Baratunde Thurston is a writer, activist, comedian, podcaster, and media personality who holds space for difficult and complex conversations with his unique blend of humor, wisdom, and compassion. He is an Emmy-nominated host who has worked for The Onion, produced for The Daily Show, advised the Obama White House, and wrote the New York Times bestseller, How To Be Black. He is the executive producer and host of the How To Citizen Podcast, which Apple named one of its favorite podcasts of 2020 and for which Baratunde received the Social Impact Award at the 2021 iHeartRadio Podcast Awards. In 2019, he also delivered what MSNBC’s Brian Williams called “one of the greatest TED talks of all time,” titled, ‘How to Deconstruct Racism, One Headline at a Time’. Baratunde has an incredible ability to integrate and synthesize themes of race, culture, politics, and technology to explain where our nation is and where we can take it. In today’s episode, we dive into his backstory, including his upbringing in the ‘Chocolate City’ of Washington DC and how he learned to wield words across media in service of liberty and justice, plus so much more! What stands out about this interview is Baratunde’s constant commitment to evolution and how he has made process not just a part of his life or an occasional focus, but a lifestyle. Baratunde believes that it’s about the journey, not the destination; it’s about the process, not the outcome. This is a fascinating conversation that provides yet more evidence that we're all born with everything that we need to find our true calling, we just have to be unafraid to do the things that make our heart sing. Tune in today!Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

Sometimes, the luminaries on this show start movements or write books that inspire people. In the case of this week's guest, she created a thriving platform called Get Loved Up, which consists of her bustling social media channels, her YouTube channel, books, and a podcast of the same name. Her name is Koya Webb, and she grew up in a small town in Tennessee with dreams of becoming an Olympian athlete in track and field. She was first introduced to yoga after a debilitating track injury that forced her to drop out of training. Once she recognized the physical and mental benefits of yoga, Koya shifted her focus to personal training and life coaching, combining the work ethic of an athlete with holistic health practices that anyone can follow to live a healthy and active lifestyle.While she still runs a mile a day, her mission is now to connect with her millions of followers and create content that helps them heal themselves and be self-sufficient on their own spiritual paths. Today, Koya is an internationally recognized yoga teacher, celebrity holistic health coach, author, speaker, and vegan activist whose core mission is to promote daily self-care, oneness, and eco-friendly living to combat some of the world’s biggest challenges, including mental health, social injustices, and global warming. In this episode, Koya shares her journey from track star to yoga teacher to vegan chef to internationally renowned wellness influencer and some of the lessons she has learned along the way.As always, you will hear about her upbringing and how it defined who she is today, and Koya offers some insight into what she learned about nurturing from her mother and what basketball taught her about resilience. We also touch on how she learned to love her natural hair, how she realized she didn’t need a gold medal to have an impact, and how she stays true to doing what she loves, plus so much more! Make sure to tune into this powerful and insightful conversation with Koya Webb today.Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

This week's guest created an app, a platform, and a book to be the change she wanted to see in the world. Her name is Krista Stryker, and she grew up fairly inactive, physically speaking. She was, however, an avid reader and writer who thought that one day, she would become a journalist. After being called “spaghetti arms” by her brother one afternoon and being challenged to do push-ups, Krista decided to take her physical fitness more seriously. She went on to become an NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer, working long hours in New York gym before realizing that there was a better way to pursue her love of movement.Krista discovered HIIT training from the comfort of her living room and not only did she feel stronger and more confident than ever before, but her clients started seeing remarkable results as well! This all culminated in the 12 Minute Athlete platform, which is now used by more than 500,000 people worldwide.In today’s episode, Krista speaks candidly about her journey with mental health and how she learned to manage depression and anxiety through meditation and mindful activity. She also shares her mission to help you become stronger and more confident using whatever you have at your disposal, and to embrace the process over the outcome with the understanding that mastery is not about completing something or graduating to the next level; it's about the refinement of skill. To learn more about the backstory of journalist, entrepreneur, and world-renowned fitness expert, Krista Stryker, and see how she found her calling as the 12 Minute Athlete, plus so much more, make sure to tune in today!Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

Today’s guest, Kute Blackson, is a transformational teacher, sought-after inspirational speaker, and bestselling author who is widely considered the next generation’s leader in the field of personal development. Born in Ghana, Kute’s multicultural upbringing as the child of a Japanese mother and a Ghanaian father has spanned four different continents. With his background and experience laying the blueprint for his unique approach to liberating others.Kute’s mission is simple: to awaken and inspire people across the planet to access inner freedom, live authentically, and fulfill their true life’s purpose. In today’s episode, you’ll find out how he does this, how his upbringing informs the work he does today, and how meditation made it impossible for Kute to deny it when he realized that he wasn’t following his destiny.You’ll also hear his incredible insights into success, service, and what he refers to as real greatness, as well as his belief in the power of daily commitment, reframing failure, and the infinite wisdom life offers us when we are willing to surrender. Kute believes that our path requires less control and more surrender than we're usually comfortable with and, to allow it to unfold and align us with our deepest intentions, we have to become practiced at the art of letting go. To learn more, make sure not to miss this inspiring conversation with transformational leader and exceptional storyteller, Kute Blackson!Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

Michael James Wong is today’s guest, the founder of Just Breathe, and a leading voice in the global movement for modern mindfulness. He is an author, speaker, community leader, and meditation teacher who is dedicated to expanding the conversation around mental health. As well as being internationally recognized for his work in the wellness community. Michael writes books about hope which is his unique way of being the change he wants to see in the world.The paper crane is an iconic symbol of hope, healing, and happiness. According to Japanese tradition, if a person were to fold 1,000 paper cranes in one year, they would be granted a single wish and a long and joyful life. In his beautiful and inspiring book about the art of folding paper cranes, Senbazuru: Small Steps to Hope, Healing and Happiness, Michael shares a personal collection of short stories and teachings, accompanied by traditional hand-painted proverbs and prayers.In today’s episode, we discuss the similarities between Michael’s book, Senbazuru, and Light’s book, Knowing Where to Look, which are both filled with gentle wisdom and axioms. Tuning in, you’ll learn about Michael’s backstory, growing up in a Chinese household in California with Kiwi roots, and his journey toward finding his calling as a wellness advocate and entrepreneur. We touch on the role Michael’s asthma played in making him more risk-averse, where the simple mantra that formed the essence of his business and philosophy originated, and how Michael translated the personal narrative that paper cranes represent to him into the book, as well as how his definition of success has evolved. Tune in today!Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

In today’s episode, author, speaker, podcaster, and wellness entrepreneur, Jonathan Fields, shares the life experiences that led him to develop the concept for Sparketypes, from his time as a DJ to his time as an attorney, and how it took hitting rock bottom physically, emotionally, and mentally for him to start pursuing his true passions. Jonathan coined the word Sparketype to describe the unique imprint for the work that makes you come alive and fills you with meaning, joy, purpose, and possibility. You’ll learn about the genesis of the online assessment that Jonathan created and how it led to his recently released book, Sparked, which is a comprehensive guide filled with case studies, stories, and real-world applications to help you discover what you are meant to do and how to get started. We also touch on his experience of opening a yoga studio the day before 9/11, what Jonathan has realized about work and meaning, and the creative moments that he feels have ‘sparked’ feeling within himself, as well as why he describes himself as spiritually curious and optimistically skeptical. Tune in today to hear all this and more from Sparketypes creator, Jonathan Fields! Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

Today we get to have a conversation with the owner of the first plant-based restaurant in Latin America! Mariana Blanco started her business, Los Loosers in Mexico City about ten years ago, with the mission of convincing more people about how delicious vegan food can be. In our chat, we get to hear what made Mariana go vegan as a young child, how feeling like the odd one out shaped her, and why she feels it is so important to change minds through her work. Mariana also shares anecdotes from many of the important points in her journey, which has been challenging, surprising, and full of serendipity too! She unpacks the different elements of inspiration for Los Loosers, going into the meaning behind the name, how the business grew out of a small delivery service, and what has kept her going through some difficulties and hurdles. So, to hear this amazing story of spreading love and good food, be sure to listen in today!Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

By using the urban landscape as his canvas, Ruben Rojas encourages communities to change for the better through optimism and collaboration. Once vacant walls become vibrant reminders that inspire those who see them to dream big, live in possibility, and to live life through the lens of love. But Ruben wasn’t always so in touch with this message. In today’s episode, you’ll learn more about his journey, from real estate to financial planning, and how he ultimately became disillusioned with material success. Ruben shares the story of how he came to paint his first-ever mural while completing a Mastery in Transformational Training (MITT) course and how it changed his world forever by inspiring him to start asking the ‘right’ questions about self-love and purpose.Tuning in, you’ll hear about Ruben’s transition from financial planner to full-time artist, the evolution of his now-iconic ‘love’ artwork and his Live Through Love message, and his current definition of success, which has everything to do with impact and very little to do with material wealth. We also touch on the process of reinvention, forgiveness, and self-awareness and Ruben reflects on how becoming a husband and a father has only reinforced his mission to help others live life through the lens of love, plus so much more! We hope you’ll join us for this candid and inspiring conversation with Los Angeles-based artist, activist, speaker, and entrepreneur, Ruben Rojas.Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

Today’s guest, Jessamyn Stanley, is an award-winning yoga instructor, intersectional activist, and author who empowers her audience of over half a million to break down barriers: both those that society has set and the ones that they have created for themselves. Jessamyn would not have been able to achieve any of this if she didn’t break down those barriers for herself and, as is always the case on At The End of The Tunnel, her story involves numerous leaps of faith and moments when she had to put her trust in herself and her capabilities in order to make it happen.As a fat, Black, queer yogi, Jessamyn’s work in the wellness space centers around creating a spiritual home for wellness misfits who may feel displaced, discouraged, or overlooked due to a lack of diversity in the health and fitness community, and she is a leading voice on intersectional identity. In today’s episode, she shares an articulate message of representation and visibility whilst also speaking candidly about the personal battles she has fought with imposter syndrome, mental health issues, and taking up space in an industry where she was critically underrepresented.You’ll learn about Jessamyn’s books, Every Body Yoga and Yoke, and why she says that writing them was a process of awakening for her. We also touch on her Baháʼí Faith, what inspired her to start posting pictures of herself on Instagram, and how she believes we can make the shift to operating from a place of compassion, not fear, plus a whole lot more! We hope you’ll join us for this deeply validating conversation with Jessamyn Stanley, who has found that so much strength and power comes from not being accepted by other people because she had to find that power inside herself. Tune in today!Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

Today’s guest is an author, speaker, activist, and environmental journalist Paul Hawken. Paul has dedicated his life to environmental sustainability and changing the relationship between business and the environment. Due to a health condition and some family drama early on in his story, Paul came to understand that it wasn’t safe for him to be inside, which led him to develop a love for the outdoors. He spent countless hours exploring and learning about the interconnectedness of nature, which ultimately played a pivotal role decades later in what would become his life’s work: amplifying the importance of regenerative agriculture.After leaving home at the age of 14, Paul ultimately found himself at the forefront of the civil rights movement in the Deep South, where he volunteered with Dr. Martin Luther King, John Lewis, and other icons of the movement. Stay tuned, because he shares some incredible stories from that period in his life, including the time he was kidnapped after he was seen taking photos of the Klu Klux Klan! Later, Paul found himself in Boston, where he took over the now famous health food store, Erewhon. Here, he developed an even deeper understanding of the importance of protecting the environment, which led him to become the celebrated journalist, author, and activist that he is today.In today’s episode, we discuss the interconnected nature of Paul’s backstory, his involvement in the civil rights movement and the profound effect it had on him, and the importance of regenerative agriculture, as well as his views on hope, success, unreasonable goals, and how every single one of us can be part of the solution, plus a whole lot more! Make sure not to miss this personal and enlightening discussion with one of the world’s foremost environmental advocates.Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!