Podcasts about Oura

In this episode of LIFTS, Matthew and Mohammed sit down with Hazlo founder Sam Moore to explore the cultural, psychological, and physiological shift away from alcohol. They dive deep into the rise of sober‑curious culture, the influence of wearables on health behavior, the real effects of alcohol on mood and sleep, and the explosive growth of alcohol alternatives. Sam shares his personal journey from high‑stress corporate drinking culture to building Hazlo: a functional beverage designed to elevate mood, focus, and presence without the physical cost of alcohol. Key topics include: • Gen Z's 25% lower alcohol consumption and the rise of sober‑curious culture. • How wearables like Oura are changing the conversation about alcohol's impact. • Why alcohol affects sleep, mood, HRV, readiness, and long‑term inflammation. • Sam Moore's journey from heavy social drinking to mindful performance‑based habits. • The science behind Hazlo's functional ingredients and how they alter mood and focus. • The future of THC beverages, kava, kratom, and the broader alcohol‑alternative space. • How habit formation, ritual, and psychology influence drinking behavior. • Why alcohol usage may eventually resemble cigarettes in regulation and perception. • The shift toward "situational consumption" different drinks for different environments.  

Episode 378 revisits Dr. Shane Creado's science-driven advice on sleep, strategic napping, and why sleep is foundational for health, hormones, immunity, and performance. Learn practical nap protocols (10–20 minutes or 90-minute recovery naps), timing, environment tips, and how to protect your morning from cortisol-spiking habits like checking phones. The episode also shows how combining a short nap with the Silva Method — setting an intention and entering alpha — can boost creativity, insight, and problem-solving. It concludes with actionable routines to improve sleep consistency, support shift workers, and make sleep a strategy for better productivity and well-being. Welcome back to SEASON 14 of The Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, where we connect the science-based evidence behind social and emotional learning and emotional intelligence training for improved well-being, achievement, productivity and results—using what I saw as the missing link (since we weren't taught this when we were growing up in school), the application of practical neuroscience. I'm Andrea Samadi, and seven years ago, launched this podcast with a question I had never truly asked myself before: (and that is) If productivity and results matter to us—and they do now more than ever—how exactly are we using our brain to make them happen? Most of us were never taught how to apply neuroscience to improve productivity, results, or well-being. About a decade ago, I became fascinated by the mind-brain-results connection—and how science can be applied to our everyday lives. That's why I've made it my mission to bring you the world's top experts—so together, we can explore the intersection of science and social-emotional learning. We'll break down complex ideas and turn them into practical strategies we can use every day for predictable, science-backed results. This week, in our review of EP 72 with Shane Creado, MD and his book Peak Sleep Performance for Athletes and will learn:  How strategic napping, morning brain habits, and even the Silva Method all work together to reset your brain, boost performance, and transform your health from the inside out. Clip 1: The Science of Strategic Napping In Clip 1, Dr. Shane Creado explains why every cell in the body follows its own circadian rhythm—and why humans were historically wired for polymodal sleep, with natural dips in alertness that make afternoon naps biologically appropriate. You'll learn: Why the “post-lunch crash” is actually a melatonin rise, not just fatigue Why old advice to “avoid naps” is outdated How short, intentional naps can boost alertness, learning, mood, and performance The simple rules behind strategic napping: length, timing, and environment This clip lays the groundwork for using naps as a tool—not a crutch—for better brain function. Clip 2: Your Morning Cortisol Curve & Hidden Sleep Dangers Clip 2 shifts the focus to the first moments of your day. Dr. Creado warns that checking your phone the moment you wake up spikes cortisol and sends your brain into danger mode, increasing anxiety and disrupting emotional regulation for the entire day. You'll also learn: Why shift work fragments DNA Why the WHO classifies shift work as a possible carcinogen How sleep protects your hormones, immune system, gut health, and long-term aging This clip reinforces that sleep is foundational biology, not optional or replaceable. How This All Connects to The Silva Method We close the episode by tying these insights back to our most-listened-to series—the Silva Method. Both Dr. Creado's strategies and Silva's techniques point to the same powerful truth: When we intentionally shift the brain into restorative states—through sleep, strategic napping, or Alpha/Theta training—we unlock higher performance, creativity, intuition, and emotional stability. You'll see how: Strategic naps naturally guide the brain into Alpha and Theta brainwave patterns Morning routines that protect your cortisol curve mimic Silva's “mental housecleaning” Sleep resets the brain in the same way Silva exercises reset focus, clarity, and intuition Both methods teach us to work with the brain, not against it Together, the science of sleep and the mental training of Silva give you a complete framework for building peak performance from the inside out. Episode 378: Featuring Dr. Shane Creado (Integrating the Silva Method[i] for Increased Creativity-Nap Integration) For today's Episode 378, we continue with our review of past episodes as we make connections to prior learning with whatever it is that we are currently working on this year. I'll create a roadmap at the end of this season so this pathway will make sense to us (I hope!) as we piece together important parts of our success puzzle and begin to bring them to life. As we review these episodes, you'll notice that around the time of the pandemic, around 2020, our interviews took a turn towards health and wellness, and to stay on track, I created a framework of our Top 5 Health Staples on Episode 87[ii], which eventually evolved into our Top 6 Health Staples when we added stress reduction to help us to boost our physical and mental health. This week, we're going back to one of my favorite interviews with the inspiring Dr. Shane Creado, who we first met on EP 72[iii] in July 2020 on the topic of “Sleep Strategies that Will Guarantee a Competitive Advantage.” Dr. Creado is a double board-certified sleep medicine doctor and psychiatrist who practices functional sleep medicine, integrative psychiatry, and sports psychiatry. He brings all of these specialties together to uncover the underlying factors that sabotage our sleep and then treats them comprehensively, helping people to achieve their health and performance goals with sleep at the forefront. To quickly review his background: Dr. Creado completed an undergraduate degree in physical therapy, went on to earn his MD, and then completed a fellowship in Sleep Medicine at the University of Wisconsin, recognizing the huge overlap between sleep and psychiatric issues. He believes in optimization, not normalization, and devotes his work to optimizing brain health in professional athletes, executives, and anyone interested in peak performance. We did a deep dive into his book Peak Sleep Performance for Athletes: The Cutting-Edge Sleep Science That Will Guarantee a Competitive Advantage on EP 71[iv] so that, when he came on EP 72, we could maximize our time together, by asking the most practical questions to help all of us move the needle with our sleep. How did I come across Dr. Creado? I first heard him on Dr. Daniel Amen's Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, since he worked closely with Dr. Amen at that time. At that point I was just beginning to learn how to track and improve my own sleep. This conversation with him actually happened about a year before our interview with Dr. Kristin Holmes,[v] VP of Performance Science at WHOOP, and before I began officially measuring my sleep data with a wearable device. A few months after this interview, Dr. Creado reviewed my brain scan results from Dr. Amen's Clinics and told me that my brain showed the same pattern as someone who was sleep deprived (which we shared on EP 84[vi]). That feedback sent me searching for what else I could do to improve this crucial health staple: sleep. This episode opened the door for me to meet many other leaders in health and wellness and ultimately led to our deep dive into the six health staples that are scientifically proven to improve our mental and physical well-being. This was all years before our popular series on The Silva Method[vii] (still our most-listened-to series on this podcast), where we covered how to improve our creativity and innovation with sleep, and also before our review of The Fisher Wallace Brain Stimulator[viii] that held the top spot for years (with the topic of improving sleep). But it all really began with conversations like this one—with Dr. Shane Creado—on achieving peak performance with our sleep. So let's go back to March 2020 and revisit what Dr. Creado had to say about sleep.   VIDEO 1 – Click Here to Watch Dr. Creado reminds us that every cell in our body has its own circadian rhythm. When we understand this, it becomes clear what we need to do to support healthy sleep. He explains that historically, human sleep has been polymodal—people would sleep a few hours early in the night, wake for a bit, then sleep again in the early morning, and often nap in the afternoon. This pattern lines up with how melatonin behaves in the body: it rises at night, dips, and then shows a slight rise again in the afternoon. So when you feel sleepy after lunch, it's not just the food—it's your melatonin rising and your brain asking for a recharge. Key Takeaways from Dr. Shane Creado Dr. Creado challenges older sleep-hygiene advice that says to avoid naps altogether. In his words, that's “pretty much wrong.” Naps can be incredibly helpful—as long as you're strategic about them: Know how long you're going to nap Be deliberate about when and where you do it These are the keys to strategic napping, which we'll explore more as we revisit this powerful conversation. But first, let's put strategic napping into action. Put These Tips into Action 1. Keep Your Nap Between 10–20 Minutes (Power Nap) Short naps prevent you from dropping into deep sleep. This helps you wake up refreshed—not groggy—and boosts alertness, memory, and mood. 2. Use the 90-Minute Cycle Only When Needed A full 90-minute nap allows you to complete an entire sleep cycle. Use this only if you're: recovering from sleep debt jet-lagged coming off a night of fragmented sleep Avoid these longer naps late in the day. 3. Nap Before 3:00 PM Align your nap with the natural melatonin rise that occurs in the early afternoon. This prevents nighttime sleep disruption and supports your circadian rhythm. 4. Create a Consistent Nap Environment Set up conditions that your brain recognizes as “rest time”: dark or dim lighting comfortable temperature (lower temperatures are recommended) quiet or white noise reclining or lying down if possible Consistency trains the brain to drop into restorative rest efficiently. 5. Use a Caffeine Nap (If It Works for You) Drink a small amount of caffeine (like green tea or half a cup of coffee) immediately before a 10–20 minute nap. The caffeine kicks in right as you wake, giving you a double boost. 6. Set an Alarm Helps you avoid drifting into deep sleep and waking up groggy. This trains your brain to trust short naps and prevents oversleeping. 7. Observe Your Afternoon Melatonin Dip If you feel naturally sleepy between 1:00–3:00 PM, this is your biological nap window. Don't fight it—leverage it (if you can). 8. Don't Nap to Escape Stress Use napping as a performance tool, not an emotional coping mechanism. If you're lying down to escape anxiety, use breathwork or a 5-minute mindfulness break instead. 9. Track Your Sleep Response Everyone's nap sensitivity is unique. Track how naps affect your: nighttime sleep alertness mood work performance training or athletic performance If you want to dive deep, measure it: WHOOP, Oura, or any wearable can help determine your best nap duration and timing. 10. Combine Naps With Movement A short walk before or after a nap enhances the circadian benefit and clears residual grogginess. PUTTING THESE TIPS INTO ACTION: By now, we've all heard that napping is not a sign of laziness—it's a strategic tool for combating the sleep epidemic we're facing. Sleep deprivation can impair the brain as much as being under the influence, which is why even short, well-timed naps can play a powerful role in restoring our cognitive performance, mood, and overall health. I had to look to see what Matthew Walker[ix] (also known as the Sleep Diplomat) had to say about napping, compared to Dr. Creado's view, since I was studying both at the same time. If you look at this chart I've added in the show notes, you can see that Dr. Creado's philosophy helps you to nap for performance; (which makes sense to me since Dr. Creado advises athletes) and Matthew Walker helps you to nap without harming your nighttime sleep. His advice also made sense to me as he advises the general population, and the statistics don't lie. Most of us are sleep deprived. Both sleep experts believe in the power of taking naps, and they both lean towards napping for less than 20 minutes for power napping that avoids grogginess. While not all work environments are built to support this research, that surrounds napping before 3pm, there are companies that are embracing this research, you can Nap on the Job at These 10 Companies[x] Google PricewaterhouseCoopers Ben & Jerry's Cisco Potato Zappos Nike Uber White & Case Thrive Global If you like this option, you're in good company. Many organizations are already embracing future-focused workspaces with this research in mind. Arianna Huffington, now the founder of Thrive Global, has been one of the loudest voices calling attention to the sleep-deprivation crisis. She wrote the best-selling book The Sleep Revolution[xi] to highlight the science behind sleep and why our culture must change. Huffington points to research showing that naps boost the immune system, lower blood pressure, increase learning capacity, improve memory, and enhance our ability to perform complex tasks (Yahoo Finance). Companies adopting nap rooms and rest pods aren't being trendy—they're aligning their workplaces with well-established neuroscience and physiology. And this brings us full circle, because Dr. Shane Creado was emphasizing these same science-backed principles long before workplace culture caught up, showing us exactly how sleep—and even strategic napping—can become a powerful tool for peak performance. And here's where today's episode takes a powerful turn. We are going back to our MOST downloaded Series, The Silva Method, to now implement this method into Dr. Creado's tip for napping, to increase our creativity, innovation and productivity. The Silva Method & The 20-Minute Nap Where Creativity, Insight & Neuroscience Meet** Now that we know what to do from Dr. Creado's research—use short, strategic naps to support performance—the next step is to take this deeper and connect it to the most transformative tool that we've covered in our 7 years of hosting this podcast: The Silva Method. This is where the magic happens, as theory meets practice. What José Silva taught decades ago about guiding the brain into the Alpha state (a mental state of calm wakefulness, that is distinct from the high-frequency beta waves of a busy, alert mind) aligns perfectly with what neuroscience shows happens in a 20-minute nap. And it also explains why so many innovators—Einstein, Edison, Dalí, Tesla, Da Vinci—used structured micro-naps or “drifting states” to solve complex problems. They weren't just resting. They were deliberately entering the insight zone. Edison used metal balls to wake himself the moment he crossed into Theta (the brain state of deep relaxation that's a gateway to creativity, inspiration and new ideas). Dalí held a key over a plate for the same purpose. Einstein was known for multiple micro-naps throughout the day. Da Vinci mapped polyphasic sleep schedules to stay in that creative borderland between wake and sleep. They had discovered what both neuroscience and the Silva Method confirm: The moments between wakefulness and sleep—Alpha and early Theta—are the brain's most fertile ground for new ideas. **If you have not yet listened to the 4 PART SERIES on The Silva Method[xii], I highly encourage it as we do go into detail on HOW to start this practice, and learn how to train your brain to accomplish outstanding results that truly will shock you. How This Works? The Silva Method adds conscious intention. Before entering the Alpha, State you plant a question, problem, or intention—something that you want to solve, or learn more about. Then during the nap-like drift, the brain naturally reorganizes information, makes connections, and surfaces insights. When you return to Beta (full wakefulness), those insights often rise effortlessly. I've been doing this practice for 26+ years now, and I can tell you that it takes practice. In the beginning, I didn't have control of what was showing up on the screen of my mind during these short naps, and I had a difficult time understanding what certain things (or insight that were flashing on the screen of my mind) really meant. This will take practice, but it's well worth the time spent. A 20-minute nap and The Silva Method are using the same brain states—one intentionally, one biologically. Combined, they become a powerful creativity tool. Why This Works (Neuroscience + Silva) ✔ The brain enters Alpha/Theta — insight frequencies ✔ Cortisol drops — freeing cognitive resources ✔ The Default Mode Network activates — your “creative network” ✔ The nap resets your mental clarity ✔ The Silva Method gives the mind a specific task (whatever it is you are looking to solve). Together, they create a simple, natural protocol for breakthrough thinking. How To Use The Silva Method with a 20-Minute Nap to Improve Creativity? Here's a simple protocol that we can all use: Set an intention “Show me a solution for ___.” “Give me a creative idea for ___.” Enter Alpha (Silva Method) Use the 3–2–1 countdown or your preferred Silva relaxation method. Drift for 15–20 minutes You don't need full sleep—just hover between wake and sleep. Wake & Write Capture any images, ideas, feelings, or impressions immediately. This is truly one of the fastest ways to reset the brain, boost creativity, and spark intuition—because it aligns neuroscience with intention. The insights that you discover here are life-changing. Start writing down the ideas you “see” and “feel” and you will begin to find solutions to problems or ways forward in your daily life. VIDEO 2 Click Here to Watch Which brings us to our 2nd clip from Dr. Creado who reminds us about an important habit (that I have yet to master). Dr. Creado explains the deeper biological consequences of poor sleep with a powerful reminder: “If you immediately go to social media or your work emails as soon as you wake up, your cortisol levels are boosted even more. You go straight into danger mode and anxiety mode, and that's how you start your day.” He goes on to give an example many people don't realize the seriousness of: “Shift work actually causes fragmentation and breaks in your DNA. It sets people up for an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. The World Health Organization has even designated shift work as a possible carcinogen—a cancer-causing behavior.” Most people think a few hours of lost sleep just makes them groggy or irritable, but as Dr. Creado explains, the consequences go much deeper: “This goes down to your very DNA. Sleep is your anchor. It can stave off aging. It can prevent obesity and inflammation. It can boost your immune system. It can delay menopause. It can upregulate testosterone and growth hormone levels, suppress stress hormones, and even regulate your gut flora.” This section reinforces the core theme of your episode: sleep is foundational biology—not a luxury—and optimizing it has ripple effects across every major system of the body. Key Takeaways from Dr. Shane Creado's 2nd Clip Avoid social media and emails immediately upon waking. They spike cortisol and activate “danger mode,” increasing anxiety from the moment your day begins. Shift work is biologically damaging. It fragments DNA, increases risk of heart attacks and strokes, and is recognized by the WHO as a possible carcinogen. Sleep is not optional—it's your biological anchor. It stabilizes your entire internal system, including mood, hormones, metabolism, and immunity. Poor sleep accelerates aging. Adequate sleep can slow (and even reverse) biological wear, protecting long-term health. Sleep regulates critical hormones. It boosts testosterone and growth hormone while reducing stress hormones like cortisol. Your gut depends on your sleep. Quality sleep helps maintain healthy gut flora, which influences everything from mood to inflammation to immunity. Put These Tips Into Action Here are simple, science-backed steps you can start today to optimize your sleep: 1. Protect the First 30 Minutes of Your Morning No social media No emails No news Use this time for grounding: hydration, sunlight, breathwork, or light movement. Dr. Creado is far from the only expert emphasizing this point—best-selling author Brendon Burchard includes it as one of his core High Performance Habits, reminding us that how we start our morning sets the tone for our entire day. 2. If You're a Shift Worker, Control What You Can Keep a consistent sleep–wake schedule when possible Use blackout curtains and cool temperatures Nap strategically to offset circadian disruption Prioritize sleep hygiene even more than daytime workers (This population is often overlooked. It came up with Dr. Creado, as well as with our interview with Kelly Roman how many people with shift work should be given extra support). 3. Build a Nighttime Routine That Signals “Safety” to the Brain Dim lights 60–90 minutes before bed Reduce screens Use calming cues: stretching, reading, warm shower, or meditation Keep a consistent bedtime 4. Use Strategic Napping to Lower Stress Hormones 10–20 minutes in the early afternoon Set an alarm to avoid deep-sleep grogginess A “caffeine nap” can boost alertness if well-tolerated 5. Strengthen Your Hormone Health Through Sleep Consistency Aim for 5–8.5 hours per night Regular sleep schedules support testosterone, growth hormone, and metabolic stability 6. Support Your Gut Through Rest Quality sleep = more balanced gut flora Try to eat your final meal 2–3 hours before bed Avoid heavy meals late at night 7. View Sleep as the Foundation for Everything Else Instead of seeing sleep as something to “fit in,” shift your mindset: Sleep is the strategy that makes all your other strategies work better. REVIEW AND CONCLUSION — Episode 378 PART 1 of our REVIEW with Dr. Shane Creado Key Insights From Video 1: Your Biology Wants You to Nap Dr. Creado reminded us that every cell in the body runs on its own circadian rhythm, and historically, humans slept in multiple phases—including early afternoon naps aligned with our melatonin's natural rise. He challenged outdated sleep-hygiene rules that discouraged napping and instead showed us how strategic naps—short, intentional, and well-timed—can restore energy and boost performance. We covered practical strategies for making napping work in real life, from 10–20 minute power naps to full 90-minute cycles when recovery is needed, emphasizing timing, environment, and consistency. Napping for Performance vs. Protecting Nighttime Sleep To deepen this topic, we compared Dr. Creado's approach with Matthew Walker's. Both agree that short naps (under 20 minutes) offer the best everyday benefits, though their philosophies differ: Creado teaches you to nap for performance, especially for athletes and high performers. Matthew Walker teaches you to nap without disrupting nighttime sleep, focusing on the general population. And while not all workplaces support napping, many leading companies now do—Google, Cisco, Zappos, Nike, Uber, PwC, and more—reflecting research championed by leaders like Arianna Huffington, who has long warned that sleep deprivation is a cultural crisis. Naps, she notes, improve immunity, blood pressure, learning, memory, and performance. Organizations adopting nap rooms aren't following a trend—they're following neuroscience. Key Insights From Video 2: Protect Your Morning Brain In our second clip, Dr. Creado warns about a habit many of us (including myself) struggle with: checking the phone immediately upon waking. This single behavior spikes cortisol and sends the brain into “danger mode,” setting the tone for an anxious, reactive day. He also described the biological risks of shift work—including DNA fragmentation and increased risk of heart attack and stroke—conditions serious enough that the WHO classifies shift work as a possible carcinogen. His message was clear: Sleep is your anchor. It affects aging, inflammation, immunity, hormone balance, and even gut health. Dr. Creado reminded us that sleep isn't a luxury—it's foundational biology. When we optimize sleep, we improve every system in the body: our hormones, immunity, focus, mood, and even our longevity. And when we take what he taught and combine it with the intentional practice of The Silva Method, we unlock something even more powerful. A simple 20-minute nap becomes more than rest—it becomes a doorway into the Alpha state where creativity, insight, and intuition live. This is why so many innovators throughout history used micro-naps to solve problems. The Silva Method simply adds conscious intention. And when we pair intention with the brain's natural rhythms, we create one of the most reliable pathways for breakthroughs. And watch how your best most innovative and creative ideas begin to rise to the surface.   With that thought, we will close out this episode, and we will see you next week, with PART 2 of our interview review with Dr. Creado. We have only scratched the surface of our review of this important health staple of sleep. See you next week.   REFERENCES: [i] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #261 PART 1 of Apply the Silva Method for Improved Intuition, Creativity and Focus. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/a-deep-dive-with-andrea-samadi-into-applying-the-silva-method-for-improved-intuition-creativity-and-focus-part-1/   [ii] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #87 with Andrea Samadi on “The Top 5 Brain Health and Alzheimer's Prevention Strategies” https://www.achieveit360.com/the-top-5-brain-health-and-alzheimers-prevention-strategies-with-andrea-samadi/   [iii] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #72 with Dr. Shane Creado on “Sleep Strategies that will Guarantee a Competitive Advantage.”  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/dr-shane-creado-on-sleep-strategies-that-will-guarantee-a-competitive-advantage/   [iv] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #71 with Dr. Shane Creado on “A Deep Dive into Dr. Creado's Peak Sleep Performance for Athletes”  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/self-regulation-and-sleep-with-a-deep-dive-into-dr-shane-creados-peak-sleep-performance-for-athletes/   [v] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE 134 with Dr. Kristin Holmes, VP of Performance Science from Whoop.com https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/kristen-holmes-from-whoopcom-on-unlocking-a-better-you-measuring-sleep-recovery-and-strain/   [vi] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE 84 “Andrea's SPECT Image Brain Scan Results”  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/how-a-spect-scan-can-change-your-life-part-3-with-andrea-samadi/   [vii] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #261 PART 1 of Apply the Silva Method for Improved Intuition, Creativity and Focus. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/a-deep-dive-with-andrea-samadi-into-applying-the-silva-method-for-improved-intuition-creativity-and-focus-part-1/   [viii] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE 120 “Andrea's Personal Review of The Fisher Wallace Wearable Medical Device for Anxiety, Depression and Sleep/Stress Management” https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/personal-review-of-the-fisher-wallace-wearable-medical-device-for-anxiety-depression-and-sleepstress-management/   [ix] https://www.sleepdiplomat.com/   [x] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/nap-job-10-companies-100300632.html   [xi] https://www.amazon.com/Sleep-Revolution-Transforming-Your-Night/dp/110190402X The Sleep Revolution, Published by Arianna Huffington April 4, 2017 [xii] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #261 PART 1 of Apply the Silva Method for Improved Intuition, Creativity and Focus. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/a-deep-dive-with-andrea-samadi-into-applying-the-silva-method-for-improved-intuition-creativity-and-focus-part-1/  

In this week's Digital Health Roundup, Medtech Insight's Marion Webb highlights her interviews with leaders at brain-computer interface developers Synchron and INBRAIN about funding, clinical trials and partnerships. Brian Bossetta discusses Oura's goal to secure US FDA clearance for a blood pressure feature for its smart ring. Elizabeth Orr highlights an FDA expert panel considering regulation of generative AI tools for mental health and Shubham Singh shines a light on Choice's efforts to develop a new form of contraceptive for women.

Enterprise Ireland is leading a 20-strong delegation of high-growth Irish technology companies to Slush 2025, Europe's premier start-up and venture capital event. Slush, widely regarded as the largest gathering of venture capital under one roof, is a key platform for Irish start-ups seeking to accelerate their expansion and secure investment. The Nordics have emerged as Enterprise Ireland's fastest-growing export region for Enterprise Ireland supported companies, with client exports reaching €2.1 billion in 2024, up 24% on 2023. Finland is leading the charge as its most dynamic market. Against this backdrop, Irish innovators are leveraging Slush to deepen commercial ties and showcase cutting-edge technologies across AI, fintech, and sustainability. With Nordic markets driving export growth and Finland emerging as a hub for tech collaboration, Enterprise Ireland's presence at Slush underscores Ireland's ambition to position its start-ups at the forefront of European innovation. Momentum in Irish Tech Investment Ireland's start-up ecosystem continues to attract global attention, underscored by strong investment flows and landmark deals. Earlier this year, Tines, the AI-powered work automation platform, became Ireland's latest unicorn following a $125 million Series C round. This success story exemplifies the ambition of Irish companies attending Slush, many of which are scaling internationally and forging strategic partnerships in the Nordics. As part of the Slush programme of events, Enterprise Ireland will host an Irish Innovation event, featuring a fireside chat with George Ardagh of Tines as well as Enterprise Ireland Head of Scaling Finance Karole Egan and leading voices from global finance. The event will spotlight Ireland's vibrant tech ecosystem and its role in shaping global innovation. Among the Irish delegation at Slush are: EVERYANGLE, whose Vision AI technology powers retail giants including H&M, Samsøe Samsøe, and IKEA franchise partners. Fresh from winning Cisco's Global AI Innovation Award, EVERYANGLE is set to unveil its new product, Horizon, designed to transform in-store behaviour into data-driven growth. Otonomee, the customer support outsourcing specialist, has partnered with Finland's Oura to scale global operations during a period of exceptional growth for the health-tech leader. JustTip, Europe's fastest-growing digital tipping platform, is expanding its footprint through a partnership with Sweden's Surfboard Payments, reinforcing its mission to deliver transparent and instant gratuity management across hospitality. Marker Video, the content marketplace platform is launching their Marker Video app. With 10,000 verified users already onboarded and pilot campaigns underway with HelloFresh and Unilever, the app combines human-verification technology with instant user payments. This enables Marker Video to deliver the scale and authenticity modern brands demand, solving one of advertising's fastest-growing challenges. Leading the Irish delegation at Slush, Finland, Viktor Wagner Heide, Senior Market Advisor at Enterprise Ireland Nordics said; "Slush is a proven launchpad for Irish innovation, offering a unique opportunity to connect with international investors and partners. With exports by Enterprise Ireland-backed companies to the Nordics growing by 24% last year, this platform turns ambition into global growth and strengthens Ireland's position as a leader in Europe's technology landscape." Other Irish company participants at Slush 2025 include, BrightBeam, Capella, Chirp, CitySwift, Coroflo, Cytidel, EVE, HR Duo, Luna Systems, Marker Video, Mavarick AI, NoFrixion, Payemoji, Peroptyx, Provizio, Recruitroo and Tines. Full profiles are available in the Irish Innovation Directory. See more stories here.

MOPs & MOEs is powered by TrainHeroic, the best coaching app on the planet. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to get 14 days FREE and a consult with the coaches at TrainHeroic to help you get your coaching business rolling on TrainHeroic. ⁠⁠⁠⁠ MOPs & MOEs delivers our training through ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TrainHeroic and you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠get your first 7 days of training with us FREE by clicking here.⁠⁠⁠⁠To continue the conversation, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join our Discord!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We have experts standing by to answer your questions.This episode covers two primary topics: First, we chat about wearable technology, its evolving accuracy, and how to implement it to change health and fitness behaviors at scale. Second, we discuss the challenges of doing business with the military, particularly in the technology space where innovation is rapid and constant.Geoff Wylde leads ŌURA's Human Performance team, delivering technology solutions that help tactical and critical workforce communities optimize physical and mental readiness. Beginning with an illness‑monitoring initiative for the U.S. Air Force, his team has expanded Oura's programs for first responders, active‑duty military, and veterans to include athletic performance, fatigue risk management, chronic stress management, and holistic health and well‑being. Before ŌURA, Geoff led programs on technology policy and industrial strategy at the World Economic Forum and spent a decade in strategy consulting at PricewaterhouseCoopers.Outside of work, Geoff volunteers and serves on the board of Healing Waters, a nonprofit that brings chronically ill and at‑risk communities into nature through camping and whitewater rafting in Northern California.Here's a peer reviewed validation study that compares the sleep/HRV accuracy of Garmin Fenix 6, Oura Generation 3, Oura Generation 4, Polar Grit X Pro, and Whoop 4.0.

Send us a textIn this episode of The Autoimmune RESET Podcast, VJ shares her top five health apps that genuinely make a difference — for clients and for her own daily routine. From gut–brain retraining to nervous system regulation and sleep optimisation, these tools are practical, science-backed, and designed to help you build consistency without burnout.You'll learn how apps like Nerva, Yuka, Sweat, Insight Timer, and Rise can support every pillar of autoimmune health — helping you calm the nervous system, lower your toxic load, build metabolic resilience, and work with your body's natural rhythms.VJ also shares how she integrates these tools personally, how clients use them successfully in practice, and why sometimes, the smallest changes create the biggest shifts.✨ Plus — if you're listening in real time, don't miss her free mini-series on vagal tone happening this week, where she dives into the science behind the gut–brain–immune axis and teaches simple, evidence-based techniques to regulate your nervous system. She'll be going live next week to answer all your vagal tone questions. You can join The Autoimmune Forum here. Listen in to discover:Why gut-directed hypnotherapy (Nerva) is one of the most powerful tools for gut–brain healingHow Yuka helps you detoxify your daily routine without overwhelmWays to weave movement into your day using Sweat — even if you're short on timeHow Insight Timer can shift your physiology in just five minutes a dayWhy Rise (and tools like Oura) can transform sleep, energy, and hormonal balanceWhether you're on a gut healing journey, managing autoimmunity, or simply ready to uplevel your wellbeing, this episode will give you practical, easy-to-implement tools to support your body — one small step at a time.

This episode covers: • Cocoa Extract Cuts Heart Deaths A massive COSMOS trial found that older adults taking high flavanol cocoa extract daily saw a 27 percent reduction in cardiovascular deaths along with drops in inflammation markers like HSCRP. Women showed unique anti inflammatory cytokine shifts, pointing to a broader longevity effect. Dave explains why cocoa extract is becoming a foundational nutrient for vascular health rather than a dessert ingredient. Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250926135957.htm • AI Stethoscope for Home Diagnostics Lapsi Health's Keikku 2.0 just became the first FDA cleared AI powered digital stethoscope for both clinicians and home users. It records heart and lung sounds, analyzes them instantly, and flags early warning signs before symptoms appear. Dave breaks down why tools like this move you from reactive to predictive medicine and why they belong in every quantified self toolkit. Source: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lapsi-health-unveils-keikku-2-0-worlds-first-fda-cleared-digital-stethoscope-with-integrated-ai-scribe-302585083.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com • Beef Organ Supplements Surge Beef organ supplements have exploded more than 8,000 percent this year, driven largely by women reporting improvements in energy, hormones, mood, and skin. Liver, kidney, and heart deliver vitamin A, heme iron, B12, copper, and choline that modern diets often lack. Dave covers sourcing concerns, purity standards, and why this shift reflects a move from fear based nutrition to evolutionary nutrition. Source: https://www.verywellhealth.com/beef-organ-supplement-11710185?utm_source=chatgpt.com • Spirulina for Collagen and DNA Protection New research highlights spirulina's ability to support collagen production, reduce oxidative stress, protect DNA, and improve glucose and lipid balance. It is becoming a staple of eco focused anti aging routines and is driving the viral green stacking trend with chlorella and chlorophyll. Dave explains why spirulina functions as a clean daily defense against oxidative stress. Source: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20250707/Is-Spirulina-the-Next-Anti-Aging-Superfood.aspx • Health Data Privacy Reform A new Senate bill aims to extend HIPAA level protections to wearables, genomic tools, glucose monitors, and wellness apps. The goal is to give users control over who sees their biometrics, how they are stored, and whether they can be sold. Dave outlines why this matters for anyone using Oura, Whoop, CGMs, or genetic testing and why your biology should belong to you and not the cloud. Source: https://natlawreview.com/article/federal-healthcare-update-november-7-2025 All source links provided for easy reference to the original reporting and research above. This is essential listening for fans of biohacking, hacking human performance, functional medicine, and longevity who want actionable tools from Host Dave Asprey and a guest who embodies what it means to age with energy, clarity, and vitality. Dave Asprey is a four-time New York Times bestselling author, founder of Bulletproof Coffee, and the father of biohacking. With over 1,000 interviews and 1 million monthly listeners, The Human Upgrade brings you the knowledge to take control of your biology, extend your longevity, and optimize every system in your body and mind. Each episode delivers cutting-edge insights in health, performance, neuroscience, supplements, nutrition, biohacking, emotional intelligence, and conscious living. New episodes are released every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday (audio-only), and Sunday (BONUS). Dave asks the questions no one else will and gives you real tools to become stronger, smarter, and more resilient. Keywords: cocoa extract, flavanols, heart health, nitric oxide pathways, COSMOS trial, AI stethoscope, digital diagnostics, Keikku device, predictive health tech, beef organ supplements, women's hormonal health, nutrient dense foods, ancestral nutrition, spirulina benefits, collagen support, oxidative stress defense, green stacking, chlorella pairing, DNA protection, wearable privacy laws, HIPAA reform, biometric data rights, longevity news, biohacking updates Thank you to our sponsors! Essentia | Go to https://myessentia.com/dave and use code DAVE for $100 off The Dave Asprey Upgrade. ECHO Water | Go to http://echowater.com/dave and use code DAVE10 for 10% off your ECHO Flask. Resources: • Subscribe to my weekly newsletter: https://substack.daveasprey.com/welcome • Danger Coffee: https://dangercoffee.com/discount/dave15 • My Daily Supplements: SuppGrade Labs (15% Off) • Favorite Blue Light Blocking Glasses: TrueDark (15% Off) • Dave Asprey's BEYOND Conference: https://beyondconference.com • Dave Asprey's New Book – Heavily Meditated: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated • Upgrade Collective: https://www.ourupgradecollective.com • Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com • 40 Years of Zen: https://40yearsofzen.com Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro 0:19 – Cocoa Extract & Heart Health 1:52 – AI Digital Stethoscope 3:01 – Beef Organ Supplements 4:24 – Spirulina for Longevity 5:42 – Substack Announcement 6:53 – Health Data Privacy Reform 8:23 – Weekly Upgrade Protocol 9:46 – Outro See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's In the News.. a look at the top headlines and stories in the diabetes community. This week's top stories: It's World Diabetes Day and we have a LOT of news to get to! Daily oral insulin tested to prevent T1D, mothers and sons and a T1D link, stem cell updates, Tandem Android news, Omnipod's workplace campaign and more! Find out how to submit your Community Commercial Find out more about Moms' Night Out  Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible! Learn more about Gvoke Glucagon Gvoke HypoPen® (glucagon injection): Glucagon Injection For Very Low Blood Sugar (gvokeglucagon.com) Omnipod - Simplify Life Learn about Dexcom   Check out VIVI Cap to protect your insulin from extreme temperatures The best way to keep up with Stacey and the show is by signing up for our weekly newsletter: Sign up for our newsletter here Here's where to find us: Facebook (Group) Facebook (Page) Instagram Twitter Check out Stacey's books! Learn more about everything at our home page www.diabetes-connections.com  Reach out with questions or comments: info@diabetes-connections.com Episode transcription with links:   Hello and welcome to Diabetes Connections In the News! I'm Stacey Simms and every other Friday I bring you a short episode with the top diabetes stories and headlines happening now. It's world diabetes day! It is marked every year on 14 November, the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who co-discovered insulin along with Charles Best in 1922.   WDD was created in 1991 by International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization and became an official United Nations Day in 2006 with the passage of United Nations Resolution 61/225. There will be a ton of stuff in your feeds today and that's great! I'm going to keep this to a pretty normal in the news episode.. although I do have my own World Diabetes Day announcement – I want YOUR community commercials. You could have an ad for your event or your blog or your project right here! There's a post on the website explaining it all and I'll come back at the end of the episode and tell you more. XX The Primary Oral Insulin Trial (POInT) is the first large-scale clinical trial to test whether giving at-risk children daily oral insulin could prevent or delay type 1 diabetes (T1D). Conducted by researchers from Helmholtz Munich and the Technical University of Munich across five European countries, the study enrolled more than 1,000 children with a genetic risk for T1D. Results published in The Lancet show that while oral insulin did not prevent the development of islet autoantibodies—an early sign of diabetes—it was safe and well tolerated. Importantly, researchers found that some children who received oral insulin developed diabetes more slowly than those given a placebo, suggesting potential protective effects in certain genetic subgroups.   Further analysis revealed that the response to treatment depended on the child's insulin gene variant. Children with genetic versions that raise diabetes risk appeared to benefit, showing delayed onset of the disease, while those without the risk variant did not. These findings point toward a future of personalized prevention, where genetic screening could help identify which children might benefit most from oral insulin. Researchers will continue following the participants until age 12 to assess long-term effects. The study marks a major milestone in decades of diabetes prevention research, highlighting both the promise and complexity of developing tailored, early interventions against type 1 diabetes. XX Joint US-Chinese research looking at generating new beta cells from stomach cells. Upon turning on the "genetic switch," the human stomach cells were converted to insulin-secreting cells within the mice and resembled pancreatic beta cells with respect to gene and protein expression. Encouragingly, when those experiments were done with diabetic mice, insulin secreted from the transformed human cells helped control blood sugar levels and ameliorated diabetes. The scientists hope that a similar approach can be taken to convert cells from a patient's own stomach into insulin-secreting cells directly within the body. Importantly, additional studies are needed to address if this approach is safe and effective to be used in patients. https://www.technologynetworks.com/cell-science/news/human-stomach-cells-tweaked-to-make-insulin-406694 XX A new study in Nature Metabolism may help explain why children born to mothers with type 1 diabetes are less likely to develop the disease early in life compared to those whose fathers or siblings have it. Researchers looked at nearly 2,000 mothers and their children and found that  kids whose moms have type 1 diabetes show changes in their DNA that may actually help protect them. These aren't genetic mutations, but epigenetic changes — chemical tags that turn certain genes on or off. The study found these changes in genes tied to the immune system and type 1 diabetes risk, suggesting that a mother's condition during pregnancy can shape her child's immune response in a protective way. Scientists identified more than 500 areas of DNA where these changes occurred, many in regions that control how the body's immune system works. Most of the changes appeared to calm down the kind of overactive immune response that leads to type 1 diabetes. Researchers even created a "methylation score" to help measure this protective effect. They say the next step is to confirm these results in more diverse groups and figure out exactly how these DNA changes help prevent early diabetes. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20251110/Maternal-type-1-diabetes-may-protect-children-from-developing-the-disease.aspx XX A new study from Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University reveals that sons born to mothers with type 1 diabetes may develop early vascular dysfunction—independently of metabolic health. The finding may help shape future strategies to prevent cardiovascular disease early in life.     Children of women with type 1 diabetes are known to be at increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. This new study, published in Cell Reports Medicine, is the first to show that the risk is linked to early dysfunction in blood vessel cells in sons, even before any metabolic issues arise. The team is now investigating the long-term effects of maternal diabetes, with a particular focus on why sons seem to be affected earlier than daughters. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-11-sons-mothers-diabetes-early-vascular.html XX A new study presented at Kidney Week 2025 has shown that the drug finn-uh-near-own  a nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid-receptor antagonist, significantly reduced albuminuria—a key marker of kidney damage—in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). This is the first major breakthrough for this population in more than 30 years. Researchers found that patients taking finerenone saw a 25% average reduction in albuminuria compared to placebo, an improvement that suggests a lower long-term risk for dialysis or kidney transplant. The phase 3 FINE-ONE trial involved 242 adults with T1D and CKD, and results showed benefits as early as three months. The drug was generally well tolerated, with side effects similar to those seen in patients with type 2 diabetes, though mild hyperkalemia (high potassium levels) was slightly more common. Experts say the findings could change the way doctors treat kidney complications in type 1 diabetes, an area that hasn't seen new therapies since the early 1990s. Currently, treatment options rely on blood pressure and blood sugar management, along with renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors. Finerenone, which is already approved for type 2 diabetes-related CKD, targets overactivation of a receptor that drives kidney damage. Based on these results, Bayer plans to seek FDA approval in 2026 for use in people with T1D and CKD. Researchers and clinicians alike are calling the study "groundbreaking," noting that it opens the door to future research on how finerenone might not just slow kidney decline—but possibly prevent it altogether. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/finerenone-offers-hope-kidney-disease-type-1-diabetes-2025a1000uzi?form=login   XX This week, Tandem Diabetes Care (Nasdaq:TNDM) announced a major milestone for its Mobi miniature durable insulin pump system. San Diego-based Tandem revealed that it received FDA approval for the Android version of its Mobi mobile app. Clearance brings Mobi — which the company describes as the world's smallest, durable automated insulin delivery system — to more users. The pump, which pairs with Tandem's Control-IQ+ algorithm, previously worked with iOS software.   Tandem — one of the largest diabetes tech companies in the world — expects to begin a limited rollout next month, followed by full commercial availability in early 2026. This marks the latest milestone for the company, which continues to expand its offerings and widen its reach within the diabetes patient population.   We had a great interview with Tandem on our previous episode, but as I said at the time, it was coming before their earnings call. So here's an update: The company plans to submit the tubeless mobi to the fda before the end of this year.. possible approval and shipping date is hoped for by middle of 2026. Trials for their fully closed loop next-generation algorithm which we tlkaed abou ton the show should be launched in 2026 The Sigi patch pump will be developed and launched as a next-generation version of the Mobi Great job by Dr. David ? Ahn – he posted on IG after getting a message from tandem CEO John Sheridan? 1. First, the Tandem X3 *is* still absolutely in development, contrary to my speculation In yesterday's video. As many of you appropriately pointed out, there is definitely a market for a 300 unit pump, a pump with a screen, and a pump that does not require smartphone control. So from our brief chat, the sense I got that is that the X3 would be more of a refresh of the X2 with newer components, such as a USB-C connector and better memory, rather than a total redesign from the ground up. In terms of timing, all I could get was that it was "not too far distant in the future," which could mean anything I guess, but at least it's still on the way! 2. Next up, he also reassured me that they are working closely with Dexcom to support the G7 15 Day sensor within the next few months. I suspected as much, but it's always good to hear confirmation. 3. Lastly, he did confirm that Tandem is far along in developing a Caregiver/Follow app to allow the remote viewing of glucose and insulin data from a Tandem pump. He explained that it will be based on Sugarmate, the popular diabetes data dashboard app that Tandem acquired back in Jun 2020. While I don't know if every feature will make it into the Tandem caregiver app, Sugarmate is well-liked for its highly customizable dashboard and highly configurable alerts. Sugarmate even has the option to send a text message or phone call for urgent lows. Regardless, a true follow/Caregiver app will be welcomed with open arms by all caregivers and Tandem users who use Libre 3 Plus. https://time.com/7318020/worlds-top-healthtech-companies-2025/ XX Senseonics submits Eversense 365 – their year long implantable CGM for a CE mark, European Approval and expect to launch there soon. Eversense will be integrated with the sequel twist pump – again I'm hearing soon but no timeline. Intersting to note that one year inseration was approved in the US just about a year ago, so the first patients will be having their CGMs changed out – for the first time – pretty soon. https://www.drugdeliverybusiness.com/senseonics-q2-2025-sales-beat-ce-mark/ XX A confusing study out of Rutgers - these researcher say  metformin reduces some of the key benefits normally gained from regular physical activity. These include improvements in blood vessel health, physical fitness, and the body's ability to regulate blood sugar. Since 2006, doctors have typically encouraged patients with elevated blood sugar levels to combine metformin with exercise, expecting that the two proven treatments would produce stronger results together. However, the new research suggests this may not be the case. In this study, Exercise alone improved vascular insulin sensitivity, meaning blood vessels responded better to insulin and allowed more blood flow to muscles. This matters because insulin's ability to open blood vessels helps shuttle glucose out of the bloodstream and into tissues, lowering blood sugar after meals. But when metformin was added, the improvements shrank. The drug also diminished gains in aerobic fitness and reduced the positive effects on inflammation and fasting glucose. The findings don't mean people should stop taking metformin or exercising, Malin said. Instead, it raises urgent questions for doctors about how the two treatments can be combined and the need for close monitoring. Malin hopes future research will uncover strategies that preserve the benefits of both. https://scitechdaily.com/popular-diabetes-drug-metformin-may-cancel-out-exercise-benefits-study-warns/ XX XX https://www.medtechdive.com/news/Revvity-Sanofi-diabetes-test-Kihealth-seed-round/802133/   XX Dexcom recalled an Android app for its G6 glucose sensor due to a software problem that could cause the app to terminate unexpectedly. The issue could cause users to miss alarms, alerts or notifications related to estimated glucose values, according to a Food and Drug Administration database entry posted Oct. 30. The glucose sensor and the app are still available, but Dexcom required users to update the app to a new version. Dexcom began the recall on Aug. 28. The FDA designated the event as a Class 1 recall, the most serious kind. Dexcom sent a notification to customers in September about the software bug, which applies to version 1.15 of the G6 Android app. To use the app, customers must update it to a new version, according to the entry. https://www.medtechdive.com/news/dexcom-recall-g6-cgm-app/804630/ XX https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/automated-insulin-delivery-boosts-glycemic-control-youth-2025a1000ub3 XX Tidepool partners with smart ring maker OURA.. press release says: to support a groundbreaking dataset intended to be broadly available for diabetes research, with participation limited to individuals who opt in through Tidepool.         Tidepool will pair biometric data from Oura Ring – sleep, activity, heart rate, temperature trends, and menstrual cycles – with diabetes device data, including continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and insulin pumps. The result will provide researchers with an unprecedented dataset to accelerate the development of new clinical guidelines, next-generation diabetes technology, and personalized care models.   Recruitment is expected to launch in early 2026 through an IRB-approved study. By opting in to this study, participants consent to sharing their data with Tidepool's Big Data Donation Project, where data is de-identified and, with participant consent, shared with academics, researchers, and industry innovators to accelerate diabetes research. https://aijourn.com/tidepool-collaborates-with-oura-to-advance-inclusive-diabetes-research-through-wearables/ XX Eli Lilly launches two new clinical trials for baricitinib. These phase 3 trials will investigate whether the drug can delay T1D onset or progression and will open for recruitment soon. Baricitinib has the potential to extend the "honeymoon period" of T1D, meaning that it could preserve remaining insulin-producing beta cells earlier in disease progression. More beta cells mean better blood sugar management—and potentially reduced long-term complications. JAK inhibitors, including baricitinib, are already FDA-approved for other autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, alopecia, and more. JAK signaling pathways are associated with overactive immune responses, so blocking this pathway may turn down the immune response. The phase 2 Breakthrough T1D-funded BANDIT study was key in showing that this drug is safe and effective in T1D. Importantly, baricitinib is a once-daily oral pill—meaning its use is simple and easy.   https://www.breakthrought1d.org/news-and-updates/two-new-trials-baricitinib-to-delay-t1d/ XX   Insulet is taking diabetes awareness into the workplace. Having found 79% of people with diabetes have faced bias or misunderstanding at work, the medtech giant is rolling out a range of resources intended to trigger changes in how workplaces approach the condition. Lots going on for Diabetes Awareness month.. some notables.. Insulet's "The Day Diabetes Showed up to Work" campaign. based on a survey of almost 10,000 people 79% of people with diabetes have faced bias or misunderstanding at work,.   Almost 90% of people with diabetes surveyed reported experiencing barriers at work due to their condition, and more than 40% of people with diabetes and caregivers said they have workplace-related anxiety tied to the metabolic disease. Around one-quarter of respondents reported fears that diabetes could limit opportunities or lead to workplace discrimination and judgment, and a similar proportion of people said they conceal their condition. https://www.fiercepharma.com/marketing/widespread-workplace-challenges-people-diabetes-spark-insulet-campaign XX New directive issued by the Trump administration could mean people seeking visas to live in the U.S. might be rejected if they have certain medical conditions, including diabetes or obesity.   The guidance, issued in a cable the State Department sent to embassy and consular officials and examined by KFF Health News, directs visa officers to deem applicants ineligible to enter the U.S. for several new reasons, including age or the likelihood they might rely on public benefits.   The guidance says that such people could become a "public charge" — a potential drain on U.S. resources — because of their health issues or age.   The cable's language appears at odds with the Foreign Affairs Manual, the State Department's own handbook, which says that visa officers cannot reject an application based on "what if" scenarios, Wheeler said.   The guidance directs visa officers to develop "their own thoughts about what could lead to some sort of medical emergency or sort of medical costs in the future," he said. "That's troubling because they're not medically trained, they have no experience in this area, and they shouldn't be making projections based on their own personal knowledge or bias."   Immigrants already undergo a medical exam by a physician who's been approved by a U.S. embassy. https://www.npr.org/2025/11/12/nx-s1-5606348/immigrants-visas-health-conditions-trump-guidance XX SAN DIEGO---Nov. 14, 2025—DexCom, Inc. (NASDAQ: DXCM), the global leader in glucose biosensing, today unveiled 16 new diabetes advocates to represent people living with diabetes globally as part of Dexcom's World Diabetes Day campaign. The advocates – ranging from ages six to 68, spanning various types of diabetes, and hailing from four continents and five countries – were selected from 1,000 open call submissions based on their experiences advocating for people with diabetes in their communities. While each person's experience with diabetes is unique, they share a common passion for advocacy – and use of Dexcom's glucose biosensing technology. "Through advocacy, I strive to show others, especially children and newly diagnosed patients, that diabetes is not a limitation but an opportunity to grow stronger, inspire resilience and pursue ambitious goals," said Maria Alejandra Jove Valerio, one of Dexcom's new advocates. "What began as a diagnosis at age seven has grown into a lifelong mission to uplift others." This effort represents the first time Dexcom has sourced voices from the broader diabetes community specifically for its World Diabetes Day campaign, reinforcing Dexcom's history of and commitment to giving real people with diabetes a platform to share their story on a global stage. Through engaging, editorial-style portraits and deeply personal stories, the campaign highlights each advocate's personal experience with diabetes, what misconceptions about diabetes they'd like to dispel and how they want to inspire others with diabetes to discover what they're made of. To prepare for the spotlight, the group of advocates met in Los Angeles for a World Diabetes Day photoshoot which included a surprise visit from Grammy-nominated artist, actor, producer and Dexcom Warrior Lance Bass and author, producer, actress and Stelo*Ambassador Retta. This visit offered the advocates an opportunity to exchange stories and personal perspectives on the meaning of diabetes advocacy and how they live it each day. Behind the lens at the shoot was another member of the diabetes community—photographer Tommy Lundberg who lives with Type 1 diabetes. "Directing this photoshoot was nothing short of inspiring. Each of these advocates has a unique an XX On what would have been the 100th birthday of its visionary founder Alfred E. Mann, MannKind Corporation (Nasdaq: MNKD), in partnership with Alfred E. Mann Charities and The Diabetes Link, announced the launch of the Centennial Al Mann Scholarship. The new program will distribute $100,000 in scholarship funds to support at least 10 young adult students living with diabetes as they pursue higher education in life sciences.   Launched in Diabetes Awareness Month, the scholarship program honors Alfred E. Mann's enduring legacy of innovation, philanthropy, and his lifelong commitment to improving the quality of human life through medical advancement. Deeply passionate about giving back, Mr. Mann believed that his success should continue to serve humanity long after his passing, a belief that lives on through this initiative.   Each scholarship recipient will be awarded up to $10,000, distributed in annual installments of $2,500 throughout the course of their studies. Depending on the length of their degree program, recipients may receive between two and four installments (up to the full $10,000 per student). The first awards will be made for the 2026 academic year.   "Al Mann dedicated his life to helping people with serious medical conditions live longer, healthier lives. This scholarship is a reflection of that spirit," said Michael Castagna, PharmD, Chief Executive Officer of MannKind Corporation. "By supporting students living with diabetes who are pursuing careers in the life sciences and adjacent fields, we're honoring Al's legacy and investing in the future of innovation and care. This program is about giving back to the community we serve and empowering the next generation to carry forward Al's mission of making a meaningful difference in people's lives."   Alfred E. Mann Charities and MannKind will partner with The Diabetes Link to launch the program to serve young adults (aged 18-22) living with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes with their higher education goals. Those eligible will include incoming freshmen and current students pursuing 2- or 4-year degrees. The application window will open in early 2026, and for those interested in receiving notifications, an early interest form is available. More information about the scholarship will be shared on thediabeteslink.org.   "We're honored to partner with MannKind to expand access to higher education for young adults with diabetes," said Manuel Hernández, Chief Executive Officer of The Diabetes Link. "At a time when the cost of college continues to rise, this scholarship helps ease the financial burden and carries forward the spirit of Al Mann, whose vision and legacy continue to inspire us."   Mr. Mann was MannKind's Chairman of the Board from 2001 until his passing in February 2016 and served as Chief Executive Officer from November 2003 until January 2015. Driven by a desire to improve lives and fill unmet medical needs, for more than six decades he founded 17 companies and developed breakthrough medical devices, including insulin pumps, cochlear implants, cardiac pacemakers and retinal prostheses. In 1997, Mr. Mann saw the potential of a dry powder insulin formulation to change the way diabetes is treated and invested nearly $1 billion to help bring Afrezza® (insulin human) Inhalation Powder to market.   About MannKind MannKind Corporation (Nasdaq: MNKD) is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to transforming chronic disease care through innovative, patient-centric solutions. Focused on cardiometabolic and orphan lung diseases, we develop and commercialize treatments that address serious unmet medical needs, including diabetes, pulmonary hypertension, and fluid overload in heart failure and chronic kidney disease.   With deep expertise in drug-device combinations, MannKind aims to deliver therapies designed to fit seamlessly into daily life.   Learn more at mannkindcorp.com.   About Alfred E. Mann Charities, Inc. Alfred E. Mann Charities, Inc. became active in 2016, following the passing of the organization's benefactor, Alfred E. Mann. Throughout his life, Al was passionate about philanthropy and was dedicated to prolonging and improving the quality of human lives through innovation in the fields of healthcare and the use of medical devices. It was important to Al that his success and assets continue to better human lives even after his own passing.   Alfred E. Mann Charities, Inc. (formerly known as Alfred E. Mann Family Foundation) has similarly placed its primary focus on healthcare and medical innovation, as our organization believes this is where we can have the greatest impact on humanity and human health throughout the world. Alfred E. Mann Charities, Inc. is also dedicated to promoting arts, culture, education, and community development across Los Angeles and throughout the world in order to best serve people and this planet.   Learn more at aemanncharities.org.   About The Diabetes Link The Diabetes Link is the only national nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering young adults living with diabetes. Founded by and for young adults, The Link serves this community through peer support, leadership opportunities, and practical, evidence-based resources designed for real life. Its network of campus and community chapters, active online community, and robust Resource Hub help young adults navigate the transitions of early adulthood while managing diabetes. The organization envisions a future where every young adult living with diabetes has

Do you have an Apple watch? Fitbit? Oura ring? Woop? Wearables have taken over in the past decade with claims that by constantly monitoring our heart rate, sleep, respiration, and ...

血糖値などの生体データの可視化が健康意識を高める一方、サイバー攻撃によって「ビールが店頭から消える」事件も発生。CODE BLUEなどのイベントや、障害対応訓練「カオスエンジニアリング」を通じて、テクノロジーの恩恵とリスク、そして自衛の重要性を再認識しました01:27 血糖値測定器でリアルタイムに血糖値を計測中 - 食べるものによって血糖値の上昇に顕著な違い03:11 OURA Ringのアプリが血糖値センサー Stelo（スティーロ）と連携して血糖値データを見られるようになった05:23 OURAの新型セラミック版が7万4000円で従来モデルから2万円以上値上がり10:52 アサヒビールへのサイバー攻撃の影響でコンビニに「アサヒ製品は全商品入荷していません」という貼り紙13:13 アラスカ航空で”IT Outage”（システム障害＆ダウン）になり、全機が飛ばなくなる事態が発生15:27 病院へのハッキングで全システムが止まり、カルテも投薬量も分からず治療不能、ER受け入れも不能になった事例16:14 「CODE BLUE」注目のセッション：Kindleの電子書籍ダウンロードで侵入される脆弱性16:39 「CODE BLUE」注目のセッション：Googleカレンダーの招待送信で乗っ取られる17:42 26歳以下の若手セキュリティ専門家が世界中から集まり技術力を競う世界大会「ICC Tokyo」が初めて日本で開催19:10 ハッキング競技の可視化：SFアニメ風の表現や、宇宙の惑星を模した表現など多め21:08 ドラマ「ブラッディマンデー」で、劇中で使われているOSやコマンドで何をやっているか専門家が解説23:42 インターポールの捜査官として暴走AIをかいくぐりながら捜査を行うワークショップを実施（実際の訓練プログラムをアレンジ）28:34 freee社で、ある日突然業務システムを止めて（インシデント対応の）訓練をおこなった29:04 カオスエンジニアリング - 予告なしに通常業務のシステムを止めて対応する訓練エピソード内で取り上げた情報へのリンク： OURAとSteloの連携 サイバーセキュリティ国際会議 CODE BLUE International Cybersecurity Challenge TOKYO 2025テック業界で働く3人が、テクノロジーとクリエイティブに関するトピックを、視点を行き交わしながら語り合います。及川卓也 @takoratta プロダクトマネジメントとプロダクト開発組織づくりの専門家関信浩 @NobuhiroSeki アメリカ・ニューヨークでスタートアップ投資を行う、何でも屋上野美香 @mikamika59 マーケティング・プロダクトマネジメントを手掛けるフリーランスhttps://x-crossing.com

Tech Briefs lyssnare Lova undrar vad som händer med alla den data vi matar in i löpar-appar, Garmin-klockor och Oura-ringar? I allt större utsträckning berättar vi för olika devices hur vi mår och presterar i alla möjliga olika lägen. Sophia Sinclair berättar om sin perfekta graf, Björn Jeffery har en klocka som talar om när han håller på att bli sjuk, vilket inte är bra för hans hypokondri. Henning Eklund ljuger om sin hälsa för trännigsappen. Har du en fråga till podden? Mejla den till techbrief@svd.se

Chris Tahmazis (@christahmazisfit) is a football performance specialist and strength coach. When his own playing career came to an end he took up coaching and hasn't looked back. He's currently opening his first facility in Melbourne to continue training athletes and high performers in an expanded setting.When you get so many good things in your life through sports, it's only natural to want to pass it along. From staying out of trouble, being involved in your community and generally feeling physically amazing while others feel “old”, the list is endless. Chris has experienced all of these things and only wants to give back now.We discuss how training - and even more specifically, training like an athlete - is the real key to longevity. Chris also lays out a roadmap of how to get there if you're just getting started (or, re-started). Many people only in their 30's say they start to feel older, and this just simply isn't true if you're training and taking care of your body well. We also discuss why and how to use your fitness data like Whoop bands or Oura rings, simple strategies for improving your nutrition, and why all kids should be involved in sports. To keep up with everything Chris has going on, follow him on IG and Youtube. The best way to support the podcast is to share the episode with a friend. You can support yourself and the podcast by applying for 1:1 online coaching here. Grab my FREE Protein Cheat Sheet HERE.  Grab my FREE Muscle Building Workout HERE. Join 1000's of others in receiving the best fitness tips, tools and tactics for free via the Sunday Meal Prep newsletter. Share this episode with a friend who would enjoy or benefit from it! Comments, questions, and feedback are greatly appreciated. If you enjoy this podcast, I would be extremely grateful if you subscribed and left a short review on iTunes or rating on Spotify.  It really helps to spread the message and ultimately help more people.  Website danielyores.com Connect with me on Instagram @danielyoresConnect with me on X @danielyores Podcast Cover Art by @octopuslegss

Learn how to use your HRV along with three other essential recovery metrics to train smarter and recover better. Then try the CoachCat App → free for your first 30 days https://fascatcoaching.com/app Coach Frank Overton (the BigCat), founder of FasCat Coaching and creator of the CoachCat App, breaks down what HRV really means, why single-day numbers don't tell the whole story, and how to actually use HRV to train smarter. You'll learn: ✅ What HRV really measures ✅ Why daily HRV scores can be misleading ✅ The importance of trends (7-day, 1-month, 6-month) ✅ How sleep, training stress, and how you feel matter just as much ✅ The four pillars of real recovery ✅ How CoachCat's AI Coaching Intelligence analyzes your data and gives daily guidance — just like a real coach Whether you use Whoop, Oura, Garmin, or Apple Watch… HRV is powerful only if you know how to use it correctly. This video & podcast shows you how to take control of your recovery and confidence in your training.

Oisin O'Connor is the CEO and co-founder of Recharge, the leading subscription management platform powering 75% of all Shopify subscriptions. Under his leadership, Recharge has become a critical infrastructure partner for over 30,000 brands, reaching 100 million subscribers and $100 million ARR.In this episode of DTC Pod, Oisin pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to win with subscriptions in today's DTC landscape. He shares insider strategies for subscriber growth, optimizing retention, and leveraging Recharge's newest AI-powered tools to minimize churn. Oisin also shares specific benchmarks every brand should measure, real-world examples of subscription funnels that convert, and actionable experiments operators can run to unlock long-term profitability and scale.Episode brought to you by StordInteract with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack.On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:1. Evolution of subscriptions in physical product e-commerce2. How to spot and create product-market fit 3. Differentiators that set Recharge apart from early competitors4. The compounding power of subscriptions for long-term growth5. Unit economics, LTV vs CAC, and why retention is king6. What best-in-class subscription brands do differently7. Optimizing conversion funnels for subscriber growth8. Subscription benchmarks: churn rates, retention, and second order metrics9. Reducing churn with data, cancellation flows, loyalty, and rewards10. Automations and integrating Recharge with supply chain and 3PL operations11. Leveraging AI Concierge for customer retention and support12. Evolving customer experience and the need for seamless subscription management13. How Recharge guides merchants with data, support, and innovation14. Experiments and mistakes founders make launching subscription brandsTimestamps00:00 Oisin's background, founding story, and early agency experiments04:06 The rise of Shopify and the breakthrough with Recharge05:19 The subscription model: initial skepticism and quirky early adopters06:47 Technical challenges in enabling subscriptions on Shopify09:00 First major subscription brand success story10:15 Compounding growth through subscriptions11:36 Legacy brands and decades-long customer retention13:06 Building DTC businesses with sustainable unit economics14:37 Lessons from TV advertising history and the narrowing of scalable models16:29 Key traits of successful subscription businesses17:09 Product, recurring need, and conversion strategy18:27 Understanding subscriber value and optimizing acquisition19:26 Retention: keeping customers post-acquisition  19:52 High-performing brands and funnel design20:05 Subscription by default, offers, upsells, and cross-sells21:39 Conversion tactics from PDP to post-checkout22:38 Benchmarks for healthy churn and retention23:06 How top brands reduce churn and track performance24:58 Recharge tools: analytics, cancellation flows, Klaviyo integration26:41 Rewards and automations to boost retention27:33 Automate flows for backend fulfillment and logistics28:20 Launching AI SMS concierge for subscriber experience29:40 Reducing customer service friction and delighting shoppers32:15 Customer experience as a core differentiator34:04 The competitive subscription landscape: Recharge's position35:41 Product innovation, support, and actionable guidance37:16 Data-driven product innovation and merchant success38:04 The future of subscription, retention, and platform innovation40:38 Biggest mistakes founders make with subscriptions41:58 Experiments founders should run with Recharge42:58 Where to connect with Oisin for advice and mentorshipShow notes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokOisin O'Connor - Co-Founder and CEO of RechargeBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Adrenal fatigue. Burnout. Stress overload. If you've ever wondered why you feel "tired but wired," can't sleep, or just can't get your energy back, Dr. Kristy Harvell is going to dig into what's really happening with your adrenals, and what you can actually do about it. * What adrenal fatigue is (and why so many women struggle with it) * Stress types: lifestyle, emotional, environmental, and even pathogens * How your adrenals affect everything from hormones to mitochondria to mood * Tools like muscle testing, HRV tracking, the Oura ring, and EMF reduction * Practical steps to calm your fight-or-flight response and heal Hosted by Leanne Vogel. Coaching and other supports available at: https://shop.healthfulpursuit.com/ Podcast Sponsors, links and offers available at: https://www.healthfulpursuit.com/podcast/ Bioactive Peptides: https://www.healthfulpursuit.com/make

Send us a textMost lab reports end with a shrug: “You're fine.” We think you deserve better than fine. This conversation is a practical guide to reading your blood work with confidence, using trends over time, and translating numbers into action you can stick with. Brent from Sage Healthspan joins us to unpack why “normal” ranges aren't the goal in a metabolically unwell population, how a closed-data AI can protect privacy while clarifying your results, and which overlooked biomarkers can change your prevention plan.We walk through the markers that move the needle. For cardiovascular risk, ApoB outperforms total cholesterol, while Lp(a) can reveal a genetic risk hidden in standard panels and point you toward a timely calcium score. Men should treat PSA as a low-friction lifesaver rather than an afterthought. Women deserve complete hormone panels, not piecemeal tests that miss the bigger picture. We also break down composite markers, ratios, and biological age as motivators—useful not as verdicts, but as guides to your next best step.The episode connects labs with real life. Sleep, training load, season, and environment all shape your biology. Wearables like Oura can inform when to push or pull back; vitamin D shifts with sunlight; fasting changes testosterone; and context matters as much as the number itself. We share how Sage ingests historical labs, normalizes units, explains biomarkers in plain English, and even drafts smart questions you can email to your doctor so every appointment counts. The aim is simple: lower friction, improve clarity, and build health agency that compounds over time.If you're ready to move from “okay” to optimal, tune in and learn how to centralize your data, fill panel gaps affordably, and make better daily choices backed by evidence. Subscribe, share with a friend who's ready to own their health, and leave a review to help more listeners find the show.Support the showLearn More at: www.Redefine-Fitness.com

Watch the FULL podcast here: https://youtu.be/bj0-zUDFkxcWorried that your HRV looks “low” on your wearable? I ask what a low HRV actually means, why different devices produce different numbers, and when a change is worth paying attention to.This clip explores how to interpret heart rate variability without getting lost in the daily noise. We discuss why HRV is a legitimate health metric with decades of research behind it, yet the absolute score is not comparable across devices or people because different technologies use different calculations. I'm taking a closer look at establishing a personal baseline over 21–30 days, why a four-day rolling view can reduce anxiety, and why consistent shifts over seven or more days matter more than one-off dips. We cover the role of genetics (around 20 percent of HRV), how lifestyle often explains age-related changes, and sex differences including a dip in the 40–50 window likely linked to menopause that later rebounds in the dataset referenced. You'll also hear why stability can reflect resilience, why big swings can be a red flag even when the number is “high,” and how resting heart rate and overnight respiratory rate fit into the bigger picture. I share my own readings (HRV around 10–13 on one device, resting heart rate at 45) and experiences using No Watch, Oura, and Eight Sleep, plus a mention of devices commonly used for HRV. As a nutritionist and health communicator, I focus on practical takeaways: use one device consistently, track trends, and avoid cross-device comparisons.***This episode is sponsored by: NOWATCH: Health tracking reimaginedKnow your body, trust yourself.15% off with code LWBW15 at nowatch.com***Sign up to Sarah's Compassionate Cure newsletter: Science Simplified, Health Humanised. Join thousands in exploring actionable insights that prioritise compassion, clarity, and real-life impact. https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/***Let's be friends!

Dr. Saria Saccocio, Chief Medical Officer at Essence Healthcare, is using AI to enhance care and services for patients who are enrolled in Medicare Advantage programs. One application is to analyze data related to health equity, care authorization, and to address biases. Their AI agent is being used to interact with patients, offering them the option to access a human. Integration with wearables, such as the Oura Ring, focuses on identifying clinically useful information to prevent physicians from being overwhelmed by data. Saria explains, "Medicare Advantage plans are absolutely that. It's an advantage because of the additional benefits that exist and the opportunity to connect with our members is rather unique. In fact, what I'll share with you and the audience is that AI has been a focus for us and a priority as we continue to expand the focus on quality and engagement with our members so that they have their best quality life possible to them. AI is a major piece of this work to make that happen. I can give you a couple of examples. In fact, when it comes to health equity, CMS has recently required Medicare plans to ensure that we are analyzing our data through a health equity lens. This year, in fact, we're focused on authorizations, authorizations of care. We want to make sure that it is critical to our members and AI. I see an opportunity to recognize any blind spots or implicit bias."   "I think that every human being has a capability for technology. And what's critical is that we meet them where they are, that we understand what they want, what they need out of technology. I think that works as well as providers. As you see all of these AI developers starting up companies and solving problems, the conversation that we're having every day at Lumeris and at Essence Healthcare is what does the patient want? What does that member need for quality of care? And then engage and include the providers in that conversation. What makes their job easier? Because one of the challenges with new technology is that we can also reach a point of technology exhaustion. So I'll give an example of our relationship with Oura ring, the wearable device that tracks for sleep, for health, for heart rate, and a number of different measures."    #EssenceHealthcare #MedicareAdvantage #HealthAI #OuraRing #DigitalHealth essencehealthcare.com Download the transcript here    

Dr. Saria Saccocio, Chief Medical Officer at Essence Healthcare, is using AI to enhance care and services for patients who are enrolled in Medicare Advantage programs. One application is to analyze data related to health equity, care authorization, and to address biases. Their AI agent is being used to interact with patients, offering them the option to access a human. Integration with wearables, such as the Oura Ring, focuses on identifying clinically useful information to prevent physicians from being overwhelmed by data. Saria explains, "Medicare Advantage plans are absolutely that. It's an advantage because of the additional benefits that exist and the opportunity to connect with our members is rather unique. In fact, what I'll share with you and the audience is that AI has been a focus for us and a priority as we continue to expand the focus on quality and engagement with our members so that they have their best quality life possible to them. AI is a major piece of this work to make that happen. I can give you a couple of examples. In fact, when it comes to health equity, CMS has recently required Medicare plans to ensure that we are analyzing our data through a health equity lens. This year, in fact, we're focused on authorizations, authorizations of care. We want to make sure that it is critical to our members and AI. I see an opportunity to recognize any blind spots or implicit bias."   "I think that every human being has a capability for technology. And what's critical is that we meet them where they are, that we understand what they want, what they need out of technology. I think that works as well as providers. As you see all of these AI developers starting up companies and solving problems, the conversation that we're having every day at Lumeris and at Essence Healthcare is what does the patient want? What does that member need for quality of care? And then engage and include the providers in that conversation. What makes their job easier? Because one of the challenges with new technology is that we can also reach a point of technology exhaustion. So I'll give an example of our relationship with Oura ring, the wearable device that tracks for sleep, for health, for heart rate, and a number of different measures."    #EssenceHealthcare #MedicareAdvantage #HealthAI #OuraRing #DigitalHealth essencehealthcare.com Listen to the podcast here

Lifeline Ventures keräsi juuri Suomen ensimmäisen kansainvälisen mittaluokan startup-rahaston, 400 miljoonaa euroa. HS Visio -podcastin vieraana on Lifeline Venturesin osakas Timo Ahopelto. Hän kertoo yllättyneensä siitä, että rahasto onkin myös Euroopassa niin suuri.Tähän mennessä Lifeline on sijoittanut jo seitsemään kasvuyhtiöön, jotka ovat nousseet yli miljardin arvoiseksi: Supercell, Wolt, Oura, Iceye, Swappie ja Varjo.”Kun katsotaan Suomen ekosysteemiä, meillä on mahdollisuus kuuden vuoden aikana tuottaa 10–15 uutta yksisarvista”, Ahopelto uskoo.Huomio kiinnittyy helposti isoihin rahoituskierroksiin ja menestykseen. Pinnan alla monilla startupeilla on Ahopellon mukaan tällä hetkellä vaikeaa. Kovatkaan kasvuluvut eivät nyt riitä rahoituksen saamiseen.Markkina jakautuu brutaalisti. Vaikka Lifelinella on paljon myös onnistumisia, Ahopellon mukaan esimerkiksi sen ensimmäisestä rahastosta noin 60 prosenttia yrityksistä on kirjattu nollaan. Myöhemmän vaiheen koviin kasvuyrityksiin sijoittaminen on sen sijaan Ahopellon mukaan turvallisempaa, kuin rahan laittaminen pankkiin.Studiossa toimittajat Elina Lappalainen ja Alex af Heurlin.Jakson leikkasi Jonne Piltonen.

Eppy 147: Role ModelDear listeners, welcome back to OK Boomer! We're always thankful to share our laughter, quirks, and faith with you—and this episode quickly became one of our favorites. Our conversation just flowed, with a few surprise detours into patience, tissues, and yes...fork sizes (spoiler: Laura definitely has a favorite fork).Jean shares her doctor's chamomile tea recommendation for better sleep, but is it worth the nighttime wakeups? Maybe melatonin is the better path. We also talk about our fascination with Oura rings, keeping up with tech trends while still staying true to our Boomer selves.We even chatted about Role Model, the singer whose music has captured younger generations—a fun reminder of how culture shifts but good storytelling through song always connects.Most importantly, we reflect on the role models who shaped us and how faith continues to guide our lives. A warm, lighthearted episode sprinkled with humor, heart, and honesty.

Zeke Bronfman is the co-founder and CEO of The Absorption Company, a brand pioneering highly bioavailable supplements engineered for optimal nutrient absorption. With a background in health and wellness entrepreneurship—including a previous successful beverage exit—Zeke leads a team on a mission to address a major gap in supplement efficacy by focusing on real, measurable impact for consumers.In this episode of DTC Pod, Zeke details the journey of building The Absorption Company from inception to rapid retail success in outlets like Erewhon. He talks about the science behind absorption, launching with a powerful community-driven strategy, and the importance of brand-led product innovation. Zeke also offers practical advice on supply chain management, leveraging celebrity co-founders, and lessons learned about optimizing e-commerce for long-term growth.Episode brought to you by StordInteract with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack.On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:1. The founding story of The Absorption Company2. Why most supplements fail—and how absorption is the next frontier3. Creating a viral pre-launch private Instagram community4. Setting a brand apart with science-backed, lifestyle-driven design5. Early product development and MVP lessons6. Direct-to-consumer subscription as a growth engine7. Amazon, TikTok Shop, and the online channel mix8. The strategic approach to selective retail partnerships9. Managing the supply chain: co-packers, fulfillment, and scaling ops10. How to keep operations simple, resilient, and cost-effective11. Lessons in traffic acquisition: organic, paid, and influencer mix12. Celebrity founder advantages, limits, and effective deployment13. Funding, initial capital requirements, and brand investment14. Biggest founder learnings and operational takeaways15. What's ahead: innovation pipeline and future growthTimestamps00:00 Intro to Zeke Bronfman and The Absorption Company02:44 The absorption problem in supplements04:40 Why bioavailability is the future of wellness supplements06:11 Bringing the brand to life: Team, tech, and community-building07:47 The private Instagram launch strategy and viral pre-sale09:27 The power of exclusivity and early consumer engagement11:12 Product MVP and standout branding decisions13:26 Early sales strategy: DTC, Amazon, retail mix15:04 Why big-box retail isn't always the right move17:57 Scaling DTC: Subscription, platform choices, and LTV19:04 Driving traffic: Paid, organic, influencer, and celebrity co-founder impact20:38 TikTok Shop: Affiliate, Live, and what works (and doesn't)22:36 Capital, startup costs, and launching with impact25:32 Building a scalable supply chain and minimizing complexity27:25 Fulfillment operations and splitting inventory29:00 Entering boutique/strategic retail as a marketing lever30:52 Biggest learnings and missteps scaling Absorption Company33:13 Lessons using celebrity/influencer as a brand amplifier36:10 What's next: Upcoming innovations and business growth36:50 Where to follow Absorption CompanyShow notes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokEzekiel Bronfman - Co-Founder and CEO of The Absorption CompanyBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

We explore how wearables and AI are colliding with training and recovery, why trimming junk volume can accelerate gains, and how lifestyle patterns like the Amish offer a blueprint for lower obesity and better longevity. We also stress sleep fundamentals, data privacy tradeoffs, and a training split that actually fits life.• Oura's funding shift toward a health operating system• Data privacy lessons from 23andMe and acceptable risk• Wearable accuracy limits and calorie burn myths• Using trends over single data points for decisions• Legs push pull split to manage fatigue and recovery• Cutting junk volume for better muscle and less pain• AI-assisted bloodwork review for clearer insights• Amish lifestyle patterns and obesity comparisons• Sleep maxing hype versus proven fundamentals• Eccentric tempo research and practical training takeawaysCheck us out on DiscordSupport the showCheck out Overclock and Protein Protocol hereWant to know more about coaching? Book a call with Ben here Where to find usWe Hack Health: TwitterWe Hack Health: InstagramWe Hack Health: Discord

The redesigned Oura app introduces more personalization with three main tabs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ce lundi 20 octobre, Frédéric Simottel a reçu Christophe Aulnette, senior advisor chez Seven2, ancien président de Microsoft France, André Loesekrug-Pietri, président et directeur scientifique de Joint European Disruptive Initiative (JEDI), et Damien Douani, responsable de l'innovation de l'école Narratiiv et fondateur du cabinet Topos. Ils ont abordé le réel impact de l'IA sur la croissance, le développement de la première Wafer Blackwell aux États-Unis, ainsi que l'arrivée en force des bagues connectées, dans l'émission Tech & Co, la quotidienne, sur BFM Business. Retrouvez l'émission du lundi au jeudi et réécoutez la en podcast.

Dr. Elina Berglund, particle physicist turned femtech pioneer, unpacks how Natural Cycles (code: BIOHACKING) is transforming women's health through data, wearables, and AI. Dr. Elina shares how her search for a hormone-free birth control method led to creating the world's first FDA-cleared digital contraceptive. Today, Natural Cycles is expanding far beyond fertility — into perimenopause, menopause, and even male contraception research. If you're a modern, health-curious woman who wants to understand your hormones from your first period to menopause — through science you can actually trust — this episode is your roadmap. WE TALK ABOUT:  07:00 – Dr. Elina's journey from CERN physicist to femtech founder 11:30 – How Natural Cycles helps women avoid or plan pregnancy naturally 14:15 – The power and limits of wearables like Oura and the new Natural Cycles Band 24:05 – Postpartum tracking and why breastfeeding moms still need data 29:05 – The perimenopause feature and how temperature reveals hormonal shifts 37:15 – Data privacy, GDPR, and protecting sensitive health data 40:30 – AI innovations and future possibilities for male contraception 45:10 – The importance of fertility education for teens SPONSORS: CaloCurb (get 10% OFF) is my go-to, 100% plant-based alternative to Ozempic—helping you feel full sooner, snack less, and finally trust your body again without needles, drugs, or yo-yo diets. Join me in Costa Rica for Optimize Her, a 5-night luxury women's retreat in Costa Rica with yoga, healing rituals, and biohacking workshops—only 12 spots available. RESOURCES: Trying to conceive? Join my Baby Steps Course to optimize your fertility with biohacking. Free gift: Download my hormone-balancing, fertility-boosting chocolate recipe. Explore my luxury retreats and wellness events for women. Shop my faves: Check out my Amazon storefront for wellness essentials. Natural Cycles website (code: BIOHACKING) and Instagram LET'S CONNECT: Instagram, TikTok, Facebook Shop my favorite health products Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music

Send us a text00:00 - Intro00:08 - Anysphere $1B Raise Talks at $27B Valuation Amid AI Coding Boom01:07 - Deel $300M Series E at $17.3B Valuation Fuels $1.2B ARR Growth02:31 - Oura $900M Series E Doubles Valuation to $11B on 5.5M Ring Sales04:02 - Zepto $450M Raise Hits $7B Valuation in $42B Indian Quick-Commerce Surge05:22 - Kalshi $300M Raise at $5B Valuation as Trading Volume Nears $50B Annualized06:24 - Plata $250M Series C at $3.1B Valuation Targets 10M Users by 202607:34 - Ripple $1B GTreasury Acquisition Caps $2.45B 2025 Deal Spree08:21 - Black Forest $200M-$300M Raise at $3.25B Valuation Fuels FLUX.1 Expansion09:27 - Prompt AI Apple Acquihire Targets HomeKit Vision Boost10:13 - Thinking Machines Co-Founder Tulloch Departs for Meta Amid Talent Wars11:10 - OpenAI Broadcom 10GW Custom AI Chip Partnership at $350B-$500B Cost12:17 - OpenAI Walmart Instant Checkout Taps 270M Customers for Agentic Commerce13:06 - Revolut UK License Delay Amid $4B Revenue and 65M Customer Expansion14:03 - SpaceX Starship V2 Success Targets 2027 Moon Mission, $15.5B Revenue15:01 - Anduril EagleEye MR Helmet Secures $159M Army Award in $22B IVAS Pivot16:08 - Anthropic IBM Partnership Rolls Claude to 500K Deloitte Users

OpenAI is set to roll out its new “treat adults like adults” policy, heralding the beginning of AI chatbots speaking more amorously with users. As the company pushes boundaries, from personality-rich bots to experimental devices, others are warning that the industry might be inflating a dangerous AI bubble.In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein break down Sam Altman's controversial announcement, unpack Johnny Ive's vision for the next generation of OpenAI hardware, and debate whether Google's slow-moving Gemini rollout signals resilience or decline. They also dive into the billion-dollar race for health data, exploring how Oura's massive new raise fits into the wider AI gold rush.In this episode, you will:Explore how OpenAI's “Treat Adults Like Adults” philosophy changes the future of AI interactionUnderstand the ethical and mental health challenges behind human-like AI personalitiesLearn why Johnny Ive's “family of AI devices” could redefine how we interact with technologyExamine Google's glacial AI rollout and whether slow and steady approach might actually win the raceUnpack Bloomberg's “AI Money Loop” and what it reveals about risky financial entanglementsCompare the AI investment surge to past industrial bubbles like railroads and dot-comsThe Pact Honor the Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:Follow, rate, and review us in your listening appSubscribe to the TSP Mailing List to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/  Follow us here on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media followingKey linksGet your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://www.tsp.show/episodes/Learn more about Chris and YanivWork 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/  Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/  Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthurIntro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/

Oura CEO Tom Hale talks with TITV Host Akash Pasricha about raising $900M at an $11B valuation and the company's AI-driven plans for the future of health tech. We also talk with Brex CEO Pedro Franceschi about the company's "unconstrained ambition" and how they're competing with incumbents. The Information's Stephanie Palazzolo explains the rise of "NeoClouds" and the race to rent out NVIDIA chips. Lastly, we get into AI-powered material science with Radical AI CEO Joseph Krause.Articles discussed on this episode:https://www.theinformation.com/articles/race-rent-nvidia-chips-cloud-intensifiesTITV airs on YouTube, X and LinkedIn at 10AM PT / 1PM ET. Or check us out wherever you get your podcasts.Subscribe to: - The Information on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theinformation4080/?sub_confirmation=1- The Information: https://www.theinformation.com/subscribe_hSign up for the AI Agenda newsletter: https://www.theinformation.com/features/ai-agenda

Oura's chief commercial officer doesn't seem particularly worried about capturing every demographic. Instead, she's focused on keeping Oura's core users happy while organically attracting new segments. And young women are becoming part of that core market. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Live from W3Fit North America, Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal sit down with guests Star Sage and Loryn Huff to discuss the latest fitness industry trends. From billion-dollar wearable valuations to AI-powered recovery and celebrity-backed fitness ventures, this panel explores the future of wellness. Key Topics: Oura's $11B valuation and the future of wearables. Closed vs. open data ecosystems in fitness tech. Tom Brady's AI-powered massage company and scalability concerns. The evolving role of recovery as an essential moat for gyms. Dua Lipa's investment in Pilates and Gen Z engagement. How premium clubs deliver longevity, not just sweat. Celebrity partnerships vs. real consumer impact. Industry identity, intentionality, and member retention strategies.

Is your wearable helping or hindering your performance? In this episode, I’m joined by Professor Shona Halson – globally respected expert in sleep, recovery and athletic performance – to unpack what the science actually says about popular wearables like Whoop bands and Oura rings. With more age group triathletes collecting 24/7 data, it’s easy to get lost in numbers and miss what truly matters. Shona shares her evidence-based insights to help you cut through the hype and use wearables wisely to improve sleep, training and recovery. In this episode, we cover: How wearables like Whoop and Oura stack up for accuracy What sleep metrics you can actually trust (and which are fluff) Understanding HRV and recovery scores – are they useful? Napping 101: what duration is ideal for triathletes? The sneaky impact of caffeine and alcohol on sleep Morning vs overnight data: what’s better for training decisions? Sleep across the menstrual cycle – what the latest research shows Top 3 tips to get the most from your wearable (without losing your mind) Which device is best: Whoop, Oura or something else? Whether you're already wearing one or considering jumping on board, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you stop obsessing over your data and start using it for smarter recovery and race-day performance. Links & Resources Connect with Prof Shona Halson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shonahalson/

This week on Binchtopia, Eliza returns from her off-grid era to dive into the history and evolution of body technology, from ancient tracking rituals to Silicon Valley's quantified self movement. The girlies break down Fitbits, Oura Rings, Prenuvo scans, and sleep apps to examine how our obsession with optimizing the body blurs the line between health, surveillance, and control. Digressions include Taylor Swift's public clowning, Nicki Minaj and Cardi B beefing with each other's kids, and the biological necessity of annihilation anxiety. This episode was produced by Julia Hava and Kylie Finnigan and edited by Livi Burdette. SOURCES A Panopticon on My Wrist: The Biopower of Big Data Visualization for Wearables Beyond Human: Lifelogging and Life Extension  Denial of Death by Ernest Becker Effectiveness of wearable activity trackers to increase physical activity and improve health: a systematic review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses  Exploring the impact of commercial wearable activity trackers on body awareness and body representations: A mixed-methods study on self-tracking  Full-body MRIs: Peace of mind for some, "bane of my existence" for others  Health Wearables, Gamification, and Healthful Activity  I covered my body in health trackers for 6 months. It ruined my life.  Interventions Using Wearable Activity Trackers to Improve Patient Physical Activity and Other Outcomes in Adults Who Are Hospitalized  Know Thyself: Tracking Every Facet of Life, from Sleep to Mood to Pain, 24/7/365  Memex: A Romantic Theoretical Tool for Thought  Orthosomnia: Are Some Patients Taking the Quantified Self Too Far?  Perceptions of Wearable Health Tools Post the COVID-19 Emergency in Low-Income Latin Communities: Qualitative Study  Prevalence of Orthosomnia in a General Population Sample: A Cross-Sectional Study  Ring of power: Oura will soon be worth $11b  Self-Tracking by Gina Neff & Dawn Nafus Terror Management Theory The double-edged sword of self-tracking: investigating factors of technostress in performance-oriented cycling and triathlon  The Quantified Self by Deborah Lupton The Rise of Wearable Devices during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review   Wearable Devices Can Increase Health Anxiety. Could They Adversely Affect Health?  Wearable Devices to Improve Physical Activity and Reduce Sedentary Behaviour: An Umbrella Review  Wearable systems without experiential disruptions: exploring the impact of device feedback changes on explicit awareness, physiological synchrony, sense of agency, and device-body ownership  White Noise by Don Delillo Will a Full-Body MRI Scan Help You or Hurt You?  

This week we're looking at the rising pressure to lose weight and why so many people are turning to risky quick fixes. We unpack the growing backlash against Ozempic, now facing over 1,800 lawsuits in the US for severe side effects like stomach paralysis and vision loss. We revisit the 5am Club and ask if the 8am Club is a smarter, more sustainable routine for real life. We share new research showing that the benefits of nature depend on how you experience it, and simple ways to make time outdoors more restorative. And we explore the booming world of wellness wearables, from Oura rings to Apple Watches, and whether they really motivate us to change our habits. Recommendations  Rhi's new book : Pre order The Fibre Formula https://geni.us/TheFibreFormula Bought to You by Chemistry' podcast, by the Royal Society of Chemistry: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/brought-to-you-by-chemistry/id1621110309  Science Vs Podcat: ‘Is There Really a Plastic Spoon in our Brains' https://open.spotify.com/episode/2ZwZsCnG2BkTzPxo5tujOB  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Danielle Kidney is the founder of The Creative Pack, a Los Angeles-based agency specializing in packaging design for CPG and DTC brands. With over two decades of experience in the industry—including work with Tesco and a diverse portfolio of well-known consumer brands—Danielle brings a wealth of expertise in every aspect of packaging, from strategy and brand storytelling to materials and production.In this episode of DTC Pod, Danielle breaks down the behind-the-scenes process of creating packaging that not only looks great but also delivers on function, compliance, and scalability. She covers everything from the earliest stages of design and competitor audits, to the nuances of materials, regulatory requirements, and print production. Danielle shares practical advice on how brands can avoid costly mistakes, streamline their supply chain, and create packaging that stands out both online and on the shelf.Episode brought to you by StordInteract with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack.On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:1. The importance of packaging in brand perception and sales2. Process: From initial idea to production-ready design3. Building a design brief and establishing project scope4. Competitive reviews and designing for hierarchy and function5. Balancing creative innovation with must-have regulatory details6. Collaborating with clients, manufacturers, and printers7. Prototyping, mockups, and unboxing experience8. Print technology, material choices, and cost management9. Regulatory review, legal claims, and compliance essentials10. Lead times, timeline planning, and pitfalls of rushing production11. Early-stage packaging vs. scaling up for retail and DTC12. Lessons learned: common mistakes and strategic tips13. Pricing, form factor, and packaging design as sales leversTimestamps00:00 Introducing Danielle Kidney & The Creative Pack05:42 The Creative Pack's client process: from idea to brief10:50 Balancing branding vs. functionality for sales and conversion18:03 Manufacturing realities: materials, dielines, and cost constraints24:39 Colors, mockups, and bringing digital designs to life26:22 Real-world costs of packaging mistakes and risk mitigation29:27 Regulatory musts: nutrition facts, barcodes, legal pitfalls35:10 Realistic timelines for packaging launches and scale40:33 Strategies for startups vs. brands scaling up43:23 Lessons learned and tips for optimizing packaging decisions50:20 Where to connect with Danielle and The Creative PackShow notes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokDanielle Kidney - Founder of The Creative PackBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Why Sora is all anyone can talk about, both the new social network and the new AI model. Satya Nadella is still Microsoft's CEO but he's taken some things off his plate. Oura gets colorful, and a hardware company that we've not spoken about in years is back, with AI onboard. OpenAI's Sora app lets friends swap AI video cameos (Axios) OpenAI made a TikTok for deepfakes, and it's getting hard to tell what's real (The Verge) Satya Nadella appoints a new CEO to run Microsoft's biggest businesses (The Verge) Oura adds colorful ceramic rings and charging case to lineup (The Verge) I got sweaty with Peloton's new Bike and Tread — but Peloton IQ is just as impressive (Tom's Guide) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yoga teacher, podcaster, and wellness creator Meghan Pherrill joins Lesley Logan to get real about the messy, non-linear path to feeling like yourself again. From OCD, anxiety, and depression to building a grounded practice of yoga, meditation, and motherhood, Meghan shares how starting small and trusting your intuition can shift everything. Together, Lesley and Meghan talk basics over biohacks, listening to your body, and building routines that actually fit your life. Expect gentle permission, practical steps, and big relief.If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to LesleyLogan.co/podcast https://lesleylogan.co/podcast/. If you have any comments or questions about the Be It pod shoot us a message at beit@lesleylogan.co mailto:beit@lesleylogan.co. And as always, if you're enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at LesleyLogan.co/subscribe https://lesleylogan.co/podcast/#follow-subscribe-free.In this episode you will learn about:The turning point when Meghan quit her OCD rituals almost overnight.Lessons from the 555 postpartum recovery rule and rebuilding routines as a new mom.Why she shifted from advanced biohacks back to foundational wellness practices.The risk of outsourcing health to trends instead of trusting your body's feedback.How small, consistent shifts create a strong foundation for lasting wellness.Episode References/Links:Balance Your Life Podcast - https://www.balancebymeghan.com/podcastMeghan Pherrill Website - https://www.balancebymeghan.comMeghan Pherrill Instagram - https://instagram.com/balancebymeghanMeghan Pherrill YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/balancebymeghanMeghan Pherrill TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@balancebymeghanBook: The Plant Paradox by Dr. Steven R Gundry MD - https://a.co/d/cVM3irAGuest Bio:Meghan Pherrill is a 500-hour registered yoga and meditation teacher, retreat leader, and host of the Balance Your Life podcast. She's passionate about making wellness approachable through simple, sustainable practices that fit real life. In addition to teaching online and locally in Canada, she has also led international retreats, including a Costa Rica yoga retreat in 2019, blending movement, mindfulness, and connection in beautiful settings.Her journey is deeply personal. After years of living with OCD, anxiety, depression, and asthma, Meghan turned to yoga and meditation as tools to reclaim her health and sense of self. Today, she shares her story and expertise with humor and compassion, helping others start where they are, listen to their bodies, and create small shifts that spark lasting transformation. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure and give us a five star rating and leave us a review on iTunes, Podcast Addict, Podchaser or Castbox. https://lovethepodcast.com/BITYSIDEALS! DEALS! DEALS! DEALS! https://onlinepilatesclasses.com/memberships/perks/#equipmentCheck out all our Preferred Vendors & Special Deals from Clair Sparrow, Sensate, Lyfefuel BeeKeeper's Naturals, Sauna Space, HigherDose, AG1 and ToeSox https://onlinepilatesclasses.com/memberships/perks/#equipmentBe in the know with all the workshops at OPC https://workshops.onlinepilatesclasses.com/lp-workshop-waitlistBe It Till You See It Podcast Survey https://pod.lesleylogan.co/be-it-podcasts-surveyBe a part of Lesley's Pilates Mentorship https://lesleylogan.co/elevate/FREE Ditching Busy Webinar https://ditchingbusy.com/Resources:Watch the Be It Till You See It podcast on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq08HES7xLMvVa3Fy5DR8-gLesley Logan website https://lesleylogan.co/Be It Till You See It Podcast https://lesleylogan.co/podcast/Online Pilates Classes by Lesley Logan https://onlinepilatesclasses.com/Online Pilates Classes by Lesley Logan on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjogqXLnfyhS5VlU4rdzlnQProfitable Pilates https://profitablepilates.com/about/Follow Us on Social Media:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lesley.logan/The Be It Till You See It Podcast YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq08HES7xLMvVa3Fy5DR8-gFacebook https://www.facebook.com/llogan.pilatesLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesley-logan/The OPC YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@OnlinePilatesClasses Episode Transcript:Meghan Pherrill 0:00  Whatever's resonating with you, not what you see online. Follow that intuition of yours and just run with it. Go with it. Don't make it complicating. You know, start with a 10 minute yoga flow. If yoga feels cold to you, maybe it's Pilates. Just start. Lesley Logan 0:15  Welcome to the Be It Till You See It podcast where we talk about taking messy action, knowing that perfect is boring. I'm Lesley Logan, Pilates instructor and fitness business coach. I've trained thousands of people around the world and the number one thing I see stopping people from achieving anything is self-doubt. My friends, action brings clarity and it's the antidote to fear. Each week, my guest will bring bold, executable, intrinsic and targeted steps that you can use to put yourself first and Be It Till You See It. It's a practice, not a perfect. Let's get started.Lesley Logan 0:58  Hey, Be It babe. All right, today's conversation is such a lovely window in taking a long journey and things not happening fast, but still happening for you. We have a really great guest today. Her name is Meghan Pherrill. She is the host of the Balance Your Life podcast, and I really love all the different topics we talked about in today's episode. We talk about being a new mom. But we also talk about, like, the basics of meditation and like, how to get started with that, and how does one go from like, kind of not knowing what to do or what to do with their time and what to be, to having this really beautiful life that's built around all the things that they like and that make them feel like them. So I'm really excited for you to hear this journey. It's authentic and it's not perfect, and it's exactly what we need to be doing when we think about, like, what do we want in our lives? So here is Meghan Pherrill. Lesley Logan 1:49  All right, Be It babe. I'm excited because I've already had a wonderful conversation with our guest today. And I was like, oh, I really want to keep this conversation going, and we are over here on my podcast. So the host of Balance Your Life podcast with Meghan Pherrill as our guest today. Meghan Pherrill, can you tell everyone who you are and what you rock at?Meghan Pherrill 2:07  Yeah, amazing. Thank you for the intro. I feel like I should have you doing all of my intro calls there. My name is Meghan Pherrill. I am the creator and kind of the leading force behind Balance by Meghan. It's an online brand, podcast, I do all the things that's just really meant to help you inspire, be inspired, be empowered, to begin and maintain your own wellness journey so you can be the best version of yourself. I have a top Canadian podcast, which I'm very proud of. And yeah, I do, normally, I do yoga retreats, I do workshops. I've taken a little bit of a hiatus just while I raise my my little kiddo over here. But that's really kind of my jam, my jelly and jam there (inaudible) what I do.Lesley Logan 2:51  Oh, man, that's so fun. Okay, but I have to, I, so I wonder, like, was your life always balanced? Like, did you like, how did, like, did it, was the wellness journey, like, always easy for you? Is it like something that just came easier or is it did it come because, like, like things in your life that you needed to find it. I would love to hear how you kind of got into this. Meghan Pherrill 3:11  Well, it's like I always say when people ask me this, I'm like, how much time do you actually have with this podcast? Because balance was like, the least, it was like, not a vocabulary, a word in my vocabulary, I, wellness, like kind of a joke. I always think it's too like, it's ironic that I teach these things. Because I was that girl who lived on chicken fingers and fries. Corn was like my vegetable of choice, and like you were lucky if you got some carrots into me. Greens were just not happening. I was diagnosed really, really young, with obsessive compulsive disorder and depression and anxiety. I had also been in and out of the hospital since the day I was born with asthma, like just it was not uncommon for me to be hospitalized once a month with, like, severe asthma attacks, where I was on prednisone all the time, puffers all the time. It was just part of my life. And there was a catalyst in my life where I had also been, like, sexually abused by my uncle. This is like taking a dark turn, and always, like, to me, you're such a light and like, so vibrant. This just gets real dark, real fast.Lesley Logan 4:20  It's okay, Meghan, I actually, I'm fine with this and you can continue to go that path, because I actually think that it would be a shame to us, for us to just like, paint the picture that was so easy for you. And I just want to say thank you for already sharing, like the OCD and the depression and the anxiety, because I actually think a lot of people who listen to us have one of those things, and it's held them back in some way. So thank you, and it's okay, we'll, we'll go, we'll, I'm sure we'll get light again so.Meghan Pherrill 4:44  Yeah, it's like, it's one of those things that I think for me, when I look back on my life, I go, I wish there had been somebody like me that I could have been like, there's a beam, there's like, there's a beacon of hope, because I felt so lost, and I just, it got really to the point of like, where I thought, okay, either this is life and this sucks and I'm going to end it, or I do see people around me thriving, like I'm just going to, you know, give it a shot and try to be happy. And there were many things that kind of led down this path. I did, I did cognitive behavioral therapy, which was good. It helped me in the moment. I was put on antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication, again, helped me in the moment, helped stop the suicidal thoughts, but I never really felt alive. I was consistently sleeping. It was not uncommon for me to have two or three hour naps a day to sleep easily 12 hours a day. Like, I don't even know how I did school. I was just constantly sleeping all the time. I was just so zonked from those meds, and somehow I had a boyfriend, and he ended up breaking up with me. And it was for me, I was like that, like, life cannot get any lower than this. This sucks. And it was just like, this wake up call where I thought, Okay, I'm doing all these OCD tendencies to prevent things like this from happening, but it's still happening, even though, like, in hindsight, I'm like, the guy was a total loser. I can't believe I even dated him. Lesley Logan 4:44  Isn't it really funny that we look back at. Meghan Pherrill 5:59  At the time, it was just like devastating, especially since he left me for another girl.Lesley Logan 6:09  Yes, I hear you. I feel like every time, like we like I there's something about like, young love. And you're like, this is the most important thing. And it's like, what was I doing? That guy is an asshole.Meghan Pherrill 6:32  I know. And even now, I'm like, oh my god. But I was like, I'm not doing it anymore. Like I'm not doing my OCD tendencies, which I have been in studies for OCD and they can they are just blown away by the fact that almost overnight, I stopped. I would say 80% of them, I still had a couple that I kept and we're talking like weird things for me, like before I could sit down, comfortable on a couch, I would have to stand up, sit down, stand up, sit down. Six times I would have to check all my books 42 times. Just, like, really weird things for me.Lesley Logan 7:08  Also like, just time consuming and so fascinating that, like, like, you could have this, like, hold on, I was doing all this so bad things wouldn't happen, and bad things happened and, and I do know that, like, there's like, wonderful exposure, scientific studies on some OCD happenings, like, I've heard, like, you go to these places and they help expose you to the thing and like, so, so I do want to highlight, like, there's that, but how amazing that so many of them could just, like, your brain could just go because our brains don't like to be in dissonance, right? So it sounds like your brain was like, hold on, this is, it's not supposed to happen and it happens.Meghan Pherrill 7:40  It doesn't make sense. Yeah, I was doing all these things, these things are still happening. Like, what's the point? Like, light switches on, off, on, off, on, like, and so I just stopped most of them. There were still some up until, like, I would say, even, like, five years ago, like, I was very much like, the two minute brush my teeth person, not a minute before, not a minute after. That one I kept for a little bit, but I'm like, it's good hygiene. But I just, I stopped, and I really thought, okay, I need to really focus on myself, like I put all this energy into this relationship. I changed myself so this person likes me, and it didn't work. So I was I really was going to just start working on myself, and I stayed on my medication for a little while. It wasn't until I met my now husband, but my boyfriend at the time, we had just come back from a vacation, which was a huge deal for me, to be able to go away, mapped most of it, but still, came home, found out my grandfather was dying from lung cancer, and that rocked my world. He got he went downhill really fast. I, like, he was everything to me. I absolutely adored the man. And during that time, during my grieving, I forgot to take some of my medication for a few days, and my boyfriend was like, Brad. Like, you can do this. He, he had been on the medication for like a month, and he was like, f this, this sucks, so I'm gonna be there with you. And I was like, I'm gonna be like a raging bitch, like, sorry. I hope I can swear on this. And he was like, no, like, I've got this. We're gonna do it together. So I don't suggest doing this. My doctor was incredibly disappointed with the. Lesley Logan 9:25  I do think you're supposed to like talk to people, yeah, you're supposed to, like, wean yourself off. And I do. I will say, like, I think that when you need it, medication, for it can be so helpful, because we definitely want to stop any thoughts that could hit in someone's life. But I do agree with you and your boyfriend that I think, long term, we don't have a lot of information that for everybody, it's the best thing. So yes, I'm glad you. I'm glad you're stipulating that doctors wouldn't recommend you, like, have to have a conversation about getting off. Meghan Pherrill 9:54  Yeah, yeah. He was just like, what? I was like, well, it's been like, a month now, so I'm not going back on them. And it was hard, like I went through withdrawal, but I slowly started to feel like myself again. And the biggest thing was I wasn't napping anymore. I had all this time on my hand, and I was like, what do I what do I do with myself now?Lesley Logan 10:16  Now that I don't wait for the sunlight. Meghan Pherrill 10:17  I know, like, what is this, this is sun in the sky that then that's really how I got into yoga, and that's really what started my deep dive into holistic health and wellness. And I'm still like, to this day, like I'm a yogi through and through, I do other things now, like I weight train, I do Pilates, but I'm like, yoga is always my base, and what I come back to, and my parents are like, not necessary, they, they kind of, they're interested in my stuff, but they're like, I don't understand why we can't have the processed hot dog buns for dinner. Like, it's just not really their vibe, but yeah, it's, it's been a really, it's been a long journey, but it's funny, like I was thinking about how my life has changed so much since then, I can't even believe the person I used to be to who I am now.Lesley Logan 11:04  Yeah, I also just want to highlight it sounds like by focusing on taking care of yourself, that's how you, you know, found what you wanted and what you want to do. I think, like, you know, so many people are so focused on the other people around them, making sure that they're happy and they're cared for and they're loved, and then they put themselves last. And it's like, actually, when we kind of get a little self-focused, we actually can truly find ourselves in a way that we can be the best person for the people that are in our lives. Like, even if your parents don't like that you won't eat the hot dog bun, they have more of you now than when, when, you weren't focusing on yourself.Meghan Pherrill 11:42  Yeah, yeah, it was and it doesn't have to be a lot like it was just very much. I'd come home from work and Brad would know I'm doing a little bit of yoga. It was like 20 or 30 minutes, but that was my time for myself. And I mean, people could just see the difference in the change in me, and they were like, go, go ahead. Like, go do what needs to be done. So yeah, that's, that's kind of how I found myself in this position.Lesley Logan 12:07  Yeah, okay, so can we talk a little about, like, the timeline of the journey? Because obviously, like, we heard about the month of of the antidepressant release. But like, how long did it take you to get a yoga practice and then also, then discover that you wanted to teach it, and then get to where you are, like, we're talking years, we're talking months, you know, like, I've got these overachiever perfectionists who are listening like, okay, so I just need to, like, do this for a few days, and then I'm gonna be good. Like, what? What's the what was the the timeline? Meghan Pherrill 12:35  Yeah, it was, I see this it was a long journey, not to be discouraging, but to know like that for me, that was my my truth. I started off simply with 20 minutes of yoga. I think I committed to, like, three, maybe four. I think it was just three days a week. I was like, This is it. This is all I'm gonna do, you know, just to see how does it make me feel.Lesley Logan 12:59  I actually love that. Thank you for saying it was long. And thank you, it shouldn't be discouragement. It's just honest. Like, I think a lot of times, you know, the the days are, the days are long, but the years are short. And, like, if, I can't believe I've been doing Pilates for 20 years, like, I was like, whoa, I've been doing this for, I've been out of college for 20 years, you know, like, because it feels like just yesterday, I was like, doing X, Y and Z, and I'm working so hard on things, it's like, oh no, actually, I've achieved a ton. And it did take a long time to get that runway going, but it's just an amazing thing that, like, once you set the time aside, you're doing three days a week, you're doing 20 minutes at a time, and then it gets better, and people give you more time, and then you get more time, like it compounds, and then all of a sudden, it's like, things happen a little bit faster in the wellness journey, you know, because you've built a strong foundation.Meghan Pherrill 13:45  Yes, yeah. And it's funny, because people will often look at me now and and see everything that I do. I do, like holistic health, I do, quote unquote, biohacks, like cold plunging. We were talking about that in my podcast. That didn't happen month three or over six, like, that was year how long have we been doing that? Like, year seven, I got into that stuff. Like, it was really, really slow. I even I did yoga for like, five years before I even tried a different type of exercise, like, and it was just natural to me to go, okay, like, I feel like I'm ready for the next level of whatever, Pilates, weight training, it was Pilates next. But even, like my food journey, even now I'm really religious about eating really clean, nourishing myself, it started off super basic. Was like, can I just get more vegetables into my diet? That was it. I wasn't looking like, did not drop the whole wheat bread at first. Was still probably eating chicken nuggets, but it was like, okay, can I just introduce a couple new vegetables into my diet, and from there we'll go, go forward like, I I'm sure you see this too. Sometimes people message me and they're like, these vegetables are gonna kill me. Spinach is anti nutrient. I'm gonna die if I eat it, and it's like, no wonder people feel so overwhelmed to start anything you can read or look at anybody and see, oh, eat spinach. It's a superpower. Eat spinach and die the next day. Like it's, I think it can be overwhelming.Lesley Logan 15:14  I'm like, am I hearing this for the first time? Because I really like a spinach. I'm going to be really honest. I like a spinach. I like a mixed green, I don't, do not, I don't like a romaine. I'm not gonna do an iceberg, like, but like, I, it's true. Like, I think where people get confused is that there's so many people out there with that are mixing the messaging and also not good information sometimes, you know, like, you know where we live in the States, I got served something the other day, and on my socials, and I'm like, I'm gonna report this, because this is not according to science. Like, we actually do have science guys, it does work. And there is some incredible now, four different bodies, there's different things. And, like, by the way, there's a great book that's so old, but it's called the Plant Paradox. And if you really want to understand plants, it's such it's so informative. Like, if you take one thing away, it's like, oh, if plants grow in rows, they have more poison to them, so you might have to cook them or do different things your body can digest them, versus the plants that like to their babies fly and be free. They're less poisonous. You can eat them however you want, versus if you're from the southern hemisphere versus European descent, like, there's different plants and we digest them differently. And I think what is the problem is, is that so many people are outsourcing how something feels in their body to someone else's opinion, versus like, well, if, if you eat the spinach and you feel really good, is it is it bad for you? Meghan Pherrill 16:38  I just like, I that was, I just finished that book two, two or three books ago. And same thing, I was like, all of this makes so much sense. You know, plants are living organisms. Of course, they have things that deter us from eating it. But I'm sure as I'm like, reading it too, I'm like, I also feel like this guy, like, do you go out for food? Like, you know I would eat something that makes me feel sick, but at the same time, like some of these people, they're like, Ooh, I like, yes, there's no place right for consuming seed oils on a daily basis. But if I'm in a restaurant and they're like, sorry, this is how we make our things, and I'm surrounded by friends and family, I'm gonna ask if they can do something different. But if they're like, we absolutely can't. Like, this is how it is. How it is. It's okay, you know, like, putting more stress on my body about eating that is going to cause more damage than just enjoying myself once in a while, like that, and just living your life.Lesley Logan 17:34  I also think that's the balance, right? Like, you know? I think it's a little like, to me, that perfectionism, that control of like, it has to be a certain way when I go out, no, I'm going out, it's like I'm going to someone else's kitchen, and this is how they prepared it. And if I don't like that, I can not go. I can ask people, what's the after dinner party look like? I can do my research beforehand. Like, because I've had food sensitivities, I am used to looking at the menus ahead of time, doing my research ahead of time, so when I'm there, I can go, I'll take this thing. I'll take this thing, because what I don't want is the whole dinner to be about what I can and can't or won't eat, because then I'm not actually getting to know the people I'm with. I'm busy like talking about, like, why you shouldn't have seed oils. I don't want to be that person. That's not who I wanna be at the dinner table. It's not my thing. And so, like, I think for I think people do have to have some sort of balance. And when I was on an elimination diet years ago, trying to figure out what's wrong with my stomach, I went to a ton of places, and I said, oh, what time is dinner? I'll meet you guys for dessert. And then I wouldn't, I would have tea, because every restaurant has tea, right? And so you can do different things to, like, still be part of society. I think that's the balance part of it. And then understanding, like, you know, a little bit of something isn't going to kill you unless it's going to kill you. Like, unless you're allergic to shellfish, like that will kill you. But if you're just one of those, like, sensitive people, like, either choose to to not do it or just do it and like, be kind to yourself the next day when you're a little more inflamed, you know. Just know that's gonna happen. Meghan Pherrill 19:03  Yeah, I couldn't agree more, yeah. My son has a bunch of food allergies, so I've really opened my eyes up to that. And sometimes it's simply like, I will message people and say, just so you know, I'm calling the restaurant to see if I can bring some food for my for my son, or at the time, like I'm still nursing. So there was a lot of things, and we're talking like, anaphylactic food allergies. So not just like, he gets a little bit of hives, it's like he might die.Lesley Logan 19:06  Yeah, yeah, which is all very different. I think these, like, you have to understand that, and then, like, but also I love that you did it ahead of time. I think this is where people can have a wonderful life is if you can advocate for yourself, but do it ahead of time, and then that way you're not like, oh, I can't believe this restaurant isn't taking care of me. Meghan Pherrill 19:42  I know, yeah, exactly. And like, yeah, there's, like, there's a certain place we go to. The chef knows me. I you know I go in to the server, she knows me now too. But I'm like, just let the chef know that it's the girl with a lot of the allergy restrictions, and he'll come out and he smiles. He's like, I knew it was you, but like, he and he gets it, right? Like, it's, he's really accommodated us for that. So it's, he's, yeah, I found a way to kind of live and that, you know, at first too, it was like, okay, I guess I'll have the salad because, you know, at least I can put the dressing on the side. But yeah, it's, it's, it's all a learning curve. And I think, too, people shouldn't be so hard on themselves. Like, if they're hearing me talk about spinach, I eat spinach, by the way. I'm just saying there's some people out there that are like, you will die if you eat spinach. Lesley Logan 19:44  Oh my god. Meghan Pherrill 20:08  And you have to, you do you have to get really in tune with like, how does it make you feel if you eat spinach and you're like, I feel like garbage afterwards. You should probably stop eating spinach.Lesley Logan 20:39  I used to, I would have brown rice, because some people would tell me it's healthier than white rice. And guess what, you guys, it has arsenic. And it's actually not so awesome for me, especially because I have a hard time breaking down lectin. And so I was telling my fundamental friend, my fundamental health doctor friend, and I said, I said, Oh my god, every time I make this one bowl, it has veggies, it has protein, has all these things, but like, I just feel exhausted after I eat it. And she said, what's the base? I said, it's brown rice. And she goes, switch it to white rice. So I switched it to white rice. Fine. Like, I just couldn't, per, I just couldn't break down the lectin and so but also, we're all very different, and I think we're, I hope people are getting permission here is like, figure out what works for you and do the best you can, and then we can have, like, what you do so well, Meghan, was like, finding balance, you know, like, I think where a lot of people are getting confused is they're going, oh, this person says this, but this person says this, and what should I do? It's like, what, what felt good to you? Meghan Pherrill 21:38  Yeah, exactly, yeah. Lesley Logan 21:39  So, okay, you have a kiddo, life has totally changed. I for for the moms who are listening like, how have you been because you you focus on you to kind of get you here. And obviously, when they're an infant, they're an infant, and it's a different story. But how are you making sure you're still focusing on you while raising this kiddo? Meghan Pherrill 21:59  Well, I was just talking to a girlfriend about this, literally, this morning. So I was lucky enough that, I live in Canada, by the way, it's cold most of the time here. He's a summer baby, thank God. And so when I first brought him home, like days old, right away, I would just go out and get sunlight. That was like my self-care moment with him. I would keep him skin to skin on my chest. We'd go outside and to me like, I just it felt so good to get the vitamin D, for him it was really good. And I had been really active my entire pregnancy. Knew that I wanted to kind of get back into that afterwards, but I also was really mindful about giving myself grace. I had a really hard labor and delivery, and so I wasn't, like, I was even able to kind of get up and, like, walk around, right the next day, I kind of followed-ish, the 555 rule, which, if you don't know, it's like, five days in the bed, five days on the bed, five days around the bed. So I had a perfect (inaudible), day four, I had to take him to the doctors for a checkup. But that was kind of like my mentality was, like, I'm just going to be on the bed in the bed for the first little bit with him. My husband had dragged out like the futon to the living room so I could watch a TV show if I wanted. And that was kind of like the first 15 days for me. It was just really focusing on that. And then it started off with just going out on walks afterwards. These were not hour-long walks. Sometimes they were up and down the street, and that was it. I knew I really wanted to set my son up for healthy habits to for his life. And so really right from I got the clearance, so I got, usually you get clearance at like, week six or getting back into your fitness routine, it was week nine for me. I had, I literally got in a car accident, like a month before my son had been born (inaudible). It took a little while for me to recover, but as soon as I was able to, like, he would go in this swing next to me. Well, I did, like, my pelvic floor exercises, and I did 10 minutes of yoga, and it's, he's almost two now, like, I work out with him, or do yoga or Pilates five or six days a week, and he's there with me. I put toys around. I have snacks out for him. Sometimes it's, takes like an hour and a half to do, like, a 40-minute class, because he needs constant snacks now, but he sees me doing that, and he knows in the morning when the weights come out, like he even rolls out my yoga mat for me now. He has a little set of weights that he can do, and he does his squats with me. And even before we do our workout together, I do a Wim Hof breath session, and he goes bananas for that. Like, he runs into the room. He's like, Wim, Wim, Wim. I put him on the bed, and he sits with me. He watches the screen, which I'm sure somebody is like, he's too young to look at a screen. You know what? It's Wim Hof. Lesley Logan 24:41  I think, everything in moderation. Meghan Pherrill 24:56  Breathing thing and he just sits there. And sometimes all you even him going, like, he tries to do it and yeah, so like, some days it doesn't happen exactly how I want it to, but I would say for the most part, like he just, he knows the routine. He knows that this is, this is important to mommy. And I will even tell him, this is mommy's time now, you can stay here and play with me, but this is, we're doing mommy's thing first. And he's like, okay. Lesley Logan 25:26  I love this. First of all, I love that you are honest about like, a 45-minute class might take an hour and a half. You know? I also, we had a guest on. Also lives in Canada. She, she married in they have five kids, and she said, actions are caught, not taught. And she's like, our kids see us. We're making our movement practice a priority, and they don't have to do the movement practice, but they don't get to tell us, we don't get to do the movement practice, so it's like, we're gonna go, we work out in the morning, we walk, do a walk. You can come with us or not. We're gonna go do this, then we're gonna go do this, then we will do these things with you. So if you don't wanna wait to hang out with us until then, then you can come with us, right? And so that's her big thing is that kids really pick up on that. And I think it's really important, because, of course, they have needs, and there's other things they need, but like, if you can find patience and you can give yourself grace to take 45 minutes to do, take an hour and a half to do a 45-minute workout, then, as they get older, look, he's rolling you're mat that's so cute. We have OPC members whose kids know the sound of my voice, and they'll like, be on the ground next their mom. They like, oh, I could roll like a ball, like I could do it, you know, I'm like, that is so important. And if they're on screen learning healthy stuff versus being babysat, there's a very big difference. So I, I'm all for that, but I, but I just really thank you, because I do think that so many people are like, oh, I need to have complete alone time and then I can work out. And it's like, there's no perfect day, like, I barely have, I don't even have kids, but I used to have three dogs, and they have to go at different times. Like, okay, hold on, let me let you out. Okay, let me, yup, this, oh, now you want your food? Okay, here's like, you know. So, like, I've pre-made all the bowls, and then they come. So, like, even my own workout would be interrupted. I don't even have children, you know. So it's like, how can we prep the area, prep the scene, prep the people in our lives for what we're about to do, and then how can we take advantage of what we can do, you know, and then be kind and know that that's, that's, that's good enough for today. And I think I never heard the 555 thing. Of course, every mom listening will probably say come on, Lesley, but that's so interesting, because I do think that people, I had a girlfriend who had kids and she's like, I really didn't think that eight months after pregnancy I would still be trying to get my core strength back, you know? And she went to it as a trainer, and, like all these things and pre postnatal, and she's, like, experienced it for herself for the first time. And it's like, yeah, everyone is different, you know, we're all different, and we have to know that and take our time getting it back. Meghan Pherrill 28:02  Yeah, yeah. And I will, like, I have one child, someone's like, I have three or four or five kids. Like, you know, maybe you don't have the luxury of doing the 555, right away after but it's also, like, little things for a postpartum like, it's nice to get the bassinet and and the clothes for the kiddo, but I had people meal prep me a bunch of things that was part of a postpartum gift, and someone bought me cleaning services for like, four or five different times I utilized that so I don't have to get out of bed or off the couch and take away from my.Lesley Logan 28:25  I love these gifts. Why aren't people registering for this? Because I see the registrations I had a girlfriend, and we are, like, late to the party on like, buying the, I'm like, oh, now we're down to the things. This kid's not gonna wear this stuff. And I was like, we're not getting anywhere with any of these things. We're going to get some dinner gift certificates to restaurants near her house that can deliver. Like, that's what we're doing, because I refuse to buy clothes. This kid is gonna be born in the summer. We make it the whole time, no.Meghan Pherrill 29:01  Yeah, no, that was my whole thing. Like, my kid lived in a diaper for the first, like, four months, and we got so many hand-me-downs. I was like, I'm not, I'm not spending money on clothes that kid's gonna grow out of in two weeks. But yeah, like the dinner thing, if someone is ever like, I don't know what to get a postpartum mom, food or cleaning services, will you will be their favorite person in the entire world, because there's yeah, you don't want to be you don't want to be cooking or cleaning after watching it. You just want to be able to pick up a phone or dial Uber or whatever, and just say, bring me food. Lesley Logan 29:35  Yeah. Yeah. Okay. So kiddos, to your your business had to change. It sounds like, from what you were doing before him to now what you're doing, what is the be it till you see it that you're working on right now? Like, are we? Are you wanting to add more things back? Are you trying to enjoy what you got? Like, what? What are we? What? What's the thing you're most excited about right now?Meghan Pherrill 29:57  I really wanted to get back to basics. For me, when I first started yoga, I was like, this has changed my life so profoundly. I want to teach others how to do the same. And so I had done, like a manifestation, meditation teacher training and a meditation teacher training. And just as you you kind of want to grow new things happen to you. I got it, got caught up in what everyone else was doing, and thought I should be doing the same thing. And I was thinking of this the other day, and I was like, I really want to get back to basics. It's probably not going to happen right away for me, just realistically with a little guy with allergies, but I really want to get back to I, I literally, before the world shut down, I did Costa Rica yoga retreat, and in before 2020, and I loved it. It was, I love to travel. I love yoga. I was like, this is an amazing blend here. I really want to get back to doing retreats again. In an ideal world. I would love to do, like, three to four a year. But I also kind of want to do some weekend ones. I'm a mom now, like, it's not realistic for me to pack up and say, see you for a week while I go to Cyprus, but I could probably figure out how to get away for a day or a weekend retreat so that's important to me, and just to kind of teach people the basics. Again, everybody's seeing all these like, cold plunge things, sauna, things, like, I want to teach people how to get into meditation. You can meditate in five minutes a day and change your absolute life.Lesley Logan 31:28  Let's talk about teaching how to get into meditation. I would love to go there, because I do think, like, yes, of course, as a cold plunger, yes, all these things. But I will say, like, a lot of the stuff is advanced. It's advanced biohacking, it's advanced like, things in a fitness we all just have to get people moving. But also, like my husband the other day, it was like a head, like, feeling like he had something he had, like, in his chest. And I was like, oh, have you, like, meditated? And he's like, no. And I was like, as if I meditate every day. So let's talk about the basics of meditation. Because I think people think it's a little more difficult than it is, and I think they don't think they have time. So what are the basics? How do we get started?Meghan Pherrill 32:06  Super big. I always tell people like, truly, what type of person do you think you are? If you have a movement practice, are you a morning or an evening person? Sometimes people are like, I'm up at five. I do my workout after. Perfect. Okay, so if you're an evening person, let's just dedicate 10 minutes, right? We're not going to do 10 minutes of meditation, but let's just dedicate the 10 minutes at the end of the night to what feels good to you. And that's another thing, too. Do you feel like I can't close my mind down, but I can listen to somebody tell me what to do? Perfect. A guided meditation is where we're at. Maybe you're more of like a I just feel like I need to actually physically do something besides just listen to somebody talk, do a breath work type of meditation where you kind of have to use your head to count things out. But it's also tangible, like you're actually doing this, this breathing thing.Lesley Logan 32:58  Yeah, your whole body's activating it. Yeah, yeah. But no, I understand, yeah. When you, if you do a Wim Hof guys, it's like, it is full, belly, full, lung full, it's like, really in, it's very kinesthetic.Meghan Pherrill 33:11  Yes and it's like some people need to be guided. I, you know, sometimes people, like, I just sat in 30 minutes of silence. I'm not at that point. I very rarely did things like that when I was doing meditation. And if it works for you, great, like, if you're like, I can sit there for five minutes, 10 minutes, however long, and do that, perfect. But I think it's more for the people that are like, I know I should probably start. Where? Find a person, even online, that you resonate with. See, one, they have meditations. And if they don't, who do they like to use? I have some, you know, free on YouTube and all that stuff, too. But I'm always recommending my meditation teacher because she is the most soothing voice in the entire world. I absolutely adore her. And sometimes I don't want to listen to myself do it, or (inaudible) guided in a different way. Lesley Logan 33:58  Every teacher should have their own teacher. I love this suggestion. It's like, dedicate 10 minutes. It's happy 10 minutes. Do a guided that's until, especially if you're new, like everyone listening here is like, recovering perfectionist, overachiever. We want to know if we're doing it right. So, like, having a guided meditation is really nice, you know? And like, I have an Oura ring. You guys in the Oura app, there are guided meditations and breath work ones, part of the thing, which is, like, insane. I was like, oh, well, I'm glad I'm paying for this. But also YouTube, you know, like, you'd be surprised. Like, the workouts have ads because those people want to get paid. But the meditations actually don't have ads during the meditation, so you can get uninterrupted meditation for free. And it's true. Like, find the voices that you like to listen to. I love that.Meghan Pherrill 34:44  Yeah. And it also, you know, like, when I first started my first original it was a yoga teacher who was trying to teach us to meditate. She was like, you absolutely have to sit up tall spine is nice and long cross legged. And then when I did my meditation teacher, she was like, that's not feasible for a lot of people. Get comfortable. Maybe that means lying down. Maybe someone's in a wheelchair, and they actually can't physically, like, move into a different position. Like, it does not have to be this super rigid thing. You could, when your alarm goes off first thing in the morning, lay back into bed, obviously not into a point of you wanting to fall back asleep and stuff. But get comfortable, you know, without scrolling on social media, go to like the podcast app has a bunch of meditations on it. Find one and listen to it there. I'm a mom. I get it. Sometimes it's not easy. Sometimes my meditation is literally while we're brushing our teeth in the morning, and that's going so my son's also listening to it, and I have it stack it that way. If I could do breath work, working out, meditation, like I used to, pre-baby, I would, but it's not a reality for me a lot of the time. So, you know, you can have it, stack it into, you know, maybe you do it as you're getting breakfast in the morning. You're just listening and just dipping your toes into the the water that way.Lesley Logan 36:02  Yeah, actually, I like all the permission there. And I think it's like, meditation doesn't really require perfection. I think a lot of people make it more difficult than it is. Are you able to just be mindful? Oh, I had a thought. Like, okay, now I had another, okay, there's another thought and another. Like, they're just clouds, right? Like, it's, it's actually not as we make it seem like we have to have a clearest mind the perfect to sit perfectly still. I haven't sat perfectly still in an interview. I've had my legs crossed. I have my legs on the table now, like it's a whole thing, like we're not, like, that's just not who we are. So we have to, like, what is possible for us, and then, like, be kind to ourselves, and then start using the tools that we have. And I really appreciate you sharing that. I think that's really great. And I do like the idea of of what you're wanting to do next, which is like going back to basics with people, because especially as your little one is getting to be more independent, you'll have more time, there'll be people who also need to go back to the basics and start there and rebuild a foundation, because you're a new person. You know, we have to, I think, like, the idea that, like, I, I've always hated the word like, bouncing back when that's what, like, shoved into mother's wives, like, you're gonna bounce back. You're never going back. None of us are going back. We're always going forward. So how do we take the new chapter that we're in, the new book, and, like, create what is the scene and the setting that's going to be the best for for where you're going, and then, and then, when your kid goes to school, that's a new transition. And then, like, when they're in high school, it's a different like, there's all these different things. And so what I love about your journey, Meghan, and like, what you've shared with us is just, like, this idea that, like, what is possible, be kind to ourselves, and then, like, little by little, it's a long journey, but you're gonna get there.Meghan Pherrill 37:45  Yeah, yeah. It's, you know, it's I people always, like, roll their eyes when they hear but it really isn't about the destination. It's about the journey. Or, you know, I've also heard people say, well, the time's gonna pass anyways. What are you gonna do with it? You might as well do something that makes you feel happier, brings you a little bit of fulfillment, gives you purpose, you know, brings you joy. And for me, this is what, you know. I love this stuff. I was just saying to my husband, like, I love listening to podcasts. I love watching documentaries. To me, this is not boring. I don't find it like, I,we're all worthy. I enjoy it. And sometimes I listen to things I'm like, I don't resonate what that person said. I know I keep harping on spinach, but like, I'm going to keep eating spinach as long as I feel good eating it. And other times, you know, like we were just talking about, too, sometimes you hear something on a podcast and it just for whatever reason, it just clicks with you, that and you make a change from brown rice to white rice, and all of a sudden you feel a thousand times better. Like to me, I love learning, how can I optimize myself to be a better version of how I was than yesterday?Lesley Logan 38:52  Yeah, yeah. And it comes in little, little changes, not big ones, to be honest. Like, if we look at how corporations make big changes. It's like years in the making. I remember working at a corporation, and they're like, okay, you're, in February, they're going to do the women's locker room, and in March, they're into the men's locker room, and in April, they're going to do this room, and it's going to take a year to remodel this gym, little by little, so that it's on the new branding. And I was like, you're gonna take a year. Can't you just shut down for a week and just do the whole thing? No, like, why don't they do that? Because you actually, like, the gym is like a body. It's an organism itself. It's had its own season, its own routine, its own thing. And if you disrupt the whole thing and you shake it up, you actually don't really see what worked and what didn't work. You don't learn from mistakes. And so, like we all can go, okay, I'm just gonna switch out the rice, or I'm actually gonna keep the spinach, I'm gonna heat it up, or I am gonna work out, and I'm gonna pick a 30 minute class in this hour and a half time that I have, and I'm gonna see how long it takes me. Oh, wow. Only took me 45 minutes. Great, wonderful. You know, like, I think, like, it's just being okay, experimenting and then reflecting and refining. I really appreciate that permission you gave us. Meghan. We're gonna take a brief break and then find out how people can find you, follow you and work with you. Lesley Logan 40:22  All right, Meghan, where do you hang out? Where can they go back to the basics, with you? Meghan Pherrill 40:22  Yeah, if anyone wants to follow along with me, you can find me on all the places, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, at Balance by Meghan, M-E-G-H-A-N, my podcast is Balance Your Life, which you are also be a guest on, and your episode will release soon. And yeah, those are the places that you can connect with me. Lesley Logan 40:42  Wonderful. Okay, you've given us a lot, but bold, executable, intrinsic or targeted steps people can take to be it till they see it, what do you have for us?Meghan Pherrill 40:53  I think you have to just whatever is calling to you right now, whether that's starting a new movement practice or starting a meditation practice, or taking one food item and swapping it for something healthier, whatever's resonating with you, not what you see online, follow that intuition of yours and just run with it. Go with it. Don't make it complicating. You know, start with a 10 minute yoga flow. If yoga feels called to you. Maybe it's Pilates. Just start and see how you feel. Give yourself some time, too. Like this isn't like a one day thing. How did I feel? You know, if you were in excruciating pain, that's one thing. But just start and just just let the magic unfold and see what happens for you. Lesley Logan 41:38  I like that. Just start with one thing and then take your time. I really, I think that's so key. I mean, I know we all want things to happen faster, but they actually happen, they happen faster, more slowly, like they really do. Wonderful. Okay, you guys, we want to know how you're using these tips in your life. What's the one thing that you'll start what's the meditation that you like? Share it with Meghan. Share it with the Be It Pod, because hey, especially the meditation things you're liking, we'd love to share those out with people. And it share this with a friend who needs to hear it. Maybe you have someone in your life who's going through something, and they need to hear like there's light on the other side, and the journey is long, but it's worth going on. And we would love for them to hear that from us and from Meghan. And until next time, Be It Till You See It. Lesley Logan 42:18  That's all I got for this episode of the Be It Till You See It Podcast. One thing that would help both myself and future listeners is for you to rate the show and leave a review and follow or subscribe for free wherever you listen to your podcast. Also, make sure to introduce yourself over at the Be It Pod on Instagram. I would love to know more about you. Share this episode with whoever you think needs to hear it. Help us and others Be It Till You See It. Have an awesome day. Be It Till You See It is a production of The Bloom Podcast Network. If you want to leave us a message or a question that we might read on another episode, you can text us at +1-310-905-5534 or send a DM on Instagram @BeItPod.Brad Crowell 43:02  It's written, filmed, and recorded by your host, Lesley Logan, and me, Brad Crowell.Lesley Logan 43:06  It is transcribed, produced and edited by the epic team at Disenyo.co.Brad Crowell 43:11  Our theme music is by Ali at Apex Production Music and our branding by designer and artist, Gianfranco Cioffi.Lesley Logan 43:18  Special thanks to Melissa Solomon for creating our visuals.Brad Crowell 43:21  Also to Angelina Herico for adding all of our content to our website. And finally to Meridith Root for keeping us all on point and on time.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/be-it-till-you-see-it/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Health technologist and science communicator Caitlin Shure (NextSense) joins me to unpack brainwave-measuring earbuds that can both read and change your mental state—starting with sleep.  We dive into why “Gen-1” wearables overwhelm you with charts but don't help you in the moment, how earbud-EEG works (yes, with just three electrodes), the messy truth on EMF fears, and why women—especially moms—need “do-it-for-me” tools, not just dashboards.  This episode is for women—especially busy moms and high-achievers—who want better sleep, calmer days, and science-backed wearables that actually help (not just track). WE TALK ABOUT:  05:00 - Caitlin's origin story: From “not a science person” to neuroscience and science communication 06:20 - Making complex brain science click for everyday life (and why wearables help) 09:55 - Why “one new idea at a time” beats info overload in health education 10:20 - Early neurotech (Muse), then Apple Watch, Oura, CGM—what worked and what didn't 13:20 - Why “wearable must be wearable”: Rings, watches, now earbuds near your brain 14:30 - Starting with sleep: The lowest-hanging lever for memory, mood, and cognition 19:40 - Neurons, synchrony, and how three earbud electrodes capture EEG 24:50 - Women's health use-cases: Pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, menopause 29:05 - “Numbers, not judgments”: Why NextSense won't label your sleep ‘good' or ‘bad' 34:30 - What's next: Adaptive Focus and Relaxation sessions (neurofeedback-like audio) 36:30 - Binaural beats: Mixed evidence, likely responders vs non-responders SPONSORS: CaloCurb (get 10% OFF) is my go-to, 100% plant-based alternative to Ozempic—helping you feel full sooner, snack less, and finally trust your body again without needles, drugs, or yo-yo diets. Join me in Costa Rica for Optimize Her, a 5-night luxury women's retreat in Costa Rica with yoga, healing rituals, and biohacking workshops—only 12 spots available. RESOURCES: Trying to conceive? Join my Baby Steps Course to optimize your fertility with biohacking. Free gift: Download my hormone-balancing, fertility-boosting chocolate recipe. Explore my luxury retreats and wellness events for women. Shop my faves: Check out my Amazon storefront for wellness essentials. NextSense website and Instagram Caitlin Shure's website LET'S CONNECT: Instagram, TikTok, Facebook Shop my favorite health products Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music

Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S – your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories. This week, Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal sit down with Marco Benitez—former Taekwondo champion turned biomedical engineer and now CEO of rook, a health tech company that transforms wearable data into actionable health insights. Together, they explore how wearables are reshaping the future of fitness, healthcare, and personal health. Key topics covered include: Why your smartwatch might already know more about your health than your doctor. How Apple, Samsung, and Aura are competing in the wearable health space. The challenge of making sense of endless health data. What FDA approval for consumer wearables really means. How fitness coaches and gyms can use wearable data to improve client outcomes. The differences in HRV tracking across Apple, Whoop, and Aura. Wearables as a bridge between fitness and healthcare industries. The future of implants, rings, and continuous monitoring devices. Marco's vision for rook as the middleware connecting all wearable platforms.

Meenakshi Lala is the CEO of UrbanStems, an online floral gifting company that designs, sources, and delivers high-quality, curated bouquets and gifts across the U.S. She brings over two decades of operational experience from leading brands in fashion and retail such as Alice + Olivia, Juicy Couture, and Elie Tahari. Her expertise in scaling complex businesses and building operational excellence now fuels UrbanStems' growth as a leader in the industry.In this episode of DTC Pod, Blaine and Meenakshi explore the complex world of DTC flower delivery: from sourcing stems globally, managing cold chain logistics, forecasting inventory, and reducing spoilage, to ensuring the end customer receives a high-quality bouquet every time. Meenakshi candidly discusses the challenges of seasonality, tariffs, international shipping, and why a robust brand and customer-centric approach are keys to thriving in today's fast-moving e-commerce landscape.Episode brought to you by StordInteract with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack.On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:1. The complexities of the floral industry and perishability2. The evolution of e-commerce in the flower business3. Building a robust and agile international supply chain4. Cold chain logistics and fulfillment center operations5. Planning, forecasting, and reducing spoilage in inventory6. Unique challenges: tariffs, customs, and unpredictable events7. Customer experience: packaging, instructions, and communications8. Curation, personalization, and expanding gifting moments9. Driving growth through brand, loyalty, and education10. Lessons learned in leadership and staying agileTimestamps00:00 Meenakshi's career journey and joining UrbanStems04:49 Key learnings from legacy brands and focus on brand ethos07:21 Operational challenges unique to the floral industry11:00 The evolution of flowers in e-commerce and UrbanStems' role14:28 How Urban Stems' supply chain is structured for freshness16:37 International sourcing, design, and bouquet assembly process18:27 Managing supply chain risks: tariffs and customs21:45 Inventory planning, spoilage, and matching supply to demand24:45 Supply chain as a business moat and high-precision operation25:36 Customer fulfillment: hydration, packaging, and experience28:34 Packaging complexities and spec sheets per SKU30:08 Lessons from moving from COO to CEO32:19 How operational expertise shapes strategic leadership34:17 Customer feedback and new initiatives at UrbanStems38:02 Growth channels: brand loyalty, curation, and gifting moments41:58 Biggest CEO learnings and future outlook43:51 Where to find Meenakshi and UrbanStems onlineShow notes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokMeenakshi Lala - CEO at UrbanStemsBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Episode 139 of the Award Travel 101 podcast featured Angie Sparks and Joseph Petrovic with a recap of the Miami meetup and the latest travel news. The highlight post centered on whether travelers still need local currency, with most members agreeing that while cards dominate, a small amount of cash is still useful in certain locations. Big news included the refreshed Amex Platinum card with an increased $895 annual fee but a slew of valuable new credits (Resy, Lululemon, FHR, Uber One, Oura, and more), Citi transfer bonuses up to 50%, and new Southwest Business card offers that can lock in a Companion Pass for nearly two years. Angie and Joe also shared recent personal card moves, promos expiring soon, and how they're using points and credits for upcoming trips.The Miami meetup drew about 82 attendees at the Hyatt Regency Coral Gables, where upgrades ranged from suites to presidential rooms. Despite a grumpy check-in clerk and a chemically unbalanced pool that ruined swimsuits (compensated with Hyatt points), the group enjoyed lively evenings at the hotel bar, a hot chicken challenge, and plentiful breakfasts. Sessions at the Hotel Colonnade featured talks on Rove Miles, AI trip-planning with Notebook LM, and creative ways to generate spend. Social activities included a dinner at Bay13 and the immersive SuperBlue art exhibit, with attendees also making use of their new Amex Resy and Lululemon credits around Miami.Both hosts emphasized the value of in-person meetups as the “secret sauce” of the hobby, where tips and strategies get shared informally. Angie recounted how one member even offered her a companion ticket after a conversation, while Joe picked up a new acronym that led to fresh insights. The episode closed with a reminder that the next major Award Travel 201 meetup will take place in Phoenix, April 16–18, 2026, with tickets already available to members.Links to Topics DiscussedAmex Platinum RefreshRove Miles Transfer BonusesSouthwest Business Card OffersWhere to Find Us The Free Award Travel 101 Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at 101@award.travel Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card! Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.

Executive coach Angela Bennett knows a thing or two about the unique needs of beauty and wellness industry leaders. She spent more than two decades working across L'Oréal and Estee Lauder brands like La Roche-Posay, Maybelline and Clinique in roles like vice president, general manager and svp of talent acquisition. "The subjective nature of [the beauty industry] requires an art of balancing data points, intuition and conviction [while] becoming your own leader to navigate the decisions that need to be made on a daily basis," Bennett said. But today, Bennett is part of a growing number of certified professional executive coaches who help individuals and organizations to build stronger teams. She also works one-on-one with executives who need help getting to the next level in their careers.  This often entails a rigorous strategy that includes reflection, learning and planning in an effort to become a better leader with more long-term career direction. Much of this process starts with developing communication skills to suit the workplace environment and culture. “Communication coaching is really going to be about developing the skills to be clear, concise, convincing and motivating, and to really master the art of what we call ‘influencing for results',” she said. “[That means] influencing others, influencing management toward making decisions on specific strategies that, as a leader, you are recommending and wanting to push through.”  In today's episode of the Glossy Beauty Podcast, Bennett introduces us to the world of executive coaching and shares her top three universal tips for executives.  But first, hosts Lexy Lebsack and Emily Jensen discuss the biggest beauty news of the week.  First up is wellness investment news from Oura Health Oy, the makers of Oura, the wearable health tracking ring that launched in 2015. The Finnish company is reportedly closing in on a $875 million Series E investment round that will undoubtedly impact the industry. The company could soon be valued at around $11 billion.  The hosts also break down the latest influx of celebrity endorsement deals including Kris Jenner for Estée Lauder-owned MAC, Leighton Meester for indie darling skin-care brand Bubble, singer Ciara as the new face of Thorne's Creatine products, Miley Cyrus for Maybelline, and Dua Lipa's new deal with pilates reformer company Frame Fitness.  Lebsack and Jensen also unpack Hailey Bieber's splashy Rhode launch with Sephora, which brought in $10 million in sales in just two days, according to Yipit, an alternative data provider and analytics firm that utilizes web and in-store receipt data.  Finally, the duo discuss the closure of Kim Kardashian's 3-year-old skincare line, SKKN by Kim, including Coty's $71.1 milliones loss from its 2021 investment in the now-shuttered brand. 

Sushi is surging in America, specifically grocery store sushi… because convenience is king.Oura just hit a $11B valuation selling their tech rings… and it's thanks to women and soldiers.Oklo stock has risen 1,500% in the last year… even though it has zero revenue (it's nuclear!)Plus, Ben Stiller is launching a soda brand… and Chick-fil-A is too?$META $KRUS $SPYWant more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The untold origin story of… Saturday Night Live

The NIA boys discuss Nvidia's $100B OpenAI Deal, Meta Ray-Ban Display & Oura's $10B ValuationTimestamps:(00:00:00) - Intro(00:05:33) - Nvidia's $100B OpenAI Deal(00:33:38) - Meta Ray-Ban Display(00:55:01) - Oura's $10B ValuationWhat Is Not Investment Advice?Every week, Jack Butcher, Bilal Zaidi & Trung Phan discuss what they're finding on the edges of the internet + the latest in business, technology and memes.Subscribe + listen on your fav podcast app:Apple: https://pod.link/notadvicepod.appleSpotify: https://pod.link/notadvicepod.spotifyOthers: https://pod.link/notadvicepodListen into our group chat on Telegram:https://t.me/notinvestmentadviceLet us know what you think on Twitter:http://twitter.com/bzaidihttp://twitter.com/trungtphanhttp://twitter.com/jackbutcherhttp://twitter.com/niapodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 676: Toby and Kyle dive into two big trials tackling Big Tech. First, the FTC is alleging Amazon makes Prime too complicated to cancel. Then, it's a redux of the Justice Department accusing Google of holding a monopoly over digital advertising. Plus, President Trump makes claims that Tylenol is linked to autism. Meanwhile, Toby investigates what's behind Beli, the new Gen Z restaurant review app that is the ‘anti-Yelp'.  00:00 - Talenti jars take some effort 3:20 - FTC targets Amazon 7:00 - Google's antitrust trial part deux 11:00 - Tylenol maker has a PR headache 17:30 - Oura ring booms 22:00 - Beli eats Yelp 25:00 - Sprint Finish! You can try reMarkable Paper Pro Move for 100 days for free. If it's not what you're looking for, get your money back. Get your paper tablet at https://www.remarkable.com today Get your MBD live show tickets here! https://www.tinyurl.com/MBD-HOLIDAY Presale code LETSRIDE Subscribe to Morning Brew Daily for more of the news you need to start your day. Share the show with a friend, and leave us a review on your favorite podcast app. Listen to Morning Brew Daily Here:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.swap.fm/l/mbd-note⁠⁠⁠  Watch Morning Brew Daily Here:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MorningBrewDailyShow⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts Ryan Greigg and Jacqueline Smith continue to explore James Clear's "Atomic Habits" focusing on the fourth law: making habits satisfying. They discuss how dopamine rewards drive habit formation and why planning and accountability boost consistency. Listeners learn about strategies such as habit tracking, streak maintenance, and partner accountability. Jacqueline shares insights on meal prepping and how to tackle bad habits, while Ryan introduces the Whoop device, sparking interest in a future episode comparing Whoop vs. Oura. This episode emphasizes starting small, tracking habits, and fostering positive change. ---------- Connect with the 15 Point Plan: 15 Point Plan: https://WinMakeGive.com/15-point-plan/ Win Make Give Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/WinMakeGive Learn more about the co-hosts: Jacqueline Smith: https://www.instagram.com/jacquelinerae_smith/ Ryan Greigg: https://www.instagram.com/ryanparkgreigg/ Book one of our co-hosts for your next event: https://WinMakeGive.com/speakers/ Part of the Win Make Give Podcast Networke

Thanks to improved accuracy and new form factors, wearables have evolved from novelty step counters to tools that can predict illness, nudge healthier behaviors, and even influence alcohol consumption. But can they really bridge the gap between consumer wellness and enterprise healthcare?In this episode, ŌURA CEO Tom Hale discusses the lessons his team has learned from developing one of the most widely used health-tracking devices. We explore what draws people to wearables, what sustains their engagement, and how these tools may be shaping behavior and healthcare itself. We cover:

Exercise scientist and biohacking pioneer PJ Glassey (founder, X-Gym; author, Cracking Your Calorie Code) joins the Gametime Guru to deliver a playbook for busy athletes: morning hydration that actually absorbs, nutrition on the road for tournaments and travel, and a 21-minute, twice-weekly time-under-tension program that builds precision, coordination, and strength without beating up your joints. We also cover brain-type-based discipline loops, smart use of wearables (Oura, CGM, Apple Watch), and how cold plunge + sauna can boost recovery and mental toughness. Topics: • Hydration: electrolytes, morning rehydration, performance cost of 2–4% dehydration • Travel nutrition: grocery/mini-fridge hacks, protein + veggies first, better fast-food choices • Training: TUT explained, slow-rep precision, nerve training for coordination • Mental performance: identity > motivation, discipline systems, PJ's Brain Type Test • Recovery & tracking: cold plunge/sauna ramping, sleep data that drives changes Website: https://www.xgym.com  Book (Kindle): https://www.amazon.com/Cracking-Your-Calorie-Code-Version-ebook/dp/B09HHGBZZN  Contact: pj@xgym.com Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oPsIwosN1U  Subscribe for new episodes weekly and leave a review if this helped your training or coaching.

Thank you for joining us for our 2nd Cabral HouseCall of the weekend! I'm looking forward to sharing with you some of our community's questions that have come in over the past few weeks…   Chrissy: Hi dr Cabral Is it ok to that estrogel and progesterone for menopause if you have lymphoedema ? Or will it make it worse .. kind regards Chrissy                                                                                                                                                    Kay: Hi Dr. Cabral- What are your thoughts on Metformin combined w Naltrexone topiramate and Vit B12 for Tx of PCOS? My 31 y.o. daughter has tried over the last few years to manage her PCOS w traditional Chinese herbs, acupuncture, yoga & pilates which have only given her limited success. Her HbA1c were in the pre-diabetic range. She lives in the NYC area w a demanding job. Now, working w a Functional Med provider, her tests showed high levels of cortisol throughout the day & hormonal imbalances. Weekend hikes & being near nature on occasion have helped her stress levels as shown by her Oura ring data. After about a month of the Rx regimen, she has noticed an improvement in her HbA1c and has hired a personal trainer. For true, sustainable wellness, what do you recommend?                                       Becky: Hi Dr. Cabral! Thank you for ALL that you do and thank you for using your story to help heal others! I am an IHP2 and need advice. I am working with a client, she is in her mid 30s and she has had horrific breath and overall dryness of her entire body since a child. Her dad and siblings have the same issues along with her oldest daughter. She has tried EVERY imaginable product to fix her breath with zero success. She has done the 21 day detox, & is finishing up the CBO Protocol with H.Pylori & will be starting the Finisher. She did a HTMA last year with someone else but nothing alarming. She is hopeless that her breath can't be fixed. What is your suggestion as to what direction we should go next? She does not drink filtered water, is on birth control & an anti depressant. THANKS!!!!            Kayley: I am 24 yrs old 5'2" 123lbs. I have diagnosed Rheumatoid Arthritis that has severely impacted my life. I currently take Methotrexate, Plaquenil, Folic Acid, and Folinic Acid. I am struggling with debilitating fatigue, and my IBS has recently flared up. Is there anything you would suggest doing to improve energy levels?                               Amanda: Does chiropractic treatment benefit children diagnosed with ADHD?     Thank you for tuning into this weekend's Cabral HouseCalls and be sure to check back tomorrow for our Mindset & Motivation Monday show to get your week started off right! - - - Show Notes and Resources: StephenCabral.com/3509 - - - Get a FREE Copy of Dr. Cabral's Book: The Rain Barrel Effect - - - Join the Community & Get Your Questions Answered: CabralSupportGroup.com - - - Dr. Cabral's Most Popular At-Home Lab Tests: > Complete Minerals & Metals Test (Test for mineral imbalances & heavy metal toxicity) - - - > Complete Candida, Metabolic & Vitamins Test (Test for 75 biomarkers including yeast & bacterial gut overgrowth, as well as vitamin levels) - - - > Complete Stress, Mood & Metabolism Test (Discover your complete thyroid, adrenal, hormone, vitamin D & insulin levels) - - - > Complete Food Sensitivity Test (Find out your hidden food sensitivities) - - - > Complete Omega-3 & Inflammation Test (Discover your levels of inflammation related to your omega-6 to omega-3 levels) - - - Get Your Question Answered On An Upcoming HouseCall: StephenCabral.com/askcabral - - - Would You Take 30 Seconds To Rate & Review The Cabral Concept? The best way to help me spread our mission of true natural health is to pass on the good word, and I read and appreciate every review!  

Today's Headlines: Epstein survivors demanded the full release of government files on his trafficking network. Haley Robson, abused by both Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, stressed the issue isn't political and called out banks that looked the other way while Epstein moved huge sums of cash. Survivors also noted Epstein's favorite brag: his friendship with Trump. In response, Trump staged a loud military flyover to drown them out, held his own Oval Office event with Poland's new right-wing president, and again dismissed the survivors' claims as a “hoax”—despite warning GOP lawmakers the night before that forcing DOJ to release the files would be an act of betrayal. Meanwhile, China's massive military parade rolled out thousands of troops and cutting-edge weapons for Xi, Putin, Kim Jong-un, and two dozen other world leaders. Putin even floated meeting Zelensky in Moscow, though given Russia's use of North Korean fighters in Ukraine, that seems like a stretch. Back home, the latest jobs report shows more unemployed Americans than job openings for the first time since 2021. A federal judge also smacked down the Trump administration's $2.6B in Harvard research funding cuts, calling them retaliation dressed up as “antisemitism” concerns. Florida went full Wild West on public health, ending vaccine mandates for all childhood diseases—measles, polio, the works—while the state's surgeon general bizarrely compared mandates to slavery. And in tech news, Oura's new partnership with the Department of Defense sparked consumer concern about data-sharing, though the company insists civilian users' info won't be touched. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: PBS: ‘The abuse was real,' Epstein survivor implores Trump, who again calls case a ‘hoax' NYT: Trump Welcomes Poland's Right-Wing President to White House CNN: China showcases military strength at parade as Xi stands alongside Putin and Kim Yahoo: There are more Americans out of work than there are jobs open for the first time since April 2021 AP News: Judge reverses Trump administration's cuts of billions of dollars to Harvard University The Guardian: Florida to end vaccine mandates for children as state's surgeon general likens them to ‘slavery' Mashable: What Oura Ring's partnership with the U.S. military means for your data Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices