The Rich Roll Podcast

Guru Singh, a third-generation Sikh yogi and spiritual teacher, dives into the interplay of positivity and negativity. He emphasizes receptivity over mere positivity, suggesting that embracing negative emotions can drive transformative change. The conversation explores how to balance ego and humility, encouraging mindfulness to break free from limiting self-narratives. Singh also discusses the importance of honest self-assessment and detaching from toxic influences to foster resilience, presenting negativity as an opportunity for personal growth.

Kevin Smith, filmmaker and comedian, shares an incredible tale of survival after a near-fatal heart attack known as The Widowmaker. This life-changing experience ignited a newfound creativity and drive in him. He discusses his transition to veganism, emphasizing how it transformed his health and perspective. With humor and vulnerability, Smith reflects on the intersection of spirituality and life's meaning, recounting how a brush with mortality reshaped his relationship with art and family. His journey is a testament to resilience and the power of embracing life.

David Bronner, the Cosmic Engagement Officer of Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps, is a passionate advocate for conscious capitalism and environmental activism. He shares insights on the need for a revolutionary shift in mindset to tackle global health crises. The conversation explores the profound connection between spirituality and sustainability, along with the legacy of unity instilled by his grandfather’s teachings. Bronner emphasizes embracing regenerative practices and ethical consumerism to build a healthier planet and community.

Mike Posner, acclaimed singer and songwriter behind hits like "Cooler Than Me," shares his extraordinary journey from fame to personal growth. He discusses the transformative experience of walking across America as a means of self-discovery and healing after loss. Posner emphasizes the importance of authenticity and vulnerability in artistry, reflecting on his career's ups and downs. He also highlights meditation's role in creativity and the need for quieter moments in an increasingly distracting world.

Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter and Square, dives into the weighty responsibilities of managing a global social network and digital payments. He shares insights on the duality of social media, addressing its transformative power and pitfalls in public discourse. Dorsey reflects on mindfulness practices that guide his leadership, emphasizing self-care. He discusses the critical balance between centralized control and decentralization in online communication, alongside innovative features aimed at fostering healthier interactions. His thoughts on credibility and the blue checkmark spark a fascinating conversation.

Brad Stulberg, a health and performance writer, and Steve Magness, a renowned track and field coach, dive into the paradox of passion. They discuss how unchecked passion can lead to burnout while highlighting the importance of balance. The duo explores the evolution of passion, emphasizing self-awareness and the significance of cultivating diverse interests. They challenge listeners to rethink the idea of a singular passion and encourage a healthy, accountable approach to pursuing goals, especially in sports and business.

Nadia Bolz-Weber, a tattooed Lutheran pastor and bestselling author, dives into redefining spirituality and sexuality. She shares her unique journey from addiction to leading an inclusive church, tackling outdated religious beliefs. The conversation explores the harmful effects of purity culture and the importance of reclaiming one's sexual identity. With a fresh take on faith, she emphasizes community, empathy, and the transformative power of vulnerability, illuminating the complexities of reconciling personal experiences with conventional religious practices.

Brian Koppelman, co-writer of iconic films like Rounders and Ocean's 13, shares his transformative journey from music industry executive to acclaimed storyteller. He discusses the power of consistent daily practices, like journaling and meditation, in nurturing creativity and overcoming self-doubt. Koppelman reveals how embracing process over results is key to a meaningful life. He reflects on the importance of authenticity in storytelling and the role of supportive relationships in fostering artistic growth, making for an inspiring and insightful conversation.

This is a story of mistakes made. Of penance served. And the hard wrought path to atonement, self-forgiveness, and ultimately redemption.It begins with a young, standout volleyball player. A smart guy who later joins the Air Force, spending nearly two years at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA studying Korean.His career looked bright. But it wasn't long before Chris Schuhmacher started making some bad decisions. A laundry list of errant decisions, in fact, that deposited him into a dark, hard partying crowd in Hollywood. Decisions that led to dealing weed to support that lifestyle. And decisions that ultimately culminated in a suitcase of drugs under his dispatch being stolen from him.In a drug and alcohol fueled rage, desperate and fearing the consequences should he be unable to retrieve the contraband, Chris took another manʼs life. And for that offense he was sentenced to sixteen to life.Well aware that he might never see another day outside San Quentin, inmate number T31014 nonetheless committed to taking responsibility for his actions. Searching for spiritual purpose and meaning, he got sober — and stayed that way. He made amends for his crime, began running and earned a college degree. He even studied software engineering, developing a promising app called Fitness Monkey under the tutelage of The Last Mile, a non-profit program that trains incarcerated individuals for successful reentry,All told, Chris transformed himself into the kind of person he always knew he could be.Then came the impossible. In 2017, after serving 17 years, a parole board granted him his freedom. Re-entry hasn't be easy for Chris. But he has emerged from the experience a better man. Now a productive member of society reunited with his family and gainfully employed, he is intent on sharing his cautionary tale in service of others.I had the privilege of hearing Chris speak at The Nantucket Project last year. In a time where prisons and prisoners are mostly forgotten, I was deeply moved by his story of change, rehabilitation and improvement from the lowest points. And I was compelled to use this platform to better understand both his humanity and the current state of our prison industrial complex.There is no “un-doing” what Chris did. There can be no sufficient apology for taking a life. And yet there are lessons to be gleaned –both profound and instructive — from his deep dive into self-examination. The support he leveraged to reinvent himself wholesale. And the innovations afoot that can better rehabilitate the current and future incarcerated among us.Indeed, this is a story of drugs, alcohol, addiction, betrayal, anger, and tragically, murder. It's about what currently ails our prison industrial complex. And it's about how society can do better.But at its core, this conversation is about atonement. It's about second chances. And it's about empathy.With that, I urge that you entertain Chris' testimony with an open mind and even more open heart.Peace + Plants,Rich

Like most of us, Tom Bilyeu chased money for nearly a decade only to end up emotionally bankrupt.What this filmmaker and serial entrepreneur came to realize is that the struggle is guaranteed. The money is not. So you damn-well better love the struggle.Acting on this epiphany, Tom and his partners sold their technology company and founded Quest Nutrition — a play premised not on profits, but rather on creating value for people. Ironically, Quest exploded, becoming a billion-dollar business in roughly 5 years, making it the 2nd fastest growing company in North America according to Inc. Magazine.This is all very interesting of course, but it’s Tom’s next chapter that captured my curiosity. After exiting Quest, Tom embarked on a mission to truly empower people — an act of service aimed at eradicating, at scale, what he sees as an epidemic of impoverished mindset.Hence was born Impact Theory — a media company with a juggernaut talk show cornerstone in which he goes deep with all manner of inspiring people dedicated to positive transformation. The aim? To influence the cultural subconscious by building a single-minded content creation machine that makes exactly one type of content — content that empowers people.A long-time fan of Impact Theory, I had the good fortune of being a guest on Tom's show a few months back. I walked away from that experience even more impressed with Tom. Sure, he's über successful. And the legacy he is now building is as masterful as it is laudable. But it's his generosity of spirit, matched with a keen and heartfelt curiosity, that left a lasting impression on me. The more I looked into this man and his mission, the more convinced I became that he would make a great guest for the show. And so here we are.This is an exchange designed to upend your sense of personal possibility. Shock you out of The Matrix. Change the story you tell yourself about yourself. Facilitate greater expression of the true self within. Access reservoirs of hidden potential. And ultimately become the best version of who you really are.And it all begins with changing your mindset.As someone who operates in a similar landscape, I have the upmost respect for Tom's mission and him as a person. Chocked with practical advice and implementable takeaways from the frontlines of business, relationships, personal growth, self-improvement and everything in between, this conversation does not disappoint.To view our conversation on YouTube, visit bit.ly/tombilyeu425 And don't forget we're also now on Spotify!Let the master class begin!Peace + Plants,Rich