Brain Shaman

In this episode, I talk with Steven Puri, co-founder of the focus app Sukha and former Hollywood executive, about focus and flow — what it feels like, why it matters, and how to increase it. We cover a range of tools and techniques, including: sound, physical space, to-do lists, community, solitude, time of day, and simple items like a pencil, paper, and a timer, along with lessons from Hollywood on creating great work and fulfilling your dreams.Connect and Learn More: Website: thesukha.coEmail: Shared in the episodeLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/steven-puriResources Mentioned:Apps: Brain.fm, Endel, Forest, TodoistBooks: Deep Work by Cal Newport, Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Indistractable by Nir Eyal, The Net and the Butterfly by Olivia Fox Cabane & Judah PollackCompanies: Alaska Airlines, Amazon, Disney, Dreamworks Animation, Fox Corporation, Hilton, LucasFilm, Marvel, Meta, M. Fredric, News Corp, Nike, Oura Health, Pixar, Spiegel, TikTok, Twitter, Universal Studios, Vine, YouTubeMovies: A Good Day to Die Hard, Alien vs. Predator, Ant-Man, Die Hard with a Vengeance, Independence Day: Resurgence, Live Free or Die Hard, Mission: Impossible III, My Best Friend's Wedding, Rain Man, Stargate, Star Trek, The Island, The Mask of Zorro, The Wolverine, Transformers, Transformers: Revenge of the FallenPeople: Alex Kurtzman, Bob Iger, Bob Orci, Chase Carey, Dean Devlin, Elon Musk, Evan Spiegel, Francesco Cirillo, George Lucas, Hephaestus (character), Jake Paul, James Clear, James Dean, John Diemer, Judah Pollack, Logan Paul, Mark Zuckerberg, Marie Curie, Michael Jordan, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Nir Eyal, Olivia Fox Cabane, Pablo Picasso, Prometheus (character), Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Ronald Bass, Ronald Emmerich, Rupert Murdoch, Spike Jonze, Steve Jobs, Tony MauroPlaces: Austin, Bali, Chiang Mai, Cyprus, Kathmandu, Puerta Vallarta, San Francisco, ViennaPodcasts: Deep Questions with Cal Newport

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Paul Taylor, author, neuroscientist, exercise physiologist, and host of The Paul Taylor Podcast. He is an expert in hardiness, the science of turning stress into strength. Modern life is quietly weakening us through the way we eat, move, sleep, socialize, and use technology. By introducing stress, challenge, and discomfort in safe and deliberate ways through exercise, nutrition, temperature, sunlight, and other natural experiences, we can regain our strength and hardiness. This idea is rooted in hormesis, the concept that exposure to manageable stress or challenge can strengthen the body and mind. We also discuss Paul’s lessons from his upbringing in Ireland, his time in the military, and his experiences as a parent, in sport, and through personal challenges. He shares practical ways to build hardiness in daily life: move regularly, play outside, eat mostly minimally processed foods, limit screen time, set simple rules and routines, gradually increase effort, and reflect on how you spend your time. Seeing life as a challenge and viewing stress as a chance to grow helps us step out of our comfort zone, so we can strengthen ourselves physically and mentally and be better prepared for whatever life throws our way.Connect and Learn More:Website: paultaylor.bizInstagram: @paultaylor.bizPodcast: The Paul Taylor PodcastBooks: Death by Comfort, and the upcoming The Hardiness EffectResources Mentioned:Books: Antifragile, Elite Minds, Enchiridion, The Black Swan, People: Arrian, Bengt Saltin, Bente Klarlund Pedersen, Epictetus, Frank Booth, Friedrich Nietzsche, Grant Schofield, Nassim Nicholas Taleb, Seneca, Stan Beecham, Walter Mischel

In this episode, I talk with Qi Gong practitioner and holistic life coach Tamas Konya. We discuss the philosophy and practice, Qi Gong, its benefits, how it has helped Tamas, and how it can help you too. Connect and Learn More:Website: tamascoach.comLinkedIn: Tamas KonyaFacebook: Tamas KonyaInstagram: @tamascoachYouTube: @tamascoachResources Mentioned:Weightless by Marconi UnionBrave New World by Aldous Huxley1984 by George OrwellFight Club (film)Avatar (film)Stephen Covey

What do you do when you have three interviews scheduled and no one shows up? You make a SOLOOOOO episode. Mikey’s back, in his classic state - all alone. This is a musing on what to do when you’ve planned, prepared, and done everything you could, but reality has other ideas. What do you do? Keep going, keep trying, re-channel that energy into something even more amazing, and love and embrace yourself that much more. This lone wolf is waking up from his long winter slumber, howling, roaring, and ready to roam. 

In this episode, Lori Tsugawa, author of Let the Samurai Be Your Guide, shares her journey of overcoming traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) by drawing on her Japanese heritage and values. We explore Japanese concepts like bushido (the way of the warrior), ikigai, and ganbaru (never giving up), and discuss how you can apply these principles to your own life.She also talks about her experiences working in a women’s prison, shares Japanese folk tales, and highlights her favorite places in Japan. Listen in, and let your inner samurai and otaku lead the way toward healing, resilience, and growth.Connect and Learn MoreWebsite: loriwhaley.comBook: Let the Samurai Be Your GuidePodcast: The Samurai WayLinkedIn: Lori TsugawaResources Mentioned:Attractions: Adachi Museum of Art, Dogo Onsen, Japanese American Museum of Oregon, Kenrokuen, Nagoro Doll Village, Noguchi Museum, Pine Wind Japanese Garden, Ritsurin Garden, Shikoku Mura, SL Yamaguchi, Torrance Art MuseumBooks: Man's Search for MeaningFilms: Fight ClubJapanese folktales: Momotarō, The Mouse's Marriage, The Singing TurtleOrganizations: Albert Camus, Amen Clinics, Ikigai Lab, Kinokuniya, The Ritz Carlton, Toastmasters International, Tuttle PublishingPeople: Ayano Tsukimi, Chiune Sugihara, Daniel Amen, Daniel Inouye, Friedrich Nietzsche, Jean-Paul Sartre, Isamu Noguchi, Sam Ushio, Victor Frankl, Yayoi KusamaPlaces: Hokkaido, Iya Valley, Kochi, Matsue, Matsuyama, Naoshima, Naruto, Portland, Shikoku, Takamatsu, Tokushima, Torrance, Tsuwano

In this episode, I talk with Eric Zwigart, CEO of Rock Solid Capital Investments, about how ADHD has shaped his career, faith, and life. Eric shares how ADHD shows up for him — both the challenges, like distraction, difficulty listening, and time blindness, and the advantages, including intense focus, pattern recognition, and creative problem-solving. He reflects on running a $150 million-a-year oil company that collapsed during COVID, costing him $35 million personally, and how that experience changed his perspective. We discuss entrepreneurship, real estate, and what it takes to thrive in a field full of risk and opportunity. Eric shares lessons from both successes and setbacks: leveraging strengths, recognizing weaknesses, working with others, having faith, balancing risk, and more. He explains how these experiences have helped him prioritize family, community, and faith, guiding him in building a life, career, and investments aligned with what matters most.Connect and Learn MoreWebsite: rocksolidcap.comEmail: (mentioned in the episode)LinkedIn: Eric ZwigartYouTube: @ROCKSOLIDPARTNERSInstagram: @eric.zwigartX: @EricZwigartResources MentionedPeople: Bernie Madoff, Donald Trump, Dr. Phil, Elon Musk, Grant Cardone, Søren KierkegaardEntertainment: Mad Men (TV show), Mario Kart (video game), Street Fighter (video game)

In this episode, I talk with ADHD specialist Jennifer Dall about ADHD in women. We discuss the symptoms, features, different forms, possible causes, benefits, overlaps with other conditions, tools that can help, and more.Connect and Learn More🔗Website: adhdholistically.com📷Instagram: @adhd.holistically💬Threads: @adhd.holisticallyResourcesBooksA Radical Guide for Women with ADHD – Sari SuldenJourneys Through ADDulthood – Sari SuldenWomen with Attention Deficit Disorder – Sari SuldenOrganizationsCHADDUnderstood.orgPeopleDanielle ElliotKristen CarderSari SuldenPodcastsClimbing the WallsI Have ADHD 

In this episode, I talk with actress and entrepreneur Jenae Alt about cannabinoids like CBD, CBG, and THC, terpenes, and the effects they can create — including relaxation, pain relief, better sleep, creativity, presence, focus, energy, immune support, beauty, sexual pleasure, and overall well-being. We also discuss delivery methods, other natural ways to experience a high, the risks involved, how to get started, cannabis for pets, and more.Connect and Learn MoreJenae’s Instagram📸 @jenaealt_CalyFX 🌐 calyfx.com | 📸 @calyfxukNeo Sensual 🌐 neosensuality.com | 📸 @neo.sensualusSkinnyWeed🌐 skinnyweed.com | 📸 @skinnyweedincRESOURCESDennis Dellesio (CEO of CalyFX)Eeyore (character)Jack Herer (cannabis rights activist)Pink Floyd (band)Scott Page (musician)Snoopy (character)

In this episode, I talk with Dustin Dunbar, author of You're Doing Great! (And Other Lies Alcohol Told Me) and founder of Alcohol-Free Revolution.We discuss the illusion that alcohol benefits us, how calling it what it truly is—ethanol—can reframe our perspective, and why quitting doesn’t have to be a lifelong struggle. Dustin shares the dream that changed his life, how trauma often underlies drinking, and what happens when you stop numbing and start feeling.We also get into:The difference between the AA model and joyful alcohol-free livingAlcohol as a blocker of consciousness and connectionWhy quitting can lead to more energy, libido, clarity, and weight lossHow to socialize without alcohol and what to say when people ask whyThe link between drinking and childhood traumaTools like meditation, nature, infrared therapy, and travelAn alcohol-free bar experiment where people had even more fun The role of family and industry culture around drinking"Sober" vs. "alcohol-free": a shift in mindsetDustin’s story is a powerful example of what’s possible on the other side of alcohol.Connect and Learn More📘Book: You're Doing Great! (And Other Lies Alcohol Told Me)📸Instagram: @DustinDunbarUSA📺YouTube: @DustinDunbarUSA🌐Website: dustin-dunbar.com🤝Non-profit: Alcohol-Free Revolution (AFR)RESOURCES📚BooksThis Naked Mind by Annie GraceThe Unexpected Joy of Being Sober by Catherine Gray 🐸 CharactersBudweiser FrogsSpuds MacKenzieSupermanThe Guinness Toucan 👤 PeopleAnnie GraceCatherine GrayCoors Light Twins (Diane and Elaine Klimaszewski)James SwanickJanet GourandTony Robbins🎙️ PodcastsAlcohol-Free LifestyleThis Naked Mind PodcastTribe Sober👥ProgramsAlcohol-Free LifestyleAlcohol-Free Revolution (AFR)Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)Tribe Sober

In this episode, I talk with health guru, spiritual traveler, former math prodigy, and president of Relax Saunas of Momentum, Phillip Wilson, about his philosophies on life and death.Reflecting on his own journey, we explore some of the keys to a good life, including balancing thinking and feeling, meditation, contemplation, presence, listening, patience, paying attention, following your inner guidance, observation, non-judgment, boundaries, self-acceptance and love, discipline, positive thinking, letting go of beliefs, desires, and fears, reframing your thoughts, desiring freedom, taking risks, treating life as an adventure, being okay with not having, not playing the victim, holding on and letting go, seeing through the illusions of death, identity, duality, and time and space, gratitude, appreciation, laughter, having fun, eating less, honoring people, biofeedback, herbs, hot springs, massages, hugs, and far-infrared saunas. We also discuss the benefits of far-infrared saunas and how to get one.Connect and Learn More🌐 Websites: phillipawilson.com |  ♨️ relaxsaunas.com 📚 Book: picturesofthemind.com ▶️ Relax Saunas YouTube: @relaxsaunas 💸 Discount code: SHAMAN — $100 off the Silver or Black sauna at relaxsaunas.comRESOURCES 📚BooksAdventures of Huckleberry Finn  – Mark TwainAladdin – Antoine Galland Alice's Adventures in Wonderland – Lewis CarrollBe Here Now – Ram DassCancer and the New Biology of Water – Thomas CowanConversations with God – Neale Donald WalschDestiny of Souls – Michael NewtonHamlet – William Shakespeare How to Solve It – George PólyaJourney of Souls – Michael NewtonKinship With All Life – J. Allen BooneNarcissus and Goldmund  – Hermann HesseThe Politics of Experience – R.D. LaingThe Practice of the Presence of God – Brother Lawrence Saved by the Light – Dannion BrinkleySiddhartha – Hermann HesseSteppenwolf – Hermann HesseThe Celestine Prophecy – James RedfieldThe Merry Adventures of Robin Hood – Howard PyleThe Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge – Carlos CastanedaWinnie-the-Pooh – A.A. Milne  🎬 Films & TVA Beautiful Mind (film)Groundhog Day (film)Saved by the Light (film)The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (TV show)The Secret (film)🎵 Music“Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” – Neil SedakaFleetwood Mac (band)“Hold On” – Wilson Phillips“Row, Row, Row Your Boat” (nursery rhyme)The Rite of Spring – Igor StravinskyTommy (album) – The Who“When You Wish Upon a Star” – Leigh Harline & Ned Washington 👥 People Andrew HubermanBertrand RussellBill WilsonBuddhaDavid “Avocado” WolfeGeorge W. BushHippocratesHulda ClarkJoe RoganLewis CarrollMax Planck Paul TwitchellPlatoPythagoras René DescartesRichard WagnerRonda Patrick RumiSocratesSt. Jiminy (Jiminy Cricket — character)