Advertise on podcast: The Rich Roll Podcast

Don’t forget the struggle, the streets, or your roots, and resist selling out—such is the message from today's guest, Toby Morse. Toby, the frontman of the hardcore punk band H2O and host of the One Life One Chance podcast, is here to dispense a rebellious prescription of Positive Mental Attitude (PMA). Inspired by the 1988 Lower East Side transgressive punk rock scene, Toby formed H2O, synonymous with Straight Edge and PMA communities. Committed to a plant-based, drug, and alcohol-free lifestyle, Toby defies societal norms in the music and tattooed subcultures. Celebrating individuality, he champions misfits, spreading hope for positive change among the youth.  Our conversation explores the profound significance of friendship, fatherhood, and the transformative journey within the hardcore punk movement. Toby advocates for a non-conformist lifestyle, aligning with his passion for animal rights and fostering positivity amidst societal challenges and social media acrimony. We delve into Toby's fitness regimen, cold plunging, and the pursuit of authenticity in podcasting. This conversation is uplifting, insightful, and gratifying—an exploration of punk ethos, friendship, and positivity. Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: Bon Charge:  Use code RICHROLL to save 15% OFF 👉boncharge.com/RICHROLL AG1: Get 5 FREE AG1 Travel Packs 👉 drinkAG1.com/richroll Waking Up: Get a FREE month, plus $30 OFF  👉wakingup.com/RICHROLL Roka: Unlock 20% OFF your order with code RICHROLL  👉ROKA.com/RICHROLL This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp: Listeners get 10% OFF their first month 👉 BetterHelp.com/RICHROLL

Conversation matters—but it only matters if you understand the nature of conversation itself. But how can we improve conversation to better connect and solve the problems we face? Charles Duhigg, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of The Power of Habit, shares insights on improving communication in his latest work, Supercommunicators. With degrees from Yale and Harvard Business School, Duhigg has contributed to prestigious publications like the Washington Post and the New Yorker. In "Supercommunicators," he explores the neuroscience and psychology shaping our interactions. Supercommunicators comprehend the scientific intricacies of human connection. They understand that we engage in one of three conversations every time we speak: What is this really about? How do we feel? And, who are we? The linchpin for establishing connections, deciphering unspoken nuances, and ensuring active listening lies in comprehending the underlying neuroscience and psychology influencing our conversations.  The discussion covers critical concepts like looping for understanding and the matching principle. We explore practical steps for navigating challenging conversations, highlighting the importance of physical mirroring and emotional matching in effective communication. Charles underscores the significance of connection, revealing that a thriving dialogue hinges on comprehending the other person's perspective rather than focusing on persuasion. Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: Inside Tracker: Get 25% OFF all Inside Tracker tests 👉insidetracker.com/richroll  Camelbak: Use code RICHROLL for 20% OFF 👉 CamelBak.com AG1: Get 5 FREE AG1 Travel Packs 👉 drinkAG1.com/richroll Go Brewing: Get 15% OFF with my code Rich Roll 👉gobrewing.com/discount/richroll  Whoop: Enjoy a FREE 30-day trial  👉 join.whoop.com/roll

In a world saturated with comforts, overstimulation, and the perpetual allure of convenience, a crisis has quietly emerged. It is the pervasive influence of the “Scarcity Brain” that wires our minds to crave more. Michael Easter, an author, investigative journalist, and UNLV professor, offers insights to rectify the craving mindset in his books, The Comfort Crisis and the New York Times bestseller Scarcity Brain. Michael reveals the driving psychological aspect behind our technological compulsions—exploiting the scarcity loop—comprising components of opportunity, unpredictable rewards, and quick repeatability. Our evolutionary origins in scarcity clash with our present reality of abundance. The conversation extends to Michael’s journey with sobriety, exploring the scarcity loop’s impact on addictive behaviors. It delves into strategies for reducing addictive behaviors, achieving balance with technology, and addressing the comfort crisis. We also discuss social media’s impact on the brain, minimalism, and technological addictions. Understanding the psychological loop can transform our relationship with the digital world, and recognizing these behaviors is crucial for positive change. The hope is that this revelatory conversation equips you with tools to identify scarcity loops, understand your interactions, and reverse these behaviors.  Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: LMNT: Get a FREE sample pack here 👉 drinkLMNT.com/RICHROLL Eight Sleep: Get $200 OFF the Pod 3 Cover 👉 EightSleep.com/RICHROLL  AG1: Get 5 FREE AG1 Travel Packs 👉 drinkAG1.com/richroll Squarespace: Use code RichRoll to save 10%  👉Squarespace.com/RichRoll  On: Get 10% OFF 👉 on.com/RICHROLL

Harvard’s renowned “Mother of Mindfulness,” Dr. Ellen Langer offers an insightful assessment: the root cause of global challenges lies in mindlessness. With an illustrious forty-five-year career and the distinction of being the first woman to attain psychology tenure at Harvard. Her extensive work spans diverse topics, including the illusion of control, mindful aging, stress, decision-making, and health, challenging the conventional mind-body dualism in Western medicine.In her latest book, The Mindful Body: Thinking Our Way to Chronic Health, Dr. Langer delves into the transformative potential of mindfulness for improving health. This conversation dismantles the separation between mind and body, exploring the concept of mind-body unity. She dissects the power of belief, dispels the illusion of control, and offers a novel perspective on decision-making and manipulation. The discourse extends to the psychological construct of fatigue, demonstrating how mindfulness positively influences physical endurance.Advocating for a paradigm shift, Dr. Langer encourages liberating ourselves from past experiences and conventional wisdom. This transformative mindset, she asserts, unlocks untapped potential, fostering increased agency and empowerment. The discussion reveals intricate connections between the mind and body, providing practical tips and cutting-edge research to empower individuals to take control of their health and achieve enhanced well-being. Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: Seed: use code RICHROLL25 for 25% OFF 👉 seed.com/RICHROLL Birch: Enjoy 20% OFF + 2 free eco-rest pillows 👉 BirchLiving.com/richroll On: Get 10% OFF 👉 on.com/RICHROLL Momentous: Get 20% OFF OFF 👉 livemomentous.com/richroll Waking Up: get a FREE month, plus $30 OFF 👉  wakingup.com/RICHROLL This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp: Get 10% OFF your first month 👉 BetterHelp.com/RICHROLL.

Last fall, Harvey Lewis captured the international spotlight at Big’s Backyard Ultra in rural Tennessee. The high school teacher broke a world record, running an astounding 450 miles in 108 hours—more than the distance from DC to Boston.  But—I implore you—don’t let his humility deceive you. Inside Harvey roams a myriad of animalistic tenacity ready to be unleashed. A beloved teacher at Cincinnati School for Creative and Performing Arts, Harvey redefines human capability with 27 years of ultra-running experience, 115 ultras, podium finishes at Badwater 135, and a five-time USA National 24-hour Team member. Today, we explore Big’s, including Harvey's readiness to run through another night, his approach to sleep deprivation, spirit animals, transcendence, and mindset. Harvey guides us through his coach-less training and the motivations behind his extensive running feats, racing for the Brighton Center, a Kentucky non-profit supporting families.  Additionally, Harvey’s fiancée, Kelly, provides exclusive insights into his personality and kindness, sharing charming details like stopping for lightning bugs and hosting popsicle parties. She discusses her ultra-running experiences and participation in Netflix's Squid Game Challenge. I immensely admire Harvey. He embodies humility, champions gracefully, and exudes a delightful presence—a hero the world needs. Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: CamelBak: Get 20% OFF with code RICHROLL 👉camelbak.com Bon Charge: Enjoy 15% OFF with code RICHROLL 👉boncharge.com/RICHROLL Squarespace: Get 10% OFF 👉squarespace.com/RICHROLL Plunge: Use code RICHROLL for 150$ OFF 👉plunge.com AG1: Free AG1 Travel Packs 👉DrinkAG1.com/RICHROLL

Amidst the growing concerns over nutritional safety, there is a pressing need for increased awareness about making informed choices and living in a healthy environment. But how can we guarantee the safety of our food, water, and consumer products? Today, I’m speaking with Ken Cook, the President and co-founder of the non-profit Environmental Working Group (EWG). We delve into the organization's pioneering role in digital innovation. EWG’s user-friendly, science-driven tools empower American families to minimize exposure to potential hazards in food, water, cosmetics, and household products. Recognized as a prominent environmental critic, Ken sheds light on the influence of lobbying on environmental policy and the urgent need to rebuild trust in regulatory bodies.  Our discussion covers diverse topics, from harmful chemicals in personal care products to the divergent regulatory approaches between Europe and the US. Ken also addresses agricultural subsidies, the farm bill, and the pivotal role of consumer choices in driving positive industry changes. The episode concludes by highlighting EWG’s Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 lists, advocating conscious consumer choices, and recognizing the significant impact of young people in shaping a positive future. Additionally, practical guidance is provided for informed shopping decisions, encouraging using EWG’s valuable resources.  Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: INSIDE TRACKER: Get 25% OFF tests 👉insidetracker.com/RICHROLL ON: Enjoy 10% OFF 👉ON.com/RICHROLL EIGHT SLEEP: $250 OFF 👉EIGHTSLEEP.com/RICHROLL GO BREWING: 15% OFF with code RICHROLL 👉GOBREWING.com AG1: Free AG1 Travel Packs 👉DrinkAG1.com/RICHROLL WAKING UP: FREE Month 👉WAKINGUP.com/RICHROLL Peace + Plants, Rich

Today we discuss, perhaps, the most audacious goal in the history of humanity and question: is death inevitable?  Bryan Johnson is a modern-day explorer who has dedicated significant resources over the last few years to arresting—and possibly even reversing—his biological age. In doing so, he is reframing the zeitgeist and revolting against our culture of self-destructive behaviors. Centered on Project Blueprint and the ambition to halt and potentially reverse biological aging, he challenges cultural norms that tend towards self-destructive behaviors.  Despite my initial skepticism, Bryan’s mission emerges as humanitarian. His ventures include Kernel, a brain activity monitoring company, and OS Fund, a science and tech venture capital firm. We explore Bryan’s exodus from Mormonism and his AI-centric vision for the future.  Amid critical press, I urge listeners to approach with discernment as Bryan delves into longevity science with emotional depth. It prompts profound contemplation about aging and humanity’s role in an imminent, unimaginable future.  Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: INSIDE TRACKER: Get 25% OFF tests 👉insidetracker.com/RICHROLL ROKA: Enjoy 20% OFF 👉ROKA.com/RICHROLL BON CHARGE: 15% OFF 👉BONCHARGE.com/RICHROLL AG1: Free AG1 Travel Packs 👉 drinkAG1.com/RICHROLL WAKING UP: FREE Month 👉WAKINGUP.com/RICHROLL This episode was brought to you by BetterHelp: enjoy 10% off your first month 👉BETTERHELP.COM/RICHROLL Peace + Plants, Rich

As the new year unfolds, resolutions often falter, particularly those related to food habits. Acknowledge this truth with gravitas—most diets fail most of the time. Neuroscientist Dr. Jud Brewer challenges conventional weight loss wisdom, exposing the myth of willpower from a neuroscience perspective. In his third podcast appearance (RRP episodes 471 and 586), Dr. Brewer, Brown University’s Mindfulness Center director and School of Public Health and Psychiatry professor, delves into his latest book, The Hunger Habit. Drawing on two decades with thousands of patients, he advocates attention, mindfulness, and curiosity for healthier choices. Evolutionarily, our brains, seeking certainty, create habit loops with triggers, behaviors, and results. The reinforcing dopamine spritz forms a stubbornly resistant, recalcitrant loop. Dr. Brewer scientifically addresses breaking these habits. Today, we explore the neuroscience of habits, dopamine’s role, the absence of willpower in behavior change, and the importance of self-acceptance. Note: This discussion may be confronting for those with eating disorders; seek help at www.nationaleatingdisorders.org. Dr. Brewer’s blend of Eastern traditions and hard science provides practical solutions. This episode is a must-listen if you’re wrestling with cravings or food compulsions. Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: SEED: Enjoy 25% OFF 👉 seed.com/RICHROLL ON: Get 10% off on.com/RICHROLL AG1: Free AG1 Travel Packs 👉 drinkAG1.com/RICHROLL Peace + Plants, Rich

Obsessive worry about what others think of you may keep you safe—but it will also keep you small. In our evolutionary past, belonging to a tribe was crucial for survival, as rejection posed a near-death peril. Although societal dynamics have evolved, our brains still assess how others perceive us, giving rise to the Fear of People’s Opinions. The crux of the fear hinges on the learned behavior of identifying ourselves as separate selves—masquerading like we are individuals in a social world—rather than recognizing that we are social animals who have learned to identify as separate selves.  Here to guide our dance through this carnival of life is Dr. Michael Gervais.  Dr. Gervais, a leading expert in human performance psychology, returns for his fifth appearance to discuss his new book, The First Rule of Mastery: Stop Worrying About What People Think of You, which is all about liberating yourself from the opinions of others. The rubric is to turn the spotlight inward, understand your purpose and values, and create a structure that aligns with them, muting the extraneous noise of the outside world.  With decades of experience in high-stakes environments, Dr. Gervais is toppling the pathologized psychology model. His clients include the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks, Olympic medalists, MVPs from major sports, world record holders, musicians, and corporate leaders. Beyond this, he hosts the instructive Finding Mastery Podcast and has been featured by every major media outlet. Today’s conversation delves into Dr. Gervais’ transition from working with athletes to corporate leaders, emphasizing the power of vision and imagination, mental skills, the pervasive Fear of People’s Opinions, and the profound concept of purpose. I hope this conversation proves educational and formative on your intellectual journey. Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: Timeline Nutrition: TimelineNutrition.com/RICHROLL Squarespace: Squarespace.com/RICHROLL Momentous: livemomentous.com/RICHROLL Go Brewing: GoBrewing.com/RICHROLL Peace + Plants, Rich

What do you do when the power goes out? You improvise and turn it into a creative act.  At the age of 22, confronted with a leukemia diagnosis amid the tumult beyond her control, Suleika Jaouad made a profound decision to embrace the art of journaling. Deliberately opting to distill insights from her affliction, she endeavored to endure her newfound residency in a Manhattan hospital in a meaningful and aesthetically resonant manner while giving ink to the intricacies that proved profoundly challenging to articulate. What began as a daily journal evolved into Life, Interrupted, an Emmy award-winning column and video series showcased in The New York Times, chronicling Suleika’s experiences from her hospital bed.  Our conversation today revolves around her leukemia diagnosis at a young age, the relinquishment of independence and identity in the throes of illness, the transformative power of writing as both agency and healing, and the embrace of the tumultuous and uncertain in-between space that defines life post-illness. We also discuss her newly intimate Netflix documentary, American Symphony—a beautiful exploration of Suleika and her husband, John Batiste’s lives individually and together.  This is exchange is about what it means to live a creative life, to be in a creative, collaborative relationship, and how mindfully to navigate hardship.  I hope it will be a wellspring of inspiration for you. Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/RICHROLL ROKA: roka.com/RICHROLL AG1: drinkAG1.com/richroll This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp: betterhelp.com/RICHROLL Peace + Plants, Rich

What if we framed midlife not as a crisis but as a transformative chrysalis—a liminal period where profound awakenings unfold? What if we saw it as an opportunity to shed old layers, unfurl our wings, and share the pollen of our wisdom with the world? Guiding us from pupa to butterfly, we have the Monarch himself, Chip Conley.  Returning to the show for the second time (Chip first appeared on episode 681), Chip founded the Modern Elder Academy, the pioneering midlife wisdom school dedicated to transforming aging. He is also a New York Times bestselling author. In his latest book, Learning to Love Midlife: 12 Reasons Why Life Gets Better with Age, Chip retools conventional notions of life in our 40s, 50s, and 60s. Drawing from the latest social science research, moving anecdotes, and enduring wisdom, he unveils 12 compelling reasons why life becomes more prosperous and fulfilling as we age. Today’s conversation revolves around how we conceptualize and define life stages, the concept of Age Fluidity, the age curve of happiness, and the importance of cultivating regenerative communities. We also explore Chip’s personal journey with cancer, the distinction between showing up and showing off, the role of being a conduit for ideas and collaboration, the essence of being a Modern Elder, the concept of age apartheid, and the value of generational dinners. For individuals seeking to infuse greater purpose and satisfaction into their professional journey, especially those who have dedicated a significant portion of their career to a specific path and are now pondering fresh opportunities, this conversation is a must-listen. Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: Bon Charge: boncharge.com/RICHROLL  On: on.com/RICHROLL Whoop: join.whoop.com/roll.  Eight Sleep: EightSleep.com/RICHROLL  AG1: drinkAG1.com/richroll Peace + Plants, Rich

Through the years, I’ve maintained transparency about my journey with alcoholism—a label I’ve embraced in the solitude of self-discovery. However, this characterization doesn’t resonate with most individuals. The majority of drinkers engage in a marginally excessive indulgence in alcohol. While this behavior may not be catastrophic in the traditional sense, it does raise discernible concerns. The persistent hangovers, lethargy, and resulting melancholy it begets become tiresome. The desire to desist is tangible, but the seamless integration of alcohol into social and professional settings renders the prospect of abstention seemingly insurmountable. Today’s guest found himself ensnared within precisely this behavior pattern. Ruari Fairbairns is a former oil broker from London who—after a falling out with booze—decided it was time to put the plug in the jug. The benefits were so profound that he later walked away from his career in finance to become a full-time advocate for an alcohol-free lifestyle. Ruari, alongside collaborator Andy Ramage (featured in episode 444 in 2019), co-founded a pioneering institution, One Year No Beer, in 2015, a subscription-based bastion of sobriety with over 100,000 global members. Beyond his role as co-founder, Fairbairns co-authored the UK bestseller The 28-Day Alcohol-Free Challenge. He also co-hosts the One Year No Beer Podcast, guiding listeners on a journey of wisdom and sobriety. In this episode, we delve into the gradual transformation of society’s relationship with alcohol, dissecting the negative repercussions on both mind and body. We explore the need for heightened awareness around alcohol, challenging the traditional narrative and embracing a healthier relationship with it. Ruari guides us through compelling discussions on stress, trauma, ADHD, emotional sobriety, and the pivotal role of community in the transformative journey. As we welcome the New Year and the possibilities it presents, I offer this conversation as an encouragement to consider the many ways in which alcohol continues to interfere with your health, hopes, and dreams. Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: On: on.com/RICHROLL Go Brewing: gobrewing.com/discount/richroll  Birch:https://bit.ly/birchliving AG1: DrinkAg1.com/RICHROLL Squarespace: Squarespace.com/RICHROLL Peace + Plants, Rich