Good Life Project || Inspiration | Motivation | Happiness | Meaning | Success

Did you know doctors are now prescribing activities like art classes, nature walks, and community gardening to treat loneliness, lack of purpose, and other modern ills? In this fascinating episode, Julia Hotz discusses the power of "social prescribing" outlined in her book The Connection Cure: The Prescriptive Power of Movement, Nature, Art, Service, and Belonging. Learn how reconnecting with these ancient wellsprings of human health and happiness can provide an antidote to the soul-draining effects of our frenetic, disconnected lives. If you've been yearning for more meaning, joy, and community, this conversation may be just what the doctor ordered.You can find Julia at: Website | Instagram | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Robert Waldinger about the role of relationships in our ability to live good lives.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources &a

Does depression feel like a prison keeping you disconnected from your true self? In this powerful episode, a pioneering psychiatrist shares groundbreaking brain treatments and profound spiritual insights that can help reignite your vital spark. David Carreon, MD, author of The Opposite of Depression, reveals how transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and simple lifestyle habits like exercise, diet, and spiritual community provide an inspirational roadmap for reclaiming joy, meaning and your authentic self - whether struggling with hopelessness or wanting to truly flourish.You can find David at: Website | LinkedIn | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Bessel Van de Kolk about integrating trauma.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you lost touch with your authentic self after trauma, burnout or years of people-pleasing? Join psychologist Dr. Thema Bryant as she shares a powerful roadmap for reclaiming your true identity.Dr. Bryant, author of Reclaim Yourself: The Homecoming Workbook, unveils how to shed the inauthentic masks we adopt just to fit in. You'll learn to dismantle those facades, reconnect with your core values, and rebuild confidence in your genuine self-expression. Whether you've felt spiritually disconnected or simply adrift, this guide will help you rediscover your most authentic self.You can find Thema at: Website | Instagram | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Bessel Van de Kolk about integrating trauma.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Embark on a transformative journey through Jonathan Fields' captivating spoken word essays. Explore profound insights on unlocking creativity, uncovering your deepest desires, and discovering the true nature of happiness. These thought-provoking pieces will challenge your perspectives on exercise, beauty, and what it means to live a fulfilling life. Get ready to be inspired, enlightened, and empowered to embrace a life of purpose and authenticity.You can find Jonathan's new writing project: Awake at the Wheel | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you'll also love the written essays from this episode. You can find them at Awake at the Wheel.Check out our offerings & partners: Visit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feeling powerless against hormone imbalances, insatiable hunger, and unrelenting cravings? This must-listen episode will transform your understanding as two brilliant pioneers in women's health - Dr. Aviva Romm and Dr. Amy Shah - blend ancient wisdom with cutting-edge science to demystify the driving forces behind hormonal chaos and food temptations.You'll gain profound insights into the interconnected web of your gut, hormones, mindset, and overall vitality unveiled in Dr. Romm's book Hormone Intelligence and Dr. Shah's I’m So Effing Hungry.Episode TranscriptYou can find Aviva at: Website | Instagram | Listen to Our Full-Length Convo with Dr. Aviva RommYou can find Amy at: Website | Instagram | Listen to Our Full-Length Convo with Dr. Amy ShahCheck out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever felt weighed down by invisible pain or chronic illness nobody else can see? In this powerful conversation, trauma specialist Samira Rajabi gets refreshingly candid about her own decade-long journey navigating conditions like a benign brain tumor, headaches, and hearing loss.Drawing from her book All My Friends Live in My Computer: Trauma, Tactical Media, and Meaning, Samira shares coping strategies for the daily struggle of invisible suffering. Discover mindset shifts, tactics for reducing stigma, and insights into radical presence despite inescapable pain.You can find Samira at: Website | Instagram | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Sean Mackey about the science of pain.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you plagued by restlessness, lack of focus, and sleeplessness? Discover Dr. Romie Mushtaq's "The Busy Brain Cure" in this engaging interview. An award-winning neurologist, she reveals the surprising effects of chronic stress on our brains - and her revolutionary 8-week Brain Shift protocol to rewire for calm and clarity. Regain your mental edge through simple, research-backed micro-habits.You can find Dr. Romie at: Website | Instagram | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Light Watkins about meditation.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Explore the mystical world of psychedelic guides with Rachel Harris, Ph.D., author of Swimming in the Sacred: Wisdom from the Psychedelic Underground. In this fascinating discussion, Harris pulls back the veil on the intuitive, somatic ways women elders have been guiding others on sacred psychedelic journeys for decades. Discover the critical role of the shaman in holding the ceremonial container, the differences between Western guides and indigenously trained shamans, and wise advice for anyone curious about ethically exploring this realm. Whether you're new to psychedelics or a seasoned journeyer, this eye-opening conversation offers a rare glimpse into the underground traditions surrounding entheogenic medicines like ayahuasca.You can find Rachel at: Website | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Adam Gazzaley about the science of psychedelics.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our

Does it feel impossible to concentrate these days? You're not alone. In this fascinating discussion, the author of Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention - and How to Think Deeply Again reveals the hidden forces conspiring to hijack our attention spans. From predatory tech platforms to childhood culture shifts, Johann Hari exposes the surprising modern factors undermining our focus.But it's not all bad news - he also shares empowering solutions for reclaiming our minds. You'll learn practical tips to sharpen your concentration alongside Johann's vision for an "attention movement" to reshape society. If you want to think deeply, achieve your goals, and live more purposefully in our frantic world, don't miss this essential listen.You can find Johann at: Instagram | Website | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with neuroscientist Adam Gazzaley on brain function, memory, focus, and his lab's psychedelics research impacting emotions and health.Check out our off

When award-winning author Emma Gannon burned out writing a book redefining success, she took a radical year away from nearly all work. Hear her raw journey barely able to function, winding down her podcast, and stripping life's essentials.But one project remained: her Substack newsletter—a lifeline for creative rebirth. Emma shares the profound freedom of letting go, reclaiming her voice through solitude, and emerging with a "smaller but better" life of true integrity and ease.If you've ever felt disillusioned by society's idea of "making it," Emma's courageous reinvention is a bold masterclass in choosing yourself.You can find Emma at: The Hyphen Substack | Instagram | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Cleo Wade on words for tender times.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trapped by thoughts and beliefs? Anger, grief keeping you stuck? Inspiring teachers Byron Katie and Lama Rod Owens overcame suffering through radical self-inquiry. Learn Katie's "The Work" method and Owens' "Radical Dharma" approach blending Buddhism and his Black, queer identity. Find clarity and freedom in every moment.Episode TranscriptYou can find Byron Katie at: Website | Instagram | Listen to Our Full-Length Convo with Byron KatieYou can find Lama Rod Owens at: Website | Instagram | Listen to Our Full-Length Convo with Lama RodCheck out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Exhausted, cynical, and ineffective? You could be experiencing burnout. In this candid conversation, Dr. Neha Sangwan provides a radical reframe, defining burnout as a profound mind-body disconnect from ignoring our core needs while chasing society's narrow "success."Drawing from her book Powered by Me: From Burned Out to Fully Charged at Work and in Life, Dr. Sangwan outlines a holistic "burnout triad" and life-changing 5-part framework to realign your energy across physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual domains. Discover potent yet simple ways to escape the cycle by reconnecting to your deepest values.You can find Neha at: Website | Instagram | “The Awareness Prescription for Burnout” interactive PDF | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Yvonne Ator on our sister podcast, SPARKED, about ways to reframe burnout.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resource

Author Marisa Renee Lee dives deep into her book Grief Is Love: Living with Loss, recounting personal losses that sparked an awakening - grief stems from love, a vital truth for healing. She dispels myths about "moving on" from grief, instead advocating to embrace it.Marisa shares how marginalized communities face disproportionate grief with little support, underscoring the need for change. You'll learn about self-compassion, vulnerability, and creating "certainty anchors" amidst uncertainty.Whether facing deep loss or supporting a loved one, this conversation provides a refreshing perspective on an inevitable experience.You can find Marisa at: Website | Instagram | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Claire Bidwell Smith about moving through grief.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform

What if the games we play reveal deeper truths about human nature and society? In this mind-expanding conversation, neuroscientist Kelly Clancy, author of Playing with Reality: How Games Have Shaped Our World explores the profound role of games and game theory in understanding ourselves and actively shaping reality itself.Get ready to rethink what constitutes "winning" and embrace an "infinite game" philosophy focused on mutual flourishing over ego-driven conquests.You can find Kelly at: Website | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Nir Eyal about becoming indistractable.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stanford neuroscientist Sean Mackey, MD, PhD reveals pain is highly subjective, shaped by our beliefs and experiences - not just injury signals. He unpacks chronic pain's persistence, promising treatment strategies like brief behavioral therapies, and research toward personalizing care through biomarkers and digital platforms. An illuminating look at pain's complexities.You can find Sean at: Website | Instagram | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Dr. David Spiegel about the surprising science of hypnosis, pain & habit change.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Non-binary author Jeffrey Marsh shares their journey from childhood rejection to joyfully embracing identity. They explore finding life-changing language/community, the path out of self-hatred, and why pronouns matter for human dignity. Marsh dives into myths of control, self-acceptance beyond gender/sexuality, and actively cultivating happiness. Their hard-won wisdom offers an inspiring roadmap for living authentically from their groundbreaking book, How To Be You. An uplifting must-listen on belonging and being true to yourself.You can find Jeffrey at: Website | Instagram | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Trystan Reese about living and advocating for your truth.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if you could rewire your brain to dismantle limiting beliefs and negativity? Neuroscientist Nicole Vignola reveals the power of neuroplasticity in this fascinating listen.Drawing from her book, Rewire: Break the Cycle, Alter Your Thoughts and Create Lasting Change (Your Neurotoolkit for Everyday Life), Nicole provides a roadmap to upgrade your neural circuitry through visualization, meditation, and science-backed practices.You'll learn to overcome subconscious programming and negativity bias. Imagine having more control over your reality by harnessing neuroplasticity. If you want to become the architect of your best life, this mind-expanding episode is essential.You can find Nicole at: Website | Instagram | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Light Watkins about reclaiming a freer story and making big changes in life.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources

Poet Maggie Smith candidly unpacks the lightning strike success of her viral 2016 poem "Good Bones" and how it strained her marriage, ultimately unraveling - an upheaval she unflinchingly explores in her vulnerable memoir You Could Make This Place Beautiful.Smith discusses metabolizing life's "unanswerable mysteries" through writing, going viral as an introvert, modeling authenticity for her kids, and our struggle to embrace life's "andness." With radiant honesty, she pursues the uncomplicated truth of simply being herself through stillness and creativity.This profound dialogue is a masterclass on upheaval, art, and what it means to truly live a good life from one of today's vital literary voices.You can find Maggie at: Website | Instagram | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Liz Gilbert about writing yourself letters from love.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Grea

What if everything society told you about how to find happiness was misleading? My guest Stephanie Harrison, author of New Happy: Getting Happiness Right in a World That's Got It Wrong, challenges the cultural conditioning around chasing achievements, wealth, and status as the path to joy. She provides insights from positive psychology research and her own experience with depression to unravel the myths behind our collective pursuit of happiness. Stephanie offers a practical philosophy centered on sharing our gifts of humanity, wisdom, and talent to create ripples of lasting well-being for ourselves and others. Tune in to rethink what true happiness means and how you can live it.You can find Stephanie at: Website | Instagram | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Dan Lerner about the science of passion.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount C

What's the difference between habits and rituals, and how can everyday routines shape our lives? Author Michael Norton reveals the hidden power of rituals in his new book, The Ritual Effect: From Habit to Ritual, Harness the Surprising Power of Everyday Actions. Discover how rituals create meaning, bind groups, help us grieve, and provoke a diversity of emotions. Learn to appreciate current rituals and add new ones to enhance your relationships, mental health, personal growth and more. Michael’s research shows rituals do far more than habits, transforming the emotional impact of mundane actions. Tune in for practical steps to tap into the ritual effect and imbue your life with greater connection and significance.You can find Michael at: Website | LinkedIn | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with James Clear about habits.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources