Adventures In Wellbeing: Recent Episodes
Aro Ha
From the internationally lauded Aro Ha Wellness Retreat, this is a place where we pirouette on the cutting edge of wellness. Founder Damian Chaparro goes beyond the cover with experts in movement, mindfulness, nutrition, and lifestyle optimization. These conscious conversations will take you into the minds and personal stories of those who are illuminating a path toward living exceptionally well. Explore our podcast homepage www.aro-ha.com/podcast for full show notes and gifts.
Ready to navigate the river of change and master your mindset? In this episode of Adventures in Wellbeing, I sat down with mindset coach, Sarah Grynberg. Fresh off her retreat, Sarah shares her raw journey of overcoming severe burnout in breakfast radio. She breaks down actionable daily tools to quiet anxiety, rewire your brain using neuroplasticity, drop harmful gossip, and cultivate an open heart. Discover how to unlock your inner strength and live a life of greatness.
See Full Show Notes Here
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What if the nutrition rules you’ve trusted were never designed for your body? Damian Chaparro challenges one-size-fits-all advice and breaks down a smarter approach to muscle, bone, energy, hormones, fasting, and recovery—especially for women and anyone over 40. One simple breakfast shift could change your day.
See Full Show Notes Here
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What if your pain is the doorway to growth? Discover how breakdowns become the soil for renewal and learn practical steps—movement, silence, breathwork, community and a simple 15-minute journaling practice—to metabolize loss, invite emergence, and rebuild resilience. Walk away with a clear, actionable approach to personal regeneration and ripple change into your relationships and community.
See Full Show Notes Here
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Feeling foggy, distracted, or mentally stuck? Discover simple, science-backed levers to sharpen focus, boost resilience, and keep your mind growing as you age. Learn what raises BDNF (the brain’s “fertilizer”), why novelty beats autopilot, and a single 20-minute practice you can do today to kickstart clearer thinking and long-term cognitive vitality.
See Full Show Notes Here
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Leaders: decision fatigue and overwhelm are signals, not failures. In this episode Samantha Tomkinson and Damian unpack why emotional intelligence, somatics and meditation are essential leadership tools — how to check in with feelings, release stuck energy, and lead from presence. Practical practices and retreat insights for sustainable performance and clearer decisions.
See Full Show Notes Here
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Dr. Libby Weaver decodes the gut to brain link, hormones, and why iron is the overlooked nutrient changing women’s lives. We explore autism & diet research, ‘Rushing Woman Syndrome’, practical blood tests, retreats as reset points, and real strategies to rebalance energy, mood and hormones. Short, science-based, deeply human — a roadmap to pause, nourish and thrive.
See Full Show Notes Here
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Ready to break the loop and actually move? Discover the three hidden saboteurs keeping you stuck — the dopamine trap, the inner critic, and the “mirage” of optimization — and walk away with simple, powerful rituals (a phone “funeral,” the sweaty-disaster exercise, and anti-wellness reverse-engineering) plus a nature-based micro-habit to reset your nervous system.
See Full Show Notes Here
www.aro-ha.com
Tom Cronin shares his journey from a high-pressure finance life to Vedic meditation and the Stillness Project. We cover panic, medication vs. alternative tools, breathwork, mantra mechanics, retreats, and practical grounding exercises you can use tomorrow. A candid conversation about healing, creativity, and why stillness matters now.
See Full Show Notes Here
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What if technology could support — not steal — your peace? Learn five practical pillars to curate digital intake, co-create with AI (without losing your voice), anchor your nervous system with the 10–10–10 ritual, choose presence over productivity, and let nature be your primary operating system — actionable steps to use tech without losing yourself.
See Full Show Notes Here
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Stuart Sandeman walks us through how simple breathing patterns unlock deep emotional release, rewire stress responses, and create daily resilience. From grief to science — learn why the relaxed exhale is so powerful, how breathwork interacts with CO₂/O₂ chemistry and DMT, and practical tools you can use right now to pause, respond and reconnect. Short, accessible, and transformative.
See Full Show Notes Here
www.aro-ha.com
What if the mental fog, irritability or low energy you’re feeling is your brain asking for help? Discover six evidence-based, practical paths to protect and sharpen your mind — cut inflammation, move smarter, soothe stress, improve sleep, deepen connection and personalize your plan. Walk away with simple daily practices you can try this week to boost clarity, memory and long-term cognitive resilience.
See Full Show Notes Here
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In this episode, Damian Chaparro chats with regenerative gardener and seed‑saving legend Kay Baxter about living off your land, the science behind nutrient‑dense food, and reviving heritage seeds. Discover why the soil beneath your feet holds the secrets to your health, learn practical steps to grow and measure your own food, and explore Kay’s online workshops to kickstart your journey toward true abundance.
See Full Show Notes Here
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Join Damian Chaparro and special guest Kyah Seary as they demystify coffee enemas, colonics, and gut detox rituals. Learn how targeted liver support can boost your glutathione levels by 600–700×, accelerate toxin release, and even enhance fertility and hormonal balance. Damian shares his first‑hand “cloud nine” experience and invites you to explore these ancient practices at Aro Ha’s August 17th retreat. Ready to unlock your healthiest self?
See Full Show Notes Here
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Join Damian Chaparro and Laura Mohi as they explore the synergy between Pilates and cycle syncing. Discover how aligning your lifestyle with your natural cycles can enhance wellbeing. Laura shares her journey and insights on core strength, stability, and the transformative power of Pilates. Perfect for anyone looking to deepen their connection to their body and improve overall health.
See Full Show Notes www.aro-ha.com/podcast/wild-pilates
Produced by:
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In this episode, Damian Chaparro interviews yoga teacher Peter Sterios who introduces the concept of the subtle body and the five layers of existence, emphasising breath awareness and healing through softness. He highlights humour's role in yoga and the challenge of maintaining peace. Reflecting on his journey, Peter underscores pain as a messenger for growth and the mind-body connection, advocating for softness.
See Full Show Notes HERE
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Join Damian Chaparro in a heartwarming conversation with Marc Ellis, former All Black and entrepreneur. Discover Marc's journey from the rugby field to business, his pursuit of love, and how he maintains balance in life. Explore insights on resilience, humility, and dreaming big, while embracing a playful spirit. Perfect for those seeking inspiration in sports, business, and personal growth.
See Full Show Notes HERE
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In this episode of The Sauna Sessions, Damian Chaparro sits down with sonic visionary Amani Friend — the artist behind Liquid Bloom and co-founder of Desert Dwellers. Together, they trace the arc of Amani’s musical journey, from banging on marimbas as a toddler to composing soundscapes for psychedelic therapy and breathwork. Along the way, they explore the power of sound to shift consciousness, the role of intention in cultural collaboration, and how early experiences with psychedelics shaped their paths in wellness and creativity. It’s a warm, wide-ranging conversation between two old friends — and an invitation to listen more deeply to the world within and around you.
See Full Show Notes HERE
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Welcome to "Adventures in Wellbeing," your guide to living a healthier, happier life. Join Damian Chaparro as we explore the transformative power of wellness through inspiring stories, expert insights, and actionable tips from our guests that are lighting the path. Whether you're a wellness enthusiast or just starting your journey, this podcast offers everything you need to elevate your wellbeing. Tune in and embark on your next adventure towards a vibrant life.
In this episode, host Damian Chaparro interviews East Forest, an artist known for his nature-infused melodies and collaborations with Ram Dass and Krishna Das. East Forest discusses his psychedelic experiences, the role of community in his journey, and his unique improvisational live performances. He reflects on the influence of indigenous ceremonies on his art and reveals his documentary, "Music for Mushrooms," on tour now.
Full Show Notes
www.aro-ha.com/podcast
Conversation with a financial maverick, Jeff Booth.
Jeff is a co-founder of "ego death capital", he's redefining concepts in the realm of DeFi and AI and reshaping the future of money.
From the disruptive force of Bitcoin to the transformative power of automation, we'll explore how these technologies are sculpting the very fabric of wealth creation.
Get ready to be inspired and embark on a journey towards a future that's as exhilarating as it is uncertain.
Full Show Notes
www.aro-ha.com/podcast
If you’ve ever wanted to live your life differently, leap from the confines of social norms, pick up a paintbrush or dance in the rain with reckless abandon, this is your episode. Joining us in the Aro Ha sauna is the ever-inspiring American musician, performance artist, writer, and lead singer and pianist for the Dresden Dolls, Amanda Palmer. We’ll discuss the intricacies of asking, her book “The Art of Asking”, how vulnerability meets strength, and how to keep compassion in our modern world. Tune in and let Amanda’s fearless approach to life inspire you to find your authentic voice.
Full Show Notes
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How can our thoughts create our reality? Let this conversation with Best Selling author of "The Last Law of Attraction Book You'll Ever Need To Read”, Andrew Kap, shift your mindset and magnetise you to your happiness and purpose. If you’re looking for a new perspective on an age old technique to manifest your dreams, this one's for you.
Full Show Note HERE
www.aro-ha.com
Do you ever feel like your relationships with yourself, your parents, or your children aren’t as developed as they could be? Like life is just a continuing rush toward a destination unknown, with no pause for deep connection? In this episode we discuss the value of rites of passage, both for the young people marking the entry into adulthood, and for the elders sharing their wisdom while receiving wisdom from their community. If you have kids between 10-18, this is a ‘must listen', and if you are still a Kid at heart you’ll find great value here.
Rites of Passage Foundation
Full show notes HERE
You can still eat while fasting? If you've ever been interested in fasting but unsure why and how it's done, this is the episode for you. Ben Dessard, the main guide on our 5-day online fasting-mimicking cleanse, the Seasonal Renew, and Integrative Health Practitioner breaks down the science and sheds light on a topic with so many benefits that it seems too good to be true.
Learn more about the Seasonal Renew cleanse
Full show notes: https://aro-ha.com/podcast/fasting-mimicking-demystified/
Find us online: www.aro-ha.com
In this episode, we speak to the talented and grounded Wellington, New Zealand-based architect Hugh Tennent. If you’re interested in design. If you’ve ever felt there was something special in the spaces here at Aro Ha Wellness Retreat, or if you’re in the process of designing something yourself, then this is your episode.
Permaculture-based, net zero energy, passive Haus inspired, localised, biophilic, and resilient, Aro Ha was an ambitious project. Hugh and Damian have a candid conversation about why Aro Ha was an interesting project for him to undertake. Hugh also connects the link between internal practice, design, and architecture, his journey in spirituality and business, his opinions on the future of building standards in NZ, and suggestions on how you, whether in your current home or new build, can artfully craft your space to tread lighter on the Earth. In the end, you will feel relaxed just listening to Hugh speak. What a pleasure, enjoy.
For full show notes visit: aro-ha.com/podcast
These days it's easy to feel fear, frustration, or fatigue when it comes to COVID-19. In this episode, Damian speaks with Professor Grant Schofield to synthesise a refreshing perspective that helps us relax and steer ourselves through these transitional times.
Expect to learn what you can do to elevate your immune response, while appropriately assessing risk.
Grant is a researcher, author, public speaker, Professor at AUT(Auckland University of Technology), and director of the university’s Human Potential Centre (HPC) in Auckland, New Zealand.
If you’re interested in a bit of clarity around Covid, and you value an evidence-based alternative perspective that will help your family to feel vibrant and connected then it’s time to listen in.
Go to the full show notes
DISCLAIMER:
This podcast is for informational purposes only and not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice or treatment from a personal physician.
Prepare to discover an ability to turn the scariest parts of your life into the most valuable learning opportunities. This superpower relies on using relaxation as a portal to another way of being. Damian has a conversation with the powerful speaker, breath-work teacher, meditation facilitator, and leadership coach, Scott Schwenk. He will intrigue you with his unique ability to skilfully and playfully draw us into these practices making them relevant and accessible. Damian discusses with Scott how breath-work compliments meditation and who it’s for, plant-medicines and psychedelics, his views on tradition, advice for newcomers to meditation and breath-work, religion, and the value of play. If you’ve ever been curious about your potential to shift, this is the episode for you. If you are a teacher, educator, facilitator, or anyone that loves learning make sure to hang out till the end as Scott has generously given us a treat to offer you.
Find full show notes at www.aro-ha.com/podcast
Connect with Scott:
- Insta: @thescottschwenk
- Website: https://www.scottschwenk.com/
- Facebook: @ScottPSchwenk
What passes our lips can create a vibrant life or accelerate our bad habits, allergies, chronic pain, or even more serious issues. Using her experience with food as medicine is Auckland, New Zealand’s Little Bird Organics founder, Megan May (@littlebirdorganics). She takes us back to the start of her journey into plant-based eating, gives a message to omnivores, and offers some advice on how to create your personal diet through investigating your most important values. Damian and Megan also discuss work-life balance, how to take rest as a full-time doer and maker, and the power of cleansing. Take a big bite of this yummy podcast with a chef that is challenging gastronomic norms.
- Insta: @littlebirdorganics or @mayandpepper
- Website: www.littlebirdorganics.co.nz/
- Facebook: @littlebirdorganicsnz
Damian is back in the sauna this time with Apple Fitness+ instructor, Jiujitsu Black Belt, former pro-surfer, and co-founder of Melbourne-based Warrior One Yoga, Dustin Brown. This multi-talented ninja speaks about navigating the yoga world as a man, how he reframes growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness, what even the most complete yoga practice is missing, and how to ‘send it’ in running the business you desire. Tuck into a handstand because this one is sure to flip your world.
Damian delves deep into a conversation with Ben Warren, talking all things from the connection between nutrition and mental health to cultivating our spiritual landscape, and as Ben puts it, being in bliss. Explore our podcast homepage www.aro-ha.com/podcast for full show notes and gifts.
In Episode 1 of Season 2 of the Adventures in Wellbeing podcast, Damian speaks with the neural-hacking, belief-busting, featured educator, Dr. Amanda Foo-Ryland. If you want to change your habits or behaviours, tune in as Amanda shares insight into her most powerful neural coding tools. Explore our podcast homepage www.aro-ha.com/podcast for full show notes and gifts.
Greetings Whanau. Along with its diverse landscape and fauna, Aotearoa, New Zealand, has within it an incredible depth of Maori practice, language, and culture. To explore this depth, we talk with the eloquent Makuini Tai and the skillful Atarangi Muru. Here you'll get a glimpse into the expansive worldview of Maori, which in many ways aligns with eastern philosophy and mysticism.
Makuini is a preeminent scholar of Te Reo Maori, which is the native language of Aotearoa. She was the inspiration and guidance for the naming of Aro Hā, and she currently teaches and shares IHI-REO, which she describes as "the eloquence and nature of language acquisition". If the harmonics and depth of meaning behind language is something you're interested in, Makuini will delight you.
Atarangi is one of Aotearoa's best known and exported Tohunga (healers). She is an expert practitioner of Romromi, Mirimiri, Rongoa and shares her Whanau centric perspective on health, learning, and values. From broken All Blacks to visiting A-Listers, Atarangi heals the world's weary.
In this episode, Damian speaks with one of the shimmering lights of American wellness culture, Catharina Hedberg. She speaks about what health means post-COVID and takes us back into the early days of The Ashram, where, alongside Anne-Marie Bennstrom a wellness cornerstone was founded. The Ashram has an enormously kind heart, pulsing so brightly at its core that the Hollywood lights are drawn in. You won't want to miss this chat with a legend.
If you want to elevate your immune function while still enjoying a wine or a coffee this is the episode for you. Michelle Chevalley Hedge is a wellbeing expert, nutritional medicine practitioner, and a best-selling author. She shares her story from corporate box-ticking to becoming an ambassador for nutritional transformation. Explore our podcast homepage www.aro-ha.com/podcast for full show notes and gifts.
In this episode, Damian speaks with Integrative Medicine Doctor Dan Quistorff about COVID-19. He shares his frontline experience testing for the disease. He lets us know how to prepare for Coronavirus, how to reduce the impact of the illness, and when to seek medical help. You won’t want to miss this.
As a Holistic Nutritionist, whole foods chef, and wisdom teacher, Lee Holmes is a powerhouse who is shining light on the path. She’ll be sharing with us about her self-healing journey through Fibromyalgia and Crone's disease. We’ll touch on tips and tricks for improving immune function, traveling healthy, minimizing stress and striking a better work-life balance. Explore our podcast homepage www.aro-ha.com/podcast for full show notes and gifts.
Last November we were joined by Dr. Molly Maloof, a silicone valley, biohacking, self-quantifying, boundary-pushing doctor. This Stanford-trained physician runs a bespoke practice that helps elevate the physical and cognitive performance of elite silicon valley engineers, designers, and investors. Listen in as we discuss optimizing one’s health through deep analysis of an individual's genetics, physiology, and psychology. Explore our podcast homepage www.aro-ha.com/podcast for full show notes and gifts.
In this episode, Damian is joined by world-renowned Mindfulness expert Charlotte Thaarup for a dive-deep into what it means to be a wholehearted human and how Mindfulness plays an intricate part in becoming conscious of the unconscious. Explore our podcast homepage www.aro-ha.com/podcast for full show notes and gifts.