In this insightful episode of the Urban Monk Podcast, Dr. Pedram Shojai explores the critical concept of neuroception—our nervous system's automatic detection of safety and threat—and how it fundamentally impacts our health, happiness, and ability to thrive. Dr. Shojai breaks down the science behind Dr. Stephen Porges' polyvagal theory, explaining how our subconscious continuously scans for environmental cues of safety or danger, triggering different responses in our autonomic nervous system. When we don't feel safe, our body can't properly heal, digest, or function optimally—regardless of how many supplements, green smoothies, or wellness practices we incorporate. Learn how to recognize safety signals in your environment, relationships, and within yourself, while discovering practical techniques to counteract stress responses: peripheral vision exercises, diaphragmatic breathing, calf stretching, and tongue positioning. Dr. Shojai also offers valuable advice on creating sanctuary spaces, minimizing exposure to negative news cycles, and making intentional choices about your environment to support your nervous system. Whether you're dealing with chronic stress, healing from trauma, or simply navigating our increasingly chaotic world, this episode provides essential insights for recalibrating your neuroception and creating the conditions for genuine wellbeing. As Dr. Shojai emphasizes, it's time to "stop cutting yourself" with harmful inputs and start actively cultivating the safety signals your body and mind need to flourish.

At 30 years old, former Marine Kevin Ellis received shocking news: he had osteoporosis, a condition most associate with elderly women. Facing a medical system offering only medication and the grim prediction of inevitable fractures, Kevin refused to accept this fate. In this eye-opening conversation, Kevin reveals how he transformed his diagnosis by uncovering the true causes of bone loss and building a protocol that not only reversed his own osteoporosis but has now helped thousands reclaim their skeletal health. Discover why the standard medical approach to bone health is dangerously incomplete, how your gut health directly impacts your bone strength, and why the exercises you're doing might be completely ineffective for building bone density. Kevin shares the specific nutrients, movements, and testing protocols that can dramatically change your bone health trajectory—regardless of your age or current diagnosis. Whether you're in your 30s or your 70s, this episode provides actionable strategies to build a stronger skeletal foundation that will carry you through decades of vibrant, active living. Don't miss this powerful conversation that challenges everything you thought you knew about building unbreakable bones.  

Bob Rountree is a legend in the functional medicine space and it's important to hear how he's living.

Why do we self sabotage? Why do we avoid pain so readily?   How can we change the way we go about things to be less avoidant and come back to life?

Nick Pineault is known as the EMF Guy. I brought him to have a sane and sober discussion aroudn a topic that has a lot of sillyness around it. Listen to this!

It's a process but do you know how?   You have to feel it to heal it but there are ways to make it flow better.   Let's discuss.

We were all excited about the microbiome and remain so but my thining around testing the gut has changed and I'm seeing better results doing it this way...

Is the flouride in the water really killing our spiritual awareness? Is it numbing our senses. I dug into the research and here's what I found out about the pineal gland.

Good health starts in your kitchen and it needs to be taught to the kids NOW...they won't have any good habits if they don't start at home with you and then they're doomed to a life of drugs and disease.    Katie teaches us how to turn this around.

Science and the woo- a marriage at last. My guest is a smart doctor who's been following the science on quantum biology and she shares how cool it's all become!