Align Podcast

In this episode of the Align podcast, Steven and I talk about what it means to get older and the myths around ageing. We also discuss how we can develop wisdom, where it exists in the brain and how we can access it as we get older. Steven tells us about how you can age more healthily by staying creative, spending time in nature, nurturing social connections and more. We also touch upon the misconceptions about trauma and its benefits. If you want to find out how to thrive in your older years, give this a listen! Steven Kotler is a New York Times bestselling author, an award-winning journalist, and the Executive Director of the Flow Research Collective. He is one of the world’s leading experts on human performance. Steven is the author of eleven bestsellers (out of fourteen books), including The Art of Impossible, The Future is Faster Than You Think, Stealing Fire, The Rise of Superman, Bold and Abundance. His work has been nominated for two Pulitzer Prizes, translated into over 50 languages, and has appeared

When is the last time you called your friends? In this episode of the Align Podcast, Daniele and I talk all about the loneliness epidemic and how little it's talked about amongst men in particular. We discuss how we should rebuild the foundations of our society in order to make it easier for people to express themselves and release their emotions and how physical communication varies between cultures. Daniele also touches upon the ‘friendship recession’ and whether capitalism pushes us towards sacrificing our relationships in exchange for successful careers. Human contact and connection are the foundation for health and well-being, but our society is currently in a deficit of close human relationships. Have a listen to find out how we can change the narrative! Daniele Bolelli (born January 11, 1974) is an Italian writer, university professor, martial artist, and podcaster based in Southern California. He is the author of several books on philosophy, and martial arts, including On the Warrior's Path. K

In this episode of The Align Podcast, Blu and I talk about some of the deepest and most meaningful aspects of the human experience. We discuss how crucial it is to learn about emotional intelligence, non-violent communication and self-exploration. Blu also tells us about her experience with hearing loss and how that played into feelings of loneliness and insecurity. She expresses how important it is to become aware of one’s powers and learn to love ourselves for who we truly are. We also delve into our relationship with fear, how we perceive the world and the shift in consciousness within our society.  Blu is a highly entertaining and engaging storyteller, activation artist, podcast host and the co-founder of Florescence – a modern mystery school for women. She has dedicated the past decade to her understanding of the medicinal nature of the plant kingdom, as well as the archetypal nature of the collective unconscious, so that she may enter into the shamanic realms of transmuting suffering into liberatio

How many real connections do you actually have in your life? In this episode of The Align Podcast, Neeta Bhushan and I talk all about moving through the hard things in your life and having a deeper understanding of your emotions. We discuss the loneliness epidemic within our society and how to combat those feelings of isolation. We also speak on our experiences with anxiety, how our body holds all of our deepest wounds and how we’re able to connect to those in order to heal. Neeta also shares her own personal story of loss and grief and how she managed to turn the lessons in her life into learning for others. As co-founder of the Global Grit Institute, a mental health training platform for leaders and coaches, co-founder of the Dharma Coaching Institute, training thousands to live their best lives, and a thriving coach in her own right, Neeta Bhushan has helped thousands of people move past their heartbreaks, failures, and disappointments. And after years of research into human behavior, observing people in t

In this episode of The Align Podcast, I talk with the most successful woman in the history of American open-wheel car racing and serial entrepreneur, Danica Patrick. She tells us all about her journey as a woman in a male-dominated industry and how her career might have affected her experience of femininity. We speak about the stigmas surrounding gender roles and sexuality and how important it is to be in touch with both our feminine and masculine energies. We also discuss our emotional connections with our inner child, how that manifests itself in our relationships and why we need to accept our vulnerabilities in order to trust the people in our lives. How much are you willing to open up in order to truly heal? Danica Patrick is admired by millions as a trailblazer and especially as a role model for young people, women and men alike, aiming to rise to challenges and pursue their own passions. As a serial entrepreneur, she has launched successful ventures from apparel to wine, including her American and Frenc

In this episode of The Align Podcast, we talk all things pelvis. From why certain people experience leaking to how we can improve our pelvic mobility. We discuss how we don’t move enough in our day-to-day life, what effects that may have on our health and what exercises we can try to strengthen our pelvic floor muscles. We also explore the relationship between the pelvic floor and the respiratory diaphragm and how regularly shifting resting positions can highly benefit us. Sara then tells us about the connection between sexual trauma and the pelvic floor as well as what it means if you have painful sexual intercourse. If you also want to find out what we think about our current way of dealing with bowel movements, take a listen! Dr. Sara Reardon PT, DPT, WCS is a doctor of physical therapy and board-certified pelvic floor physical therapist specializing in the treatment of bowel and bladder issues, painful intercourse, pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and menopause. Motion is motion, how are we supposed to fun

In this episode of The Align Podcast, Louisa Nicola and I go deep into how we can enhance our cognitive function, our life longevity and the overall regulation of our nervous system. We discuss how important the mind-body connection is and how this can be strengthened through movement and other practices. We then tap into loneliness, how it plays a vital role in our emotional health and whether it could be the primary factor contributing to human happiness. Louisa also discusses the dangers of alcohol addiction, the concept of dopamine fasting and the benefits of journaling.  Neurophysiologist and human performance coach, Louisa Nicola is the founder and head performance advisor of Neuro Athletics - a consulting firm that boasts the best athletes in the world. By using science-driven data from EEG scans, lab tests and cognitive assessments, Louisa has a first-class ticket inside the brain of elite NBA and MLB stars. Louisa graduated from the University of Sydney medical school with a major in neurophysiology

In this episode of The Align Podcast, we talk about all things nutrition and the connection between our psychological state and our physiology. Chris tells us about the psychosomatic relationships of our cultures, our minds, and our biology. We debate whether everything we know about nutrition is actually true and discuss the importance of human connection and touch on our health, especially after the pandemic. We go over how to live a healthy life, why we exercise and how how to mix ancestral wisdom with modern technology. Chris Kresser M.S., L.Ac. is the co-founder of the California Center for Functional Medicine, the founder of Kresser Institute, the host of the top-ranked health podcast Revolution Health Radio, the creator of ChrisKresser.com, and the New York Times best-selling author of The Paleo Cure and Unconventional Medicine. He is one of the most respected clinicians and educators in the fields of Functional Medicine and ancestral health and has trained over 2,000 clinicians and health coaches from

In this episode of The Align Podcast, human behaviour expert John Demartini tells us all about emotional intimacy and how to open up your heart to love. We also discuss what it really means to live a good life and how comparison can cause imbalances in our perception. We talk about the differences between love, infatuation and grief and what it really is we miss after losing someone or something in our lives. John also reveals how to define your personal values and how to truly find purpose in your life. Dr. John Demartini is a polymath and a world-renowned human behaviour expert. He has five decades of research across multiple disciplines. His work has been described by students as the "most comprehensive body of work," and "an extensive library of wisdom," as well as "wisdom of the highest and most valuable order." Dr. Demartini's mission and vision is to share knowledge and wisdom that empowers you to become a master of your own life and destiny. His education curriculum ranges from personal growth seminar

In this episode of The Align Podcast, we talk all about intimacy, opening up to love and the fears that may block us from doing so. We also discuss what it really means to heal our emotional wounds and whether our partners should be responsible for holding our childhood trauma. John tells us all about the masculine and feminine essence and how everybody needs an integration of both to reach the perfect balance. We also touch upon sex, healthy communication and navigating grief. John Wineland is an author, teacher and speaker who has been guiding both men and women in the realms of life purpose, relational communication, spiritual intimacy, sexual intimacy and embodiment. John brings a multi-faceted approach, which is both energetic and highly practical, to his workshops and experiential coaching sessions. John's embodiment-driven teaching draws from not only over 30 years experience of his own Buddhist meditative practice, but from 13 years of intensive study and practice in Yogic Intimacy. Drawing from the d

In this episode of The Align Podcast, we talk about all things sex and most importantly, pleasure. Dr Laurie Mintz explains what an orgasm actually is, why it’s so important and how it differentiates between men and women. We then go on to discuss the orgasm gap and why it’s so prominent within our society. We debate how the patriarchy, body image issues, sexual trauma and cultural pressures ultimately play an important part in our sex lives. Dr. Laurie is the author of two popular and highly acclaimed books on sexual pleasure, Becoming Cliterate: Why Orgasm Equality Matters and How to Get it and A Tired Woman’s Guide to Passionate Sex: Reclaim Your Desire and Reignite Your Relationship. She wrote her books to empower women sexually, and thousands of women who have read them have regained their sexual desire, as well as improved their sexual satisfaction, arousal, lubrication, and rates of orgasm. Men who have read the books have also learned how to pleasure women and become better sexual communicators. Becom

This episode of the Align Podcast is a little different. Scott Berman and I talk all things ‘Darkness Retreat’. We discuss what it is, its origin and why people, including myself, decide to take part. We go over all the mental and physical benefits of a darkness retreat as well as the struggles and fears it might bring up. I share my personal experience, how I wish I prepared and why it was unlike anything I could have ever imagined. Scott Berman is the founder of Sky Cave Retreats - the first darkness retreat center in the US. Throughout the last decade, he has spent over two years in self-guided solo retreats in remote wilderness. He did his first darkness retreat in 2012 and has spent over 70 days in multiple darkness retreats and has also done a couple with his wife Jill. Over the last few years, he has supported hundreds of people in their dark retreats and has been pioneering the darkness therapy movement at his center in Ashland, Oregon. Thank you to our sponsors: biOptimizers: Use code ALIGN10 for 10%

A couple of months ago I attended a darkness retreat and shortly after, some life events catalyzed me to embark on a journey of somatically based therapy which has turned into one of the most impactful shifts of my life. This episode provides my personal experience with therapy as well as an overview of different approaches and suggestions on how and why to begin the process of unpacking stored trauma within the body.  And, BIG NEWS: we're are doing a MASSIVE GIVEAWAY!!

In this episode of the Align podcast, Psychology expert Gabor Maté tells us all about trauma, how we can define it and how we can solve our internal psychological wounds. We explore the relationship we have with ourselves and others and what it truly means to be vulnerable. We also speak about the repression of our emotions, the essence of human nature and whether evil really exists within people or in the nature of their actions. A renowned speaker and bestselling author, Dr. Gabor Maté is highly sought after for his expertise on a range of topics including addiction, stress, and childhood development. Dr. Maté has written several bestselling books, including the award-winning In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction, When the Body Says No: Exploring the Stress-Disease Connection, and Scattered: How Attention Deficit Disorder Originates and What You Can Do About It, and has coauthored Hold On to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers. His works have been published interna

Here's a simple list of my biggest lessons from 2022, consolidated down to 20 minutes and 7 lessons. Happy new year!   Exercise generosity (like a muscle) daily - what you give comes back multiple-fold Practice compassion for yourself and those around you daily - without it you’ll always feel like a guest in your own heart. Create space daily to listen deeply to your internal self as well as those around you - everything you need is with you now. Intimate relationships are of the most powerful and sacred forms of deep healing work. If you choose to lean into them and are courageous enough to open your heart, it creates space for the oldest and stickiest contractive patterns from the past to be integrated and released. Your relationship is to be deeply honored, respected, and nurtured daily if you care for it to be fruitful. Take actions daily to develop self-respect and trust in yourself - do the hard things, and habituate yourself to excellence. You are only as strong as your team. Invest in people - hire

In this episode of the Align Podcast, Lorin Kren talks all about intimacy and how to develop trust within yourself and your relationships. We discuss how romantic relationships are the deepest and most spiritual paths to understanding ourselves and our past traumas and question why we might be afraid to open up. Lorin also shares his thoughts on how to protect our partners from our own wounds, interpreting the meaning behind our emotions and knowing when to ask for help. Lorin Krenn is an internationally sought after teacher in the field of relationships, who helps people to experience deep intimacy through the power of masculine & feminine polarity. Lorin has worked with countless clients all over the world, including star coaches and highly successful CEOs. Lorin is known for his provocative style and down-to-earth approach when it comes to relationships and sex. As well, he is the author of the highly-rated book ‘Understand Women Better’. Before Lorin started teaching, he trained with exceptionally exp

Did you know that the average human attention span is now 47 seconds? In this episode of The Align Podcast, Dr Gloria Mark tells us all about our attention span and how social media has increased distractions, affected our screen time, and altered our relationships with people. We tackle questions like “Is there a limit to how much information our brains can take?”, “Do we use short attention spans to avoid our feeling?” and “How can we reclaim our attention abilities?”. Find out how technology has affected our daily lives, culture and our emotional self. Gloria Mark is Chancellor’s Professor of Informatics at the University of California, Irvine and has been a visiting senior researcher at Microsoft Research since 2012. She received her PhD from Columbia University in psychology. She studies the impact of digital media on people's lives: their attention spans, multitasking, distraction, mood and behavior when they use their computers and smartphones. She also studies the future of work, and how remote work i

Have you ever wondered where all your thoughts and memories are stored in your brain? In this episode of The Align Podcast, we talk all about the anatomy of the brain, our minds and how they affect our relationships with others and the world around us. Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor also shares her experience with suffering a stroke and how she managed to regain control of her brain. We speak about the dangers of psychedelics, what we can learn from a schizophrenic brain and how the four different character types of the brain ultimately affect our personalities. Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor is a Harvard-trained and published neuroscientist. In 1996 she experienced a severe haemorrhage in the left hemisphere of her brain causing her to lose the ability to walk, talk, read, write, or recall any of her life. Her memoir, My Stroke of Insight, documenting her experience with stroke and eight-year recovery, spent 63 weeks on the New York Times nonfiction bestseller list and is still routinely the #1 book in the category Stroke in

In this episode of the Align Podcast, Connie Zack tells us all about Infrared saunas. We go through the differences between traditional Finnish and infrared saunas and how our bodies react to each one. We then discuss the incredible health benefits that infrared can provide us and all the ways in which we can detoxify our bodies through them. We also talk about sound therapy, light healing and how to optimise your sleep through this process. Have a listen for a truly enlightening conversation! Connie Zack is co-owner of Sunlighten™, the global leader in infrared light therapy and infrared sauna manufacturing. After seeing how spending time in an infrared sauna transformed her brother's traumatic health issues, Connie and her husband committed everything they had to helping others through the benefits of nature's healing infrared light. They've now spent more than 22 years bringing light, hope and happiness to people around the world with locations in 13 countries, as well as operating an award-winning day spa

In this episode of the Align Podcast, Manoj Dias and I dive deep into the fundamentals of Buddhism. We break down its principles and discuss how these can be implemented in our daily lives. We also talk about the concept of suffering. Why do we suffer? Do we chase pain? And how can we reduce it? Dias also shares his personal meditation practices with us and how we can better understand our minds and increase our levels of awareness. If you want to find out more about getting in touch with your humanity and reaching a spiritual awakening then you don’t want to miss this one! Manoj is VP of mindfulness and co-founder of Open - Open is a mindfulness app built to transform your life, with breathwork, meditation, and movement practices. Through mindfulness & meditation, Manoj has helped thousands of people around the globe trade mania for pause, so that they can live a happier, more meaningful life. You can practice with Manoj on Open's app or website, or in person at Open's studio in Venice, CA. Thank you to