies, treatments, recovery protocols, access to care, risks, ways to protect yourself, and more.
RESOURCESPEOPLE, PLACES, & MOVIES
- Barack Obama
- Concussion (movie)
- Turku, FinlandVOCABULARY - biodegradation
- blood-brain barrier (BBB)
- cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) - CT scan
- Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- monoclonal antibodies
CONNECT & LEARN MORE
Facebook: /medicortex
LinkedIn: /medicortexfinlandoyj
PowerPoint presentations: www.medicortex.fi/eng/investors/reports-and-presentations
website: medicortex.fi
David Hardy is a functional neurologist and the host of The Hardy Brain podcast. In this episode, he provides a sort of crash course on the brain and nervous system. Specifically, you will learn how to use certain bodily movements (e.g. with the eyes, breath, mouth, and jaw) to both interpret and alter your brain state. A dual theme running throughout this episode is concussions, head trauma, and sports. However, this is an episode for anyone with a human nervous system. The simple behavioral tools that we discuss trace back to our early and pre-human roots and therefore can be used by anyone to quickly change how they think, feel, and act. Try some of them out, play around with them, and find the ones that work best for you. Along the way, you just might also discover some new ones or learn something new about yourself.
The first 30 minutes or so of the conversation focuses primarily on concussions, head traumas, and David's life journey. Then we start digging deeper into neurology and how our overall brain and nervous system functions. We talk about how to detect problems in our nervous system and reprogram it via behavior protocols including: breathing exercises, eye, neck, head, mouth, jaw, & vocal movements, smells, and more. The direction (vertical, horizontal, rotational, etc.) engages different parts of the brain, and we talk about that. These movements can also be used in careful combinations with one another to produce various effects. We tie all this back to sports, music, dance, communication, life, and more. By the end of this, you should have a better understanding of your brain-body and how to consciously change it through action.
RESOURCESEXERCISES
- box breathing (used by Navy SEALs)
- breath holding (used by biathletes)
- circular breathing
- EMDR
- holotropic breathwork
- lion's breath
- smooth pursuit exercises
- Wim Hof breathing
NEUROSCIENCE TERMS
- brainstem
- cerebellum
- midbrain (mesencephalon)
- midline musculature
- mirror neurons
- optic nerve
- pons
- proprioception
- trigeminal nerve
- vestibular system
CONNECT WITH DAVID HARDY
LinkedIn: /dr-david-hardy-brain and /the-hardy-brain
podcast: The Hardy Brain (available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc.)
website: thehardybrain.ca
This is a solo episode is a reminder that we are 3D omnidirectional organisms. We move in a multitude of directions (along the x, y, and z axis, etc.) through this world. Today we will talk about how we can use different bodily movements (with the eyes, neck, mouth, arms, legs, etc.) to re-enter all of those different planes of reality - the horizontal, vertical, sagittal, and beyond. By doing so, we can reawaken to new possibilities in our body, mind, and world, becoming happier, healthier, more free and alive. Listen in an escape the limits of 2D.
In this episode, we explore the intimate connection between your voice, nervous system, and overall well-being. Our guest, Angela Clarke, is a voice specialist, embodiment practitioner, and educator based out of Australia. Join us in our lovely conversation about the voice, movement, touch, the nervous system, and more. This episode is packed full of fun practical vocal exercises that you can use to change your brain and bodily state at anytime - to increase focus, calm, connection, etc. "We are a song in the universe," and today we will practice how to sing.
You will learn about:
- what the voice is
- how sound (and everything) is omnidirectional
- Alexander technique
- Body-Mind Centering
- Social Presencing Theater
- voice in connection with the head and neck
- how to gain freedom over your voice (and entire organism)
- how your nervous system state affects your voice
- vocal toning
- humming
- touch and voice
- bones and voice
- somatic imagination
- how to re-guide your attention
- connection (with our body, ourselves, others, the environment, and planet)
- how to use your voice to calm down and relax, decrease anxiety, etc.
- how we can use voice to increase care and empathy
- how to use voice and movement to alter your focus and alertness
- singing as therapy
- benefits of communal singing
- how to change your voice (tone, prosody, speed, etc.)
- the value of listening and silence
- how the nostrils affect your voice
- physiology of technology - smartphones, computers, and your nervous system
- eye movement and voice
- how to move "horizontally"
- trauma and voice
RESOURCES
PEOPLE
- Arawana Hayashi
- Astrid Jorgensen
- Bessel van der Kolk
- Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen
- Frederick Matthias Alexander
- Moshé Feldenkrais
- Stephen Porges
VOICE & EMBODIMENT PRACTICES
- Alexander Technique
- Body-Mind Centering
- Feldenkrais
- Pub Choir
- Social Presencing Theater
CONNECT AND LEARN MORE
Angela Clarke's website: liveparticle.com.au
Adventures in the Field: adventuresinthefield.com
In this episode, we talk with Tom Paladino, the only man in the world who has a machine that can funnel energy from Heaven directly into your body and mind. This newly discovered energy, that bursts out of Heaven via the stars is called "scalar energy." It's the same stuff that Nikola Tesla was trying to harness with his towers, that Hieronymus collected with his machines, and that the pyramids attract. Following in Tesla and Hieronymus' footsteps, Tom Paladino has miraculously created a little instrument that can infuse that healing eternal light into you. I call it his God machine. It can annihilate the most heinous of viruses and diseases, provide you with unlimited nutrition, balance your chakras, and do pretty much anything imaginable! Wow, this is amazing stuff.
All you have to do is send Tom your photograph, and let the magic begin. Prayer, meditation, and positive thinking also should do the trick. You can call this healing force scalar light, prana, chi, consciousness, the force, a lightning storm, or whatever the heck you want. Bottom line: it works. At least according to Tom. Listen in to my intrepid exploration into this messy godly goo and decide for yourself what to believe and do.
If in the end you are persuaded, still curious, and want to experience "scalar light" for yourself, to get some of that premium God-grade energy pumped into you, then step right up - you can go to Tom's website: www.scalarlight.com. Send in your photographs, or those of your pets, family members, or random people you want to heal. For 15 days straight, Tom will blast that healing lightforce into your eternal being, solving all problems for any of the people or creatures in those photos. Yup, you heard that right - a 15-day free trial of unlimited downloads from Heaven. If only governments and big business would allow the full unleashing of this free everlasting omnipotent energy. Then, we could turn this world into the Garden of Eden, a world of infinite bliss, everyone existing in vibrant health and ecstasy from now until eternity. Say goodbye to the long painful days of life in the electromagnetic spectrum. Enter the scalar dimension.
Is this for real or is it just fantasy? Listen in, think, and decide for yourself. Enjoy the ride.
For more information or to connect with Tom, visit: www.scalarlight.com
In this episode, we have a fun conversation with Kristen Carder, the host of the I Have ADHD podcast and a coach specializing in working with adults who have ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). We dive deep into various aspects of ADHD, including its psychology, behavior, biology, risks, treatments, tools, and more.
Topics discussed:
- The subjective experience of having ADHD
- Exploring whether ADHD can be seen as a superpower
- Identifying the problems and dangers associated with ADHD
- Kristen's personal journey after being diagnosed and starting medication
- A closer look at the symptoms of ADHD
- The impact of one's environment and spatial design
- How individuals with ADHD perceive and manage time, along with time management tools
- Navigating relationships when one or both partners have ADHD
- The role of rejection in the ADHD experience
- Behavioral tools and strategies for living and thriving with ADHD
- Debunking common misunderstandings and myths about ADHD
- Understanding the potential causes of ADHD
- The influence of trauma on the condition
- The overlap between ADHD and other mental health conditions
- The role of dopamine and its relation to ADHD
- Addressing the higher risk of addiction, substance misuse, and risky behavior in people with ADHD
- ... and more!
Whether you have ADHD or are looking to understand and support someone who does, you'll find valuable insights in this conversation.
RESOURCESBOOKS
- Finish by Jon Acuff
- More Attention, Less Deficit by Ari Tuckman
- Rethinking Adult ADHD by J. Russell Ramsay
- Scattered Minds by Gabor Mate
- Taking Charge of Adult ADHD by Russell Barkley
- The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
- What Happened to You? by Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey
- Your Brain's Not Broken by Tamara Rosier
PEOPLE
- Ari Tuckman
- Bessel van der Kolk
- Bruce Perry
- Gabor Mate
- J. Russell Ramsay
- Jon Acuff
- Russell Barkley
- Tamara Rosier
CONNECT WITH KRISTEN
website: ihaveadhd.com
coaching program (FOCUSED): ihaveadhd.com/focused
podcast (I Have ADHD): ihaveadhd.com/podcast
Instagram: @i.have.adhd.podcast
Dylan Fox is the Director of Operations for XR Access, a research consortium at Cornell Tech that works on making VR, AR, and MR accessible to people across the full spectrum of abilities and disabilities. In this interview, we talk about how to design immersive experiences for people with vision, hearing, mobility, and other limitations. We explore possibilities for ways to help people use and comfortably navigate through emerging technologies such as VR and AR regardless of their abilities.
XR Access
website: xraccess.org
LinkedIn: /xr-access
Slack: join here
X: @XRAccess
YouTube: @XRAccess
RESOURCESARTICLES
- 'The Blind Man Who Taught Himself to See'
- XR Access research database: xraccess.org/researchCOMPANIES & ORGANIZATIONS - Cornell Tech - Equal Entry
- National Science Foundation
- Owlchemy Labs
- XR Association
HARDWARE
- Apple Vision Pro
- HoloLens 2 PROJECTS & EXPERIENCES
- AltSpaceVR (defunct as of March 2023)
- Benvision
- Cosmonious High
- SocialSense XR
- VRChat
- WalkinVR
- We Met in Virtual Reality (documentary)
- XR Accessibility Project
Learn more about XR Access at xraccess.org
Connect with Dylan Fox on LinkedIn: /dylanrfox
Ludovica Labruna is the CEO of Magnetic Tides, a company developing a new method of non-invasive brain stimulation called kTMP (kilohertz transcranial magnetic perturbation). This technology and company were birthed out of the Cognition and Action Lab at UC Berkeley. Today you will learn all about kTMP, as well as other non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) methods such as TMS and tES. This is an exciting conversation that serves as a nice introduction to NIBS and the future of brain health technology.
Learn more:
Magnetic Tides: magnetictides.com
Cognition and Action (Ivry) Lab: ivrylab.berkeley.edu
PEOPLE - Christina Merrick - Daniel Sheltraw - Michael Nitsche
- Nolan Williams
- Richard Ivry
This is a conversation with Rich Goldsand, a Feldenkrais practitioner who has been working with athletes, children, and a range of clients all over the world for over 30 years. We talk about how to use movement, novelty, and principles from tensegrity as tools for understanding and changing our self and habits. Through such, we can find points of intersection within our self, body, and life that open up awareness, learning, connection, freedom, possibility, and more.
**
Connect with Rich at: www.feldenkrais-goldsand.net
Join the FREE online course (October 26th, 17:00 Pacific time): www.learnitlive.com/Class/Opposing-Forces-working-together-/23575
**
Here are some of the questions we explore in this episode:
- How does embodiment impact learning and improvement?
- How can we know and change our habits?
- Why is movement such a powerful tool for self-awareness and change?
- How much effort should you put into your actions and movements?
- How can you change your perception of effort?
- What are the limits of abstract theoretical knowledge and what role does our direct concrete personal experience play in our education?
- How does novelty (in movement, sensory experience, etc.) and change to increase learning, neuroplasticity, and self-understanding?
- How can we change our sensory input (e.g. through our eyes, ears, nose, mouth, etc.) to change our habits in thinking, perceiving, feeling, and action?
- How can you change yourself and learn new perspectives of yourself by changing how you move and take in the world?
- Why are mistakes, errors, and novel movements so important for learning?
- What is the difference between choice and compulsion?
- What is biotensegrity and how can we use it for habit awareness & change?
- How can we use opposing movements to increase both our internal and external experience of ourselves?
- What is the connection between existentialism and Feldenkrais?
- What are the different kinds of discomfort, and do we need it?
- How can you use Feldenkrais to improve athletic performance?
- How can you use Feldenkrais to prevent or reverse aging?
- What is it about pools or swimming that opens people up socially?
- How can you use a foam roller to improve how you play a musical instrument or sport?
RESOURCESBOOKS
- Being and Nothingness by Jean-Paul Sartre
- Outlive by Peter AttiaPEOPLE
- Alan Questel
- Anat Baniel
- Clayton Kershaw
- Dick Fosbury
- Jean-Paul Sartre
- Michael Jordan
- Moshe Feldenkrais
- Peter Attia
- Russell Delman
CONNECT & LEARN MORERich Goldsand's website: www.feldenkrais-goldsand.net
upcoming online course: www.learnitlive.com/Class/Opposing-Forces-working-together-/23575
William Porter is the author of Alcohol Explained. Today we talk about alcohol and how it affects the brain, body, and our lives. We discuss the benefits of living an alcohol-free life and answer questions such as the following:
- What is drunkenness? What's happening in the brain?
- What role does homeostasis play in our drinking?
- What is a hangover?
- How does alcohol affect sleep?
- Is moderation an okay strategy?
- What beliefs about alcohol are holding us back?
- How can we learn to have positive experiences without alcohol?
- How does socializing contribute to our alcohol buzz / drunkenness?
- Does alcohol really help us connect with others?
- Why do get so emotional (angry, violent, sad, etc.) when drinking?
- What are the long-term health risks of drinking alcohol?
- How does alcohol impact the memory centers in our brain?
- What are blackouts?
- What caused William to quit drinking?
- What can you expect in the first days and weeks after quitting alcohol?
- How does alcohol affect appetite?
- How can you overcome your cravings for alcohol (or anything)?
- How does 'fading affect bias' play a role in our drinking habits?
- What new possibilities can abstinence from alcohol open up?
- How can you have a social life without alcohol?
- What are some differences between British and American drinking cultures?
- Why do people smoke cigarettes (or take other drugs) more when drinking alcohol?
- How is the process of quitting alcohol different from (and similar to) that of quitting smoking?
- How can we minimize the damaging effects of alcohol?
- How does an alcohol-free life increase our freedom and range of possibilities?
- What is addiction?
- What are the long-term benefits of quitting alcohol?
LEARN MORE or CONNECT WITH WILLIAM:
website: www.alcoholexplained.com
Instagram: @alcoholexplained
His other books include: Alcohol Explained 2, Nicotine Explained, Diet and Fitness Explained, and more.
Today is my birthday and I am spending it with no one but you. This is a glimpse into how I like to spend my birthdays. It is my philosophy of birthdays and life. My hope is that you can use this to help create a happier birthday for yourself this year too. And thank you for celebrating mine with me.
This is a Feldenkrais lesson with Jeffrey Schwinghammer, followed by a quick post-lesson reflection.
- Jeffrey's podcast - Expand Your Ability
- Website: www.expandyourability.com
MORE RESOURCES - Feldenkrais Method official website: feldenkrais.com
- Awareness Through Movement (book)
And if you still can't get enough Feldenkrais, feel free to rewind to episodes 42 and 43 with Paul Pui Wo Lee.
This is an interview with Jeffrey Schwinghammer. He is a filmmaker, podcaster, and Feldenkrais teacher. We discuss how to use movement to change the way we sense, think, and feel about ourselves, our possibilities, and the world. It is never too late to learn, grow, or overcome old habits and patterns. This is an episode about self-improvement, learning, self-awareness, and growth, using movement as our primary tool.
Some topics we discuss include: changing your self-image, increasing awareness of how you do things, moving with greater ease and efficiency, leveraging the power of your skeleton, utilizing your muscles more efficiently, stopping inhibiting your movements and prematurely blocking off possibilities, becoming more embodied and whole, peacefully navigating the "shoulds" in life, bringing yourself back to safety, becoming more gentle with yourself, letting go of perfection, letting yourself just do the work that fits your current abilities, enhancing your creativity, becoming a better listener, embracing self-education, finding the flexibility to remove your social mask, nurturing your own unique individual needs and dreams (and not just those of society), learning how to walk, sit, and move in general, redefining what it means to be healthy, growing as a podcaster, filmmaker, and/or artist, and improving your skills and accelerating your learning at any age. Through movement, you can gain awareness. And through awareness, you can improve that movement. And that is how you can change anything in your life and "expand your abilities."
Check out Jeffrey's podcast - Expand Your Ability
Visit his website: www.expandyourability.com
RESOURCES
BOOKS
- Awareness Through Movement by Moshe Feldenkrais
- Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards
MOVIES
- Jurassic Park
PEOPLE
- Alice Boyd
- Carol Dweck
- Moshe Feldenkrais
Connect with Jeffrey Schwinghammer:
- website: www.expandyourability.com
- podcast: Expand Your Ability (available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.)
Here are 10 kinds of actions we can take to switch between a focused-energized state to a calm-relaxed state. The behavioral tools discussed in this episode include:
- inhale & exhale
- right nostril & left nostril breathing
- near/narrow & far/wide viewing
- hot & cold
- light & dark
- head up & head down
- sound & silence
- movement & stillness
- open mouth & closed mouth
- open body & closed body
This is a conversation with Feldenkrais practioner and dance coach, Paul Pui Wo Lee. We talk about Feldenkrais and how it can be a kind of gateway into new possibilities - new ways to dance, make art, love, connect, think, feel, sense, move, and be. I reflect on my first Feldenkrais experience (episode 40) and how it changed my self-image, confidence, thinking, perception, and even my voice.
Feldenkrais is not just about movement. It is about discovering new possibilities for how live as a human being in this world, both alone and with others. It is about re-learning how to move, think, sense, and feel in more free and natural ways. It is an unlocking of old habits and patterns and unleashing of new possibilities for action, art, and identity. It is a tool for resurrecting the homo sapien, restoring human dignity, re-opening in your body and brain a world of endless options and possibilities, a feeling of "I can."
Some of the topics we discuss include: dance, art, learning, memory, culture, society, self-image, falling, and making mistakes.
- Paul's website: www.paulsfeldenkraisprojects.com
- Instagram: @paul_moves
- 13 free bonus lessons with Paul (on YouTube): The Wisdom of the Feet - Feldenkrais Lessons with Paul Pui Wo Lee
RESOURCES
BOOKS
- Body and Mature Behavior: A Study of Anxiety, Sex, Gravitation, and Learning by Moshé Feldenkrais
- The Brain that Changes Itself by Norman Doidge
- The Brain's Way of Healing by Norman Doidge
PEOPLE
- Marie Kaae
- Moshé Feldenkrais
- Nastya Madstate
- Norman Doidge
- RuPaul
To learn more about Feldenkrais, you can visit the Movement and Creativity Library or google "Feldenkrais" and find a provider near you.
Paul Pui Wo Lee is a dancer and Feldenkrais practitioner. And today he's about to give me my first Feldenkrais (Awareness Through Movement) lesson. This is an action-based episode, an audio-guided experience - learning through doing. So, lie down, listen in, and slowly gain self and bodily awareness through movement.
The post-lesson reflections and interview will be in the next episode (coming soon!)
Connect with or book a private lesson with Paul: www.paulsfeldenkraisprojects.com
Instagram: paul_moves
MORE lessons from Paul (on YouTube) here.
My brother Jason joins the podcast. We talk about how to optimize our communication and connection with all of life - birds, mammals, insects, reptiles, and the wider animal kingdom and human species. We discuss art, music, women, beauty, attraction, design, and how to be the best you.
Homelessness is also a theme that runs in the background, as that is the world that my brother is living in. Learn about what it's like to be without a home, dancing on the border between nature and society, feeling and rationality, animal and man. By experiencing things from such a raw and wide-open perspective, you can begin to rethink your ideas of success, money, beauty, friendship, love, possibility, good and evil, happiness, and what it means to be a homo sapien living in this modern world.
Reconnect and play with the vast world of creatures inside of and around you, and re-enter life. Wake up from the hypnotic trance of society, merge deeper into your authentic self, full of deeper relationships and a deeper connection with everything around you.
Richmond Heath is a physiotherapist and the founder of TRE Australia. Join us on a story-filled adventure through death, pain, suffering, and grief, and into a beautiful vibrant land where trauma and pain are verbs and you are fully feeling, pulsating, and alive. By going into the darkness, you can reconnect with yourself, others, and reality.
Learn more:
- TRE Australia website: treaustralia.com
- Free online TRE course: trecourse.com
RESOURCES:GROUPS:
- MenergyPEOPLE:
- Alia Crum
- Anna Lembke
- Carol Dweck
- David Berceli
- Deva Daricha
- Jonah Robins
- Peter Levine
- Stephen Porges
- Tony Fitzgerald
PLACES
- Linga Longa Aboriginal Philosophy Farm
- Grantville
- Phillip Island
Let's talk about free will, why it is an illusion, and how by stop believing, you can finally set you free.
RESOURCESPEOPLE
- Benjamin Libet
- Daniel Dennett
- Daniel Wegner
- John Searle
- Joseph LeDoux
- Michael Gazzanaga
- Robert Sapolsky
- Sam Harris
- Susan Blackmore
In this episode, we talk about how to get rid of all the average or good junk in your life and fill it up with greatness.
In this episode, we talk with Srini Pillay - a Harvard-trained psychiatrist, brain researcher, technology entrepreneur, author, speaker, musician, and much much more. We talk about the non-dual nature of the our mind, body, life, the world and how by reconnecting with the nonlinear patterns (of nature, technology, and ourselves), we can melt down the previous limits to our reality and discover new ways to think, experience, learn, and live.
Some topics we get into include: perception (vision, embodiment, imagination ...), geometry (shapes, lines, fractals...), math, movement, technology (VR and AI), nature, distraction, identity, art, symbols, music, creativity, education, energy, life, subjectivity, discovery, and more. It's all about the rhythm and patterns of your thinking, perception, behavior, and therefore life. Let's adventure into the non-dual and non-linear spaces of reality, and, by doing so, feel more alive and rediscover and recreate who we are. Join this conversation to discover how to find those spaces and thereby enter into your new identity and reality.
RESOURCES:BOOKS
- Yoga Sutras of PantajaliCONCEPTS:
- confabulation
- default mode network
- dharana
- dhyana
- epigenome
- exposome
- meaningful coincidence
- methylation
- mirror neurons
- proteome
- psychological halloweenism
- samadhi
- samyama
PEOPLE:
- Carl Jung
- Joseph LeDoux
- Krista Kim
- Marianne Williamson
- Marsha Angell
- Martin Heidegger
- Michael Gazzaniga
- Patrick Candela
LEARN MORE ABOUT SRINI:
- personal website: drsrinipillay.com
- Reulay: reulay.com
- NeuroBusiness Group: nbgcorporate.com
CONNECT:
- Instagram: @drsrinipillay
- Twitter (X): @srinipillay
- Facebook: /SriniPillayMD
- LinkedIn: /drsrinipillay
Here are 5 more portals into the unconscious world of never-ending possibility,: mouth, posture, space, and identity. If you find more, please leave a comment. And also leave a key or magic spell to help open it.
This is an episode about how to unfocus your eyes, ears, nose, breath, and movement in order to tap into your unconscious, that inner land of imagination, where you can discover new possibilities and create a new you. Change how you use your body, and you can change your perception of what is possible.
In this episode, we talk with Alex Greene about how to reconnect and align with our bodies and the energy of the universe, and how all that affects our being and mind. He's body worker, somatic coach, nervous system therapist, zen priest, and the host of the Red Beard Embodiment podcast.
We dig into a lot of interrelated topics, including: Taoism, Zen Buddhism, breathing, hara, muscles, trauma, stress, tension and trauma releasing exercises (TRE), physical habits (sitting, posture, walking, etc.), polyvagal theory, the Feldenkrais Method, Rolfing, gravity, childhood development, bodily awareness, speed of movement, neuroplasticity, massage, touch, memories, connection, disconnection, dissociation, the nervous system, perception of possibility, modes of focus and attention, Eastern vs. Western art, language, fluidity vs. rigidity, sense of self, parenting, learning, communication, voice, and martial arts.
Connect with Alex Greene:
- personal website: www.alexgreene.com
- podcast: Red Beard Embodiment (also available on Spotify, Apple, etc.)
- somatic therapy practice: www.redbeardsomatictherapy.com
- Youtube channel: @AlexGreeneTRE
RESOURCES:
BODYWORK PRACTICES:
- Feldenkrais Method
- Rolfing
- TRE
BOOKS:
- A Zen Approach to Bodytherapy by William "Dub" Leigh
- Stalking Wild Psoas by Liz Koch
- The Unfettered Mind by Takuan Sōhō
- The Vital Psoas Muscle by Liz Koch
CONCEPTS:
- dantien (丹田)
- dissociation
- hara (腹)
- mushin (無心)
- qi / ki (气 ) / 気)
- samadhi (समाधि)
- tao (道)
- zazen (座禅)
PEOPLE
- Bodhidharma
- Everett Ogawa
- Ida Rolf
- Moshé Feldenkrais
- Norman Doidge
- Tanouye Roshi
PLACES:
- Chozen-ji (Zen temple & dōjō in Honolulu, Hawaii)
PHYSIOLOGY:
- iliacus (muscle)
- iliopsoas (muscle)
- motor cortex (brain region)
- psoas (muscle)
- sacrum (bone)
- sensory cortex (brain region)
This is a conversation with Molly Watts (host of The Alcohol Minimalist podcast) about alcohol and the brain. We discuss the benefits and harms of the substance, what it does to the brain, and how we can start drinking less. Some of the questions we ponder include:
- What happens in the brain when we drink alcohol? How does it impact neurotransmitters like glutamate and GABA?
- What are some paths to overcoming alcohol addiction, aside from AA and abstinence programs?
- What are some misunderstandings we have about alcohol, and why do we have them?
- What is "gray area" drinking?
- How can you determine whether your habit of drinking alcohol is serving you?
- Is alcohol actually relaxing you and reducing your anxiety, or is it making things worse?
- How can education about the neuroscience of alcohol help you recover from your overuse of it and find better alternatives to feeling better?
- What happens after your blood alcohol concentration is past 0.005%?
- Are there any therapeutic benefits to alcohol?
- How does alcohol give us happy neurochemicals? How long does that last?
- How do our thoughts drive us to drink, or help us stop drinking?
- How do we change our habits (of thought and behavior)?
- How can we strengthen (and stop weakening) our prefrontal cortex?
- What are some basic things you can do to help curb your addictive cravings toward things like alcohol?
- Do we desire alcohol more when we are lacking certain things in life (e.g. neurochemicals, resources, relationships, etc.)?
- What role does dopamine play in all of this? How does it drive our behavior?
- How can we take more conscious control over the unconscious processes in our brain?
- How can changing your thoughts change your desires?
- What's the process of habit change? How long does it take?
- What can you do to calm yourself down in moments of craving? How do you resist the urge to drink or keep drinking?
- What are some things we can substitute alcohol with? What can we do or drink instead?
- Are all humans addicted? Is society making us more addicted?
- What is Molly's history with alcohol, and how did she overcome her negative drinking habits?
RESOURCES
Connect with Molly / learn more: www.mollywatts.com
Alcohol Minimalist Podcast - www.mollywatts.com/podcast
Alcohol Minimalists Facebook group: www.facebook.com/Alcoholminimalist
In this episode, we dig into Japanese culture and trauma with Sae Kani. We discuss various aspects of this society, including: relationships, communication, work, technology, parenting, marriage, sex, dating, power, men-women dynamics, parent-child relationships, maturation, language, intercultural interaction, virtual worlds, distractions, biology, the nervous system, mental illness, and more.
We also talk about how by gaining awareness of our own body, learning about neurology, and nurturing our nervous system by doing things like TRE (Trauma Releasing Exercises), we can heal ourselves, release our stress, overcome our trauma, and become more anti-fragile and resilient, as individuals and as a society.
To learn more about TRE or connect with Sae, you can visit:
www.saekani.com
www.treforall.com
www.youtube.com/@treforall312
This is an interview with Sae Kani, a TRE (Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercise) trainer in Japan and around Asia. She's also a life coach, meditator, and has had a long career as a humanitarian worker, helping traumatized communities recover after natural disasters around the world. Today we get hear her story, transporting us around Asia and beyond, witnessing the pain and healing along the way. Some of the topics we discuss include:
- Why doesn't traditional humanitarian aid help heal communities' trauma?
- What does it mean to be human?
- What are the similarities and differences between humans and other animals?
- How can body-based exercises (such as TRE) change our thinking, emotions, and the stories we tell ourselves? How can healing the body simultaneously heal the mind?
- Why did humans develop a nervous system that requires us to communicate and connect with one another?
- How can we use our body language to make others feel safe (or threatened)?
- Why does our neocortex (mind) sometimes override the gut-reaction signals from our body?
- How does one's socioeconomic situation influence their resilience towards trauma?
- How do child-rearing practices affect one's susceptibility to trauma and stress?
- How can we develop a strong nervous system?
- How is the Western ideal of individualism stressing us out and hurting our health?
- Are some countries more traumatized than other countries?
- Why do some cultures (e.g. Japan) express less emotion than others (e.g. Vietnam)?
- How do capitalism, consumerism, and the hyper-focus on money lead to more disconnection, stress, and trauma?
- Why is it important to physically release our stress and emotions, and what are the health and psychological risks of not doing so?
- What are the first steps towards releasing yourself from stress and trauma?
- Can culture traumatize us? How do we shield ourselves from that?
- How, by listening to our body, can we protect ourselves from dangerous people and situations?
- What role does physical movement play in integrating and healing our trauma?
- Why is trauma? What causes it?
- How do we ignore danger by numbing and distracting ourselves from our pain?
- What are some things we can do to calm down and release our stress?
- How does connection (with anything!) help us feel safe and calm?
- What is TRE and how do people respond to it?
- When is the best time of day to do TRE?
- How does physical release of energy help our brain integrate and deactivate memories of past events?
- How does the physiological history of ourselves (and our society) influence the creation of moral codes, norms, and taboos?
- How can we reconnect with our body and discharge excess energy?
RESOURCES
CONCEPTS
- fight-or-flight response
- freezing behavior
- Polyvagal theory
- Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercise (TRE)
- vagus nerve
PEOPLE
- David Berceli
- Stephen Porges
Connect with Sae: www.saekani.com
Learn more about TRE: www.traumaprevention.com
TRE on YouTube: @treforall312
Part 2 coming soon!
In this episode, we explore the power of opening up and expanding our bodies for enhanced well-being and healing. We talk about some ways we can stretch and open ourselves up and release ourselves from our tension, traumas, and stress. And the great thing is that when you open up one part of your body or life, it often acts like a domino, spreading to many other areas simultaneously (not just in your body, but also mind, behavior, and life). Because everything exists within an interconnected whole.
The first step is simply recognizing that the body naturally moves between states of expansion and contraction, opening up and closing in, tightening and loosening, holding on and letting go, stress and relief, etc. It's a basic phenomenon of nature that we humans are simply part of. When we understand that, we can more easily solve our various health problems and feel better. This concept of expansion and contraction underpins most other health concepts that we often hear about. It connects them all together.
Taking primarily a bottom-up approach, we explore the idea that working with the body can yield quicker and more effective results. While incorporating a top-down perspective (from the mind to the body) can be beneficial, our primary emphasis today lies in utilizing the body as the tool for transformation. We go through various different body parts and explore simple ideas on how we can open each of them up and get the energy flowing again, thereby bringing us relief and to a calm positive happy space.
Our journey takes us into the parasympathetic nervous system, characterized by relaxation, calm, and tranquility. It's a departure from the stress-inducing fight-or-flight response that many of us find ourselves trapped in. Imagine a serene and expansive oasis, where we can let go of tension and embark on a gentle voyage toward inner peace. That's where this episode is trying to take you. More importantly, it is meant to teach you how to find your way back there any time you want all by yourself, long after you finished listening to all this. You will learn to reconnect with your body and let it guide you. Regain independence and control over your own health. Learn to trust and use your body and, together, become your own doctor.
This episode offers a unique opportunity for active participation. While listening, I encourage you to engage in the exercises and movements discussed. By physically opening up, expanding, and moving our bodies, we deepen our connection to what we're learning and also experience immediate benefits. Education is more powerful, memorable, and useful when it is active. Today's ideas transcend theory and move directly into your body, allowing you to tangibly and immediately enhance yourself physically, mentally, socially, existentially, and in so many other ways. You can literally transform your entire being, on every level. Learn, grow, and enjoy :)
In this interview, with Sid Desai (co-founder and CEO of Novobeing *formerly Rocket VR Health), we talk about how technologies like VR, AR, and AI can positively impact our health and well-being. Some of the things we discuss include:
- Why does vision (what we see through our eyes) so powerfully impact our mental state?
- What are some of the therapeutic and healthcare uses of VR?
- How can we use VR to reduce stress, increase relaxation, and feel better?
- How does the distance from which we view objects affect our brain?
- How does our brain perceive 3D content differently from 2D content?
- How does VR help us more accurately tap into our natural evolved ways of living?
- How can you redesign your home environment and daily habits for improved mental health?
- How do head and body position/movement affect your mental state?
- How can VR widen your perception about identity, life, death, and reality?
- What is the connection between virtual reality and Buddhism?
- How can we use VR to change our perspective and better understand others'?
- What is the future of AI and data tracking, and how can it make us healthier and happier?
- How can these technologies bring us closer to nature and reality?
- What are some ways VR/AR can promote healthy behavior and decision-making?
- Why is important to sometimes do or consume "unhealthy" things?
- How can we use technology to increase our focus and productivity?
- How is the mechanistic "machine" view of the body and health making us sicker?
- What are some other basic (non-tech) ways we can improve our brain health?
Resources:EDUCATION
- Huberman Lab (podcast; YouTube channel)
- The Enlightened Brain by Rick Hanson (audio program)
- Why Buddhism Is True by Robert Wright (book)
ENTERTAINMENT
- Black Mirror (TV series)
- Harvest Moon (video game)
- Her (movie)
- SimCity (video game)HEALTH CONDITIONS
- peripheral neuropathy
- phantom limbPEOPLE
- Andrew Huberman (neuroscientist; podcaster)
- Robert Wright (author; journalist)
- V.S. Ramachandran (neuroscientist)
TOOLS & TECHNOLOGIES
- cognitive behavioral therapy
- chlorella (algae supplement)
- mirror box
- omnidirectional treadmills
- Whoop (fitness tracker)
SPECIAL OFFER for a limited-time only: until June 30th, you can get a FREE LIFETIME SUBSCRIPTION to Novobeing, by signing up on the website: www.novobeing.com. You can also find it on SideQuest
In the final episode of this mini-series, we talk about the impact of pesticides, herbicides, and artificial sweeteners and fats on our health. We explore how these substances have inadvertently wreaked havoc on our bodies.
We delve into the ecosystem within our bodies, teeming with trillions of bacteria, mitochondria, and other organisms. Pesticides and herbicides, originally designed to eliminate pesky things like insects and weeds, have unintentionally harmed us by destroying this vital inner ecosystem we depend on. They are damaging our nervous system, hormones, and more.
We also touch on the topic of water fluoridation and how it might be disrupting our microbiome, thereby throwing off various processes within our body. Once considered beneficial, fluoride in our water systems (and toothpastes) has now been linked to adverse effects. We talk a little about that and also how water systems vary across the globe.
Next, we run through the world of artificial additives, focusing on artificial sweeteners and fats. These additives disrupt our body's natural processes, leading to overeating and weight gain. The divorce between appearances, like taste, and reality has confused and broken our bodies.
We discuss strategies to reclaim vibrant health and free ourselves from our current troubles. Armed with empowering knowledge, and realigning ourselves with the way we evolved to be, we can navigate the modern world while safeguarding our health and vitality.
RESOURCES - The End of Craving by Mark Schatzker (book)
- Environmental Working Group (organization)
- Dirty Dozen
- Clean Fifteen
- Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
VOCABULARY, CONCEPTS, & THINGS - artificial fats: Olestra, Simplesse - artificial sugars: Ace K, aspartame, saccharin, stevia, sucralose, xylitol
- enzymes: acetylcholinesterase, EPSP synthase
- herbicides:glyphosate (Roundup)
- insect anatomy: ventral nerve cord
- minerals: fluoride
- nerve receptors: nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
- neurotransmitters: acetylcholine
- pesticides: carbamates, DDT, organophosphates
In part three of this episode series, we talk more about how isolating and separating parts of reality (such as nutrients, body parts, creatures, etc.), we disrupt the harmony of this interconnected web, the overall system (e.g. bodily, environmental, Earth) system that we are all part of. You cannot just change one piece without changing everything else. Everything is tied up together, working as a single harmonic system. We need to widen our vision about who we are, to include other organisms and the wider environment. Built on the previous two episodes, these are some of the basic premises. And from there, we talk about the history and downside of things like: food fortification, supplements, plastics, sunscreen, shoes, obesity, and more.
Some of the things mentioned:
- athletic shoes
- B vitamins
- crakows
- earthing ("grounding")
- food fortification
- high-heeled shoes
- insulators (electrical)
- pellagra
- retinyl palmitate
- niacin (vitamin B3)
- neuropathy
- octinoxate
- oxybenzone
- riboflavin (vitamin B2)
- Rubber Soul (Beatles album)
BONUS: special guest appearances by King Louis XIV, The Beatles, and Alexander Graham Bell!
Wow, they rarely make public appearances these days, right? So this is your super lucky chance that you don't wanna miss.
Welcome back, as we continue this extraordinary and hellish journey through time, toward the land of sickness and obesity. In this episode, we embark on a captivating exploration of our collective past, focusing on the immense influence of the industrial revolution on our well-being. Get ready to uncover the hidden chapters that shaped our lives.
Picture this: The industrial revolution rolls in, introducing a whirlwind of technological advancements. Trains crisscross the landscape, and faster, more convenient modes of transportation emerge. But here's the catch: our bodies were caught off guard. They weren't prepared for these unnatural movements, disrupting the ancient patterns they evolved with. We'll peel back the layers and discover the consequences of this seismic shift.
As the wheels of progress turned, factories, schools, cities, and corporations sprung up. A whole new way of life unfolded before our eyes. Yet, amidst the rapid changes, we unknowingly drifted away from our natural environment. Our human spirit yearned to return to itself, while our creativity wilted under the weight of mechanization. Sleep patterns were disturbed, and the delicate balance of our microbiome suffered severe blows.
But the tale doesn't end there. With each passing day, the modern world continued to mold itself. Electricity burst into our lives, illuminating the darkness but also disrupting the rhythm of natural light. We hacked space and time, navigating a brave new world, but not without consequences.
And then chemical products flooded the scene. Pesticides, pharmaceuticals, antibiotics, sunscreen, plastics, and fast food infiltrated our lives, leaving an indelible mark. We'll touch on the ripple effects of these intrusions into our health and well-being.
Join us on this extraordinary journey, ladies and gentlemen, as we unravel the intricate web of history, exploring the lasting impact of the industrial and chemical revolution on our health and happiness. By understanding and meditating on our not-so-distant past, we can uncover new paths toward reclaiming our vitality and forging a brighter future.
Welcome to this podcast series that unveils the captivating history that has led us to a state of widespread illness and obesity. Join us as we delve into the roots of this modern crisis, tracing back to ancient times and progressing through the transformative era of the industrial revolution, into the 20th century, and up until this day. This episode is just beginning of that journey.
Embark on an exploration of ideas, assumptions, and philosophies that birthed this intricate web of challenges we face today. Discover the evolution of our perceptions regarding God, humanity, and our relationship with the world we inhabit. Witness the tragic narrative of our downfall, transitioning from a harmonious coexistence with nature to a mechanical approach that treats everything, including ourselves, as mere machines.
In this episode, we lay the groundwork by highlighting seven pivotal assumptions that serve as the bedrock for the upcoming chapters. These assumptions, while seemingly innocuous, have paved the path towards our current health epidemic. Brace yourself for the aftershocks of these fundamental beliefs that have propelled us down a treacherous and shadowed path.
Join us as we unravel the historical tapestry, unearthing the profound origins of our collective plight. Prepare to be enthralled, informed, and moved as we embark on this transformative journey of self-discovery and enlightenment.
THE ASSUMPTIONS:
Assumption #1: The world is divided into separate, individual, pieces or parts , disconnected entities. There are living things and non-living things, animals and plants, viruses and bacteria, humans and non-humans, and, very importantly - the God and the non-gods, the master and the servants, the creator and the created.
Assumption #2: There is a God. And that god has the power and right to create and destroy, to rule over this Earth - including all of its plants, animals, resources, and men - in whatever way he decides is "good." And what is good? Conveniently, whatever most benefits him.
Assumption #3: The human mind is a God, the god that rules over the earth, that knows (or at least can learn) everything, and that the other "parts" of the solar system are subservient to. We can create, manipulate, and change anything at will. And since our thinking, rational, conscious mind (our neocortex) knows best, we know what we're doing, we know what's best for everything (or at least ourselves), and we're not gonna mess up.
Assumption #4: The universe and everything in it is like a machine, or a clean mathematical equation. It can be reduced to numbers. It is governed by deterministic laws. There is cause and effect, addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication.
Assumption #5: We are smart enough, or equipped enough, to understand these rules. Because our senses and logical rational mind can be trusted. We can do science experiments and calculations to understand and leverage these rules.
Assumption #6: Man is a machine, both God and a machine. His mind is a god. His body is a machine.
Assumption #7: Society is a machine, comprised of big parts like countries and companies, and smaller gears - like humans, animals, and the new man-made technologies.
This episode is a mix of history, philosophy, religion, science, technology, and nonsense. And it's just getting started.
It is a reminder that you are not a machine and that you can break free. That you are not alone but deeply interconnected with everything in existence.
In this episode, we explore the complex relationship between alcohol and our bodies and minds. We delve into the reasons why we are drawn to alcohol and how it affects us on both a physiological and psychological level. From its impact on our mood, behavior, perception, and health, to the way it alters the functioning of specific areas of the brain and affects our cognition and action, we cover it all.
But our exploration goes beyond the individual level. We also take a look at the bigger societal issues related to alcohol, such as crime, violence, and historical patterns. We examine how alcohol has shaped our culture and the way we interact with each other.
Whether you are currently struggling with alcohol addiction and looking to gain a deeper understanding of its impact, or you are a curious sober person seeking to learn more about the science behind alcohol, this episode has something for you. You may even find it useful to keep in your back pocket as a reminder of why you chose to stop drinking or as a resource to turn to in moments of temptation.
Join us on this wild and eye-opening lecture that explores the many dimensions of alcohol's impact on our lives.
Join us in this conversation with Amir Bozorgzadeh, the co-founder and CEO of Virtuleap, a pioneering VR brain training and diagnostics company. In this episode, we delve into the fascinating topic of how VR affects the brain - from its therapeutic and cognitive uses to its potential risks and limitations. Discover how unconscious processes can shape our mood and behavior both in VR and the "real world," and learn about the latest research on VR's impact on brain health. We explore topics such as how VR can be used to treat phobias, pain, addiction, and ADHD, and discuss ways to optimize VR experiences for the brain.
Resources mentioned:CHARACTERS
- Christopher Pike (Star Trek)
- Neo (The Matrix)
COMPANIES
- Akili Interactive
- Applied VR
- Apple
- HTC
- IKONA Health
- Meta
- Unity Technologies
- Varjo
- Virtuleap
PEOPLE
- Andrew Huberman (neuroscientist and podcaster)
- Loretta Breuning (author)
- Noam Chomsky (linguist / cognitive scientist)
- Roland Dubois (Virtuleap, XR Accessibility Lead)
- Todd Maddox (AppliedVR, founder and CEO)
- Victòria Brugada-Ramentol, Ph.D. (Virtuleap, Lead Neuroscientist)
PODCASTS
- Huberman Lab
*"The Science of Vision, Eye Health & Seeing Better," June 2021 episode)
PRODUCTS
- Enhance VR
- Google Cardboard
- PICO 4
- Oculus Go
- Quest 2
- Unity
- Unreal Engine
- VR Speech Trainer
VOCABULARY
- 3 degrees of freedom
- 6 degrees of freedom
- foveated rendering
- MCI
- suprachiasmatic nucleus
- vertigo
Connect with Amir (on LinkedIn): /amirboz
Virtuleap website: virtuleap.com
Try Enhance VR: virtuleap.com/enhance
Excited to have Loretta Breuning, one of my long-time favorite authors, as a special guest on the show! Loretta is an unparalleled expert on happiness, mammals, and the human brain, having authored numerous books and founded the Inner Mammal Institute. In this episode, we delve into the fascinating topics of our mammalian past and unique human cortex, exploring how to leverage this knowledge to train our brains for more happiness and fulfillment, and less pain and frustration.
But that's not all – we cover a wide range of other topics, including common happiness myths and mistakes, the truth about our happy neurochemicals (dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins), animal training, rewards, childhood and adolescence, addiction, habits, pain, distraction, conformity, positive thinking, expectations, goal setting and achievement, energy optimization, connection, solitude, death, writing, work, travel, comedy, reading, relationships, and more. Join us for this exciting exploration of neuroscience and personal growth with the incredible Loretta Breuning.
SPECIAL OFFER: Get 20% off her life-changing course by going to: https://innermammalinstitute.org/course/?ref=michael
Use coupon code: HAPPY20
Resources mentioned in this episode: BOOKS - Status Games by Loretta Breuning
- Habits of a Happy Brain by Loretta Breuning
- 14 Days to Sustainable Happiness by Loretta Breuning
- How I Escaped Political Correctness & You Can Too by Loretta Breuning
PODCASTS
- The Happy Brain
(including The Problem with Academic Psychology episode)
PEOPLE
- Steven Pressfield
- James Altucher
- Brandon McMillan
- Cesar Millan, "The Dog Whisperer"
- Roy Baumeister
- Robert Nozick
COURSE
- Train Your Inner Mammal to Feel Good Now
(use the link: https://innermammalinstitute.org/course/?ref=michael and enter coupon code: HAPPY20 to get 20% off)
**EXTRA BONUS: send me an email after you buy the course and get a free 40-minute call with me. Listen until the end of the episode to find my email ;)
To learn more or connect with Loretta Breuning, visit: innermammalinstitute.org
Support the show
In this episode, you will learn how to begin healing yourself - from mental illness, cognitive decline, chronic disease, or basically anything. That's what today's guest, Dr. Jonah Yakel is all about - helping people save their brain, in a natural and long-lasting way. Take back control over your own health and brain. Start feeling and functioning better, all on your own (with the help of nutrition, the removal of toxins, exercise, etc.).
We talk about his story (of getting into functional medicine and healing his own body and brain). And we discuss things like:
- What is functional medicine?
- What causes cognitive decline? How can we overcome or prevent it?
- What role does inflammation play in brain function and mental health?
- What are the 4 hallmark symptoms of brain inflammation? What causes it?
- How does our metabolic state (and blood sugar) affect our brain state?
- How does food affect how you feel (mentally, physically, emotionally)?
- Why are some people more sensitive (or aware) of the way certain foods/substances affect their mind and body? Why are others less sensitive?
- How can you increase your sensitivity (awareness) of your own mental and physical state, and the ways certain foods and substances are impacting it?
- How can you become more attuned to your body and brain's needs?
- Can toxic relationships cause chronic illness or mental health problems?
- How can removing yourself from your ordinary environment save your life?
- What role might your culture be playing on your mental and physical health?
- Why is mental illness in the U.S. increasing?
- What causes depression?
- What causes bipolar disorder?
- How do carbohydrates (or, sugar) affect the brain? What about fats?
- Are you addicted to carbohydrates?
- How can a ketogenic diet help improve your mental and physical health?
- Why do we self-sabotage our own health, lives, and happiness?
Learn more from Dr. Jonah Yakel:-Website: https://www.drjonahyakel.com
-Podcast: The Brain Health Podcast
-TikTok: @drjonahyakel
Books mentioned in this episode: -Brain Energy by Christopher Palmer (2022) -Mindset by Carol Dweck (2006)
-Grain Brain by David Perlmutter (2013)
-Drop Acid by David Perlmutter (2022)
-Wheat Belly by William Davis (2011)
-A Mind of Your Own by Kelly Brogan (2016)
-The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks (2009)
*Scribd is my absolute favorite source for audiobooks. It's a subscription service. And some of the above-listed books are on there. Try for FREE for 60 days, by using the link: https://www.scribd.com/g/94z12m.
(note: this podcast is NOT sponsored or in any way affiliated with Scribd. Also, if you sign up for the free trial, it'll also give me 30 days of free reading. Yay! We both can boost our brains with books).
Support the show
More conversation with Dan Koch, the DJ-turned-cacao-entrepreneur.
We talk about how to rediscover who you are and create your best life. Some of the topics discussed:
- Recreating yourself
- Changing your personality, identity, and life
- Fear
- Money.
- Motivation
- Quitting your job
- Abundance
- Love
- Death
- Distraction
- Cacao ceremonies & parties
- Remembering who you really are (from childhood ...)
- Finding and living your purpose
- Balance and harmony
- Doing what you love
- Tribal living vs. Western culture
- The myth of property & ownership
- Ego and separation
- Living in harmony with nature
- Cycles of nature and history
- Valuing your time, yourself, and nature
- Embracing darkness, hardship, and challenge
- High-frequency foods and behaviors
- Caffeine
- The dark side of cacao
- Common mistakes to avoid when buying cacao
And of course you'll learn about cacao - its effects on the mind, body, and spirit.
Dan Koch is the founder of Sacred Taste, which offers pure wild-crafted ceremonial grade cacao, in 5 delicious flavors (w/ rose, matcha, mint, chili, etc.)
Connect with Dan Koch (and Sacred Taste):Website: https://sacredtaste.com
Instagram: @wearesacred
@koda.sounds
Listen to past podcast interviews (with Dan Koch):Brain Shaman (4/10/2023)AltMed Podcast (3/23/2023)
Be More You (1/11/2022)
The Carlo Cirillo Show (9/1/2021)
A musical and vibrational journey through life, happiness, energy, and lots of little things like cacao, alcohol, caffeine, connection, music, drugs, happiness, identity, and much more.
Meet Dan Koch, the founder of the cacao company, Sacred Taste. Today, we talk about cacao but also:
- music's effects on the mind and body
- drugs (alcohol, caffeine ...)
- theobromine, magnesium, and other hidden goodies of cacao
- time (past, present, and future ...)
- happiness
- identity (and how to change who you are)
- cacao parties
- redirecting your life
- energy
- nature
- moon cycles
- connection (with yourself, each other, nature, and everything)
- happy neurochemicals (dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, endorphin...)
There's lots of awesome 100% raw cacao sold on Amazon and iHerb.
However, if you'd like to give extra love to Dan, the Ashaninka tribe, the Amazon rainforest (not the website), your body, heart, spirit, mind, or also just wanna spice things up with a mix of roses, matcha, chili peppers, and other superfoods, you could try some of that Sacred Taste cacao.
First order is 10% off.
RECOMMENDED: drink cacao before or while listening :)
This conversation with Dan Koch is a journey that you don't want to miss.
To be continued.... (in episode 18).
Connect with Dan Koch (and Sacred Taste):Website: https://sacredtaste.com
Instagram: @wearesacred
Listen to past podcast interviews (with Dan Koch):AltMed Podcast (3/23/2023)
Be More You (1/11/2022)
The Carlo Cirillo Show (9/1/2021)
An episode about dopamine, happiness, distraction, action, goals, and how to live a more authentic and meaningful life. With some fun and wackiness throw in.
This is an interview with Justin Sunseri. He is a polyvagal-obsessed trauma therapist and coach (works with teenagers, couples, and families) and is the host of the Stuck Not Broken podcast. In today's conversation, some of the things we talk about are:
- Polyvagal theory
- trauma
- connection
- safety
- danger
- experience of reality
- parenting
- pets
- nutrition
- solitude
- introversion & extroversion
- schools
- rules & consequences
- technology
- play
- self-judgment
- morality
- mind-body split
- culture
- evolution
- civilization
- power
- perception
- stillness
- awe
- nature
- work
- empathy
- motivation
- challenge
- competitiveness
- success
- being in the present
Resources:
Justin Sunseri's main hub: www.justinlmft.com
Stuck Not Broken podcast: www.justinlmft.com/podcast
(available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts...)
Play around with these ten ideas (based on Feng Shui, Vastu Shastra, biology, and Michael's recent experience), ways to reposition your bed, to help you get a better night's sleep.
The underlying premise behind all of these things is: the human animal must feel safe when it goes to bed. If you do not feel physically (and psychologically) safe, it will be much harder to fall asleep, stay asleep, and get quality sleep.
Here are the ten tips:
- Don't sleep with a window (or any opening) behind you.
- Keep all the scary / dangerous / noisy things closer to your dominant hand.
- Move your bed to a place where you can see your door.
- Don't sleep with things (e.g. shelves) above you.
- Keep only safe, soft, and positive things under the bed.
- Keep exciting or stimulating things away from your bed.
- Don't sleep with your feet to the door (aka in the "coffin position").
- Sleep with your head pointed north or east.
- Sleep with your head against a solid wall (or get a headboard).
- Sleep in a way that reminds you of your safe happy childhood.
What do you fear? What trauma do you die to overcome? Who do you want to be? How do you need to grow?
Michael trembles as he pops out of his shell and does his first unscripted episode.
Wow, what a big boy! Finally, he musters up the courage to talk like a human and not hide behind walls of carefully-crafted words.
In this episode, he talks about some of his past traumas and about his future plans with this podcast (hint: more unscripted episodes, as well as continuing to do scripted ones (because he's addicted to those), AND whoa! - interviews - coming soon).
And he releases his e-mail address to the interwebs, and it's not sk8er11111@cs.com.
Learn about how to enter the deep unconscious restorative world of delta brain waves, GABA. This a place full of sleeping babies, meditating monks, and whales calling from the deep.
You'll learn how to drop it real low, in the 0-4 Hz brain range, through:
- deep sleep
- meditation
- chanting and humming
- light exposure (the sun, light boxes, etc.)
- sounds (animal sounds, music, etc.)
- nutrition
- supplements
- drugs
- pharmaceuticals
- technologies
Discover extra hidden benefits of putting your brain in a low-energy state.
And some wacky treats sprinkled throughout the episode.
*Special guest appearance by DJ Delta
This episodes discusses the different categories of tools that we can use to improve our health and brain. Specifically, it breaks the tools into 4 different levels or tiers, in descending order of importance:
(1) behavioral tools
(2) nutrition tools
(3) supplement tools
(4) pharmaceutical tools
This was borrowed from and inspired by Andrew Huberman.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
-Andrew Huberman YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@hubermanlab
-Huberman Lab podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/79CkJF3UJTHFV8Dse3Oy0P
-Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Why_We_Sleep
-The Matt Walker Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/1aIVAabjRjnmiouX0zCzF3
-Sleep Smarter by Shawn Stevenson - https://sleepsmarterbook.com/
-The Model Health Show - https://open.spotify.com/show/6F3aCAq1L6k3eVqfaveMCp
This episode is an adventure through the never-ending challenge that we all face, the conflicting desires between: home vs. the outside, connection vs. independence, the inner world vs. the outer world, etc.
Everything in reality, the universe, and our lives is made of energy. The electromagnetic spectrum ranges from low (cold, dark, silent) frequencies on one end and high (hot, bright, loud) frequencies on the other.
There are neurochemical, brain-wave, and hormone correlates to these high and low frequencies. They also naturally change over the course of the day, the year, and one's lifetime.
Like yin and yang, everything in nature constantly cycles between these energies. The key to all health and success is living in accordance with those rhythms and experiencing the entire spectrum of life, along with the rest of nature.
Modern humans, however, often get stuck somewhere along that cycle. Out of fear, comfort, social pressures, technology, etc., we enter plateaus or, even worse, downward spirals.
Identify if you are stuck in one of the 4 places discussed in this episode. Also, zoom out and look back on how the flow of energy changed throughout the course of your own life, and how to perhaps regain some of those long-lost ways of being and feeling.
Michael also does a bit of that in this episode, taking you from his home in California to across the sea in Korea and Japan, and some of the feelings and inner battles in between.
2022, the year that killed my mother and choked my brother into hell, has closed her tired eyes. Never have I felt so shaken yet alive. I am me again. The shattered glass of my loved ones’ souls has cut me open. It hurt. I thought I cried. That is, until tonight. The best New Year’s Eve of my life.
I was hungry. I was satisfied. Finally, the feeling that I have returned back home. Yet I am alone, in my 10 square-foot Osaka apartment. Bawling in the bathtub, the way I used to as a child. The ghosts exited through my blood-shot eyes and trembling body.
The pen is my teddy bear. I didn’t wanna take a bath. I just wanted my bear. But I wasn’t crying because I missed him. I needed him, to help me catch this flock of birds. When they gushed out of me, they flipped me inside out.
The strange world I found myself in was one I used to know. Where words have wings and you are never alone. I used to play here as a child, catching lizards and frogs. And then in college, writing papers on Heidegger and Kant.
Philosophy was my first love. Because it saw me, and I saw it. We spoke the same language and played the same games. Together, we were aliens on an upside-down planet. We didn’t need anyone else. They didn’t seem to want us anyway.
I finally had a teacher and friend. It felt like my first kiss. I was a real boy. She held my hand. Taught me how to ride a pen. The ink burst out like flames. It had the ferocity of a dragon.
“What the hell had I gotten myself into?” I mumbled under my breath.
“Shhh,” she said. “I am taking you home.”
We shot through the dark, and returned to the light. I saw Prancer and Dancer and Santa swimming in the sky. They waved to me and said I was a good boy. I smiled, because for the first time in my life, I believed it.
My snot-tear-covered lips were stuck on repeat, playing four tracks that I could not delete:
“Leave me alone.”
“I’m tired.”
“I don’t want to bother you.”
“I’m sorry.”
Distant echoes from a child, that looked like me. Trapped in a cave, screaming to be seen. Twisting haunted wind-up toys, about to burst. Then a dragon came in, seemed to make matters worse. He roared and shouted, shook everything loose. Ripped me open and brought me back home. Korea, Japan, alcohol, women - it was all just a dream.
Yes, I’m oversharing. Clawing myself out from beneath a world of undersharing. Going up for a breath. Soakin’ in the sun. Reconnecting to my soul and hopping back on my dragon.
“I missed you, good friend. I’m sorry I left.”
“Left?” he belched. “You’ve just been sitting there. And your pie is getting cold.”
“P..pp..pie, I remember pie. Oh, and it’s okay. I like cold pie. I don’t wanna bother you. And anyway, I’m used to it.”
“Cold pie, my tail. I’m not gonna have you freezing to death again.” The dragon whispered out a fire, just big enough for me. I cooked my onigiris on it. They were still in my pocket.
Maybe it wasn’t a dream. But this feels so real. When I write, is when I come to life. Whether hiding in books or blasting through my ink wand, words are the only things that have always been there for me.
When times are good, they leave me alone and let me play. I abandon them, but they do not complain. And when the cold winter strikes, and I’m shivering, scared, all alone, they come back to me, with the dragon, who breathes a big fiery hug into me.
Popping words through my head. Pretty birds leaving their cage, flying back to their nest. Me, snapping pictures as they fade away. I want to remember. I want to know who I am and what this world is. Writing is the camera with my favorite lens.
I lost it, forgot about it. Then my Mom died and my brother, the only human I’ve ever really loved, went homeless. He tumbled down a spider hole.
....CONTINUED
Written and performed by: Michael Waite
Learn how to reconnect with the sun and its energy and light.
We can improve our physical and mental well-being by syncing up with natural patterns of light and darkness, and eating, moving, and sleeping accordingly. Some of the topics covered are:
- Sun science and where energy comes from
- Sun gods of various ancient cultures
- The birth of the sun, the solar system, and Earth
- 24-hour template on how to align with the sun
- Sunrise and morning sun exposure
- Sungazing
- Electromagnetic energy (visible light, infrared, UVA, UVB, gamma rays, etc.)
- Physics of light and sound waves
- Animal perception and energy-sensing technology
- Light exposure throughout the day
- Eating and exercising in alignment with the sun
- Ozone layer and blocking of UV rays
- Internal clock (suprachiasmatic nucleus)
- Circadian rhythms
- Cortisol and light
- Melatonin and darkness
- Blue light
- Ultraviolet light
- Food and energy, in connection with the sun
- Vitamin D
- Serotonin and dopamine
- Sunset
- Sleep
- Artificial lighting
- Red and infrared light
- Addiction
- Ghrelin and leptin (hunger and satiety hormones)
- Consistency
- Chronotypes
- Social jetlag
- Seasonal changes and how to adapt
Learn 10 fun mental tricks to help you in times of temptation, each tool providing you with protection when you are confronted with your favorite addictive foods or substances. The ten hacks, which can be used individually or in combination with one another, fall into the following categories:
- vision
- concepts & beliefs
- smell
- taste
- memory
- time travel
- emotion
- business
- beauty
- identity
Are donuts better for you than protein bars? Deception and lies run rampant throughout reality, especially in the world of man-made things like food, medicine, and technology. Yet so also does honesty. Even unhealthy things like cupcakes and candy can have the boldness, confidence, and shamelessness to own who they are and not pretend they're good for you.
A new theory of nutrition and consumption is proposed in this episode:
The best things for you are not always necessarily the "healthiest" things, but the least deceptive ones. That's because our ideas about what is healthy are always changing. Heroin, cigarettes, fat-free, and sugar-free foods used to be considered healthy. What new health craze of today might be the next heroin?
When products are honest, we often end up eating less of them, and our relationship with them is overall healthier. When they are dishonest, or in the grey zone, it's easy to trust them too much, leading to overconsumption and often sickness and death.
The best overall strategy is to consume things that come directly from nature. They tend to be the least able to disguise themselves, and therefore are the most honest and trustworthy. The risk of deception still does exist, though it is much lower. It is the new, corporation-designed, man-made items that you must be most skeptical toward.
Listen to discover a new perspective on what it means for something to be healthy.
This episode is more of a philosophical adventure about perception and mindset. In it you will learn how to change how you think about reality and your brain. That's the first step, before even all that nutrition and lifestyle stuff. If you don't believe you can change your brain, you never will. Let go of limiting beliefs about yourself from childhood and culture, and find out what your brain is really capable of doing.
It argues that our perceptions of ourselves and reality are often caused by various forces: authority figures in our childhood, culture, language, politics, and our battling desire for both freedom and connection.
The Western tendency to divide the world up into parts, fixed objects, is making us less healthy. But the Eastern tendency, like in Taoism and Buddhism, to see the connections between things, viewing everything more fluidly and as always changing, allows us to perceive more of reality and better understand our brain.
If you can learn to see how deeply intertwined your brain and body is with everything else in reality, and how it therefore too is also changing, then you can skyrocket your brain's health and power.
Learn about ten more foods that improve brain health:
- celery
- dark leafy greens
- algae
- fermented foods
- beets
- turmeric
- mushrooms
- rosemary
- bone broth
- cacao
This episode talks about how to rethink your relationship with food.
In it, we learn about ten foods that are good for your brain:
- broccoli
- onions (and garlic)
- fish
- walnuts
- olive oil
- coconut oil
- avocado
- blueberries
- eggs
- sweet potatoes
Episode 1: In this episode, the host, Michael Waite, discusses his motivations for starting the podcast - namely, his brother living in the wild, his mother dying, as well as the positivity experienced when consuming real, natural things. He argues that you can learn how to control your own brain state (focus, energy, creativity, etc.) by changing what you put into your mind and body.
We need to retake ownership over our own brain, rather than passively letting outside forces control it for their own benefit, harming us along the way. If you want to improve your mood or any area of your life, you're going to have to become more knowledgeable and conscious of how what you consume affects your brain. Take care of your brain, by getting closer to nature and providing it with the right resources, and thereby reinvigorate your freedom and true potential.
Two of the basic premises of this podcast are: (1) everything in this world is interconnected; everything, including humans, is one with nature. So, we must live in sync with it, loving it and letting it love us back; and (2) Everything in the human experience goes back to brain health.
Yet there is a paradox - we must connect with nature yet also with society. For proper brain health, we need the right elements from both.
There is a direct causal connection between what you put into your body and how you think, feel, and act. You are the information that you intake. In this show, we will dig into how everything affects our brain. In a nutshell, if we want to increase our brain health, we need to get back to what is natural. If you want to destroy your brain and turn down your uniquely human qualities, getting more into raw animal mode, just do the opposite.
Some episodes will be solo episodes, Michael analyzing and philosophizing about the research. On other episodes, we will bring on guests to discuss specific topics with.