

Brad Hook Podcast
Bradley Hook
Discover the Brad Hook Show: a place for the curious. Each episode offers deep dives with diverse guests—from academics demystifying theories to athletes discussing grit, authors revealing their thought processes, or storytellers enchanting with tales. It's a fusion of backgrounds and ideas, aiming to provide listeners with a kaleidoscope of inspiration, knowledge, and passion.
Brad is the author of Start With Values (Penguin), founder of the Values Institute, and founder of Surfd.com, an action sports magazine. He is head of the Resilience Lab at Resilience Institute.
Brad is the author of Start With Values (Penguin), founder of the Values Institute, and founder of Surfd.com, an action sports magazine. He is head of the Resilience Lab at Resilience Institute.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 5, 2025 • 44min
What If Joy Is Always Available? — Dr. Andreea D. Vanacker
I’d love you to check out my new book, Start With Values (https://values.institute/start-with-values-book/). It’s packed full of tools to help you lead a life that is aligned with your core values, reducing stress and increasing fulfillment. Find all of my links here: https://link.bradleyhook.com/bradIn This EpisodeDr. Andreea D. Vanacker joins me to explore how we can live with more joy—even in the face of adversity. She’s an entrepreneur, author of four books, TEDx speaker, and founder of One Million Years of Joy, a global movement rooted in research, storytelling, and connection. After a life-altering brain operation, Andreea began a quest to understand joy on a deeper level. With a Ph.D. in Economics and experience leading global businesses in over 50 countries, she brings both heart and intellect to this beautiful conversation.Big Ideas💫 The story behind One Million Years of Joy and why the name wouldn’t leave her🧠 How a nine-hour brain operation became the catalyst for discovering her new purpose🌍 What working across 50+ countries taught her about universal human connection💖 The Trilogy of Joy: Love, Gratitude, and Confidence (towards self, others, and life)🧘🏽♂️ Why joy is not something to chase but something we can tap into🧬 The neuroscience of survival and how to consciously create space for joy🛏️ Why sleep, nature, and nutrition are essential for resilience and joy👥 How relationships impact our long-term health and fulfillment📸 A beautiful daily habit: take one photo a day of something you find beautiful🎥 Sneak peek: Her upcoming documentary The Melody of LifeConnect with Dr. Andreea D. VanackerWebsite: https://www.andreeavanacker.com/One Million Years of Joy: https://www.andreeavanacker.com/joyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreeavanacker/

Mar 28, 2025 • 47min
What Is Your Body Trying to Tell You? — Dr. Chad Sato
I’d love you to check out my new book, Start With Values (https://values.institute/start-with-values-book/). It’s packed full of tools to help you lead a life that is aligned with your core values, reducing stress and increasing fulfillment. Find all of my links here: https://link.bradleyhook.com/bradIn This EpisodeDr. Chad Sato is a mind-body specialist, chiropractor, author, and founder of Aloha Chiropractic in Honolulu, Hawaii. With over 25 years of practice and thousands of spines in his care, Chad blends ancient wisdom and modern technique in a unique healing method called Network Spinal Analysis. In this warm, wide-ranging conversation, we explore how stress, trauma, and even joy are stored in the body—and how awareness can set us free. Chad shares actionable insights on listening to the body’s signals, releasing tension, and cultivating presence. A must-listen for anyone interested in resilience, self-healing, or conscious living.Big Ideas🧠 What exactly is the mind-body connection, and why does it matter?🫁 How the breath reveals where you hold tension—and how to release it🌀 What Network Spinal Analysis is and how it trains your body to self-regulate🫶 Why “patients” are called “members” in Chad’s practice💥 The hidden emotional root of chronic pain and illness🧳 How trauma and even positive experiences can get stored in the body🎯 The link between awareness and healing🛏️ A simple nightly practice to clear your nervous system before sleep🌱 Why healing starts with becoming whole again📚 The story behind Chad’s books and the upcoming launch of his wellness hub🌊 Surfing, stretching, self-awareness, and the medicine of presenceConnect with Dr. Chad SatoWebsite: https://www.drchadsato.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/infinitebodyawareness/Books: Infinite Body Wisdom and Infinite Body AwarenessApp: Infinite Body Awareness (available on iOS and Google Play)

Mar 14, 2025 • 50min
How Can We Beat Burnout and Find Balance? — Melo Calarco
I’d love you to check out my new book, Start With Values (https://values.institute/start-with-values-book/). It’s packed full of tools to help you lead a life that is aligned with your core values, reducing stress and increasing fulfillment. Find all of my links here: https://link.bradleyhook.com/bradIn This EpisodeIs burnout the cost of success? High-performance coach Melo Calarco joins me to discuss why modern professionals are burning out faster than ever—and what we can do about it. As a TEDx speaker, award-winning author of Beating Burnout, Finding Balance, and someone who has cycled 30,000 km across five continents, Melo brings profound insights into resilience, mindfulness, and high performance. He shares lessons learned from near-death experiences, elite coaching sessions, and ancient wisdom traditions. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the pace of life, this episode is your invitation to slow down, reset, and perform at your best—without breaking yourself in the process.Big Ideas🔥 The hidden causes of burnout—why we can’t switch off and how to fix it🧠 Stress addiction—why busyness feels good but is actually destroying us🌍 The global mental health hangover from COVID—are we still running on empty?💨 The power of breath—how simple techniques can shift your nervous system instantly🔁 The myth of “always-on” productivity—why taking breaks actually makes you more effective💭 Visualization techniques for high performance—how Olympic athletes train their minds for success⏳ The science of meditation—how mindfulness can literally slow aging and improve brain function🌊 The balance equation—why recovery should be part of every workday, not an afterthought👁️ Lessons from the Himalayas—what ancient traditions teach us about resilience and well-beingConnect with Melo CalarcoFREE SAMPLE CHAPTER: https://www.melocalarco.com/the-bookMELO CALARCO WEBSITE: https://www.melocalarco.com/FREE MEDITATIONS on INSIGHT TIMER: http://insig.ht/mindfulmoovesLINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melo-calarco/

Mar 4, 2025 • 45min
The Power of Play: Rethinking Learning and Creativity — Dr. Sarah Aiono
I'd love you to check out my new book, Start With Values (https://values.institute/start-with-values-book/). It's packed full of tools to help you lead a life that is aligned with your core values, reducing stress and increasing fulfillment. Find all of my links here: https://link.bradleyhook.com/brad.In This EpisodeDr. Sarah Aiono is one of Aotearoa New Zealand's foremost experts in play pedagogy, pioneering a movement to make education more child-centered, engaging, and effective. As CEO of Longworth Education, Sarah has developed transformative teaching frameworks that are reshaping classrooms across New Zealand, Canada, and India. She is a passionate advocate for play-based learning, helping educators balance curriculum demands with developmentally appropriate practices. In this episode, Sarah shares why play is not just for kids, how it enhances creativity and resilience, and how we can introduce more play into both education and work.Big Ideas🎓 The limitations of traditional education and why the current system is outdated🧠 How play rewires the brain for better learning and retention💡 The role of play in developing resilience, creativity, and problem-solving skills🏫 What play pedagogy looks like in classrooms and how it benefits all students, including neurodiverse learners👩🏫 How teachers can balance academic rigor with child-led exploration🌍 The cultural and social significance of play in human development⚡ How play enhances adult productivity, well-being, and innovation🌳 The magic of forest schools and why outdoor learning environments are so powerful🤖 The intersection of play and AI: Can technology enhance experiential learning?📉 The dangers of eliminating play and over-focusing on standardized testing🛠️ Practical tips to integrate play into your daily life, whether you're an educator, parent, or professionalConnect with Dr. Sarah Aionohttps://longwortheducation.com/https://pblot.com/https://longworthsolutions.com/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-sarah-aiono/

Feb 22, 2025 • 56min
Dreading Mondays? Here’s How to Fix That — Bree Groff
I'd love you to check out my new book, Start With Values (https://values.institute/start-with-values-book/). It's packed full of tools to help you lead a life that is aligned with your core values, reducing stress and increasing fulfillment. Find all of my links here: https://link.bradleyhook.com/bradIn This Episode:Bree Groff is on a mission to help people have more good days at work. As an organizational change expert and the author of Today Was Fun (coming July 2025), she explores how we can rethink workplace culture, redefine success, and design careers that make us feel more alive. With experience as the CEO of NOBL Collective and as a senior advisor at SYPartners, Bree brings deep insights into why work often feels broken and how we can fix it. In this episode, we dive into the myths of professionalism, the power of camaraderie, and the little shifts that can make a big difference in our work lives.Big Ideas:✨ Why work should be fun and how we lost our way🌎 The role of professionalism and why it's time to rethink it🤝 The importance of camaraderie and creating a cozy team💡 How to break free from busyness and do more brilliant work🧠 Why we need to stop delaying joy and start designing better workdays🎨 The surprising connection between creativity and career satisfaction💪 Work like you’re dying: a perspective shift on career ambitions🔄 Stoic principles that can help you stay grounded at workConnect with Bree Groff:Website: https://www.breegroff.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bree-groff/Pre-order Today Was Fun: https://www.amazon.com/Today-Was-Fun-About-Seriously/dp/1774585596

Feb 15, 2025 • 41min
Turning Pain into Purpose with the Author of "Unbreakable" — Carolyn Sophia
I'd love you to check out my new book, Start With Values (https://values.institute/start-with-values-book/). It's packed full of tools to help you lead a life that is aligned with your core values, reducing stress and increasing fulfillment. Find all of my links here: https://link.bradleyhook.com/brad.In This Episode Carolyn Sophia is an author, mental health advocate, and speaker dedicated to creating safe spaces for people to feel seen, heard, and supported. Through her book Unbreakable, Carolyn shares her journey of overcoming bullying, depression, and self-doubt, inspiring others to embrace resilience and self-love. With a focus on breaking stigma and empowering young people, Carolyn’s mission is to remind everyone that they are never alone in their struggles. In this episode, we dive into her journey, the lessons she’s learned, and how we can all take steps toward a more open and supportive world.Big Ideas 💡 How a near-fatal car accident changed Carolyn's life and sparked her mission💪 The real meaning of resilience and how to build it💭 Breaking the stigma around mental health through open conversations🌈 The power of vulnerability and sharing your story📝 How writing Unbreakable helped Carolyn heal🧠 The role of mindfulness, gratitude, and exercise in mental well-being🌟 Why self-acceptance is the first step to happiness👥 How to reconnect with a support network when you feel alone📞 Practical tools and coping strategies for dealing with stress and anxiety🌐 Social media's impact on mental health and self-worthConnect with Carolyn SophiaWebsite: https://www.carolynsophia.com/Book: https://www.amazon.com/unbreakable-Breaking-silence-Finding-Sharing/dp/1636769608Linktree: https://linktr.ee/carolyn.sophia

Feb 4, 2025 • 50min
Why Some Startups Thrive and Others Fail — David Ding
David Ding, CEO of Morpheus and PowerHouse, shares insights on startup success and investor expectations. He discusses the vital role of fractional CEOs in guiding growth-stage companies and why New Zealand is an innovative hub. David emphasizes the emotional hurdles of raising funds and the need for strong proof of concept. The conversation touches on the rising impact of AI in investment, the ethical considerations around its use, and how it can enhance human well-being. He also advocates for creative collaboration within organizations to spark innovation.

Jan 25, 2025 • 52min
The Hidden Power of Beliefs: A Hypnotist’s Guide — Ryan Christensen
I’d love you to check out my new book, Start With Values (https://values.institute/start-with-values-book/). It’s packed full of tools to help you lead a life that is aligned with your core values, reducing stress and increasing fulfillment. Find all of my links here: https://link.bradleyhook.com/brad
In This Episode:
Ryan Christensen joins the show to share his incredible journey from 23 years in the intelligence community to becoming a hypnotist and author. With expertise in counter-terrorism, counter-proliferation, and national security, Ryan’s career took a transformative turn when he discovered hypnosis as a way to explore the unconscious mind, reframe limiting beliefs, and build emotional resilience. Ryan explains how hypnosis bypasses the critical mind to access deeper layers of the self and shares his personal experience with reframing emotions and beliefs to achieve lasting inner peace.
Big Ideas:
🌀 What is hypnosis, and how does it work to access the unconscious mind?
🧠 The difference between emotional and rational beliefs and how they influence behavior
🌱 How limiting beliefs are formed in childhood and why they’re so powerful
🌈 Reframing negative emotions as signals for growth instead of pain
🚀 Breaking free from the victim mindset and stepping into the role of creator
🔑 How shifting your perspective on emotions can enhance resilience and success
🌟 Why Ryan believes there is a finish line to self-improvement and how to get there
Connect with Ryan Christensen:
Webpage: https://www.ryanthehypnotist.com
Winner Peace: How to End Interconflict and Make Success Inevitable: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DGQVN1HP
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanwchristensen/
Enjoy the episode and discover how to unlock your full potential through the power of reframing beliefs and emotions.

Jan 18, 2025 • 1h
Should You Trust Your Intuition? Discover InnSæi — Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir
I’d love you to check out my new book, Start With Values (https://values.institute/start-with-values-book/). It’s packed full of tools to help you lead a life that is aligned with your core values, reducing stress and increasing fulfillment. Find all of my links here: https://link.bradleyhook.com/brad.
In This Episode
In this episode, I’m joined by Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir, an Icelandic thought leader, author, and filmmaker whose groundbreaking work explores intuition, resilience, and innovation. Hrund is the author of InnSæi: Icelandic Wisdom for Turbulent Times and the co-director of InnSæi: The Power of Intuition, a documentary that has inspired viewers worldwide.
Hrund’s career includes leading roles at the United Nations, Iceland’s largest innovation fund, and Yale’s International Leadership Centre. Her insights on intuition – rooted in the Icelandic concept of InnSæi or “the sea within” 🌊 – offer a profound approach to decision-making, creativity, and navigating uncertainty.
Big Ideas
🌱 How intuition connects the mind, body, and environment for better decision-making.
🧘 Why mindfulness and self-awareness are essential for developing intuition.
📖 The Icelandic concept of InnSæi and how it bridges ancient wisdom and modern science.
🖊️ How journaling can help you harness your inner compass.
🎓 Why education should focus on inner guidance and interconnected thinking.
🌍 The importance of intuition in addressing global challenges and uncertainty.
Connect with Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir
Hrund’s website: https://www.hrundgunnsteinsdottir.com
Hrund’s Substack: https://hrundgunnsteinsdottir.substack.com
Hrund’s TED Talk: https://go.ted.com/hrundgunnsteinsdóttir

Jan 13, 2025 • 49min
Can Homeopathy Help You Heal Naturally? — Dr. Jo Polich
I'd love you to check out my new book, Start With Values. It's packed full of tools to help you lead a life that is aligned with your core values, reducing stress and increasing fulfillment. Find all of my links here: https://link.bradleyhook.com/brad
In this episode, we explore the transformative world of homeopathy with Dr. Jo Polich, a trailblazing expert in Arnica and homeopathic remedies. Dr. Jo shares her remarkable journey from engineer to innovator, blending scientific rigor with traditional healing practices to develop products like ActivMend.
✨ Topics we explore:
💡 What is homeopathy, and how does it work?
🌱 Dr. Jo’s personal story of discovering homeopathy after her daughter’s illness.
🦵 How Arnica and the “Power 5” remedies support injury recovery.
📜 The science and challenges behind patenting a homeopathic product.
🌟 Why swelling isn’t the enemy—and how to heal naturally.
🧠 The future of homeopathy and its potential integration into mainstream medicine.
Timestamps
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:02:11 - What is homeopathy, and how does it differ from herbals?
00:05:08 - Dr. Jo’s life-changing discovery of homeopathy
00:08:47 - Why swelling happens and how to heal faster
00:12:25 - The power of Arnica and other remedies in ActivMend
00:18:13 - Dr. Jo’s groundbreaking patent and collaboration with Allergan
00:23:07 - Applications of homeopathy beyond injury recovery
00:30:19 - Can homeopathy be used preventatively?
00:36:09 - Challenges in mainstream acceptance of homeopathy
00:44:47 - How ActivMend works for athletes and more
00:46:42 - Final thoughts and how to connect with Dr. Jo
Resources and Links
Learn more about ActivMend: https://www.activmend.com
Contact Dr. Jo: drjr.jo@activmend.com