The Rich Roll Podcast

Mirna Valerio, a trailblazing endurance athlete and diversity educator, challenges typical stereotypes of runners with her incredible story. She discusses the journey of embracing body inclusivity in sports, tackling everyday racism in the outdoors, and the importance of self-reflection in fighting biases. Mirna also shares her transition from educator to professional athlete, highlighting her aspirations despite setbacks like injuries. Her mission centers around empowering all individuals to own their identities and create meaningful change in the athletic community.

Margaret Klein Salamon, PhD, is a Harvard graduate and the founder of The Climate Mobilization, dedicated to transforming society's response to the climate emergency. She discusses the urgent need for a 'Manhattan Project' scale approach to tackle climate change, emphasizing systemic failures and the interplay with civil rights and public health. Salamon highlights the importance of personal transformation and collective action, advocating for empathetic communication and grassroots movements to inspire hope and motivate systemic change against this existential threat.

In this engaging discussion, the hosts reflect on the importance of goal-setting and celebrating small wins while navigating life's challenges. They honor the legacy of civil rights icon John Lewis, highlighting his enduring influence. The conversation tackles the complexities of individual freedoms during the pandemic, juxtaposed with current events. They also explore creative passions through Netflix's offerings and the rise of plant-based fast food, wrapping it up with insights on balancing creation and consumption in a digital world.

Dr. Andrew Huberman, a Stanford neuroscientist, shares fascinating insights on neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to change and adapt. He explains how we can retrain our minds for lifelong learning and personal growth, regardless of age. Utkarsh Ambudkar adds his creative perspective on resilience and the emotional power of artistic collaboration. They discuss the importance of self-motivation, the interplay of dopamine, and effective strategies for enhancing focus, navigating challenges, and achieving personal transformation.

Michael Greger, MD, a renowned nutrition science expert and author, returns with insights on surviving pandemics. He discusses lessons from past outbreaks like SARS and MERS, emphasizing proactive health management. The conversation delves into the link between animal farming and zoonotic diseases, advocating for plant-based diets to mitigate risks. Greger warns about the looming threats of bird flu and critiques public health responses, underlining the importance of expert guidance and combating misinformation in these challenging times.

In a riveting discussion, the hosts tackle the complexities of writer's block and cancel culture, revealing how societal shifts affect public discourse. They explore the influence of algorithms on media consumption and the danger of radicalization. Exciting announcements about a new art book and a subscription service reveal their commitment to deeper community engagement. Personal journeys around mindfulness and connection highlight the importance of empathy, while insights on popular media like 'Queer Eye' showcase its transformative power.

Join indie film legend Kevin Smith and his daughter, Harley Quinn Smith, as they dive into their transformative journeys into veganism. They share personal anecdotes about embracing a plant-based lifestyle, unpacking the misconceptions around veganism while exploring the joy of creating flavorful meals. The duo also discusses their unique father-daughter dynamic, navigating fame, and their collaborative creative projects during quarantine, including their new podcast and television show, 'Vegan Abattoir.' Expect laughter, heart, and inspiring insights!

In this engaging conversation, John Salley, a legendary four-time NBA champion and vegan entrepreneur, joins John Lewis, a dynamic public speaker and filmmaker, to discuss the Black experience in America. They dive into systemic racism, food injustice, and the role of leadership in social movements. The duo emphasizes the importance of entrepreneurship, community collaboration, and education in addressing food disparities. With humor and heart, they also explore the cultural intersection of veganism and social justice, advocating for more inclusive dialogues.

This conversation dives into the heart of social justice, exploring the urgency of addressing food deserts. The hosts tackle philosophical questions around reclaiming personal narratives and overcoming imposter syndrome. They share insights on navigating conflict and the importance of discernment in today's media landscape. With reflections on racism and community dynamics, the dialogue emphasizes the interconnection of personal growth and societal issues. It's about crafting a gentler narrative while fostering connection and resilience.

 Against the backdrop of a global pandemic has emerged the most powerful civil rights movement of our lifetime -- an irrefutably historic moment that will indelibly shape the economic, political, and social fabric of our country for decades to come.To help us untangle the rhetoric behind our country's supercharged division, today Knox Robinson joins the podcast.Returning for his second appearance on the show (RRP #394 rests among my all time favorite episodes), Knox is a writer, athlete, national caliber runner, eponymous curator of running culture, and an astute student of black history, art, literature, music and poetry. Formally commencing under the tutelage Poet Laureate Maya Angelou at Wake Forest University, Knox's education has continued throughout the many chapters of his life. As a spoken word artist and music manager. As editor-in-chief of Fader magazine. And more recently as co-founder and captain of Black Roses NYC -- a diverse collective of running enthusiasts who routinely gather to hammer out intervals across Brooklyn & downtown Manhattan.Put plainly, urban culture is Knox's lifeblood.One of the most interesting and multi-faceted humans I have ever met, today Knox shares an important perspective on America's crossroads. This is an investigation into the culture shifts caused by the pandemic and protests alike. It's a conversation about the intersection of sport, politics and civil rights. Black American representation in athletics. And where we go from here.It's also about virtue signaling. Performative allyship. And why reading White Fragility simply isn’t enough. But more than anything, this is a conversation about the power and poetics of running. Running as metaphor. Running as an act of rebellion — and the disturbing symbolism behind Ahmaud Arbery’s murder. I left this exchange better for having had it. The visually inclined can watch our conversation on YouTube. And as always, the audio version streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.This is a special conversation. I'm better for having had it. I hope you will be similarly impacted.Peace + Plants,Rich