An amazing career path does not have a set shape or direction and the limitations that external expectations put on our hopes for ourselves can stunt the blossoming of the most unlikely of flowers. Ava DuVernay is a priceless example of this! She joins us on the podcast today to share her amazing and surprising story and all the twists and turns that have led her to the highly regarded position she currently occupies, and more importantly, where she is able to create her own definition of success — which looks quite different than it used to! In our inspiring and honest conversation, Ava unpacks the important family relationships that shaped her world view, the impact of her college years at UCLA, and the formative experiences she had in the hip hop scene centered around the Good Life Cafe. After carving out an enviable career in publicity and building an agency, Ava began work on a side-project, exploring her childhood passion for story-telling, and this foray into filmmaking grew and grew — in ways that even Ava could not have expected. With so many impressive and vital films under her belt already, we cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next, join us to hear it all!Key Points From This Episode:Ava's love of playing with Barbies with her sisters and the early form of world-building this fostered. Family dynamics growing up and Ava's role as the oldest sibling. Ava's early thoughts on careers and the gift that reflected these aspirations. Childhood associations with Hollywood and the importance of arts and culture. The first movie and music group that Ava fell in love with!Ava's early connection to U2 and the amazing meetings and communications she has shared with Bono!Family traits that Ava has inherited; storytelling, hard work, and responsibility.Neighborhood politics and the radical action that Ava witnessed from a young age.Ava's college years, her decision to attend UCLA. The post-college period and the steps that Ava took into publicity business. The reputation that Ava built up and what she became known for in her work.  Ava's journey towards a healthier sense of balance in her life.The effect of the terminal diagnosis that Ava's aunt Denise received. Ava's moment of realization on the set of Michael Mann's Collateral. The beginnings of Ava's filmmaking career and how she started small. Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

The path to self-discovery and self-love is not often a straight one and the theme of our winding journeys as humans is a common one on this podcast. Today's episode underlines this idea, as we are joined by poet, Diego Perez, who is more commonly known as Yung Pueblo. He is the author of the widely acclaimed collection of poems, Inward, and has grown a notable online following, starting from humble beginnings to an Instagram account that is has amassed almost a million followers! In our conversation, we take the scenic route through Diego's life, looking at his childhood in Ecuador, his family's move to the US, and how his public schooling in Boston impacted his worldview. Diego then takes us through the difficulties he experienced during his early adult life, falling into bad habits and drug use while at college as a means to escape his feelings. It took some time, but after Diego hit what he felt was rock bottom, he began on a path to recovery, healthier practices, and a life filled with radical honesty. He talks about what this looked like for him and the important steps in the process, with a big emphasis on meditation. From there, we get into his writing process, how he started out as an online poet, and the way he published his first book. This conversation is truly not to be missed!Key Points From This Episode:Diego's younger years in Guayaquil, Ecuador, and his favorite toys that he remembers. Family life for Diego growing up and the difficult experience of poverty. Diego's schooling and the cultural richness of attending Boston public schools.Interests that Diego fostered in high school and his ideas of getting out of poverty. Spanish at home, English in public — how the family adapted to American culture.Diego's college application process, hustling for vouchers, and eventually getting a scholarship. The implicit values that were associated with Diego's martial arts practice. How learned repression and avoidant tendencies led to unhealthy habits and drug abuse.Difficult years post-graduation and the moment when Diego hit rock bottom. Diego's adoption of healthier practices and a radically honest lifestyle. The move to Portland and the steps that led up to Diego's first Vipassana course.The fear that Diego experienced arriving and starting a ten-day meditation retreat.Feelings that came up during the process that led to a breakthrough for Diego. Diego's return to Boston and the changes that he began to implement in his life. Moving to New York City and focussing on writing, while continuing important healing and learning. Diego's first forays into posting poetry on Instagram and his thinking around this time.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Yung Pueblo on InstagramInwardClarity and ConnectionYung Pueblo on TwitterDragon Ball ZWesleyan UniversityBarnes and NobleTufts UniversityBhagavad GitaYouth Against Mass IncarcerationMichelle Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

Brain disease often starts decades before the diagnosis, and if only people knew that the foods they put in their body can either make or break a healthy brain, they would make different choices. Today’s guest is Max Lugavere, author of Genius Foods and The Genius Life, here to talk about the journey that led him to his life’s purpose – helping people truly understand nutrition. Max had been on track to becoming a television star, yet little did he know, he was being divinely groomed to challenge the traditional healthcare system, where they treat symptoms more than the root of an illness. We hear about Max’s fascination with the idea of becoming superhuman, and he takes us through the manifestations of this interest in his early forays into health science. Max shares about his experiences at university, getting into film and documenting ‘peak experiences’, and how this led to him and his best friend working as Current TV presenters for six years. Around this time, Max’s mother was diagnosed with a neurodegenerative condition, and he left everything behind to find out all he could to help her. For an inspiring conversation about asking questions and realizing that everything in life is grooming you for your purpose, be sure to tune in.Key Points From This Episode:Max’s childhood fascination with Exosquad toys the themes that drew him to them.Having a lifelong interest in the body and ideas of frailty and health optimization.Eating a ‘healthy’ childhood diet restricted by the limits of Max’s mom’s idea of healthy food.How Max discovered healthier eating and diet types as a teenager in chat groups.Meeting Jason Silva, getting into filmmaking and spiritual hedonism; Max’s student days in Miami.Making Textures of Selfhood and how Jason and Max got content creator jobs for Current TV.Lessons learned about authenticity and storytelling while at Current TV for six years.Max’s music practice, YouTube videos, and the idea of practicing to get better at something.How Max shifted from film and music to wellness after his mom was diagnosed with a neurodegenerative condition.The different elite health facilities Max and his family consulted to get a clear diagnosis.The problem with doctors and how Max used his prior skills and knowledge to help his mom himself.Max’s decision to make a documentary film about his experiences and process of researching for answers.Big discoveries Max made in his research such as dementia beginning decades before its symptoms.Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

Food apartheid is different from a food desert because it is man-made, and the lack of availability of healthy food disproportionately affects communities of color. This week’s guest is somebody who's working toward eliminating what she calls the food apartheid. Olympia Auset has made it her mission to find solutions to America’s food deserts, which are communities that lack access to affordable, high-quality, fresh foods. Olympia was vegan and living in a food desert herself. Because she didn't have a car, she would find herself having to spend hours on the bus just to get to the grocery store on the other side of town that carried the higher quality produce. After taking several of these trips, Olympia realized that she was the change she was waiting for, and that was when she started working with local farmers to create an oasis in the middle of her own food desert, which she called Süprmarkt. Over the last five years, Süprmarkt has distributed more than 70,000 pounds of fresh fruit and vegetables. What's remarkable is Olympia started without even having a table to sell the produce on. To date, she still doesn't have a car or a cellphone. After raising close to $90,000 in a crowdfunding campaign, she's now in escrow to purchase a brick and mortar location for Süprmarkt, which is going to help her create a centralized location for the community to gather and share in her mission of making healthy, fresh foods and meals available to all. Tune in to find out more about Olympia’s story today!Key Points From This Episode:Olympia describes her favorite game as a child, based on the TV show, Charmed.What childhood was like for Olympia being an imaginative only child.Olympia’s numerous dreams for what she wanted to be when she grew up.How Olympia’s great teachers encouraged her and taught her about systemic racism.Olympia’s relationship with plants, food, and urban agriculture started in universityHow Olympia chose to attend Howard University and create her own application.Olympia shares a bit about the Thursday night power study group she attended at Howard.Going vegan in her freshman year at college and what it taught her about population control.The biggest challenge of going vegan for Olympia: The options available in the cafeteria.Olympia’s early concept of success: Sharing information and creating meaningful change.Starting The GOYS Life as a one-stop shop for awakening.Olympia’s experience of doing odd jobs while she built The GOYS Life and Süprmarkt.From volunteering at The Shine to starting Süprmarkt – Olympia shares her inspiration.A food desert versus a food apartheid – one is naturally occurring, the other is man-made.Starting Süprmarkt with friends and having their first public event with just $100.Olympia’s present definition of success including eradicating food apartheid by 2040.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Olympia Auset on LinkedInSüprmarktSüprmarkt on TwitterSüprmarkt on InstagramSüprmarkt on FacebookSüprmarkt on YouTubeThe GOYS LifeThe Shine MovementKeep Slauson FreshDonate to SüprmarktSend us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

Deciding to change your life is difficult because it means you have to accept total responsibility for your actions and the situation you find yourself in. While this can feel frightening, it is equally as liberating because you know you have the power to turn things around. Today's guest, Robert Glover, known as Brix, is a health and fitness YouTuber, whose vulnerability and transparency about the difficult journey he is been on to better himself has inspired countless people. In this episode, we hear about Brix’s life, from childhood and some of the trauma he faced to going to college and gaining a lot of weight. He also shares the story of how a felony charge followed by the passing of a close friend finally caused him to take stock, which he had avoided for years. Despite having fallen off the weight loss wagon multiple times before, Brix knew that March 1st, 2013 was the day things would finally shift for good. We learn about the inner transformation the accompanied Brix’s physical one, and the realization that he had about the suffering he was inflicting on himself. Rather than beating himself up for the countless mistakes he’s made, Brix believes that he's faced these obstacles to get closer to his purpose of helping others and spreading the light. His story is not only incredibly motivational and hope-filled, but it’s an example of what happens when you show up for yourself day in and day out. To hear more, be sure to tune in today!  Key Points From This Episode:Hear about Robert’s favorite childhood toys and growing up in Brownsville and Germany.Memories from Brix’s childhood, including gang activity and his relationship to food.What happened when Brix had unlimited access to food for the first time in his life in college.The moment when Brix realized that he had gained 150 pounds.How Brix overcompensated for his weight gain.Brix’s relationship with his ex-wife and some of the insecurities he had in the marriage.Hear more about Brix’s run-in with the law that happened outside a Foot Locker.What happened on Brix’s sentencing day and the haunting words from the judge.Brix’s confessional video before and after sentencing and his relationship with vlogging.How the felony charge and the passing of a close friend caused Brix to change his life.Why Brix decided to put his newfound energy into losing weight.The strong vision that Brix had to share his weight loss story with others to help them.The motivation behind recording ‘fat Brix’ shirtless at the start of his weight loss journey.Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

My Intent is a simple yet powerful initiative started by Chris Pan, and we are joined by Chris on the podcast today to talk about his journey and the steps in his path that led to starting this organization and what inspired his choices. With My Intent, Chris aims to create connection and alignment for people by identifying a specific intention and word which is then etched into a bracelet. It can be a reminder or motivation to stick to one's commitment or goal, or just a reinforcement of something to focus on. The bracelet is thus much more than just jewelry or a hip way to display your character, although since the business has grown in the last few years, it has definitely found some mainstream appeal! We hear from Chris about some of the difficulties of his younger years, moving around a lot and being alone for most of his time. He talks about his college years and how he embraced student leadership and community work in order to connect and build his resume, and from there we talk about his forays into business. Chris stands as a testament to the power of being able to bounce back as many of his initial projects and goals did not quite work out.  It was only through an ongoing curiosity and determination that he was able to get closer to his calling and find his lane. We talk about the common threads through the years, what led him to leave a position at Facebook, and the chance encounters and serendipity that allowed him to dive into the My Intent project. So for this special story from a special friend, join us on the show today!Key Points From This Episode:Chris' favorite childhood toys and how he would occupy himself by playing alone. The move from Taipei to the US and Chris' mental and emotional state at the time. Taking up the opportunity to become a student leader during college.Abandoning medical school and enrolling in business school classes.The failure of Chris' first business and then taking up a job at McKinsey. Moving from New York to Shanghai and taking up a position at PepsiCo.Some tough times in Shanghai looking for new work after another failed startup.  Chris' move to Palo Alto and taking up a position in product marketing at Facebook!Leaving San Fransisco and the encounter that inspired the beginnings of My Intent. Hosting the first SpiritLab events in Los Angeles and connecting with new people.Momentum starting around the bracelets that Chris was making. The bracelets that Chris made for Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Kanye West.A trip to Bali for yoga that did not go as planned and the Kanye TIME cover!The My Intent feature on The Today Show and the immediate spike in sales as a result.A special story about a 'Courage' bracelet and what it meant to someone going into surgery. Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

The High Line is now one of New York City's most iconic landmarks. But there was a time when some considered it to be an eyesore.  Rising above street level, the park is an accessible and beautiful space that has regenerated a historic and forgotten place for locals and visitors alike. Joining us on the show is one of the forces behind this amazing project, Robert Hammond. Robert has always had a number of things on the go in his life at any given time. He admits that it seems to suit him to not focus solely on one avenue and rather juggle a bunch of projects. We hear from Robert about his upbringing, his unconventional home life, and his mother's artistic and unusual activities. Robert maps out how this led into the later parts of his life; a teenage fascination with Russia, business ambitions with reservations, and a lively social life! We hear from our guest about his somewhat serendipitous connection to the 'the high line' and the seeds that became his big passion project. Join us to hear it all!Key Points From This Episode:Robert's unconventional early childhood experiences and activities.The feelings that Robert went through realizing how he and his mother were a bit different. Robert's obsession with Russia and his visits during his teen years.Aspirations for business and banking and the struggles that Robert faced finding a job after college. Life in New York City, finding a community of gay friends, and partying a lot.Resigning from Ernst & Young; considering business school and finding work at a startup.How Robert found some meaning in his sales work and how these lessons applied to his social life.  Depression, anxiety, and therapy; Robert's coping mechanisms during his late 20s.  Robert's work for The Body and his desire to paint in the evenings as an outlet.How Robert heard about the looming demolishment of The High Line and started thinking about it.The part that Robert's determination and drive played in seeing through his interest in the project. Falling in love with the High Line project and getting serious about seeing it through.  The continuous array of jobs and projects that Robert liked to do simultaneously.  Robert's partnership with Josh and how they stayed committed to the project through doubtful times.Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

Our guest today, Lauren Singer has an amazing story to tell, growing three separate projects and businesses out of her desire for discomfort and the need for a better world! Lauren is the brains behind Trash is for Tossers, Simply Co., and Package Free, three different prongs of the same idea; to reduce human waste and to build a healthier environment and brighter future. Lauren shares very honestly about her own journey and really digs deep on what it means to properly stand for a cause. She makes it her mission to get away from the hypocrisy of activism without a foundation of aligned action, and rather than preaching about it, uses her critical eye to keep improving her own practices and those of her business. Lauren believes that a sustainable future is a human right, a vision she has been molding and refining since her early years playing alone in the forest! We chat about her younger years, what it was like moving around a lot, and the different phases she went through during her time at school. We cover her college years and the way she fell in love with environmental science and how that soon aligned with the activist spirit she always seemed to possess. These formative years culminated with her founding the zero waste project, Trash is for Tossers and then subsequently, her business Simply Co., through which she sells items she was already making for herself. The success of these initiatives was a surprise to Lauren and she has not lost sight of her original goal of a world with truly sustainable and good products. For an insightful, honest, and inspiring chat with a great guest, make sure to join us today!Key Points From This Episode:Lauren's favorite childhood activities; playing alone outside in the woods. Moving around a lot from a young age and the adaptability this instilled in Lauren.Lauren's life at school and how her abilities grew into more practical applications.The activist spirit in Lauren; early memories of the feelings that inspired it.Experiences of depression and the connection between these feelings and the practice of painting. Lauren's early fundraisers and how she managed to fund her adventures and activism.Mixed feelings over college and the benefits that Lauren did accrue through these years. Falling in love with environmental science class and the group of people Lauren connected with. The first practices that Lauren changed as she became involved in grassroots activism.  Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

Joining us on the show today is Jeff Krasno, bluegrass enthusiast and the founder of One Commune and the Wanderlust Festival! Jeff's story is truly inspiring; from the many phases and seasons, he has lived through to the movements he has helped propel, Jeff has continued on his path with curiosity and passion at every turn. We hear from Jeff about the central role that music has played in much of his life as well as the formative experiences he had growing up all over the world! Jeff also unpacks the unlikely road building a new type of festival with Wanderlust, bridging the gaps between yoga, wellness and music. He takes us all the way through to his work currently and the Commune project that now takes up most of his time. Jeff is a wonderful storyteller and this lends itself to this longer form episode, jam-packed with twists and turns and the fruition of seeds planted much earlier. Our guest's story is such a strong example of how events that can seem random, often contribute to our outlook in important ways that are only apparent in hindsight. We hear about how his mission has evolved, from craving acceptance and connection to building a shared experience and lasting impact. For this fantastic and deep conversation, listen in with us today!Key Points From This Episode:Jeff's childhood fascination with Batman while moving around a lot. Global citizenship from a young age, learning languages and pastoral life in Europe and South America. Childhood difficulties in Brazil and Jeff's experiences of being teased and ostracized. Jeff's sympathetic nature and how this relates to a desire to connect and belong.The tumor that Jeff developed at the age of 13 and his experiences in Sloan Kettering. The aftermath of losing weight and the changes Jeff experienced at a new high school. Music in Jeff's life growing up; family roots and developing an ear for sound.Jeff's pursuit of his future wife, Skyla, during his time at college.Radio djing, banjo playing and organizing bluegrass shows with some big acts.How Jeff juggled his budding career in music and his college commitments.Jeff's work as a hip hop producer in the 1990s and producing Soulive.Making use of the Starbucks market and helping Sonya Kitchell get discovered.Life after 911, Skyla's new yoga studio and the beauty of community and compassion during crisis.Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

Our most meaningful acts often involve giving something away, especially when you’re helping those that most need it. Today’s guest is LaRayia Gaston, someone who has devoted herself to improving the lives of the homeless. As the founder of Lunch on Me, an L.A nonprofit that feeds the homeless of Skid Row, LaRayia shows that you can give without reason. Before diving into her work, we chat about her childhood and LaRayia talks about how influential art has been in her life. She discusses her wonderfully mixed heritage and how her church background showed her the importance of tithing as a form of giving back to the community. We talk about LaRayia’s career as a dancer and model and her aversion to drugs and alcohol. She opens up about the people in her life who have been through hardship and how she learned the importance of showing love in helping people overcome their struggles. LaRayia then shares her experiences of moving to Los Angeles and discovering Skid Row; an area with a long-established homeless population. After volunteering for nonprofits and becoming disillusioned with their inefficiencies, LaRayia details how she set up Lunch on Me. As a part of her goal to humanize the homeless, her organization only serves healthy food and not the table scraps that are often given to the homeless. We ask LaRayia about the lessons that she learned from spending 43 days living in Skid Row and she shares a heartwarming story about receiving help when she needed it the most.LaRayia’s journey is as inspiring as it is empowering. Tune in to learn more about LaRayia and hear why she thinks there’s no excuse for not giving back to your community. Key Points From This Episode:How LaRayia’s love of drawing and books helped her escape a sense of confinement in her youth.The lessons that LaRayia learned from reading about exceptional artists that looked like her. Hear about LaRayia’s childhood and how she was exposed to many different cultures. Despite having a wonderfully varied heritage, how LaRayia came to identify as black. The number one thing that LaRayia got from church; we have to give to one another.How LaRayia’s grandmother often filled the role of being her mother.Questions that LaRayia asked about church and the bible; “Are we praying to the same God?”LaRayia tells the story of how she made her life-long best friend as a kid. Not liking to ask for money, 12-year-old LaRayia got a job working in her uncle’s restaurant.LaRayia’s first encounter with an angel when giving a homeless person food. Wanting to create and LaRayia’s strong connection with art. How LaRayia took the idea of tithing to the streets and began feeding the homeless. LaRayia’s work as a dancer and her transition into modeling for music videos.Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!