Everyday Ancestral with James Barry

Alcohol has been with us since the dawn of civilization woven into ritual and community, yet today, it has become something else entirely. In this conversation with James Swanwick we look at the smiling assassins that keep us drinking and why an alcohol free lifestyle is gaining ground.James is a former ESPN SportsCenter anchor and the author of CLEAR. He is also the founder of Project 90, a neuroscience-based program that helps high achievers including entrepreneurs, executives, physicians, attorneys and athletes step away from alcohol. Together we talk about how culture shaped our relationship to alcohol, why younger generations are drinking less, and what freedom looks like when you choose to live alcohol free.Key TakeawaysAlcohol as Cultural Conditioning – From childhood messaging to Hollywood films, drinking is framed as a rite of passage.The Power of Smiling Assassins – Friends, family, and coworkers who casually offer drinks reinforce the normalization of alcohol.Health Science is Clear – Even one drink a day can damage the brain, despite old myths about wine being heart-healthy.Generational Shift – Gen Z is drinking less, creating new alcohol-free spaces for community and celebration.Freedom Over Willpower – Living alcohol-free isn’t about deprivation, but about choosing clarity, energy, and connection.Reframing Identity – The movement is less about “sobriety” and more about embracing an alcohol-free lifestyle without stigma.Where to Find Our GuestJames Swanwick’s Website: http://alcoholfreelifestyle.comJames Swanwick on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamesswanwick/James Swanwick’s Book “CLEAR”: http://alcoholfreelifestyle.com/clearAlcohol Free Lifestyle on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alcoholfreelifestyleLinks & Resources🎁 Get 10% Off Carnivore BarsFuel your body with clean, shelf-stable nutrition—just meat, fat, salt, and sometimes a little honey.Use code PLUCK at checkout for 10% off at 👉 https://the-carnivore-bar.myshopify.com/pluck🎁 Try Pluck Superfood SeasoningsGet 20% off your first order with code EA20 at http://www.eatpluck.com — real flavor, real nutrients, no junk.

What happens when the mind spirals, the body breaks down, and every conventional path leads to more despair? Emily Penton found herself at that breaking point, facing both bipolar disorder and multiple sclerosis. Instead of giving up, she discovered a way forward by embracing a meat-based diet, nervous system regulation, and a commitment to radical honesty.In this conversation, Emily shares how ancestral eating brought her clarity and healing when medications and therapies left her barely functioning. We talk about the emotional roots of chronic illness, why willpower is a myth, and how clarity can be the most powerful ancestral tool of all. If you’ve ever felt like your body and mind are at war, this story will give you hope.Key TakeawaysFood as Medicine – A meat-based ancestral diet helped Emily stabilize her bipolar symptoms and uncover her body’s deeper needs.Fat and Healing – Understanding that the myelin sheath is made of fat gave Emily the insight to nourish her body through MS.The Myth of Willpower – True transformation comes from nervous system regulation and self-honesty, not pushing harder.Clarity as a Tool – Gaining mental clarity was the turning point that allowed Emily to imagine and build a future.Emotional Roots of Illness – Chronic illness often reflects unresolved emotional pain that needs to be addressed alongside nutrition.Radical Self-Honesty – Facing her life with complete openness created the foundation for healing mind, body, and spirit.Where to Find Our GuestEmily Penton’s Website: https://www.innerclaritysystem.com/Emily on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/innerclaritysystemEmily on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@emilypentonLinks & Resources🎁 Try Pluck Superfood SeasoningsGet 20% off your first order with code EA20 at http://www.eatpluck.com — real flavor, real nutrients, no junk.🎁 Get your FREE Freedom Meats Guide: https://shop.eatpluck.com/pages/freedom-meats-guideI created this free guide to make it easy to eat how we’re meant to—nutrient-dense, energizing, and deeply satisfying. Get it, read it, and enjoy REAL FOOD the ancestral way! 

Emergencies are happening more often, and they’re hitting closer to home — floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires. September is National Emergency Preparedness Month and I could not think of a better guest than Mira Dessy. Mira has lived through Hurricane Harvey and the Texas snow apocalypse and she brings a grounded perspective on why being prepared is essential for both health and peace of mind.Mira explains why a preparedness pantry matters, how a simple bug out bag can make all the difference, and why basic first aid skills are critical when first responders are stretched thin. She shares stories of neighbors coming together in times of crisis and why self reliance builds confidence instead of fear. This is about resilience, community and practical tools that anyone can start putting into place today.Key TakeawaysPreparedness as Everyday Health – Emergency preparedness is a foundation of holistic living and family resilience.Build a Preparedness Pantry – Stock nutritious, shelf stable foods to support health during natural disasters and financial stress.Bug Out Bag Basics – Having essential supplies ready makes evacuation faster and safer.First Aid Skills Matter – Knowing basic first aid reduces reliance on emergency services when disasters strike.Community Resilience – Preparedness strengthens neighborhoods when families share resources and support each other.Self Reliance Creates Confidence – Planning ahead brings peace of mind and the ability to thrive through uncertainty.Where to Find Our GuestMira Dessy’s Website: https://theingredientguru.comMira Dessy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theingredientguruLinks & Resources🎁 Try Pluck Superfood SeasoningsGet 20% off your first order with code EA20 at http://www.eatpluck.com — real flavor, real nutrients, no junk.🎁 Get your FREE Freedom Meats Guide: https://shop.eatpluck.com/pages/freedom-meats-guideI created this free guide to make it easy to eat how we’re meant to—nutrient-dense, energizing, and deeply satisfying. Get it, read it, and enjoy REAL FOOD the ancestral way! 

How many times have you heard me talk about the power of meal planning? I think it is one of the most underrated tools for health and family life. In this episode I sit down with Allison Schaaf, founder and CEO of Prep Dish. She is both a trained chef and a registered dietitian, and she has built her life around the connection between food, nourishment, and simplicity.Allison shares how she first got into cooking as a teenager, inspired by her grandmothers and motivated by her own curiosity. That spark led her to study at Johnson and Wales and Tufts, and eventually to create Prep Dish, where she now helps thousands of families reclaim their evenings with stress free meals. She also opens up about her journey to motherhood, the challenges along the way, and the joy of raising four children.Key TakeawaysMeal Planning is Freedom – Planning ahead is the key to bringing calm and consistency to daily meals.Cooking and Nutrition Go Together – Food should taste good and also make the body feel good.Practical Prep Makes the Difference – A few hours in the kitchen can open up the whole week for family and connection.Ancestral Habits at Home – Returning to whole foods and mindful preparation is a way to feel rooted again.The Journey to Motherhood – Allison’s path to having children was long and shaped her mission to support other women.Life in Rhythm with Nature – From kids to chickens to goats, her home life shows how food and family flow together.Where to Find Our GuestAllison Schaaf on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prepdish/Prep Dish Website: https://prepdish.com/Prep Dish 2-Week Free Trial: https://prepdish.com/ancestralMiscarriage Hope Desk: https://www.miscarriagehopedesk.com/Links & Resources🎁 Try Pluck Superfood SeasoningsGet 20% off your first order with code EA20 at http://www.eatpluck.com — real flavor, real nutrients, no junk.🎁 Get your FREE Freedom Meats Guide: https://shop.eatpluck.com/pages/freedom-meats-guideI created this free guide to make it easy to eat how we’re meant to—nutrient-dense, energizing, and deeply satisfying. Get it, read it, and enjoy REAL FOOD the ancestral way! 

Struggling to stay consistent with your health and fitness goals? The problem might not be your workout plan or willpower, it could be how you see yourself.World-renowned fitness coach and entrepreneur Dan Go shares how to make health and fitness part of your identity. With over 20 years of experience in personal training, weight loss coaching, and fitness mindset transformation, Dan has helped thousands of professionals and parents lose fat, build muscle, and create sustainable healthy habits. His own journey began with a personal health scare that reshaped his entire approach, revealing what truly drives lasting change, how chasing outside approval can quietly derail progress, and why living as the example creates the most powerful ripple effect. That purpose, whether showing up for your own goals or modeling consistency and discipline for your children, becomes the anchor that keeps healthy habits in place for life.Key TakeawaysIdentity-Based Fitness – Become the person who chooses healthy habits without thinking twice.Purpose-Driven Motivation – Tie your goals to what matters most so they’ll outlast any obstacle.Lead by Example – Show up so consistently that others can’t help but follow.Mindset Before Methods – Shift how you see yourself and the right habits will stick.Watch for External Validation Traps – Don’t let the need to impress pull you off course.Break Generational Patterns – Rewrite your family’s story with health at its center.Clarity of Purpose Fuels Discipline – A clear “why” turns discipline into something you live for.Where to Find Our GuestSign up to Dan Go’s Newsletter: https://www.dango.co/newsletterDan Go on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danfounder/Links & Resources🎁 Try Pluck Superfood SeasoningsGet 20% off your first order with code EA20 at http://www.eatpluck.com — real flavor, real nutrients, no junk.🎁 Get your FREE Freedom Meats Guide: https://shop.eatpluck.com/pages/freedom-meats-guideI created this free guide to make it easy to eat how we’re meant to—nutrient-dense, energizing, and deeply satisfying. Get it, read it, and enjoy REAL FOOD the ancestral way! 

Fertility is not a problem to solve. It’s a mirror reflecting how deeply we’re connected to ourselves, our lineage, and our choices.Mandy Muenzer joins me to share her journey of coming off birth control and reconnecting to her feminine wisdom. We explore how somatic movement, emotional healing, and spiritual psychology can help us recover what modern life often asks us to ignore.Mandy is the creator of “The Dance of You”, a healing program rooted in embodiment and truth. Her story offers a path forward for anyone ready to listen to their body and live with deeper intention.Key TakeawaysFertility is Feedback – Your reproductive health reflects your relationship to your body, emotions, and unspoken patterns.Healing Starts in the Body – Somatic practices help process trauma and reconnect us to a deeper inner truth.Birth Control Recovery Matters – Coming off hormonal contraception can trigger unexpected emotional and physical shifts that deserve care and attention.Spiritual Psychology Brings Clarity – Understanding the beliefs behind our behaviors helps create meaningful change.Movement Unlocks Memory – Dance and embodied expression are tools for healing old wounds and accessing joy.Play is Sacred – Joy and pleasure are not distractions. They are central to a life of wholeness and vitality.Where to Find Our GuestMandy Muenzer’s Website: https://spiritualpsychologycoaching.comMandy Muenzer on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpoweredbylove/Free TranscenDance Gift: https://mandy-muenzer.mykajabi.com/transcendance-giftLinks & Resources🎁 Get your FREE Freedom Meats Guide: https://shop.eatpluck.com/pages/freedom-meats-guideI created this free guide to make it easy to eat how we’re meant to—nutrient-dense, energizing, and deeply satisfying. Get it, read it, and enjoy REAL FOOD the ancestral way! 🎁 Get 10% Off Carnivore BarsFuel your body with clean, shelf-stable nutrition—just meat, fat, salt, and sometimes a little honey.Use code PLUCK at checkout for 10% off at 👉 https://the-carnivore-bar.myshopify.com/pluck

What if true health isn’t about getting more flexible or pushing yourself harder, but about starting each day with presence and purpose?In this episode, I sit down with Doron Hanoch, a former monk and experienced yoga teacher, to explore the real origins of yoga and how those teachings can apply to modern life. Most people think yoga is about stretching or physical poses. Doron explains that yoga began as a practice for training the mind and building awareness.We talk about how to reconnect with your body through slow, intentional movement. Doron shares what strength looks like as we age and how to build it without pushing to extremes. He also explains why "listening to your body" can be confusing and what to do instead.This episode is for anyone who feels overwhelmed by health advice or unsure if yoga is right for them. Doron offers practical ways to bring awareness into your daily routine—whether you're breathing at a stoplight, making dinner, or walking outside. These are the small shifts that support deeper health and lasting energy.Key TakeawaysMind Before Movement – True ancestral health starts with mastering the mind. Integration Over Isolation – Your breath, your body, your food, your focus—it’s all one ecosystem. Presence Is Practice – Two minutes of stillness, barefoot on the ground, is a powerful ancestral tool.Slow Is Strong – Intentional, breath-connected movement rebuilds strength and nervous system resilience.Food Flexibility Is Freedom – Intuitive, conscious eating honors both body and spirit.Yoga Starts Off The Mat – It’s not about poses. It’s how you breathe, talk to your kids, make dinner, and move through the day.Where to Find Our GuestDoron’s Website: https://doronyoga.comDoron’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DoronYogaDoron’s Offerings + Courses: https://doron-hanoch.mykajabi.com/offers/bmW9tzgFContact Doron: dh@doronyoga.comLinks & Resources🎁 Get your FREE Freedom Meats Guide: https://shop.eatpluck.com/pages/freedom-meats-guideI created this free guide to make it easy to eat how we’re meant to—nutrient-dense, energizing, and deeply satisfying. Get it, read it, and enjoy REAL FOOD the ancestral way! 🎁 Get 10% Off Carnivore BarsFuel your body with clean, shelf-stable nutrition—just meat, fat, salt, and sometimes a little honey.Use code PLUCK at checkout for 10% off at 👉 https://the-carnivore-bar.myshopify.com/pluck

HPV is one of the most common viruses in the world, yet so few people are given real answers or real options when they test positive. Most only find out they have it through a routine test or once it becomes something more serious. It’s confusing and often leaves you feeling powerless. But there’s a different way to understand what’s happening in your body, and it starts with stress, immunity, and healing.Dr. Doni Wilson is a trailblazer in women’s health who has helped thousands of women clear HPV, prevent cervical cancer, and recover from chronic stress patterns that modern medicine often overlooks. Her own health struggles with chronic migraines, digestive issues, and sensitivities to medications sparked a powerful journey into naturopathic medicine, midwifery, and clinical nutrition, three callings she pursued simultaneously.She breaks down the real story behind HPV and why it’s far more common and misunderstood than most people realize. You'll hear how stress, trauma, and immune depletion can create the conditions for persistent infection. Her approach is rooted in deep support of the body's systems and the belief that true healing begins with understanding what’s really going on beneath the surface.Key TakeawaysHPV is More Common Than You Think – Most people will contract HPV at some point, often unknowingly, and detection usually comes too late.The Stress-Trauma-Immunity Link – Chronic stress and unresolved trauma weaken the immune system, making it harder to clear viruses like HPV.Reclaiming Women’s Health Naturally – Dr. Doni’s protocol helps women clear HPV without invasive procedures by restoring cellular and immune health.Conventional Medicine’s Blind Spot – Standard care often misses the root cause and offers limited options for HPV-positive patients.The Power of Personalized Protocols – Healing is not one-size-fits-all; success comes when we support the body's systems in the right order.Midwifing Your Own Health – You are not powerless. Becoming the steward of your own healing journey is the first and most important step.Where to Find Our GuestDr. Doni Wilson’s Website: https://DoctorDoni.comClear HPV Now Program: https://ClearHPVnow.comDr. Doni Wilson on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdoniwilsonDr. Doni Wilson on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drdoniwilsonDr. Doni Wilson on X: https://twitter.com/glutenfreedocDr. Doni Wilson on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drdoniwilsonLinks & Resources🎁 Get your FREE Freedom Meats Guide: https://shop.eatpluck.com/pages/freedom-meats-guideI created this free guide to make it easy to eat how we’re meant to—nutrient-dense, energizing, and deeply satisfying. Get it, read it, and enjoy REAL FOOD the ancestral way! 🎁 Get 10% Off Carnivore BarsFuel your body with clean, shelf-stable nutrition—just meat, fat, salt, and sometimes a little honey.Use code PLUCK at checkout for 10% off at 👉 https://the-carnivore-bar.myshopify.com/pluck

What if healing chronic pain was less about suppressing symptoms and more about teaching the body to remember how to heal? In part two of our conversation, I go deeper with Dr. Adam Gavine, a practitioner whose approach bridges physiology, movement, and energy in ways I’ve never seen before.Dr. Gavine shares how the Wasabi Method, a system he co-founded with Dave Asprey, uses shockwave therapy and deep tissue communication to bring the body back online. But this isn’t just about a fancy device. It’s about knowing how to apply it with intention, insight, and a serious respect for human physiology. We talk through what chronic pain actually is, why most treatments fail to fix it, and how to access the body’s built-in repair systems, sometimes in as little as two days.If you’ve ever struggled with chronic pain, felt dismissed by mainstream solutions, or wanted a more integrated path to healing, this episode offers a clear, grounded look at what’s possible when we stop outsourcing our wellness and start listening to what the body’s been trying to say all along.Key TakeawaysThe Body Remembers How to Heal – Chronic pain is often the result of disrupted physiology, not permanent damage.Shockwave Therapy Done Right – When used with skill and understanding, acoustic waves can increase blood flow, regenerate tissue, and restore function.Movement Is Medicine – True healing comes from teaching the body how to move again, not just resting or numbing the pain.The Wasabi Method Is More Than a Device – It’s a comprehensive system that includes education, technique, and targeted support for full-body healing.You Don’t Need a Ferrari to Get Results – Healing tools don’t have to be expensive; they have to be used with intelligence and purpose.Two Days Can Change Everything – With the right guidance, it’s possible to see rapid transformation, even in cases that have felt stuck for years.Where to Find Our GuestDr. Adam Gavine’s Website: https://wasabimethod.comDr. Adam Gavine on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wasabimethodLinks & Resources🎁 Get 10% Off Carnivore BarsFuel your body with clean, shelf-stable nutrition—just meat, fat, salt, and sometimes a little honey.Use code PLUCK at checkout for 10% off at 👉 https://the-carnivore-bar.myshopify.com/pluck🎁 Get your FREE Freedom Meats Guide: https://shop.eatpluck.com/pages/freedom-meats-guideI created this free guide to make it easy to eat how we’re meant to—nutrient-dense, energizing, and deeply satisfying. Get it, read it, and enjoy REAL FOOD the ancestral way! 

Is Canadian pride a distraction from deeper truths? What if borders are just an illusion, and immigration debates miss the point entirely?In this thought-provoking conversation, I sit down with B. Lorraine Smith to explore the unseen layers of national identity, economic interdependence, and the ancestral wisdom of bioregional living. Lorraine isn’t just forward-thinking, she’s upstream-thinking. From indigenous sovereignty and Quebec’s autonomy to the fabricated drama around tariffs and trade, she invites us to examine what it really means to belong to a place. Spoiler: it’s not about passports or patriotism.We also dig into the myth of economic simplicity and the media narratives that cloud our understanding of immigration and borders. If you’ve ever questioned the validity of nation-states or wondered what migratory birds might teach us about sovereignty, this episode is for you.Lorraine’s voice is one of the rare few asking us not just where we’re from but how we live where we are.Key TakeawaysBorders Are a Human Construct – Lorraine challenges the very premise of nation-states, urging a return to bioregional belonging over artificial boundaries.Rethinking Immigration Narratives – Instead of fear-based immigration rhetoric, she encourages a systems view of movement, identity, and economic flow.The Truth About Canadian Pride – Patriotism may obscure the realities of indigenous sovereignty, inter-provincial trade dysfunction, and Quebec’s autonomy.Economic Drama vs. System Complexity – Tariffs, trade wars, and financial policies are often oversimplified in political discourse. This episode exposes their layered impacts.Why Bioregionalism Matters Now – Amid global migration and ecological shifts, thinking locally and ecologically offers ancestral wisdom for modern problems.From Tariffs to Truth – Lorraine’s economic insights ground abstract policy debates in real family stories, making complex issues deeply relatable.Where to Find Our GuestB. Lorraine Smith’s Website: https://www.blorrainesmith.com/B. Lorraine Smith on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blorrainesmith/Links & Resources🎁 Get 10% Off Carnivore BarsFuel your body with clean, shelf-stable nutrition—just meat, fat, salt, and sometimes a little honey.Use code PLUCK at checkout for 10% off at 👉 https://the-carnivore-bar.myshopify.com/pluckGet 20% off Pluck Superfood Seasonings using code EA20 at http://www.eatpluck.com