
The Born Primitive Podcast
On the new Born Primitive Podcast, you’ll hear from Born Primitive co-founder and CEO Bear Handlon, VP Tony Strasiser, core members of the Born Primitive team, as well as athletes, business leaders, thinkers, entrepreneurs, and others about ways you can take your life and pursuits to the next level.
Latest episodes

May 20, 2025 • 49min
Tariffs, Global Economics & The Way Forward in Politics
In this episode of the Born Primitive podcast, Bear and Tony dive into the complex landscape of tariffs, global economics, and political discourse, offering both macro-level insight and personal experience. Kicking off with a detailed breakdown of the current tariff situation, Bear—CEO of Born Primitive—explains how shifting trade policies are impacting American businesses. The conversation also explores the challenges tied to “Made in America” manufacturing, shedding light on the high costs and logistical hurdles brands face when trying to produce domestically. Highlight clips underscore key themes, including the importance of creating leverage in international negotiations, the necessity of recognizing our own confirmation biases in political conversations, and the urgent need for unity across ideological lines. Together, the hosts encourage listeners to think critically about economic policy and to consider pragmatic paths forward in both business and politics.To check out our brand visit: https://bornprimitive.com/And you can learn more about Born Primitive Tactical by visiting: https://bornprimitivetactical.comFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bornprimitive/Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCruGgs2p3VVVy-v6YTiKuQwPRODUCED BY IRONCLAD

May 13, 2025 • 54min
Unlock Your Purpose & Ignite Your Most Intentional Life | Born Primitive Ep. #94
In this episode of the Born Primitive Podcast, John Miles shares a powerful conversation with hosts Bear and Tony about how to live with purpose, intention, and clarity in today’s chaotic world. Drawing from his high-stakes experience as a Fortune 500 C-suite executive, John reflects on the intense pressures of corporate life and the personal cost of ignoring your inner truth. He dives deep into the idea that crisis can be a catalyst for transformation, and reveals how self-awareness—a rare superpower in a fast-paced society—can help you break free from suppression and live more authentically. This episode is a call to pause, reflect, and take ownership of the life you're truly meant to lead.Take a look at John Miles website at: https://johnrmiles.com/To check out our brand visit: https://bornprimitive.com/And you can learn more about Born Primitive Tactical by visiting: https://bornprimitivetactical.comFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bornprimitive/Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCruGgs2p3VVVy-v6YTiKuQwPRODUCED BY IRONCLAD

May 6, 2025 • 1h 20min
Clayton Smith: Healing our Veterans Through Ibogaine Treatment | Born Primitive Ep. 93
In this episode of the Born Primitive Podcast, hosts Bear and Tony speak with Clayton Smith about Beond Service's mission to heal veterans suffering from trauma, addiction, and suicidal ideation through the use of Ibogaine, a powerful psychedelic plant medicine. The conversation highlights a new partnership between Born Primitive and Beond Service, aiming to fund life-saving treatments for veterans. Clayton shares his own transformative experience with Ibogaine, detailing how it helped him overcome alcoholism and rewire his brain. The episode explores how Beond’s clinical, medically supervised Ibogaine protocols offer hope for long-term healing, underscoring their commitment to combating the veteran suicide crisis with compassion, innovation, and purpose.To check out our brand visit: https://bornprimitive.com/And you can learn more about Born Primitive Tactical by visiting: https://bornprimitivetactical.comFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bornprimitive/Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCruGgs2p3VVVy-v6YTiKuQwPRODUCED BY IRONCLAD

Apr 29, 2025 • 1h 13min
Entrepreneurship, Leadership, and How to Be a Standout Employee | Born Primitive Ep. 92
In this episode of The Born Primitive Podcast, Bear and Tony dive into the raw truth behind entrepreneurship, leadership, and what it really takes to stand out in any career path. From the get-go, the message is clear: entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone, and chasing the title without the grit can lead to burnout and regret. The conversation unpacks the real challenges of building a brand like Born Primitive, including the intentional choice to stay family-owned and self-funded — avoiding the temptation of fast money and external control. We also explore the backlash that can come with standing firm in your values, including the hate mail received for publicly supporting law enforcement. At the heart of it all is a powerful message: whether you’re leading a business or working within one, owning your lane, bringing value, and operating with integrity will always set you apart.To check out our brand visit: https://bornprimitive.com/And you can learn more about Born Primitive Tactical by visiting: https://bornprimitivetactical.comFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bornprimitive/Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCruGgs2p3VVVy-v6YTiKuQwPRODUCED BY IRONCLAD

Apr 22, 2025 • 1h 22min
Success, Setbacks, and Starting Over: Nick Bare Unfiltered
In their engaging conversation on this episode of The Born Primitive Podcast, co-hosts Bear and Tony delve into Nick Bare's entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the pivotal video that catapulted him to YouTube success. They also discuss his decision to step away from the CEO role within his company, exploring the challenges and lessons learned from that experience. The episode offers listeners an inside look at Nick's path to success and the complexities of leadership transitions.Follow Nick on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/nickbarefitnessSubscribe to Nick on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@nickbarefitness/featuredTo check out our brand visit: https://bornprimitive.com/And you can learn more about Born Primitive Tactical by visiting: https://bornprimitivetactical.comFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bornprimitive/Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCruGgs2p3VVVy-v6YTiKuQwPRODUCED BY IRONCLAD

Apr 15, 2025 • 1h 32min
Johnny Savage: The Miraculous Story of Two Fisherman Lost at Sea
On the Born Primitive podcast, Johnny Savage shares the harrowing and miraculous story of two fishermen who were lost at sea after being hit by a massive rogue wave. He recounts how, in the blink of an eye, the wave capsized their boat, leaving them stranded and battling for survival. As they struggled to stay alive, Savage reveals the emotional toll it took on him as the captain, even reaching a point where he contemplated suicide in the depths of despair. Despite the overwhelming odds and isolation, the story takes a hopeful turn as they ultimately find a way to survive. Savage opens up about his rock-bottom moment and the resilience that helped him persevere through the unthinkable, offering a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable challenges.To check out our brand visit: https://bornprimitive.com/And you can learn more about Born Primitive Tactical by visiting: https://bornprimitivetactical.comFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bornprimitive/Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCruGgs2p3VVVy-v6YTiKuQwPRODUCED BY IRONCLAD

Apr 8, 2025 • 1h
Gabby Reece: Parenting, Performance & the Relentless Pursuit of Dreams
In her appearance on the Born Primitive Podcast, Gabby Reece delves into a range of topics surrounding parenting, performance, and the relentless pursuit of dreams. She shares the importance of a father’s role in a daughter's life, emphasizing how critical it is for fathers to actively engage in their daughters' growth and development. Gabby also discusses the need for people to cultivate both strength and compassion, and how parents can create opportunities for their children to experience risk and develop resilience. Reflecting on her own parenting journey, Gabby talks about the challenges and rewards of navigating the teenage years with her kids, offering insights on how to guide them through this transformative phase. Additionally, she opens up about her 28-year marriage to Laird Hamilton, revealing the dynamics of their partnership and how they have managed to thrive both as individuals and together. Throughout the conversation, Gabby emphasizes the significance of balancing strength, love, and personal growth in all aspects of life.To check out our brand visit: https://bornprimitive.com/And you can learn more about Born Primitive Tactical by visiting: https://bornprimitivetactical.comFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bornprimitive/Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCruGgs2p3VVVy-v6YTiKuQwPRODUCED BY IRONCLAD

Apr 1, 2025 • 1h 10min
Jay Kopelman: Ibogaine's Potential to Help Heal PTSD & TBI in the Veteran Community
In this insightful episode of the Born Primitive Podcast, 21-year Marine Corps veteran Jay Kopelman discusses his powerful experiences with Ibogaine and DMT, sharing how these treatments have helped him heal from PTSD and TBI. Jay opens up about his personal journey, detailing how Ibogaine provided a transformative experience that allowed him to confront the trauma from his years of service. He also explores the deep sense of purpose and healing that comes from being of service to others, highlighting the impact of helping those in need. Throughout the conversation, Jay reflects on whether Ibogaine could be a groundbreaking solution for veterans struggling with the mental and emotional scars of war, offering a hopeful outlook on alternative treatments for PTSD.Follow Jay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jay_kopelman_usa/To check out our brand visit: https://bornprimitive.com/And you can learn more about Born Primitive Tactical by visiting: https://bornprimitivetactical.comFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bornprimitive/Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCruGgs2p3VVVy-v6YTiKuQwPRODUCED BY IRONCLAD

Mar 25, 2025 • 1h 29min
Bear Shares Shocking Revelations from Mushroom Ceremony in Jamaica
In this episode of The Born Primitive Podcast, Bear shares deeply personal and shocking revelations from his transformative mushroom ceremony experience in Jamaica. He describes how the intense journey felt like a battle spanning 9,000 years and reflects on the profound insights he gained from the ceremony. Bear opens up about the harrowing aspects of the experience, including how it challenged his perceptions of reality, and details the mind-blowing takeaways that have stayed with him since. The episode offers a raw and vulnerable look at his spiritual exploration and the lasting impact of this psychedelic journey.To check out our brand visit: https://bornprimitive.com/And you can learn more about Born Primitive Tactical by visiting: https://bornprimitivetactical.comFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bornprimitive/Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCruGgs2p3VVVy-v6YTiKuQwPRODUCED BY IRONCLAD

Mar 18, 2025 • 1h 5min
Catalyzt Nutrition Founder Cheryl Zonkowski: Performance Nutrition, Intuitive Eating, and Building a Personal Nutrition Plan
Cheryl Zonkowski, founder of Catalyzt Nutrition, joins the Born Primitive Podcast to discuss her expert approach to performance nutrition, intuitive eating, and building personalized nutrition plans. In this insightful episode, Cheryl explains the importance of reestablishing a healthy relationship with food, emphasizing how it affects both physical performance and overall well-being. She shares her vision for the future of Catalyzt Nutrition, her foundational nutrition principles, and the pros and cons of intuitive eating. Cheryl also dives into the critical topic of late-night eating, advising listeners on the best practices for optimizing digestion and sleep. CEO Bear Handlon also joins to highlight the benefits of consulting a nutritionist for individualized nutrition plans tailored to long-term success.To check out our brand visit: https://bornprimitive.com/And you can learn more about Born Primitive Tactical by visiting: https://bornprimitivetactical.comFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bornprimitive/Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCruGgs2p3VVVy-v6YTiKuQwPRODUCED BY IRONCLAD