RUNGA Radio

Comedian and creator Brent Pella (@brentpella) joins Richard and Joseph for a hilarious, unfiltered, and thoughtful conversation about satire, spiritual charlatans, and the surprising power of breathwork. Brent offers a rare blend of humor and heart while opening up about his creative process, psychedelic journeys, and why he believes we can store joy in our cells just like trauma.Topics– Satire, censorship & comedy’s role in an outraged world– From ketamine to ayahuasca: Brent’s psychedelic path– Conscious Connected Breathwork vs. plant medicine– The charlatan problem in the healing space– The neuroscience of joy, trauma, and creativity– Biohacking water, BPA receipts, and microplastics– Brent’s secret Bernie Sanders impressionTimestamps00:02:45 – Learning to suck at something again: Brent on picking up piano and why challenge equals joy00:05:52 – Storing joy in your cells: Can our bodies hold more than just trauma?00:12:15 – SNL, Daily Show, and political bias in comedy00:19:30 – Satirizing the psychedelic scene: Manipulation, ego, and false prophets00:25:10 – Psychedelics & creativity: Brent’s journey from microdosing to macro insights00:33:01 – Why Brent won’t do ayahuasca (yet)00:39:45 – The wine glass metaphor for trauma healing00:45:00 – Punching down vs. satire with integrity00:52:20 – Leah Thomas joke: Finding the line without crossing it00:55:42 – Pella or Propaganda: Brent plays the parody vs. real news game01:03:00 – Deep breathwork & energy surges: Brent’s experience with CCB01:09:30 – From Venice Beach smog to Austin skies: Nervous system reset01:14:58 – Water hacks, raw milk mafias & BPA paranoia01:21:45 – Receipts, Lululemon, and slow-drip toxicity01:26:30 – Mercury in retrograde & the astrology placebo01:32:20 – The burden of manifesting everything vs. surrendering to chaos01:35:10 – Brent on legacy: Why joy matters more than justiceSTAY CONNECTEDBrent’s InstagramBrent’s Website & Tour DatesLiability NotePsychedelics discussed in this episode are illegal in many jurisdictions and are not suitable for everyone. Conscious Connected Breathwork can induce intense physiological and emotional responses and may be contraindicated for those with epilepsy, cardiovascular issues, or during pregnancy. Always consult a healthcare provider before participating in altered state practices.Support the show

In this eye-opening episode, Joseph and Richard sit down with Dr. Jason Sonners—functional medicine expert and hyperbaric innovator—to explore the cutting edge of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), biological aging, and the future of integrative health. Fresh off completing his PhD in molecular biology, Jason shares the results of a groundbreaking study comparing soft and hard hyperbaric chambers, uncovering surprising findings that could reshape the industry.From cytokine signaling to mitochondrial function, Jason breaks down his clinical experience, personal practices, and research-backed insights on optimizing recovery, cognition, and biological age. This conversation is essential listening for anyone interested in evidence-based biohacking, functional medicine, and using oxygen as medicine.Key themes:Surprising benefits of soft-shell vs. hard-shell hyperbaric chambersHow hyperbaric therapy impacts aging, inflammation, and cognitive functionWhen more pressure is not better—and how hormesis plays a roleThe synergistic effects of HBOT with fasting, nitric oxide, methylene blue, and moreWhat physicians are missing about post-surgical recovery and non-drug therapiesKEY TAKEAWAYSJason’s research shows both soft (1.3 ATA) and hard (2.0 ATA) chambers reduce systemic inflammation, but affect different cytokines—proving both have distinct therapeutic uses.Lower pressure chambers impacted cytokines like TNF-α and IL-6 more strongly—key for autoimmune and chronic inflammatory issues.High pressure chambers had stronger effects on markers like myeloperoxidase—making them more useful for cardiovascular inflammation and long COVID.Cognitive improvements were statistically significant for memory in both groups, with higher pressure showing stronger effects.Both pressure types reversed biological age, but in different ways: low pressure affected Gen 1 clocks early, while high pressure impacted Gen 2 clocks after a delay.Stacking HBOT with fasting, nitric oxide boosters, and methylene blue may enhance results—but combining with antioxidants like glutathione too early could blunt benefits.Biohackers often overdo hormetic stress; more isn’t always better. Stacking intelligently (and seasonally) is key.Jason encourages practitioners to move away from dogma and explore physiology-based decision making—matching tools to pathways, not diagnoses.Clinical logic matters: HBOT has decades of research on wound healing, so why isn’t it used for surgical recovery?Methylene blue is safe and effective for many, but not necessary for everyone. Use should be based on goals, tolerance, and context—not trendiness.Support the show

In this deeply personal and thought-provoking episode of RUNGA Radio, Joseph Anew and Dr. Richard Blake explore the ancient ritual of Misogi—a deliberate undertaking of hardship to meet your truest self. Joseph shares his raw, emotional journey through a 52.4-mile ultra-endurance race he signed up for just 26 days before, using it as a gateway to spiritual and psychological growth. Richard reflects on his own experiences with failure, masculinity, and naked vulnerability (literally) at a Tantra retreat. Together, they challenge our collective obsession with comfort and performance, offering listeners a new framework for transformation.Why failure is the most underrated tool for transformationThe ancient roots of Misogi and its modern relevanceJoseph’s physical and emotional unraveling during a 52.4-mile raceHow suffering reveals hidden parts of the psyche—“the cast of characters”Peptides, breathwork, and recovery tools for extreme enduranceKEY TAKEAWAYSFailure isn’t a detour—it’s the path. Modern comfort has robbed us of our psychological resilience.Misogi is an ancient Japanese ritual of purification through hardship. The modern interpretation is choosing something with a 50% chance of failure to meet yourself more deeply.Joseph completed 40 out of 52.4 miles in an ultra-race, confronting pain, rage, shame, and even the “cheater” within him along the way.True self-awareness often requires stepping into discomfort where the “cast of characters” within you emerge—victim, critic, avoider, cheater, etc.Peptides like BPC-157 and TB-500, along with BioRegenics Cream, can play a remarkable role in recovery when the body is deeply stressed.Time is a false god—Joseph explains how we use it as an excuse to avoid the work we need to do.Suffering is unavoidable; the choice is whether you confront it on your terms or let life impose it upon you.Physical hardship creates transformation faster than therapy in many cases because of its intensity and immediacy.Misogis should be challenging but not reckless. The right threshold is something with a high risk of failure—but not guaranteed collapse.Richard shares how leaving a Tantra retreat due to discomfort and returning years later transformed his relationship to shame, intimacy, and the body.Support the show

Laura Fullerton (@laurafullerton) is the founder of the high-performance ice bath brand Monk. In this episode, Richard (@the_breath_geek) and Joseph (@therungaguy) dive into:How cold exposure uniquely benefits women (and what week of your cycle to plunge)Why temperature matters way less than you thinkThe secret link between trauma, PTSD recovery, and the coldThe biggest myths about ice baths (and why “harder” isn’t always better)Get ready to rethink what you know about cold therapy, stress resilience, and performance. TIMESTAMPS:00:01 – Meet Laura Fullerton: founder of Monk Ice Baths and unexpected ice bath enthusiast00:44 – Laura’s first (reluctant) plunge and life-changing breathwork experience03:49 – Why the more afraid you are, the bigger the dopamine reward04:18 – How the menstrual cycle affects cold tolerance: when women should (and shouldn’t) plunge08:37 – Should you plunge when sick or hungover? (spoiler: probably not)09:44 – Ice baths and inflammation: how plunging helped endometriosis symptoms in a pilot study [Liability Note]11:07 – Does cold exposure blunt muscle growth? Here’s the real nuance14:37 – When cold plunging boosts athletic recovery and endurance pre-cooling16:14 – Carnivore Aurelius says cold plunges are bad? Here’s why that’s misleading17:23 – Gender differences: how men vs women experience the benefits of cold19:54 – Is cold therapy a lasting health trend—or just a stepping stone to something bigger?24:03 – Joseph’s near-death hypothermia story (and accidental DMT experience)26:00 – Swearing during cold plunges: surprising science about pain tolerance28:47 – Laura’s #1 ice bath myth she wishes would disappear33:26 – Behind the scenes: building Monk, hardware + software in the biohacking space38:36 – Monk’s vision: syncing cold therapy with your biometrics40:08 – How cold plunging could help PTSD and mental health for veterans48:55 – Cold immersion, menstrual cycles, and psychedelics—new research insights53:46 – Why women’s health research is finally (slowly) catching up57:45 – How to find Monk, Laura, and what’s coming nextSupport the show

In this episode, Dr. Richard Blake (@the_breath_geek) and Joseph Anew (@TheRUNGAGuy) go deeper than the usual therapy vs. fitness debate — questioning whether traditional therapy is even the best first-line treatment for many people.We explore:– Why SSRIs might not be the magic bullet we were promised – How exercise could act as the “missing ingredient” in emotional healing – The dangers of weaponizing “intention vs. impact” culture – How plastic surgery affects mental health – The real reason social connection predicts longevity – Why men’s mental health needs movement, not just talking circlesWith honest reflections, real studies, and no sacred cows, this conversation is a much-needed reality check for anyone navigating modern mental health culture.Ready for a true mind-body-soul upgrade? Join our RUNGA Intensive — a 12-week coaching journey to unlock your next level of health and freedom. ➔ Learn more & applyTIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Facelifts: The new PED for biohackers? 04:17 – Plastic surgery and its unpredictable impact on mental health 06:56 – Why your perception shapes your reality more than you think 08:32 – How outrage culture is making us miserable 13:05 – Does therapy really work? A harsh look at the evidence 19:45 – The dangers of therapy if you don’t actually need it 24:15 – Exercise, SSRIs, and therapy: Which one wins for mental health? 37:31 – Why men might need exercise even more than women 43:34 – Longevity and friendship: It’s not what you think 48:10 – New Age spirituality and narcissism: a slippery slope 55:06 – SSRIs: The dirty secrets no one talks about 01:08:04 – Why therapy needs to integrate sleep, food, sunlight, and fitnessSupport the show

Mold, EMFs, Histamine & the Biohacking Rain BarrelTony Wrighton was once a high-energy presenter on Sky Sports. Now? He’s the guy who walks into a café wearing EMF shorts, uses tapping to help his 5-year-old poop, and might just be the most nuanced voice in biohacking right now.In this refreshingly honest and surprisingly funny conversation, we explore how Tony’s years of mysterious gut issues and burnout turned out to be histamine intolerance… caused by mold exposure in his student housing decades earlier. We also get real about the biohacks that don’t work, parenting in the digital age, EMF fails, and why the best hacks are still free.Tony’s also the host of the popular Zestology podcast.Topics We CoverMold, histamine intolerance & post-viral fatigueEMFs, sleep canopies & tech that might be doing nothingParenting without iPads (and why tapping helps with constipation)Biohacking fails: TSA trauma, shrinking shorts, and placebo pantsFull-body MRIs, metabolic testing, and the future of diagnosticsWhy Gabor Maté and Esther Perel were Tony’s most important teachersSocial media’s role in health anxiety — and what to do about itKey Moments 00:00 – Mold vs. EMF: Why we’re not all reacting to the same triggers 03:18 – What histamine intolerance really feels like 07:11 – The “Plinko” theory of chronic illness 21:00 – Tapping for kids, parenting in the age of addiction 33:00 – EMF blocking fails, radiation fears & airport scanners 43:29 – What’s actually exciting in health: testing, not techTools & ResourcesDirty Genes by Ben LynchSiPhox Home TestingQuicksilver Scientific – use code RUNGA for 15% offDr. Khan – Austin Regenerative TherapyRELATED EPISODESAmy Piper – The Science of Tapping & Becoming Your Own HealerHuberman’s Dangerous AdviceLIABILITY NOTEEMF sensitivity is not recognized as a formal diagnosis by most medical institutions. However, some individuals report reproducible symptom relief from mitigation strategies.Histamine intolerance remains a controversial and poorly defined diagnosis. Symptoms may overlap with other conditions. Always consult with a medical professional.Airport scanners in the U.S. use millimeter wave technology. These scanners are banned in the EU based on precautionary principles.EFT (Tapping) may be effective for emotional regulation but should not replace professional mental health care when needed.FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM@the_breath_geek | @TheRUNGAGuy | @tonywrightonIf your “rain barrel” feels full, this one’s for you.Support the show

Dr. Richard Blake responds to 3 million views, 3,000 comments, and a mental health system under fire. Last week Dr. Richard Blake (@the_breath_geek) posted a reel that challenged the foundational assumptions of modern therapy — and it exploded: 3M+ views, 100K shares, and thousands of comments.In this episode recorded live from the Health Optimization Summit, Richard, therapist-in-training Natalia Blake, and co-host Joseph Anew unpack the firestorm. They address accusations of manipulation, the limitations of talk therapy, and the rise of therapy culture that may be doing more harm than good. This is a raw, honest, and timely conversation that asks big questions about how we heal, what’s keeping us stuck, and what a more empowered, integrated path forward might look like.• The Limitations of Traditional Talk Therapy – Why many people feel stuck in therapy, and how the field is still influenced by outdated frameworks and models of the mind. • The Rise of “Therapy Culture” – A critical distinction between therapy as a tool and the growing cultural identity around being in therapy, working on trauma, or identifying as broken. • Personal Agency and the Path to Real Healing – How movement, community, breathwork, and lifestyle interventions can create the transformation many are seeking—but not finding—in conventional care. • Conscious Connected Breathwork (CCB) as a Therapeutic Alternative – Drawing from his PhD research, Richard shares why CCB may offer a more embodied and effective route for emotional processing and nervous system regulation. • Rethinking the Mental Health System – From ghosting therapists to the limitations of insurance-based models, the conversation explores what’s not working—and what could work better.Liability Note This episode includes a critique of therapy culture, outcomes, and common practices. Listeners are reminded that not all therapy is ineffective, and many benefit from mental health support when well-matched with a trained professional. This podcast does not offer individualized clinical advice. Always consult a licensed provider for mental health needs.Support the show

Joseph and Richard sit down with integrative nutritionist Marek Doyle for a deep and honest conversation about the true nature of stress, why cortisol isn’t the villain it’s made out to be, and how the nervous system—and our energy levels—shape our capacity to heal. Marek brings a refreshingly nuanced perspective to the world of functional medicine, challenging mainstream narratives and offering insight into how energy security, nervous system regulation, and breathwork all play a central role in true well-being. You’ll hear about his transition from reductionist, evidence-based protocols to a more intuitive and personal approach—one rooted in lived experience, clinical insight, and the intelligence of the body.What You’ll Learn:Why Cortisol Isn’t the Enemy: Marek breaks down the true role of cortisol, showing that it’s not the stress hormone we should fear—but a key player in turning off the stress response. Chronic stress, not cortisol itself, is what leads to health issues like inflammation, gut permeability, and burnout.The Hidden Cost of Low Energy: He explains how low energy availability—not just poor nutrition—can prevent healing, stall progress, and make even the best protocols ineffective. Energy security, including how the body predicts and produces energy, is at the center of Marek’s system.Rethinking Functional Medicine: Marek challenges the typical reductionist model in functional medicine. Rather than relying on isolated tests and trendy supplements, he emphasizes a personalized, systems-based approach rooted in how the body actually functions in real life.The Limits of “Evidence-Based” Approaches: This episode dives into why rigid, data-only thinking can leave many people behind. Marek shares how effect sizes, individual responses, and clinical nuance are often more important than what the latest study says.Breathwork as a Breakthrough Tool: After trying countless somatic practices, Marek found breathwork to be the most consistent and fast-acting way to shift someone out of stress and into healing. He now considers it essential for restoring nervous system balance and resilience.Support the show

Jay Campbell is a leading expert in the field of hormone therapy, peptides, and biohacking. With a wealth of experience dating back to 2004, Jay delves into the cutting-edge world of peptide therapies and their diverse applications for optimizing health, performance, and longevity. He dives into the transformative potential of both peptides and bio-regulators, with a particular focus on the revolutionary impact of GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight management and metabolic health. With exciting advancements in exercise-mimicking peptides and nootropics, as well as the reality of the complex regulatory landscape surrounding these compounds, listeners will get a glimpse into the forefront of biohacking for enhanced physical and cognitive function. This episode is packed with cutting-edge insights from Jay Campbell. Whether you’re an athlete, health optimizer, or just curious about the next frontier in performance science, you won’t want to miss it.What You'll Learn:•Peptides & Bio-Regulators 101 – Understand how peptides act as powerful signaling molecules, why injectables often have the greatest impact, and how bio-regulators target specific organ systems for healing and optimization.•The GLP-1 Revolution – Discover how peptides like semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) are reshaping weight management, metabolism, and even brain function. Learn the critical do’s and don’ts of proper usage, including the emerging science of microdosing for long-term benefits.•Breaking Through Plateaus with Biohacking – Explore how transdermal and oral bio-regulators, nootropics, and exercise-mimicking peptides can enhance recovery, cognition, endurance, and fat loss—without extreme interventions.•The Truth About Performance Enhancers – From mitochondrial-boosting peptides to metabolism-shifting compounds, learn how to strategically use advanced tools to optimize fitness, longevity, and overall well-being.•Peptides & Safety: What You Need to Know – Before jumping into peptide therapy, understand the evolving regulatory landscape, why blood work is a must, and how to navigate this space responsibly.•The Benefits of Key Products – Before jumping into peptide therapy, understand the evolving regulatory landscape, why blood work is a must, and how to navigate this space responsibly.Bio Longevity Labs (Use code RUNGA for 15% off):Bio Restore (Oral BPC-157)Biomind (Nootropic)Bio Gut Pro (Gut Health)Shred (SLO-P 332 / Sloop)Shred X (Pre-Cardio)Meta Shred (SLO-P 332 + BAM 15)Biogenics (Transdermal Healing)BioSculpt (Transdermal Fat Loss)Support the show

In this episode, Joseph Anew and Richard Blake break down what really matters in health and fitness—cutting through hype, misinformation, and overcomplication. They dive into authenticity in fitness advice, exploring whether figures like RFK Jr. and Greg Glassman truly “walk the walk” and exploring how rhetoric can overshadow truth. A deep discussion on the Huberman Lab interview with Pavel Tsatsouline sparks debate over a misunderstood recommendation about running with a unilateral load—leading to a breakdown of energy systems, metabolic pathways, and why so many people are aerobically deficient.The conversation also explores longevity, stress, and why some Blue Zones research may be misleading. They unpack the “Midwit” meme—showing how fitness advice often gets needlessly complex—and highlight the power of community, the mental benefits of strength training, and the history of kettlebell training.You’ll Learn:The real impact of creatine on energy and performance.Why authenticity matters in fitness advice.How energy systems fuel your workouts—and why most people ignore aerobic health.Why fitness advice often gets overcomplicated.The surprising mental benefits of strength training—especially back squats.The origins of kettlebell training and what RKC & Strong First got right.Support the show