Align Podcast

Do you ever have a sudden fear of not having enough time left in your life?   In this episode of the Align podcast, Dr. Zach Bush and I chat about the divergence of humans from nature, the function of this split, as well as the effects of this split in our society now. We also talk about the relationship between art,  and “play” with medicine. We touch the process of healing our past traumas as well as the core idea of intrinsic health. Lastly, we talk about the idea of looking past the obsolete idea of aging and how it can positively impact our body.    Zach Bush, MD is a physician specializing in internal medicine, endocrinology and hospice care. He is the co-founder and CEO of Seraphic Group and the non-profit Farmer's Footprint to develop root-cause solutions for human and ecological health. His education has highlighted the need for a radical departure from chemical farming and pharmacy, and his ongoing efforts are providing a path for consumers, farmers, and mega-industries to work together for a healthy future for people and planet.   2:30 - Divergence of humans from nature 5:40 - What is the evolutionary function of our split with nature? 9:30 - Why are we capable of seeing ourselves “separate”?   13:27 - Maximizing the experience of pleasure and beauty 16:28 - What are the societal effects of our split with nature? 20:08 - Interconnection between awe-inspiring aesthetics and medicine 24:58 - What is the value of “play” in medicine?

Do ruminating thoughts regularly disrupt your sleep and keep you awake at night?   In this episode of the Align podcast, Dr. Ethan Kross and I chat about how to effectively deal with chatter, and self-criticism. We also talk about high individualism as well as our relationship with others and our thoughts towards them. Lastly, we also touch on having internal dialogues to switch our overall perspective in life.   Ethan Kross, PhD, is one of the world's leading experts on controlling the conscious mind. He is an award-winning professor at the University of Michigan and the Ross School of Business, and is the director of the Emotion & Self Control Laboratory. He has also participated in policy discussion at the White House and has been interviewed on CBS Evening News, Good Morning America, Anderson Cooper Full Circle, and NPR's Morning Edition.    Ethan Kross, PhD, wrote a book called Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It   3:50: What are the physical toggles to change our state of mind? 6:33: How do we find our awe triggers? 8:25: Paradox of high individualism 11:52: When is self-criticism a good thing? 14:00: How can "splitting oneself" help in overcoming struggles? 16:00: How congruent is our relationship with ourselves and others? 18:23: Should we be held accountable for EVERY thought we have? 23:20: What is the value of shame? 29:10:  Does our brain have sovereignty over life occurrences?

Ever wonder what happens to our body if we skip carbs for long periods of time?    In this episode of the Align podcast, Michael Brandt and I chat about ketogenic diet, how we can fully reap the benefits of it and where to naturally get ketones exogenously. We also chat about sugar addiction and insulin spikes, how ketones can be used both in facilitating body restoration and in keeping satiation and MCTs.    Michael Brandt is the CEO and co-founder of Healing Via Modern Nutrition (HVMN). He’s an avid triathlete and marathoner with a 2:42 personal record.   2:24: Ketones and ketosis for dummies 5:55: Understanding the difference between ketone bodies 11:15: Why is the military interested in ketones? 22:42: Are there any caveats in experimenting ketones?  24:54: Ketones in American diet and Ketoacidosis 29:05: What are the risks when taking exogenous ketones? 32:57: Can ketones be used in the restoration of the body? 36:36: What are the mechanisms behind ketones as anxiolytic? 43:00: Is there a natural way to extract exogenous ketones? 49:06: What are MCTs? 54:18: Naysayers on endogenous ketone usage   To learn more about Michael

Ever wonder what someone is thinking when they flex their eyelids? Or purse their lips?   In this episode of the Align podcast, Vanessa Van Edwards and I chat about the science of people. Without even realizing it, we constantly give away what we are thinking in our heads through our body language. Vanessa explains what the most common cues may mean and she also explains how we can adjust our social interactions based on our readings of people.    Vanessa is Lead Investigator at Science of People. She is the bestselling author of Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People, translated into 16 languages, and Cues: Master the Secret Language of Charismatic Communication. More than 50 million people watch her engaging YouTube tutorials and TEDx Talk.   What we discuss:   02:15: What stands out in today’s daily interactions? 08:10: Should you be faking it until you make it? 14:03: What does the eyelid flex cue mean? 31:00: Why is it so hard for people to get away with lying? 39:09: The importance of having tools 42:44: When are you trying too much? 48:52: What to do when you sense shut-down? 55:36: What is the ideal eye-contact ratio in western cultures?     To learn more about Vanessa:   Website:

How can we make our society more equalitarian, fair, and empathetic?   In this episode of the Align podcast, Steven Kotler and I chat about species die off and how the current circumstances we find in our world may be contributing to the human species die-off. Steven also shares with us if there is really any evolutionary value to hate and how it can be used as weapon by humans.   Steven Kotler is a New York Times bestselling author, an award-winning journalist, and the Executive Director of the Flow Research Collective. He is one of the world’s leading experts on human performance.   What we discuss:   02:12: What is species die-off? 03:24: Does the declining birth rate have any impact on the human species die-off? 07:02: How can we measure empathy of a generation? 09:18: How can we cultivate empathy? 15:00: What is the value of the flow state? 23:16: Can we experience our life as different chapters? 32:17: What is Steven’s meditation practice? 38:52: Is there any evolutionary value to hate? 54:54: What is the value in tripping evolution?     To learn more about Steven:   Instagram: @stevenkotler

Do you ever wonder how the stories you tell yourself are impacting your reality?   In this episode of the Align podcast, Angus Fletcher and I chat about how the human brain is predisposed to create and tell itself narratives that fit with its hopes and fears and how these stories we tell ourselves influence our perception of life. We also chat about why a human brain will always outperform artificial intelligence, the origins of technology, and what will happen if we fail to go beyond the “selfie” in today’s society.   Dr. Angus Fletcher (PhD, Yale) researches the science of human intelligence--the science of why humans are smarter than machines. His research has been published in The New York Academy of Sciences, Harvard Business Review, and dozens of other academic journals. His most recent books are Wonderworks and Storythinking.     What we discuss:   02:27: What is the power of story? 05:36: What is the effect of culture on an individual who sees the world through the lens of science? 16:00: Where is Artificial Intelligence heading and why do we worship it so much?

Do you know what species of grass you have in your backyard? Chances are, you don’t.   In this episode of The Align podcast, David Vitalis and I chat about our loss of connection with nature. Many of us live a life where we can’t identify the animals in our backyard or the herbs that grow in our local forests, which are things hunters and gatherers used to be able to do. We unravel the implication such a change may have on our evolution as a species. We also chat about how our ancestors created communities and tribes that are different from the ones we create today.    David Vitalis is a Registered Maine Guide, writer, public speaker, interviewer, and lifestyle pioneer who’s especially interested in helping people reconnect with wildness, both inside and outside of themselves. After learning to hunt, fish, and forage as an adult, Daniel created WildFed to inspire others to start a wild-food journey of their own.     What we discuss:   02:19: Why is the overall health of our population in constant decline despite medical and scientific advancements in health care? 05:10: Is it really possible to feed the masses without industrialized farms? 23:53: Did we make technology or did technology make us? 42:00: Is the hunter-gather theory over-romanticized? 47:53: The truth about communities and tribes 01:04:00: What does the Bible really say about God?   To learn more about Daniel:   Website: https://www.danielvitalis.com/ and

Do you wish you could experience the same effects of alcohol, but without the hangover?   In this episode of the Align podcast, Cameron George and I chat about what Kava is exactly, its main benefits, and how it impacts your nervous system. We also explore what senescent cells are and how they relate to the psychedelic experience of psychotropic medicines. Lastly, we cover how Kava can help reset your sympathetic system.    Cameron is a researcher, writer, entrepreneur and the founder of TRU KAVA, a company that is striving to set the industry standard for quality, safety and education around kava within the mass market. TRU KAVA is focused on developing scalable user-friendly products that deliver the full therapeutic action of the traditional kava drink, which is the only form has been highly prized in south pacific islands for over 3000 years.   What we discuss:   03:16: What does the psychedelic experience like from a neuro-chemical perspective? 09:27: What does it mean to experience a re-sensitization to reality? 14:23: What is a senescent cell? 31:07: What is Kava? 52:02: How does Kava impact the nervous system? 01:02:48: How does being in a constant sympathetic state affect your libido? 01:13:42: What other substances can restore the GABA system? 01:30:45: How did Cameron beat his addiction 01:51:40: What is a tonic? 01:53:35: What is the recommended dosage of Kava? 02:02:52: What “stacks”

Do you make time for play in your day?   In this episode of the Align podcast, Jason Nemer and I chat about the benefits of acroyoga, playing, and connection for our health. While we tend to forget it, humans do need to experience play to feel their optimal selves. We also chat about the concept of the “perfect fit” when it comes to AcroYoga.   Jason Nemer is a world-champion acrobat and the Co-Founder of AcroYoga. Jason’s work was featured in New York Times Bestselling author Tim Ferriss’ book, Tools of Titans.   What we discuss:   03:20: What does it mean to have space in the body? 08:35: What are meridian lines? 18:04: What is AcroYoga? 21:19: What can people learn about their bodies in this process? 31:13: Does the concept of “perfect fit” exist? 43:13: What are the benefits of “play”? 48:50: Where does DougChiang fit in? 01:10:19: What does it mean to be extreme?   To learn more about Jason:   Website:

Did you know that someone’s genetics may explain why some people prefer chaos over order?   In this episode of the Align podcast, Dr. Doug Brackmann and I chat about what it really means to be Driven. Essentially, our Driven characteristics are related to a certain genetic makeup, meaning our ways of being are not simply personality traits but are ingrained in our DNA. We also debate over why love and social acceptance are not the same thing, the differences between intuition and feelings, and why not all feelings are bullshit.    Dr. Doug Brackmann is one of the leading psychologists to some of the most successful and Driven entrepreneurs, pro athletes, executives, and other top performers. By combining the components of meditation, long-range shooting, and therapy, Dr. Doug helps those with Driven characteristics (often wrongfully diagnosed as ADD, ADHD, OCD, or other) to harness their hunter abilities.   What we discuss:    02:43: What about one’s genetics makes them more scientific or spiritual? 08:32: Can trauma affect your characteristics? 13:33: What does it mean to be driven? 25:00: Are hunters really superior to farmers? 39:40: Are all feelings bullshit?! 45:31: What is the ego and how does it relate to the narratives we create? 53:41: What exercises can you perform to explore the shadow? 1:01:00: Is social acceptance and love the same thing?   To learn more about Dr. Brackmann:   Website: