Transcendental meditation is arguably the most popular meditation technique in the world, and the TM organization has funded the bulk of published literature on meditation worldwide. This is in no small part due to its celebrity clients like the Beatles, David Lynch, and Jerry Seinfeld, but also because people find the practice extremely practical and their long term adherence is much higher than to other techniques. Transcendental Meditation involves 20 minutes of mental repetition of a meaningless word, like “som” twice daily. And as simple as this sounds, for millions of people, this is life changing. My guest on this week’s show is a long-time TM practitioner, teacher, and author. Listen and learn: How meditation can shape consciousness Why TM has captured so many people even decades after its founding How simple tools can have profound effects Links Dr. Nader’s Books ABOUT OUR GUEST Dr. Tony Nader is a neuroscientist and leader of the Transcendental Meditation movement. Dr. Nader has authored several books, including the forthcoming, Consciousness Is All There Is. Like the Show? Leave us a review Check out our YouTube channel

Fungi have played an important role both in culinary and medicinal traditions for thousands of years, but these magical living organisms are often overlooked - for both good and bad reasons - when it comes to the future of our health and planet. What if a new heat-loving fungus takes over? What if a fungus holds the key to an anti-cancer vaccination? We explore these questions and more with our guest on this week’s podcast.  Listen and learn: About the microbial differences between bacteria, yeast, and fungi The known vs. unknown mystery of fungi Risks of future fungal outbreaks Rewards of potential medicines and cures Links Guest's site ABOUT OUR GUEST Dr. Arturo Casadevall is a physician, scientist, and professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. His research focuses on how fungi cause disease and the development of antibody-based therapies for infectious diseases. He has also written a number of books, including his latest, What If Fungi Win? Like the Show? Leave us a review Check out our YouTube channel

When I was eleven years old, my grandmother predicted the demise of the personal computer. “Staring at the screen will ruin your eyes,” she proclaimed. The same story is repeated with all new technology: initially it’s met with resistance and fear, and later becomes so important in our lives that we cannot imagine life without it. In recent years, virtual reality experienced a lackluster launch, and the metaverse is the butt of hundreds of jokes. The generally accepted belief is that VR is dead on arrival, and yet it’s not. It just hasn’t found its use case yet. But it will. On this week’s podcast, you’ll meet a VR start-up founder focused on the educational potential of virtual learning. Listen to learn: How VR brain games can help neurodivergent kids Why VR hasn’t really found its feet yet Next steps in terms of VR use cases and consumer adoption Links Virtuleap ABOUT OUR GUEST Amir Bozorgzadeh is the co-founder and CEO of Virtuleap, a tech start-up focused on  virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) for brain health. Like the Show? Leave us a review Check out our YouTube channel

Technology is accelerating at a blistering pace with obvious innovations in the devices we have in our pockets, in our homes, and in our cars. Less visible are the changes that are happening in love, sex, and relationships that are potentially reorganizing society in subtle, and not too subtle ways. On this week’s podcast, you’ll meet an anthropologist whose recent work has explored the wild and wacky world of AI boyfriends, sex dolls, and dating apps.  Listen and learn: How dating dynamics have changed dramatically in the last 25 years The boring downside of an AI boyfriend Why it’s impossible to define love How the want and need for intimacy drives so much of human behavior The risk vs reward of social media and love ideals  Links Roanne’s Site ABOUT OUR GUEST Roanne van Voorst is an author, speaker, and anthropologist based in Amsterdam. She has written eight books, including Once Upon a Time We Ate Animals and her upcoming title, Six in a Bed: The Future of Love. Like the Show? Leave us a review Check out our YouTube channel

Neuroscientist Ben Rein discusses brain health, debunking autism misinformation, and the impact of social media on empathy. They explore the value of social interaction, hip mobility, and the effects of cannabis on sleep patterns.

Bob Ross was a popular PBS painting instructor in the 80s and 90s, but little did he know that decades later, he’d develop a cult following of people who simply wanted to hear his voice. Why? Because it triggers an autonomous sensory meridian response, known as ASMR. ASMR is a well-studied phenomenon that creates a pleasant tingling sensation on the skin, relieves stress and helps you sleep. My guest on this week’s podcast is an academic, author, and expert on the subject. Listen and learn: About paresthesia “brain tingles” from soothing voices and sounds Misophonia triggers that can be confusing The history of ASMR Potential self-care and soothing benefits  Links ASMR University  Calm History ABOUT OUR GUEST Craig Richard, PhD, is a leading expert in Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR), a phenomenon characterized by tingling sensations in the brain and scalp. His research focuses on the neurological mechanisms behind ASMR. He’s the author of the book, Brain Tingles. Like the Show? Leave us a review Check out our YouTube channel

Steve Horvath, a expert in methylation, epigenetics, and longevity, discusses the overlooked role of epigenetics in health and lifespan, using methylation patterns to predict lifespan, and the significance of GrimAge for reducing early mortality. The podcast explores genetics, moderate lifestyle choices, and the Horvath aging clock's importance in longevity research and biohacking communities.

Finland has been dubbed the happiest country in the world, but in reality Finns are content, not overwhelmed with joy. They have a high GDP per capita, good healthcare, low corruption, and a decent amount of personal freedom - all great things, but not necessarily a recipe for joy and happiness. Most people claim their biggest aspiration in life is to find happiness. This is a beautiful sentiment, and while we all love positive emotions like joy, laughter, celebration, adventure, and curiosity; these only exist because they are juxtaposed with negative and challenging experiences. My guest on this week’s podcast suggests that rather than look toward happiness for a more fulfilled life, we should focus more on wonder.   Listen and learn: How nature promotes wonder The difference between superficial vs. epistemic curiosity The tyrannical pursuit of happiness Trait openness and its role in wonder Links Monica’s site ABOUT OUR GUESTS Monica Parker is a speaker, writer, and authority on the future of work. She is the author of the book, The Power of Wonder, and founder of HATCH, an organization that helps companies with culture change and workplace strategy. Like the Show? Leave us a review Check out our YouTube channel

If you’re struggling with chronic pain and trying to find help, you’ve probably noticed that the pain management industry is a big minefield with hardcore drugs on one end of the spectrum and questionable potions and placebos on the other. In an ideal world, pain is adaptive and part of our body’s defense mechanisms, but all too often it can become untethered to the original insult and begin to attack your quality of life.   Listen and learn: The purpose of pain in our bodies  When to medicate and when to ignore The confusing connection between pain and healing Why some people are prone to opioid abuse more than others Links Amy’s Site ABOUT OUR GUEST Amy Baxter is a medical doctor and entrepreneur known for her research on pain. She is the inventor of Buzzy, a simple device to help kids get injections. Like the Show? Leave us a review Check out our YouTube channel