Align Podcast

Do you ever wonder how the stories you tell yourself are impacting your reality?   In this episode of the Align podcast, Angus Fletcher and I chat about how the human brain is predisposed to create and tell itself narratives that fit with its hopes and fears and how these stories we tell ourselves influence our perception of life. We also chat about why a human brain will always outperform artificial intelligence, the origins of technology, and what will happen if we fail to go beyond the “selfie” in today’s society.   Dr. Angus Fletcher (PhD, Yale) researches the science of human intelligence--the science of why humans are smarter than machines. His research has been published in The New York Academy of Sciences, Harvard Business Review, and dozens of other academic journals. His most recent books are Wonderworks and Storythinking.     What we discuss:   02:27: What is the power of story? 05:36: What is the effect of culture on an individual who sees the world through the lens of science? 16:

Do you know what species of grass you have in your backyard? Chances are, you don’t.   In this episode of The Align podcast, David Vitalis and I chat about our loss of connection with nature. Many of us live a life where we can’t identify the animals in our backyard or the herbs that grow in our local forests, which are things hunters and gatherers used to be able to do. We unravel the implication such a change may have on our evolution as a species. We also chat about how our ancestors created communities and tribes that are different from the ones we create today.    David Vitalis is a Registered Maine Guide, writer, public speaker, interviewer, and lifestyle pioneer who’s especially interested in helping people reconnect with wildness, both inside and outside of themselves. After learning to hunt, fish, and forage as an adult, Daniel created WildFed to inspire others to start a wild-food journey of their own.     What we discuss:   02:19: Why is the overall health of our population in constant decline

Do you wish you could experience the same effects of alcohol, but without the hangover?   In this episode of the Align podcast, Cameron George and I chat about what Kava is exactly, its main benefits, and how it impacts your nervous system. We also explore what senescent cells are and how they relate to the psychedelic experience of psychotropic medicines. Lastly, we cover how Kava can help reset your sympathetic system.    Cameron is a researcher, writer, entrepreneur and the founder of TRU KAVA, a company that is striving to set the industry standard for quality, safety and education around kava within the mass market. TRU KAVA is focused on developing scalable user-friendly products that deliver the full therapeutic action of the traditional kava drink, which is the only form has been highly prized in south pacific islands for over 3000 years.   What we discuss:   03:16: What does the psychedelic experience like from a neuro-chemical perspective? 09:27: What does it mean to experience a re-sensitizat

Do you make time for play in your day?   In this episode of the Align podcast, Jason Nemer and I chat about the benefits of acroyoga, playing, and connection for our health. While we tend to forget it, humans do need to experience play to feel their optimal selves. We also chat about the concept of the “perfect fit” when it comes to AcroYoga.   Jason Nemer is a world-champion acrobat and the Co-Founder of AcroYoga. Jason’s work was featured in New York Times Bestselling author Tim Ferriss’ book, Tools of Titans.   What we discuss:   03:20: What does it mean to have space in the body? 08:35: What are meridian lines? 18:04: What is AcroYoga? 21:19: What can people learn about their bodies in this process? 31:13: Does the concept of “perfect fit” exist? 43:13: What are the benefits of “play”? 48:50: Where does DougChiang fit in? 01:10:19: What does it mean to be extreme?   To learn more about Jason:   Website:

Did you know that someone’s genetics may explain why some people prefer chaos over order?   In this episode of the Align podcast, Dr. Doug Brackmann and I chat about what it really means to be Driven. Essentially, our Driven characteristics are related to a certain genetic makeup, meaning our ways of being are not simply personality traits but are ingrained in our DNA. We also debate over why love and social acceptance are not the same thing, the differences between intuition and feelings, and why not all feelings are bullshit.    Dr. Doug Brackmann is one of the leading psychologists to some of the most successful and Driven entrepreneurs, pro athletes, executives, and other top performers. By combining the components of meditation, long-range shooting, and therapy, Dr. Doug helps those with Driven characteristics (often wrongfully diagnosed as ADD, ADHD, OCD, or other) to harness their hunter abilities.   What we discuss:    02:43: What about one’s genetics makes them more scientific or spiritual? 0

Did you know that our jaw structure could be an indicator of evolutionary decline?    In this episode of the Align Podcast, Dr. Steven Lin and I chat about what our tongue posture and jaw structure can tell us about our health. We also chat about the health risks associated with over-disinfecting everything and how oral antibacterials can surprisingly increase your risk of diabetes.   Dr. Steven Lin is a world-leading functional dentist, TEDx speaker, and author of the International #1 Amazon Best Selling Book, The Dental Diet. As a passionate preventative, whole health advocate, Dr. Lin focuses on the understanding of dental disease through nutritional principles.      What we discuss: 02:24: Overlays of eastern and western mechanics 04:12: Why does tongue posture matter? 10:12: What can we do with our trauma? 13:40: Is there a link between how we’re using the jaw and nutrition? 20:34: Is there a direct correlation between the structure of our jaw and nutrition? 34:00: Why are humans heading toward

Did you know our suppressed emotions could be ruining our sex lives?   In this episode of the Align podcast, Dr. Lorin Krenn and I chat about the inner work men can do to have better sex and more intimacy in their relationships.  We also chat about how one can know if they’re meant for monogamy or polygamy and how they can determine which partner is perfect for them.    Dr. 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. As well, he is the author of the highly-rated book‘Understand Women Better’.     What we discuss:   02:02: How can a man cultivate himself  in order to have the best sex? 06:23: What is sex? 08:06: What does the process of knowing yourself better look like? 13:46: What is the shadow? 26:00: What is the optimal playing board for modern relationships? 30:19: Why do we experience fear of commitment? 37:00: How does someone know which partner

Did you know that pain is experienced differently by everyone?   In this episode of the Align podcast, Garrett and I chat about why an MRI scan may not show physicians and therapists everything they need to know about the source of chronic pain many patients experience. In fact, the psychological stressors we have within us could be just as much the culprit as something being physically and structurally wrong in the body. Garrett also explains how pain is something that is subjective and is tolerated differently by everyone, as we all separate psychological pain from physical pain differently.   Garrett Salpeter combined training in neuroscience and engineering to start NeuFit, a company at the nexus of neurology and fitness, dedicated to treating athletes and patients in the realization of fitness goals, effective rehabilitation, and improved overall health.   What we discuss:   02:18: What is electrical stimulation therapy? 10:10: What is pain? 19:07: Why does the pain feel different for everyone? 2

Do you know what your meaning in life is? What about your meaning OF life? In this episode of the Align podcast, John Vervaeke, Ph.D. and I share a profoundly striking dialogue on our collective starvation for meaning. Plus, we tackle why we experience a gnawing disconnection from ourselves, from each other, and from nature. As he sheds light on the difference between meaning “in” life vs. meaning “of” life, we also touch on cancel culture, addiction, the power of a flow state of mind in meaning-making, and how to cultivate wisdom in the Age of Disinformation. John Vervaeke, Ph.D., is an author of several books, and he’s been a professor of cognitive science at the University of Toronto since 1994. His award-winning 50-part lecture series on Youtube titled "Awakening from the Meaning Crisis” has garnered 500k+ views worlwide. What we discuss: 0:00 - Introduction to John Vervaeke 3:00 - Culture, Grammar, and the Creation of Meaning 6:00 - What is the Meaning Crisis? 9:00 - The roots of our alienation + how to

Did you know your beliefs about aging can have a direct impact on how long of a life you will live?   In this episode of the Align podcast, Dr. Becca Levy and I chat about how our positive and negative beliefs about aging impact our health.    We also chat about what western cultures can learn from other cultures that celebrate growing old and living until old age, such as the famous blue zones.   Dr. Becca Levy, Ph.D., is an award-winning Yale Professor of Psychology and Global Health. She received her Ph.D. in psychology from Harvard University. She has been invited to testify before the United States Senate on the effects of ageism, contributed to briefs submitted to the United States Supreme Court in age-discrimination cases, and participated in United Nations discussions of ageism.    What we discuss:   04:00: Why did Dr. Levy get involved with the field of aging?   06:04: What is the connection be

Do you think you have stiff ankles? Chances are, you just lack mobility.   In this episode of the Align Podcast, Gray Cook and I chat about the fundamentals of movement and how our current culture is out of touch with them. In Gray’s experience, a simple practice of self-awareness can help us identify a lot of our movement patterns that are broken and allow us to bring it back to their performing state.   We also talk about how we can integrate the basic fundamentals of movement in today’s sedentary modern world where sofas, desks, and cars all have an impact on our mobility.   Gray Cook is a physical therapist, orthopedic certified specialist, and certified strength and conditioning coach. His developments in movement pattern screening and assessment are at the forefront of fitness, physical conditioning, injury prevention, and physical rehabilitation.      What we discuss:    02:36: What are some of the low-hanging fruit in terms of mobility in today’s world? 05:45:Which movement fundamentals should

In today's episode, I'm privileged to host Dr. Kelly Starrett, a Doctor of Physical Therapy, world-leading Mobility expert, and NYT best-selling author who never fails to astound me.   Prepare to learn why an obsession with diet and exercise may not solve your complex health issues, why you shouldn't fear aging, how your thoughts could literally reshape your bones, what it means to restore your “full range of motion,” the relationship of quality movement and lasting joy, plus the major differences between stretching and mobilizing (and why you should be focusing on the latter!).   As a seasoned Movement and Mobility Coach, Dr. Kelly Starrett guides players in the NFL, MLB, NHL, and NBA, Olympic gold medalists, and other world-class athletes. He and his wife Julia Starrett co-founded The Ready State, a fitness firm whose unique programs have amassed over 1.3 million practitioners worldwide.   What we discuss: 5:00 - A bottom-up approach to transforming our health 9:40 - Addressing your false sense of fragility

It only takes 3 minutes a day to be mindful of your posture - and that could take away decades of pain that's been keeping you from performing at your best. The exercises involved in making this happen come from Dr. Eric Goodman's life work called Foundation Training, a movement revolution practiced by thousands globally. In this episode, we look back on his journey to creating this world-class program and why it has become extremely important now that our modern habits are throwing our bodies into serious imbalance and misalignment, causing us to live in constant pain. We share top movement techniques you can easily follow - whether you're sitting in front of a computer, commuting to work, or even standing still.   Dr. Eric Goodman, DC, is an author, chiropractor, international speaker, and the founder and creator of Foundation Training.                                                                                  What we discuss: 0:00 - Introduction to Dr. Eric Goodman 3:00 - Strength training Vs. Founda

Consider your physical performance – when's the last time you crawled your way through a workout or practiced handstands? Probably never. In this episode of the Align Podcast, Mike Fitch explains the evolutionary benefits of training our bodies as animals do: using all four limbs and working with them in a sequence. We talk about relearning archetypal postures and tips for finding more flow in your life when you feel stuck in an unhealthy place or mindset. Mike Fitch is an innovative fitness educator and movement coach with 20 years experience in the fitness industry. Mike has also developed multiple other skills-based bodyweight training programs including the Bodyweight Athlete and is a highly sought after presenter and content contributor.                              What we discuss: 00:00 - Introduction to Mike Fitch 6:00 - Going beyond traditional sports training & back to Primal Movements 8:30 - What & where is tension in the body? 14:00 - Why you should relearn quadrupedal movements 17:00 - Th

Newsflash! You can be eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly yet still be deficient in what science calls the "building blocks of life" – proteins and amino acids.   Today, Angelo Keely joins me for an illuminating episode where we talk about the most important macronutrient of all and why your current diet could be providing you with incomplete blocks of it. Backed with science and an overwhelming passion for educating people, Angelo debunks popular myths about protein and lays out the best sources for life-enhancing amino acids. He also managed to simplify the complicated science behind muscle-protein synthesis and branched-chained amino acids (BCCA) while sharing protein-intake recommendations you probably haven’t heard from anywhere else! Angelo Keely is the co-founder and CEO of Kion, a supplement and functional food company dedicated to helping health and fitness enthusiasts live long, active, joyful lives by providing clean, energy enhancing solutions. What we discuss: 0:00 - Introduction to An

In this episode, we dive into the best and most affordable ways to supercharge your brain health, prevent Alzheimer's Disease, overcome depression through nutrition, and resist a sedentary lifestyle even when you're too lazy to move. With a relatable tone, Max breaks down the connection between cognitive health and cardiovascular health, how critical sunlight exposure is to our circadian biology, what technology is doing to our IQ, and why it's necessary to see food as medicine if you want to build and maintain a healthier eating habit.   Max Lugavere is the author of the New York Times best-seller "Genius Foods: Become Smarter, Happier, and More Productive While Protecting Your Brain for Life," published in 8 languages around the globe. He is also the host of the #1 iTunes health podcast The Genius Life. His newest book "Genius Kitchen" is available for pre-order now.                                                                                                                                              

In our near-dystopian society, progress is measured by power. Dominance over nature, animals, and fellow humans has become synonymous with development. But is humanity's desire to ascend necessarily evil?  In this episode, the great philosopher Charles Eisenstein joins me for a paradigm-shifting conversation. We immerse into the most daunting social and spiritual crises we face today and discuss why acquiring more power, money, wealth, and control isn't the way out.  Also, we go into the power of narratives in influencing culture, how to redefine progress to honor our oneness with nature, the true purpose of wealth, and what it means to live a genuinely good life.    Charles Eisenstein is an intellectual, teacher, public speaker, and author of numerous essays and books, including "Sacred Economics," "Climate—A New Story," and "The More Beautiful World our Hearts Know is Possible."                                                                                                                                  

How do you measure success? Is it through the high, thundering reputation you build for yourself or the lasting inner peace nobody can steal from you?   In this episode of the Align Podcast, Budokon Founder Cameron Shayne and I share a high-level discussion on what it means to be a well-balanced human being in our materialistic culture. He offers a refreshing view on success and explains why you shouldn't aim for superiority over fellow beings and instead strive for unity, harmony, peace, and compassion. As we also discuss gender identity crisis, overpopulation, the "fractionalizing" popular culture, racism, and same-sex marriage, we highlight how movement carves our path toward collective progress and why we need more of it.   Considered the father of the mixed movement arts culture, Cameron Shayne pioneered the phrase and concept of Budokon Mixed Movement Arts. He has spent 25+ years studying and teaching yoga and movement to hundreds of people worldwide.   What we discuss: 0:00 - Introduction to Cameron Sh

What if you can reap the real benefits of the ketogenic diet without putting up with its traditional restrictions? Top heart surgeon and best-selling author of “The Plant Paradox” Dr. Steven Gundry joins me in this very insightful conversation and reveals the shocking truth about traditional keto diets, why most people fail at it, and how to do keto the right way. As the episode ends, Dr. Steven and I reflect on intermittent fasting, the carnivore dogma, humanity’s quest to longevity and why optimistic pessimism largely helps with that. Dr. Steven Gundry spent over 40 years as a cardiothoracic and heart surgeon before he shifted his focus on finding solutions to reversing disease through nutrition. He is the Director and Founder of the International Heart & Lung Institute as well as the Center for Restorative Medicine in Palm Springs and Santa Barbara, CA.  Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction to Dr. Steven Gundry 3:00 - Which staple foods are actually toxic for you? 6:00 - Debunking the keto diet: Where we ge

How can you transform pain into power, heal from a traumatic past, and live happier than ever? #1 New York Times best-selling author Gabby Bernstein joins me in this eye-opening episode to tell us the way. Life is a journey of unlearning fear and remembering love, but fear often ruins our ability to love and be happy. Gabby says we can still reverse that if we're willing to do the work. Here, she lays out the transformational practices that will guide you through your journey to recovery and freedom, from whatever it is that steals your joy. She talks about the therapy that changed her life, why you need to "move through" all the sensations you feel instead of only "getting past" them, and how to handle your psychological triggers masterfully. We also touch on topics like shame, attachment theories, and the scariest of them all...falling in love. Gabby Bernstein is a spiritual teacher, self-help guru, sought-after motivational speaker, and best-selling author of 9 books.   What we discuss: 00:00 - Introductio