Brain Shaman

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

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

In this episode, I talk with Lisa Skinner, behavioral expert and author of Truth, Lies & Alzheimer's: Its Hidden Faces. We discuss common myths, symptoms, risk factors, and practical tools for prevention and caregiving. Connect and Learn More

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

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

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 MoreProfessor Profile: psychiatry.med.wayne.edu/profile/ax3112LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/vaibhav-diwadkar-7ba3107 RESOURCESPAPERS“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)PEOPLEAndrew HubermanEmerson PughFranz GallMartin Heidegger Otto MusikWim 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 femininityMarriage, dating, and parenthoodWork—both paid and unpaid, including domestic laborCommunity and friendsChallenges for women and couplesOverthinking and practical tools to overcome itActionable tools for men living in the modern world:Journaling, writing, and finding the right languageMentorship, social infrastructure, and third placesJoining clubs, leagues, or churchesGetting out of the house and putting in effortSlowing down, listening to classical musicEmbracing exercise and movementExperimenting, taking small risks, and shifting perspectiveSeeking curiosity and aweDefining your values and constructing your own masculine codeWhether 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

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

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

This is an interview with zoologist Arik Kershenbaum about communication in animals and humans.

In this episode, I talk with Peggy DeLong, the Gratitude Psychologist

In this episode, I interview Rachel White, the 'Skeptical Shaman,' about lucid dreaming

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 ShermanORGANIZATIONS- Minnesota Vikings- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)PEOPLE- Xavier AmadorVOCABULARY- 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. Combined 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 entire societies. RESOURCESBOOKS- Left Brain, Right Brain by Sally Springer and Georg Deutsch- Of Two Minds by Fredric SchifferPEOPLE- Michael Hamblin- Roger Sperry- Sally Springer- Sigmund Freud- Winston ChurchillVOCABULARY- Buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone)- Id, ego, and superego- Fentanyl- Psychoanalysis- Split-brain- Triune brain**Connect and Learn More**Website: dualbrainpsychology.com Email: Available in the episodeBook: 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 DietPEOPLE- Andrew Huberman- Arthur Quiller-Couch- Chris Palmer- David Baszucki- Emil Kraepelin- Jan Ellison Baszucki- Jay Olson - Jules Angst- Philip McNeePRODUCTS- dawn simulator- light boxSUPPLEMENTS- Ashwagandha - Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)- N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)- Rhodiola rosea**Connect & Learn More**website: chrisaikenmd.combooks: chrisaikenmd.com/bookspodcasts: 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 discuss 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. Get ready to laugh, gasp, and cry. RESOURCESBOOKS- 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 JamisonMOVIES- Jurassic Park- Red Dawn- Rocky- The Mask of ZorroPEOPLE- 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.combook: 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.RESOURCESMOVIES & TV- Star Trek - The Philadelphia ExperimentPEOPLE- Albert Einstein- Gabby Giffords- Masaru Emoto- Nikola Tesla- Royal Raymond RifeTECHNOLOGY- 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: /lisaroyeemail: 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.RESOURCESARTICLES- Magic Mushrooms, Teens, and Young Adults by Mark GoldBOOKS- HOOKED by Arwen Podesta- Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers by Robert Sapolsky - Zoobiquity by Barbara Natterson-Horowitz & Kathryn BowersORGANIZATIONS- HMP Global- Integrative Medicine for Mental Health (IMMH)- Integrative Psychiatry Institute- Psychiatry Redefined- UCLAPEOPLE- Mark Gold- Matthew Perry**Connect and Learn More** website: podestawellness.combook: HOOKEDInstagram: @podesta.wellnessLinkedIn: /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 EllenhornPEOPLE- 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.comCardea website: cardea.netEllenhorn website: ellenhorn.compersonal website: rossellenhorn.combooks: 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- RisperidonePEOPLE- Bret Scher - Chris Palmer- Erin Bellamy- Denise Potter- Georgia Ede- Lauren Kennedy West- Nicole Laurent- Robert WhitakerTRAINING PROGRAMS- Advanced Ketogenic Therapies - Ketogenic Diets for Mental Health Clinician Training Course- Metabolic Mental Health Programs- The Brain Fog Recovery ProgramVIDEOS & PODCASTS- Living Well After Schizophrenia- Metabolic Mind**Connect & Learn More**website: accordmh.comemail: 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.RESOURCESORGANIZATIONS - 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 WestPLACES- Chicago- Copenhagen- Florida - Girl & the Goat- Louisiana - New Orleans**Connect & Learn More**book: The Tunnelwebsite: trippfriedler.comInstagram: @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 RedfieldCARDS- Angels and Ancestors Oracle Cards- Talking to Heaven Mediumship Cards - The Soul's Journey Lesson CardsMOVIES- Titanic- Indigo- What the Bleep Do We Know!?ORGANIZATIONS- Al-anon- Alcoholics Anonymous- Amen Clinics- Families Anonymous - Nar-Anon- NROTC- University of North Carolina- VAPEOPLE- Michael (archangel)- Daniel Amen- Fyodor Dostoevsky - James Van Praagh- Jane Roberts- Leonardo DiCaprio- Long Island Medium- Mario Fields- Neale Donald Walsch- Phil McGraw- Richard BachPLACES- 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: @aguidedwayFacebook: Guided Way Wedding OfficiantLinkedIn: /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- YukonVOCABULARY- Alopecia universalis - Celiac disease- Thyroid**Connect and Learn More**website: mattmasters.cabook: Manic Memoir: A bipolar journey in music company: curbsideconcerts.caInstagram: @mattmastersburgenerX: @mastersmattSpotify: open.spotify.com/intl-ja/artist/24AhJ8DlTXsxNt2HbstB3NYouTube: @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 HameroffPLACES- Bar-Ilan University- Israel- University of ArizonaMEDICATIONS- 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.comForbes: forbes.com/councils/forbestechcouncil/people/oferlidskyLinkedIn: 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 MePEOPLE- Barbara Pickut- Brett Favre- Hans Selye- James Parkinson- Leonardo da Vinci- Morgan Spurlock- Robert Sapolsky- Robin Williams- Robert De Niro- Walter CannonORGANIZATIONS- Bened Life- Biogen- Eli Lilly- Eisai - Green Bay Packers- The Institute for Functional Medicine- University of MichiganVOCABULARY- Alpha-synuclein- Amyloid- Cytochrome P450- Cytokines- Electron transport chain- General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)- Glutathione- Glycolysis- Krebs Cycle - Lateral ventricles- Montreal Cognitive Assessment- Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH)- mTOR pathway- Peroxide- Postencephalitic Parkinsonism - Superoxide- Tau PET imaging- Trichloroethylene- Urea cycleConnect & Learn MoreWebsite: functionalmedicine.doctor Book: healthybraintoolbox.com

 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 - HeronBOOKS- Body Learning by Michael J. Gelb- How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci by Michael Gelb- Walking Well by Michael J. Gelb & Bruce FertmanPEOPLE- Albert Einstein- Bruce Fertman- Georgia O'Keefe - Giorgio Vasari - Leonardo da Vinci- Nikola Tesla - Thomas Edison- Thomas Jefferson- Tony BuzanPLACES- 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 gongSONGS- You'll Never Walk Alone by Gerry and the Pacemakers- Walk Like a Man by The Four SeasonsVOCABULARY- Mind mapping - Passeggiata- Pedometer - Plantigrade- Digitigrade - Cervical vertebrae **Connect & Learn More**website: michaelgelb.combook website: walkingwell.comInstagram: @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 YoungPLACES- Denmark- Japan- Norway- United StatesTHERAPIES- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)- Cold Water Immersion (CWI)- Schema therapy**Connect or Learn More**website: theunstuckinitiative.combook: The Gift of Anxietypodcast: EASE AnxietyInstagram: @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.RESOURCESANIMALS- Alligator- Anglerfish- Blue whale- Chimpanzee- Clownfish- Dingo- PterodactylCHARACTERS- Care Bears- Popeye- PoseidonFIREWORKS- 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 EvergladesTOYS- Jack-in-the-box- Lincoln LogsEXTRA 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- NudgestockPEOPLE- Michael Allison- Peter DruckerORGANIZATIONS- 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 ChurchPLACES- Denmark- Kuala Lumpur- London- Loma Linda- San Diego- Sweden- TahitiVOCAB- Blue zones- EEG- Fajr prayer- Fika- Hygge- PPG- prodrom- sieve estimator - striatum **Connect and Learn More**app: SIXbook: Immersionwebsite: 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.RESOURCESBOOKS- 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.comInstagram: @dr.torkilLinkedIn: /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 NowPEOPLE- 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.comFacebook: /SusiAmendolaYogaInstagram: @thecenteredheartYoga 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 cognitionThe importance of lifestyle changes to prevent early menopauseNatural remedies and holistic therapies to manage symptomsCultural and ethnic differences in menopause experiencesHow to naturally cool down your body and reduce hot flashesWhy it's crucial for both women and men to be aware of these changesRESOURCESPEOPLE- Mario FieldsPODCASTS- Unarmored TalkVOCABULARY- buttermilk- CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)- estrogen- hypothalamus- Kitchari cleanse- Meno belly- menopause- perimenopause- progesterone- Sitkari- Sitali**Connect or Learn More**website: nourishdoc.comLinkedIn: /nourishdocapp: 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'sPEOPLE- Barry ReisbergTV PROGRAMS- Memory Lane TVVOCABULARY- 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.orgBook: The Busy Caregiver's Guide to Advanced Alzheimer DiseaseInstagram: @neuroessenceorgLinkedIn: /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 cortexSimple yet powerful mindset shiftsStrategies for habit changeCommon excuses for staying stuckWhy even smart people struggle with self-defeating habits and inactionThe pitfalls of black-and-white thinkingThe hidden strengths of your “bad” brainWhy your brain resembles the stock marketHow to approach your unique brain like a scientistDo-it-yourself tools for changing your brain's biology and elevating your lifeRESOURCESBOOKS- 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.combook: The Upward SpiralFacebook: @alexkorbphdInstagram: @alexkorbphdX: @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. RESOURCESBACTERIA - 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 HossORGANIZATIONS- American Academy for Oral Systemic Health (AAOSH)- The Integrative Dental Medicine Scholar SocietyOTHER VOCAB- Amylase- Arginine- Biofilm- Commensal- Culturomics- Electron micrograph- Lozenge- Neurogastronomy- Nitrates- Periopathogen - Periodontitis- Retronasal smell- Supertaster- XylitolPAPERS- 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.compodcast: Let's Get OralIG: @letsgetoralLinkedIn: /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 SinekORGANIZATIONS- Drink Wisconsibly- Flow Research Collective- The Institute for Functional MedicinePEOPLE- Archimedes- Jeffrey Bland- Mark Hyman- Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi- Simon Sinek- Steven Kotler- William ShakespeareVOCABULARY- 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.RESOURCESBOOKS- Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy- The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. TolkienCHARACTERS- Chewbacca- Obi-Wan Kenobi- YodaMOVIES- TransformersPEOPLE- Benjamin Lee Whorf- Daniele Scuteri- Edward Sapir- Michael Bungay Stanier- Noam ChomskyPLACES- Chiang Mai- Museum of Insects and Natural Wonders- UC BerkeleyVOCABULARY- 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.comInstagram: @nicolaslunafleckitalki: italki.com/en/teacher/4815496LinkedIn: /nicolas-luna-a0bb5820podcast: 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.comBOOKS - 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 BarkleyEVENTS- 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 HofSUPPLEMENTS - L-tyrosine - Elite Focus - get dopa- lion's maneVOCABULARY- body doubling- cob house- Gower Peninsula (place)- Swansea (place)- yurt**Connect & Learn More**website: www.advanceadhd.comFacebook: @penny872LinkedIn: /penny-kennedy-calc-accX: @AdvanceADHDSend me a text message here

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 BreuningCOMPANIES - Miller Brewing Company- Philip MorrisCOMMUNITIES - Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)- Tribe SoberPEOPLE- Ernest Hemingway - Jeffrey Dahmer- Laura McKowen - Loretta Breuning- Lucy Denith- Sarah HepolaPLACES - Cape Town- Johannesburg- London- SapporoPODCAST 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 – MonsterVOCABULARY - Ativan- benzodiazepines- brownouts- CBD- CB1 receptor- hippocampus - ketamine- THC**Connect, learn more, or join the community**website: tribesober.comInstagram: @tribesoberSend me a text message here

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, stressed, consuming, distracted, busy, productive, 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 and childhood & relationship wounds, and live a more happy authentic connected life. Somatic experiencing and the other tools & ideas discussed today can help take you there. RESOURCESBOOKS- Healing Developmental Trauma by Laurence Heller & Aline LaPierre - Power of Attachment by Diane Poole Heller- Quit Like a Woman by Holly Whitaker- The Myth of Normal by Gabor MateCONCEPTS- attachment theory- avoidant attachment style- Bwiti- co-regulation- disorganized attachment style- Global High Intensity Activation (GHIA)- Integral Somatic PsychologyPEOPLE- Aline LaPierre- Diane Poole Heller- Gabor Mate- Holly Whitaker- Laurence Heller- Loretta Breuning- Mother Teresa- Peter Levine- Raja SelvamPLACES- Beartooth Mountains- Bozeman, Montana- Hokkaido- Sistine Chapel**Learn more and connect**website: juliayanker.comFacebook: /julia.yankerInstagram: @juliayankercoachingSend 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 bio-psycho-social health challenges they face, the state of their mind and body, and how body-based therapies like TRE (Tension &Trauma Releasing Exercises), foam rolling, and breathwork can help. Enter the mind and body of a New York City firefighter, husband, and father, as Captain Cefoli shares uncensored stories from his 20+ year journey, bleeds out his pains and struggles, and teaches us how to build resilience and strength, handle stress, and release our trauma and tension. These are lessons applicable to not just firefighters, but anyone living in the chaos and madness of modern society. If you are a parent, first responder, retiree, divorcee, addict, or have a high-stress job, this set of tools and information will likely resonate with you. Yet this is for anyone who has experienced trauma or stress and wants to come back to life. If you are ready, listen in, let go, and shake your past troubles away. Warning: this episode contains profanity and graphic content. RESOURCESPEOPLE - Adrian Caban - David Berceli TOOLS- ashwagandha - cold exposure- foot grounding- magnesium- myofascial release - TRE (Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises)- sound frequencies**Connect & Learn More** Instagram: @fyr_tribewebsite: fyrtribe.orgSend me a text message here

In this episode, we dig into a study that compares breathwork protocols with mindfulness meditation - 'Brief structured respiration practices enhance mood and reduce physiological arousal' (published in Cell Reports Medicine in January 2023). Learn about 3 breathing exercises (box breathing, cyclic sighing, and cyclic hyperventilation) and a mindfulness meditation exercise. See how their pyschophysiological effects differ from one another and why the cyclic sigh was shown to be most powerful in reducing anxiety, reducing sympathetic arousal, and improving mood. RESOURCESCOMPANIES- Oura- Tianren Culture- Toudou- Whoop - YouKuPEOPLE- Andrew Huberman- Andrew Weil- Bita Nouriani- Booil Jo- Daniele Scuteri- David Spiegel- Eric Neri- Gary Holl- Jamie Zeitzer- Lara Weed- Manuela Kogon- Melis Yilmaz Balban- Victor Koo- Will Ahmed - Wim Hofor send me a text message here

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 SapolskyPLACES- Ibiza, Spain- Gili Islands, Indonesia- Ko Pha-ngan, ThailandVOCAB- 5-MeO-DMT- Buteyko method- collective coherence- dark retreats- default mode network- DMT- fractals- Ganesha (psychedelic)- mandelas- Pranayama- psilocybin- Siddhi powers- sigilsConnect & Learn More: website: somabreath.comapp: somabreath.com/soma-appInstagram: @Nirajnaikofficial21-Day Awakening Journey: somabreath.com/the-awakening-breathwork-journeybook: Breathworks (coming soon!)Cambridge study: biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.02.19.580985v1FREE Masterclass: somabreath.com/soma-awakening-meditation-ewoor 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 McKeownORGANIZATIONS & 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 HofYOUTUBE CHANNELS - Breathe With Sandy**Connect with Daniele**LinkedIn: /daniele-scuteri-0a2bb5or 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-productsRESOURCESBOOKS - The Brain that Changes Itself  by Norman Doidge - The Brain's Way of Healing by Norman DoidgeLESSONS - Alexander Yanai lessons - Al Wadleigh lessonsPEOPLE- Donna Ray- Moshé Feldenkrais- Norman DoidgeVOCABULARY - Functional Integration- homunuculus- Weber-Fechner LawListen 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_ruskFacebook: /drilenenaomiRESOURCESPEOPLE- Dale Bredesen- Dan Siegel- Esther Perel- Helen Reddy- Stephen PorgesSONGS- I Am Woman by Helen ReddySTUDIES- 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.comor 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 you 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, and more.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 freely 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)or send me a text message here

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               @rolandsnapFacebook: @Neurobicswebsite: neurobics.careRESOURCESNEUROANATOMY- anterior cingulate cortex - frontal lobe- hypothalamus- occipital lobe- parietal lobe- temporal lobe- visual cortexCOMPANIES - 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 @or send me a text message here

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 alcoholaddiction and strategies for habit changeshort-term and long-term alternatives to alcoholalcohol's effects on sleep, memory, and cognitionhealth risks associated with alcohol (e.g. cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer's)the costs and benefits of drinking alcohol consumption across different life stageshow alcohol can hinder personal growth and impede self-improvementthe deceptive portrayal of alcohol in movies, media, and advertisingmetaphors and analogies to help illustrate the effects and dangers of alcoholthe gifts and benefits of quitting alcohol**CONNECT & LEARN MORE**book website: thebamboozledbook.comDry-90 Challenge: dry90.comInstagram: @kenmmiddletonRESOURCESBOOKS- 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 GraceCOMMUNITIES- 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 PorterVOCABULARY- acetaldehyde - anhedonia- dynorphin- nucleus accumbens Connect or learn more at: thebamboozledbook.com