The Rich Roll Podcast

Across the world, untold millions fall prey to some form of addiction. If you or someone you know suffers in silence, there is hope. Today’s episode casts a light on this epidemic of darkness and paves a solution-based path towards hope.

A recovering alcoholic myself, I’ve danced with that darkness. Tasted the desperation. And felt the loneliness.

Time and again I failed at arresting a disease hell-bent on killing me.

Until that is, I let go of everything I thought I knew about how to live, think and be—and let others help me.

The solution required an education.

Given the ubiquity of addiction, it’s an education I feel a responsibility to share.

Towards that end, today’s episode—the third installment in our burgeoning, deep-dive Masterclass series—explores the nature of addiction, the misconceptions that perpetuate it, and the many solutions available for confronting and ultimately overcoming it.

For those unaware of this new semi-regular format, today’s episode is a compilation of 10 incredible and unique perspectives on addiction and recovery taken from previous conversations.

My hope is that these stories bring you greater understanding, empathy, and perhaps a modicum of peace—and for those currently suffering, tools and encouragement to finally arrest the beast and embrace help.

The visually inclined can watch it all unfold on YouTube. And as always, the podcast streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Big thanks to Dan Drake for his instrumental help crafting this very special episode.

Masterclass Series: Click here to listen to our first deep dive on the microbiome, and here for our second on mental health. The full episodes for all guests featured in this episode can be found in the show notes below.

Final Note: This conversation traverses difficult emotional terrain. If you are struggling, please raise your hand and reach out for help. You can call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP and if you are experiencing suicidal ideation, know you’re not alone. I encourage you to call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1(800) 273-TALK.

I sincerely hope you find this experiment helpful and instructive—and/or that you share the episode with those who could benefit from it.

Peace + Plants,

Rich

Conquering a historic feat of stratospheric proportions nobody thought possible, today’s guests will challenge every assumption you ever harbored about the outer limits of human capability.

In 2010, Jason Lester and I were the first to complete EPIC5—5 consecutive iron-distance triathlons on 5 Hawaiian Islands in just over 6 days.

I’m proud of that accomplishment. More proud that it has inspired others to rewrite their rulebook on personal possibility.

But today’s guests James Lawerence—aka The Iron Cowboy—alongside his wife and co-captain Sunny Jo Lawrence, somehow makes my resume just sound…cute.

In 2015, the father of five did something I was convinced was impossible when he completed 50 iron-distance triathlons in 50 states in 50 days—a stunning feat chronicled way back on episodes 149 & 166, in the documentary The Iron Cowboy: The Story of The 50.50.50, and in his book, Redefine Impossible.

But as many of you already know, James recently topped that seemingly untoppable feat by completing truly one of the most astonishing achievements in the history of voluntary human endurance—101 iron-distance triathlons in 101 consecutive days.

In case you don’t quite grasp the enormity of this truly epic feat, let me spell it out. Beginning in March of this year, James climbed out of bed, swam 2.4 miles, jumped on his bike and rode 112 miles, then completed 26.2 miles on foot, repeating this routine every day without missing a single day, for 101 days in a row.

That’s 14,200 self-powered miles!

Today James and Sunny tell the tale in a warts-and-all conversation that is not to be missed.

In addition to breaking down the enormity of this feat—a team and family endeavor in every respect—James and Sunny drop a full-fledged masterclass on mental toughness. Where it comes from, how to strengthen it, and how to ignite the power we all possess to endure the unimaginable.

We also discuss the critical role that leadership, family, teamwork, community building, and service play in accomplishing audacious goals and how presence and mindfulness hold the key to unlocking the impossible.

This is a powerful conversation that just might forever change your perspective on human potential broadly, and personal possibility specifically.

To read more click here. You can also watch listen to our exchange on YouTube.

I have tremendous respect for these two. I love them dearly. And I’m proud to share this candid, behind-the scenes excavation of one of the most mind-bending experiences I’ve ever been privileged to witness.

Enjoy!

Peace + Plants,

Rich

Adventure begins when things start to go wrong. So stop looking for the shortcut. Embrace the difficult journey ahead.

Few embody this ethos better than today’s guest Jason Caldwell.

An extraordinary adventure athlete and beautiful beast of a human, Jason holds 11 world records set across 5 continents and 3 oceans, including a 320-mile unassisted traverse of the Namib desert (the longest desert trek across Namibia), captaining the fastest team to row across the Atlantic Ocean unsupported, and most recently, victory in the Great Pacific Race as captain of the fastest team to ever row from San Francisco to Hawaii, a feat Jason and his 3 teammates accomplished in just 30 days 7 hours, smashing the previous world record by an astonishing 9 days.

In addition, Jason is the CEO of Latitude 35, an experiential leadership and high-performance team building consulting company. He’s a widely sought-after public speaker on the Fortune 500 circuit and has taught at some of the country’s leading business schools, including Wharton, Columbia, Berkeley & West Point.

This is a conversation about what is required to tackle and accomplish audacious goals.

It’s about cultivating resilience, perseverance, and risk-taking. It’s about honing the willingness to fail, leveraging drive, and celebrating humility.

It’s also about ‘healthy quits’—the importance of knowing how, when and why sometimes it’s crucial to just call it a day.

But more than anything, this conversation is about the critical nature of team building. It’s about leadership through experience. Why success is never a solo affair. And how to get the best out those in your orbit.

If you’re into wild stories of adventure this one’s for you. But you don’t have to be the slightest bit athletic to gain significant value out of what Jason shares today.

To read more click here. You can also watch listen to our exchange on YouTube.

My hope is that this conversation inspires you to reevaluate your limits, find power in your community and invest more in adventure.

Needless to say, Jason has lived a wild life. This conversation nearly passed 2.5 hours—and I feel like we only scratched the surface.

Peace + Plants,

Rich

Dadding. Surfing with Zuckerberg. Celebrating Ten Thousand’s glorious new FAR line with Robbie Balenger. And of course, the Adam-Brogan faceoff we’ve all been waiting for.

Welcome to another hotly anticipated edition of ‘Roll On,’ wherein myself and my undefeated podcast co-pilot Adam Skolnick (and our intruding guest Brogan Graham) hone on matters of contemporaneous import, and more than anything, get a bit silly.

Aside from serving as my magnanimous sidecar hype-beast, Adam Skolnick is an activist and veteran journalist best known as David Goggins’ Can’t Hurt Me, co-author. Adam writes about adventure sports, environmental issues, and civil rights for outlets such as The New York Times, Outside, ESPN, BBC, and Men’s Health. He is the author of One Breath and is currently using the ‘new dad’ excuse to avoid working on his novel.

This episode unfurls in a fashion unique.

We start off with the half-cocked banter you’ve come to know and love. Adam and Brogan hash out their drama. We discuss the nuances of being a new dad. And the importance of showing up for your kids and partner.

We then close things out with my conversation with ultra-runner and friend of the pod Robbie Balenger, which was recorded at Ten Thousand’s live event at the Legendary Explorer’s Club in NYC, where we celebrated the launch of my Free Association Run (FAR) kit—a collection of men’s running gear.

To read more click here. You can also watch listen to our exchange on YouTube. And as always, the podcast streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Listener Stories: There’s something potent and important about your journey that others can benefit from hearing. Learning is a communal act. And this podcast is merely a conduit. I’d like you to consider sharing your journey of transformation with me, specifically how this show has helped shape it.

Leave us a voicemail at (805)-421-0057 to share your story and the wisdom you’ve gleaned from the podcast, and your message could very well be aired in a future episode.

Enjoy the show!

Peace + Plants,

Rich

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Like many, I despair of our country’s division, which is rapidly expanding in lockstep with our inability to productively communicate alongside growing distrust in institutions and the media.

Also like many, I want solutions. Much of this rests with us. But we also need leadership.

Across the political landscape, most elected officials understand this problem and its gravity. However, very few proffer solutions beyond the beaten path. Even fewer demonstrate a good-faith willingness to tackle the dilemma with solution-based action.

Today’s guest Andrew Yang is an exception to this pattern.

For those unfamiliar, Andrew is an entrepreneur turned politician best known for his 2020 presidential run and subsequent New York City mayoral bid. He’s the man who pioneered a national conversation on the power of universal basic income (UBI) to address maladies produced by widening wealth disparity. And he’s a leader I find genuine in his commitment to the greater potential of our democratic experiment, bringing forth original and bold ideas to the national conversation—ideas not always in his best self-interest.

Part memoir, part campaign trail exposé, Andrew’s latest book, Forward: Notes on the Future of Our Democracy, is an instructive read on the damaged state of politics and political media as well as the broadening national divide that is eroding our humanity. A roadmap on how to repair the broken spokes of our democratic system, it also serves to announce the creation of a new third party—the Forward Party—part of Andrew’s plan to redress democratic dysfunction by disrupting America’s two-party duopoly.

Today Andrew shares his story and vision.

This is a relatively partisan-fee conversation about how to reimagine the democratic experiment for the betterment of all.

We discuss the merits of universal basic income, human-centered capitalism, the problems with our gerontocracy, and what we need to truly progress as a nation.

In addition, we discuss the perils and merits of a third political party; the role of new media in politics; the advantage of open primaries and rank choice voting; the importance of grace and tolerance; and how to modernize government’s anachronistic bureaucracy.

To read more click here. You can also watch listen to our exchange on YouTube. And as always, the podcast streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

This conversation was an absolute pleasure. I sincerely hope you enjoy it in the spirit in which it is offerred

Peace + Plants,

Rich

What happens when you’re massively rich, famous, and rewarded for living a life of over-indulgence?

If you’re lucky, you awake one day to realize that a life of sex, drugs, rock & roll—a life you were convinced would make you happy—only leaves you empty.

You then embark on a Victor Frankl-esque search for meaning that ultimately leads to spiritual awakening and a path towards purpose, self-actualization, and service.

This is a story that recurs on this show in many forms.

Today’s version of that story comes in the shape of Adrian Grenier.

You know Adrian as an actor—he’s appeared in many films and television projects—but of course, most well known for his portrayal of Vinnie Chase in the HBO hit show Entourage, a dizzying and meta experience for Adrian that in so many ways came to parallel his own life.

But Adrian has evolved past this archetype of adolescent id, trading Hollywood for a ranch outside Austin, Texas. He’s matured into a regenerative farmer, environmentalist, and founder of the Lonely Whale Foundation. He’s also an impact investor, leading DuContra Ventures as co-founder and Chief Experience Officer.

A heart-centered community builder who cares deeply about our symbiosis with self, each other, and the natural habitat we share, today Adrian shares his worthy story.

It’s about the hidden, ugly truths that lay beneath the modern American dream. It’s about the work required, and beauty to behold, in wrestling with the soul. It’s about endeavoring to connect with and express that which is more fundamental and meaningful. But most of all, it’s about finding ways to be in service to a better world.

To read more click here. You can also watch listen to our exchange on YouTube. And as always, the podcast streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

This one is soulful—I hope it resonates with you as deeply as it did with me.

Peace + Plants,

Rich

Beyond politics and religion, few topics are more hotly debated than nutrition.

But when we consider the totality of health—not just human health, but planetary, ecosystem, soil, and animal well-being—the science is irrefutable: a diet that is as plant-exclusive as possible is best.

Nonetheless, misinformation fueled by emotions and ideological tribalism persists. Confusion propagates. Thus the average well-intentioned person remains stuck in unhealthy lifestyle habits that tragically lead to avoidable ailments and disease. Meanwhile, the planet suffers.

To help us parse facts from fiction and guide us towards an evidence-based, rational model for nutritional health and well-being, today we convene with my friend Simon Hill.

The host of the fantastic Plant Proof Podcast and blog of the same name, Simon plies his master’s degree in nutrition to objectively decipher scientific literature to deliver clear and actionable tools to help people make diet and lifestyle choices that actually promote optimal health and longevity.

The culmination of Simon’s obsession with nutritional science is The Proof Is In The Plants,the ultimate evidence-based primer on the positive impact of a plant-based diet on human and planetary health—and an essential must-read for any and all interested in grounded nutrition science.

Today we hit all the hot topics: tribal diet wars, what the science says and what it doesn’t, the environmental implications of our food choices, the truth about saturated fat, cholesterol, and oil. Not to mention the key things you can and should be doing to perform at your peak, sidestep disease, promote longevity, and live both optimally and consciously.

To read more click here. You can also watch listen to our exchange on YouTube. And as always, the podcast streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

For so many reasons, Simon is the health and nutrition resource we need right now—and this one is packed with crucial, perhaps life-saving information. Break out pen and paper—you’re going to want to take notes.

Final Note: Simon was kind enough to provide comprehensive evidentiary support for his many statement throughout the podcast. For those that desire to to dig deeper into the science, click the ‘References’ tab on this episode's web page here.

Peace + Plants,

Rich

It’s time to once again transcend the mortal coil to reconnect with matters ethereal and divine, truths both big and small.

Our prophetess for this spiritual trip is healer, mother, and creator Julie Piatt.

Longtime listeners are well acquainted with the one who goes by SriMati—my in-house guru and better half. A human who is very good at many things, Julie is an accomplished yogi, musician, chef, and mom to our four children. She’s also the bestselling author of three vegan cookbooks. She hosts the For The Life of Me podcast. She lords over Water Tiger, her online spiritual community. And she’s the CEO and ‘Mother Arc’ of SriMu, the best plant-based cheese in the known universe.

Over the years, Julie has been a recurring source of spiritual wisdom on the podcast, dropping many a pearl on everything from parenting and creativity, to navigating conflict, managing relationships, dealing with financial hardship, and many other subjects.

Today’s microphone communion with Julie is many things.

It’s an unearthing of not only this podcast’s origin story, but also the catalyst that sparked the creation Julie’s cookbooks, SriMu, and the Water Tiger tribe. It’s a crash course in embracing neutrality and understanding the strength in letting go. And it’s an exploration of why suffering is the ultimate engine for growth.

But most of all, this conversation is about the importance of relationships in all their forms. How to cultivate them. How to celebrate them. And most importantly, how to make them last.

To read more click here. The visually inclined can watch the alchemy transpire on YouTube. And as always, the podcast streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Enjoy!

Peace + Plants,

Rich

This cultural moment bears witness to a growing distrust of institutions unprecedented in our lifetime. With it comes an unraveling of healthy communication. Tearing others down has taken priority over rising ourselves up. And binary thinking, divisiveness, and fear-based behavior have supplanted sense-making, appreciation for nuance, and mutual respect.

For Ryan Holiday, the antidote is the pursuit of virtue—specifically, the virtue upon which all other virtues sit, courage: the ability to rise above fear and to do what’s right.

Returning for his 4th appearance on the podcast, Ryan is one of the world’s bestselling living philosophers globally lauded for adapting Stoicism to the mainstream. His books—including The Obstacle Is The Way, Ego Is the Enemy, The Daily Stoic, and Stillness Is the Key—have sold over 4 million copies and spent over 300 weeks on the bestseller lists.

Ryan’s expertise in mining the modern-day practicalities of ancient philosophy to live more optimally is coveted by some of the world’s most successful CEOs, political leaders, world-class athletes, and NFL coaches, and he’s here today to help us make sense of this current moment through the lens of his latest book, Courage Is Calling.

This is a conversation about the challenge of sense-making amidst our national divide. It’s about the application of time-tested wisdom, the nature of virtue and why doing the right thing is always the right thing.

We cover it all: the perils of individualism, responsibility as a counter-balance to liberty, fear, courage, partisanship, tribalism, and why virtue is both a craft and an action verb.

To read more click here. You can also watch listen to our exchange on YouTube. And as always, the podcast streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

I relish my conversations with Ryan—he is a compelling thinker about things that matter, and this one is chock a block with practical wisdom, things we can learn from philosophy and history to make sense of today, and most importantly, to live and be better humans and citizens.

Peace + Plants,

Rich

I love my parents. I grew up with a world-class education. And yet, nobody actually ever taught me how to be an adult.

As a result, I made a ton of avoidable mistakes. I suffered far more than necessary. And I fumbled in the dark for years until eventually, I figured a few things out. Unfortunately, my experience is all too common.

Today’s guest—a woman who spent years mentoring and advising some of the brightest young people in the entire world—would agree, so she decided to do something about it.

Julie Lythcott-Haims is the former dean of freshmen and undergraduate advising at Stanford University, where she earned her B.A. (as my classmate) before obtaining a law degree from Harvard and a master’s in fine arts and writing from California College of the Arts.

Today Julie is an author and authority on what we now call—in Millenial parlance—adulting. Her TED Talk 'How to raise successful kids without over-parenting' has over 5 million views, and her books include the New York Times bestseller, How To Raise An Adult and Real American—a memoir centered on coming to terms with her racial identity.

Julie’s latest work and the focus of today’s conversation is Your Turn: How To Be An Adult. For those just emerging into the grown-up world, it’s a must-read life handbook. For parents, it’s a must-gift for your young ones entering their adult phase of life. All in all, it’s a guide I very much wish existed during my formative years.

This conversation is packed with practical insights for both parents and young people alike. We cover the downfalls of being a helicopter parent, the importance of learning conversation skills, and why paying attention to what you like and don’t like is more important than finding a purpose.

But more than anything, this conversation is about why diversity and inclusivity are vital in parenting, educating, and adulting.

To read more click here. You can also watch listen to our exchange on YouTube. And as always, the podcast streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

This is appointment listening for young people emerging into the world or parents striving to best guide their kids into maturity. But no matter your age, we can all use some wisdom about how to grow up a little bit more.

Peace + Plants,

Rich

Last week we dipped our toes into sacred waters both spiritual and metaphysical. This week we are diving off the deep end.

In other words, welcome to another incarnation of Guru Multiverse, the latest in my ongoing series of communions with Guru Singh, my treasured friend and favorite sparring partner when it comes to matters heart and soul.

Aside from being a modern-day Gandalf, Guru Singh is a master of the Kundalini arts, a celebrated spiritual teacher, a third-generation Sikh yogi, an author, accomplished musician, father, grandfather, and an overall gift to humanity who has been teaching and studying Kundalini yoga for the past 40-plus years who now holds virtual court at kundaliniuniversity.com.

The Guru joins me in the studio to offer a dissertation on divining and discerning the delicate and detailed differences that differentiate: instinct, impulse, intuition, and intelligence—the four “I’s” if you will.

This is a conversation about perspective, accountability, the willingness to solicit and receive feedback, and why growth depends upon the ability to truly understand and appreciate the nuances that distinguish these “I” words.

To read more click here. You can also watch listen to our exchange on YouTube. And as always, the podcast streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Make sure to stick around until the end. As has become his custom, Guru Singh closes things out with a song.

This might be one of my favorite Vulcan mind-melds to date. So let us not waste another moment.

Peace + Plants,

Rich

Today we’re going take some of life’s biggest questions, toss them into a Vitamix, press hyperblend, and whip up a Metaphysical Milkshake.

My sous chefs for this cosmic concoction are Rainn Wilson & Reza Aslan.

Do I really need to introduce these two?

Star of screens big and small, Rainn is best known for his role as Dwight Schrute on The Office. An OG in the online high-vibe content space, Rainn is also the founder of SoulPancake, a digital platform for people from all walks of life to discuss and question what it means to be human—a place to wrestle with the spiritual, philosophical, and creative journey that is life.

Reza is a scholar of religions, a professor of creative writing, a television host, an Emmy-nominated producer, and the author of many bestselling books on religion, faith & spirituality.

These two have teamed up on a fantastic new podcast worthy of your attention called (you guessed it) Metaphysical Milkshake.

In a mild departure from my typical interview format, the idea for this episode was to tackle some of those big life questions, themes that recur on both of our shows, and have some fun doing it. So I wrote down various queries on a stack of index cards, wadded them up, tossed them in a bowl, and let Rainn and Reza take turns fishing them out for today’s round-table.

Among the threads pulled today are:

• What does it mean to be human?
• How do you be a good person?
• Why are humans prone to spirituality?
• How do you reconcile science & rationality with faith & spirituality?
• Are we addicted to everything?
• What is the role of consciousness?

To read more click here. You can also watch listen to our exchange on YouTube. And as always, the podcast streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Prepare to have your noodle bent—and have some laughs along the way. Good times!

Peace + Plants,

Rich

A central theme of my podcast is the power of a plant-based diet to enhance the quality of life for both the individual and the whole.

Over time, the show has grown to embrace a wider variety of themes—art, entertainment, cuisine, entrepreneurship, spirituality, sports, social justice, creativity, equality, and more—each guest sharing his/her respective expertise and experience.

Some conversations traverse more than one field. Only a select few impart powerful, impactful lessons across several.

Joanne Molinaro is one such human—a  cultural phenomenon who goes by the moniker, The Korean Vegan.

Born in Chicago to immigrant parents from what is today North Korea, Joanne is a (soon to be) New York Times bestselling cookbook author, food blogger, marathon runner, social activist and corporate law firm partner (although she just resigned last week) with millions of fans across a variety of social media platforms—including over 2.5 million on TikTok—obsessed with her wisdom-laced and thought-provoking food content, garnering her features on CNN, CBS, The Food Network and many other mainstream media outlets.

Joanne’s audience isn’t just massive, it’s insanely engaged—a loyalty rooted in her wholesale re-imagination of the cuisine landscape. Her content is so fresh, so beyond nice photographs or the A-B-C food preparation tutorials to which we’ve grown accustomed, that it’s fair to say Joanne has pioneered an entirely new content genre altogether.

Exquisitely captured in irresistible sixty-second short films with a penchant for virality, across her social channels Joanne masterfully entwines food, culture, education and self-improvement with incredibly honest, vulnerable, heartfelt stories about life, relationships, grief, family, divorce, surviving abuse, and the immigrant experience. Her deeply personal yarns tug on the universal—an authentic relatability that leaves most teary-eyed upon each’s film’s conclusion.

One of my most memorable encounters of 2021, our conversation spans her remarkable career balancing corporate law firm partner duties with the full-court demands of her growing voice of public influence. We cover her path to veganism (a journey that ironically began with her husband reading Finding Ultra), her experience as a Korean woman living in the diaspora, the many ways in which food and social justice advocacy intersect, and the importance of humanizing the immigrant story.

To read more click here. You can also watch listen to our exchange on YouTube. And as always, the podcast streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

This is a powerful, potentially life-altering conversation on the importance of creativity, self-empowerment, and leveraging social media for good.

May this extraordinary woman inspire you to think more deeply about your own story—and the indelible power inherent in sharing it.

Peace + Plants,

Rich

How do you meld passion with purpose? What makes you committed to your cause? And most importantly, what does your podcast do?

In addition to philosophizing these questions and more, in today’s edition of ‘Roll On,’ Adam Skolnick and I trade fitness updates, engage in typical ribald banter, indulge you with a cameo from environmental activist, UN Patron of the Oceans, and arctic swimmer, Lewis Pugh.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Aside from being my fortnightly sidekick hype beast and favorite edgelord of words literary, Adam is a waterman, writer, and veteran journalist best known as David Goggins’ Can’t Hurt Me, co-author. He writes about adventure sports, environmental issues, and civil rights for outlets such as The New York Times, Outside, ESPN, BBC, and Men’s Health. He is the author of One Breath and is currently recycling the ‘new dad’ excuse to avoid working on his novel.

Specific topics covered in this episode include:

• RRP Staff wins + a debrief on Rich’s experience in the Malibu Triathlon;
• Lewis Pugh’s unique relationship with environmentalism & swimming; 
• Rich’s reflection on his upcoming 9 year anniversary of podcasting; and
• thoughts on curiosity, purpose, and why conversation matters.

In addition, we answer the following questions:

• What advice do you have for those new to multi-sport endurance events?
• How do you balance your commitment to social justice with your career? 
• How do you remain hopeful while living through the chaos of the climate crisis?

Thank you to Hadar from San Francisco, Tyler from Florida, and Jason from Pasadena for your questions. If you want your query discussed, drop it on our Facebook Page or better yet leave a voicemail at (424) 235-4626.

To read more and listen click here. You can also watch on YouTube. And as always, the podcast streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Peace + Plants,

Rich

People ask me all day long for the secret ingredient to success and a comfortable way through personal transformation.

My enduring answer: there is none.

I believe in the individual potential for positive transformation. I’m also a self-help skeptic who greets most #lifehacks with profound hesitancy. There is a line between snake oil and efficacy—and that line is crossed more often than not. So if you struggle with self-confidence, making life changes, finding your purpose, or if the general vernacular that encircles self-improvement—words like motivation, inspiration, and passion—leave you more deflated than empowered, I feel you.

Today’s guest, the queen of grounded, science-backed personal development is here today to help us sort things out.

Meet the singular, multi-talented hyphenate Mel Robbins.

A former lawyer turned CNN legal analyst, turned mega-bestselling author and talk show host, Mel is a powerhouse and one of the most widely booked public speakers in the world. Her work includes the global phenomenon The 5 Second Rule, four #1 bestselling audiobooks, the #1 podcast on Audible, and her videos have over a billion cumulative views, including her TEDx Talk  How to stop screwing yourself over—which has racked up over 27 million views alone.

The official occasion for this conversation is Mel’s brand new book, The High Five Habit—a must-read primer on how to make believing in yourself a habit so that you operate more empowered and with greater confidence.

However, this conversation is about so much more, packed with practical, life-altering, science and experience-based wisdom you (and myself included) need to hear.

Nobody loves making a real difference in people’s lives more than Mel. Her energy is infectious. Her authenticity and earnestness is palpable. Everyone at the studio fell in love with her—and I know you will too.

To read more click here. You can also watch listen to our exchange on YouTube. And as always, the podcast streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

My hope is that Mel’s message will do for you what it has for me—remind you to celebrate the small wins, cultivate that bias for action, and get out of your own damn way of creating the life of your dreams.

Peace + Plants,

Rich

What am I here to do? What should I do with my life? What is my purpose?

Today’s guest has devoted his life to helping people answer these important questions.

Meet Jonathan Fields.

Author of many a bestselling book, including How to Live a Good Life, Uncertainty, and Career Renegade, he’s the man behind the wonderful Good Life Project podcast and community, a sought after public speaker, father, and a dear friend and personal mentor of mine. He’s been featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, FastCompany, Inc., Entrepreneur, Forbes, and USA Today, just to name a few. 

Making his third appearance on the show, today Jonathan joins me in the studio to share his unique core belief and perspective, which is that everyone has an innate imprint for a certain type of work—work that makes you come alive. After many years of deep thought and research, he’s divined an evidence-based method for helping others discover meaningful careers, which is explored more deeply in his fascinating new book Sparked.

This exchange is essentially an excavation of the self.

We grapple with big life questions, break down the components of meaningful work, and what it takes to not just find, but create a fulfilling career. We also dive deep into Sparktypes, which is essentially the social psychology version of Human Design or the Enneagram. After surveying over 500,000 people and accruing 2.5 million data points, Jonathan has created a system to help you better understand your needs when it comes to finding purpose in your professional life. You can take the free quiz at sparketype.com.

I love Jonathan’s focus on process over results. His emphasis on the journey over the destination. His deep understanding that authenticity is everything. My hope is that our conversation guides you towards work that suits you, fits your unique blueprint, motivates you, excites you, and fills you with purpose. Work that sparks you, and ultimately sets you on a trajectory to a life marked with more meaning, flow, and joy.

To read more click here. You can also watch listen to our exchange on YouTube. And as always, the podcast streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

I adore this beautiful man for reasons you will soon discover.

Enjoy!

Peace + Plants,

Rich

It’s time to grapple with the human rights issues ensuing in Afghanistan.

To guide us in this important conversation are podcast alums Drs. Ayesha & Dean Sherzai.

For those new to the show, ‘Roll On’ is typically our opportunity to shift focus from my traditional fare of evergreen conversations to instead hone in on matters of contemporaneous, time-sensitive interest.

Today we do just that, but with a twist, spending the entire episode grappling with the very grave plight faced by the 18 million women in Afghanistan in the wake of the United States departure. Breaking down the grip of Taliban rule, this is an exploration and round table discussion led by Team Sherzai.

Experts on brain health, Alzheimer’s, and neurodegenerative diseases, Drs. Sherzai have twice graced this show for deep dives on maintaining and optimizing cognitive function. But what most don’t know is that Dean & Ayesha have considerable experience with Afghanistan.

In 2003 Dean was appointed the Deputy Minister of Health by President Karzai, creating the most successful post-conflict healthcare system with women’s empowerment at its core. Ayesha founded the Social Welfare Society for Afghan Refugees in medical school, volunteered with Doctors Without Borders’ in Afghanistan during her medical training, and co-founded the Afghan Health Initiative in order to empower the Afghan diaspora with their own health.

My intention for this conversation is less political—we aren’t here to necessarily debate the political advisability of the U.S. withdrawal as much as the incomprehensibly botched manner in which we withdrew—and the downstream human rights implications of Afghan women in particular.

Other specific topics discussed include:

• The history of women’s rights in Afghanistan;
• using healthcare as a catalyst for women’s empowerment;
• a breakdown of the imperative of the Taliban and how it functions;
• the role that fear plays in female oppression;
• what we can be done now to aid Afghan women; and
• how to support celebrated female artists, scientists, politicians & leaders in Afghanistan.

To read more and listen click here. You can also watch on YouTube. And as always, the podcast streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

This is an important, pertinent, and heavy conversation. My heart goes out to those suffering. If possible, I highly encourage you to donate to programs like Restore Her Voice. Any amount can make a difference.

Peace + Plants,

Rich

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the words of today’s guest, global warming is not a science problem. It’s a human problem.

When it comes to taking meaningful steps to redress the climate crisis, so many of us are left crippled. It’s a problem so huge, so existential, most people feel powerless to make a difference. But in truth, there are many substantive onramps to participate in the solution, and today’s guest is a wonderfully gracious, charitable, experienced, and optimistic cipher to explore these various paths.

Meet Paul Hawken, one of the environmental movement’s leading voices returning for his second drop on the podcast, the first being at our big live event with IN-Q.

In addition to his profound work as a planetary change agent, Paul is an entrepreneur who founded both Erewhon Markets and Smith & Hawken. He’s also the author of eight books including the groundbreaking New York Times bestseller Drawdown, and his astonishing, beautiful new work entitled Regeneration: Ending The Climate Crisis in One Generation,which aims to guide, inspire and galvanize the burgeoning climate movement.

This is an optimistic conversation about our greatest existential threat. A conversation that extends beyond statistics, blame, and fear to illuminate what each and every one of us can all do now to support what Paul calls regeneration: a call to action that weaves justice, climate, biodiversity, equity, and human dignity into a seamless tapestry of action, policy, and transformation to live more symbiotically with the planet that supports us us

We cover everything from the current state of affairs of the climate crisis, to the actionable steps we can all take to foster regeneration and most importantly, the state of mind we all need to maintain to heal our earth and secure the future of humankind.

Paul is a friend, a mentor, and lighthouse. He’s a man who has indelibly shaped my perspective and actions when it comes to ecological responsibility, and it’s an honor to host him today.

To read more click here. You can also watch listen to our exchange on YouTube. And as always, the podcast streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

My hope is that Paul’s message will do for you what it has for me—inspire and empower you to take action in your own way.

Peace + Plants,

Rich

Can art and happiness coexist? Is great art only forged through pain? And is suffering integral to creativity?

These are just a few of the many questions explored in today’s colorful excavation of David Choe’s fascinating soul.

I suspect many of you are already well familiar with this human and his art. Perhaps you watched his VICE special, Thumbs Up. You’ve seen him alongside the late Anthony Bourdain in Parts Unknown or the recent documentary Roadrunner. He’s also appeared on Howard Stern, Joe Rogan, and David Chang’s podcast.

But for those unfamiliar, David is an extraordinarily unique and talented street artist, fine artist, performance artist, and muralist. He’s also a musician, journalist, writer, producer, fellow podcast host, a self-proclaimed liar, thief, altruistic narcissist, vagabond, and recovering sex and gambling addict. In other words, he’s a highly flawed human—just like the rest of us.

Most of the conversations that swirl around David tend to revolve around his wealth (he took stock instead of cash for murals he painted on the walls of Facebook that would later enrich him to the tune of $200M) and the countless wild yarns he spins about his many well-documented adventures, escapades, and public scandals.

Today we travel beyond the David of yore to meet a very different man. An artist and human who has grappled with his demons and emerged more complete. Grounded. And grateful.

What interests me most about David has nothing to do with his wealth, fame or copious talent. Instead it’s his honesty—a rare and raw vulnerability that is both sweet and endearing. A reflection of his devotion to self-growth, the David of today is refreshingly open about his journey and failures. The result is a deeply empathetic, sensitive, caring, and thoughtful man in search of personal truth and connection—all of which is writ large and beautifully captured in his latest utterly unique creation, The Choe Show on FX.

Today’s conversation centers on mental health, childhood trauma, and the many perils of addiction. It’s about identity, sobriety, creativity, and more broadly, the journey to self-acceptance and self-love.

David is one of the few brave individuals who can shine a flashlight on the darkest places of his soul—a rare authenticity that somehow gives everyone else the green light to do the same.

To read more click here. You can also watch listen to our exchange on YouTube. And as always, the podcast streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Note: If this is your first rendezvous with David, this is not one for the kiddo’s ears. Explicits are dropped. You have been forewarned.

I adore this conversation. It’s nothing short of magical, and I hope you find it helpful especially if you’re one of the many who are struggling or suffering right now.

Peace + Plants,

Rich

We live in a culture where identity is inextricably linked to our careers—but who we are is not what we do.

And work is not a substrate for identity.

In addition to philosophizing on capitalism, hedonistic altruism, and rest as resistance, in today’s edition of ‘Roll On’ Adam Skolnick and I trade fitness updates, perform a virtual reality show & tell, answer listener questions, and more.

Aside from being my bi-weekly sidekick hype beast, Adam is a waterman, writer, activist, and veteran journalist best known as David Goggins’ Can’t Hurt Me, co-author. He writes about adventure sports, environmental issues, and civil rights for outlets such as The New York Times, Outside, ESPN, BBC, and Men’s Health. He is the author of One Breath and is currently using the ‘new dad’ excuse to avoid working on his novel.

Specific topics covered in this episode include:

• an update on endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh’s ‘Code Red’ arctic swim;
• a recap of the Leadville 100, the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, and Robbie Balenger’s Colorado Crush;
• Sania Sorokin record-breaking 24-hour race & Carl Meltzer’s completion of the ‘Most 100 milers in a calendar year’;
• the importance of Michael Muller’s virtual reality experience ‘Into the Now’;
• thoughts on life, careers, and the NYT piece, Work Is a False Idol; and
• Rich & Adam’s podcast, video, and other media streams of the week.

In addition, we answer the following questions:

• How do you end self-sabotaging behaviors?
• What are the best ways to prepare for a 100K ultra race? 
• When exercising, what is the most efficient way to breathe?

Thank you to Annie from Colorado, Brian from London, and Scott from Vermont for your questions. If you want your query discussed, drop it on our Facebook Page or better yet leave a voicemail at (424) 235-4626.

To read more and listen click here. You can also watch on YouTube. And as always, the podcast streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Peace + Plants,

Rich

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Parenting typical teenagers is no easy feat. Today’s guest parented two as they skyrocketed to bewildering fame—and kept them astonishingly grounded in the process.

Today we explore the uncommon reality that is Maggie Baird’s life.

A veteran actor, improv performer, and writer with a long list of screen credits to her name, Maggie is also a long-time vegan, animal rights and environmental activist, and the founder of Support And Feed, a non-profit that partners with restaurants across America (and soon the world) to provide plant-based meals to those experiencing food insecurity.

She’s also the coolest mom ever to two of the biggest musicians in the world—7x Grammy Award winning 19-year old Billie Eilish and Billie’s equally talented brother and counterpart, 8x Grammy winning 23-year old brother Finneas O’Connell—all portrayed alongside Maggie’s husband Patrick O’Connell in the recent Apple TV+ documentary The World’s A Little Blurry.

Although Billie serves as the film’s primary protagonist, the documentary paints a technicolor family journey portrait. The story behind the story of this uniquely gifted foursome is both surprising and deeply heartwarming—a narrative exploration of parents striving to consciously guide their talented kids through their trepidatious and vertigo-inducing ascent to superstardom.

It goes without saying that this is a conversation about parenting, how to raise conscious kids, and the many benefits of homeschooling and unschooling.

It’s about what happens when your children become unbelievably famous at a young age, seemingly overnight.

And it’s about organizing your life and your family’s priorities around what is most important.

It’s also about the challenges of pursuing an artistic life. The importance of finding your cause. And it’s a dive into Maggie’s particular cause, which is to solve food insecurity and make the music industry, concerts, and touring, more ecologically sustainable.

To read more click here. You can also watch listen to our exchange on YouTube. And as always, the podcast streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

This one is chock-full of sage advice across many topics, and there’s something for everyone to learn from Maggie’s refreshing perspective.

Wise and charming, Maggie is the mom we all wish we had.

Enjoy!

Peace + Plants,

Rich

The relentless pursuit of pleasure always leads to pain.

As the world evolves from one of scarcity to overabundance, we increasingly orient our lives around the pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain—an instinct that has produced a myriad of unprecedented types of addiction, and consequently, the pain we so desperately seek to avoid.

To better understand this conundrum, I’m joined today by one of the world’s leading authorities on the neuroscience of addiction, Anna Lembke, MD.

If that name sounds familiar, it’s likely due to her on screen presence in the Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma—a must-watch for anyone with a smartphone.

Anna is a professor of psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine and chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic. She is widely published, has testified before Congress, and has authored two important books, Drug Dealer MD and her newest work, Dopamine Nation—a powerful primer on compulsive overconsumption in a world where feeling good has become confused with the highest good.

This is an important and impactful conversation that explores:

• The nature, psychology, and neuroscience of addiction;
• the explosion in addiction in lockstep with technological advances;
• the opioid crisis & the fascinating history behind how we think about and treat pain;
• recovery protocols from 12-step & the latest science on psychedelic treatments; and
• how to manage & avoid addiction.

To read more click here. You can also watch listen to our exchange on YouTube. And as always, the podcast streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Whip-smart and radically empathetic. I can’t underestimate the importance of Dr. Lembke’s work, and this conversation is a must listen for any and all who suffer from some form of addictive compulsivity, or know someone who does (which is pretty much everyone).

Enjoy!

Peace + Plants,

Rich

Melting ice caps. Raging wildfires. Record-breaking heat waves. The climate crisis is here, and we’re not doing enough about it.

Suffice to say, no wonder Greta Thunberg is so pissed off.

Aside from discussing burgeoning climate disasters, in today’s edition of ‘Roll On’ Adam Skolnick and I pontificate on the positives and pitfalls of perfectionism, arctic swimming, laundry done right and more, all rounded out with a cameo from renowned yoga instructor, endurance coach, and friend Ted McDonald.

For those new to this segment of the podcast, aside from being my bi-weekly sidekick hype beast, Adam Skolnick is a waterman, writer, activist, and veteran journalist best known as David Goggins’ Can’t Hurt Me, co-author. Adam writes about adventure sports, environmental issues, and civil rights for outlets such as The New York Times, Outside, ESPN, BBC, and Men’s Health. He is the author of One Breath and is currently using the ‘new dad’ excuse to avoid working on his novel.

Other topics covered in this episode include:

• lessons on productivity & workflow learned after Rich’s trip to Telluride;
• endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh’s 10km swim around Greenland;
• the chaos ensuing in Afghanistan & the arrogance and destruction of imperialism; 
• takeaways from The International Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) recent climate report; and
• why sustainable land management, regenerative agriculture, and reforestation are critical to saving the planet.

In addition, we answer the following questions:

• What do you do when your self-care routine starts to feel stale?
• How do you find the right coach when training for an endurance race?
• As an athlete, how important is it to maintain a yoga practice?

Thank you to Nate from Colorado and Heidi from Northern California for your questions, and Ted McDonald for your help answering them—including one of my own. If you want your query discussed, drop it on our Facebook Page or better yet leave a voicemail at (424) 235-4626.

The visually inclined can watch our exchange on YouTube. And as always, the podcast streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Peace + Plants,

Rich

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if I told you that there was a Russian millionaire who wants to help you live to be 150-years-old?

This isn’t science fiction—it’s ‘immortality science’. It’s the science of lifespan extension. The science of what today’s guest calls growing young.

Meet Sergey Young, the exceedingly bright and optimistic chemical engineer turned investment banker turned venture capitalist committed to not only funding cutting-edge lifespan extension breakthroughs but also ensuring that such advancements are affordable and accessible to all.

Named one of the Top 100 Longevity Leaders in the world, Sergey is an XPRIZE Foundation Board Member, the founder of the $100M Longevity Vision Fund, and a development sponsor of the Age Reversal XPRIZE, which is a global competition designed to find a cure for aging. Yes, you read that right—a cure.

He’s also the author of the new book hitting shelves everywhere August 24, 2021 (and now available for pre-order) entitled, The Science And Technology Of Growing Young, which is a fascinating demystification of the longevity landscape, a primer on the science and technology developments aimed at healthspan enhancement, and a practical guidebook outlining the many things we all can and should be doing now to live vibrantly to 100 and beyond.

Today we run the gamut on longevity, including near and long-term science & technological advancements like the advent of bio-tracking wearables, body digitization, and the role of artificial intelligence in revolutionizing medical diagnostics and early disease detection.

We also cast a future gaze into the insanely wild far horizon of age-reversal science, digital avatars, telexistence, 3-D organ printing, and AI-brain integration.

Pivoting to the immediately practical, we also converse about the many things we can and should all be doing now to extend not just our lifespan, but our healthspan—things like eating a plant-based diet, prioritizing exercise, sleep, relationships, and spending time in nature.

But the most interesting aspects of this exchange are the moral and philosophical dilemmas that surface in the conversation around human lifespan extension—and the urgency with which we need to be thinking very deeply about the many profound implications of these advancements.

Brilliant, charming, and quite funny, it’s an honor to share Sergey’s wisdom with you today.

Break out the pen and notepad. You’re going to want to take notes on this one.

To read more click here. You can also watch listen to our exchange on YouTube. And as always, the podcast streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Enjoy!

Peace + Plants,

Rich

We live in the most prosperous nation on Earth—and yet we’ve never been more unhealthy.

70% of Americans are obese or overweight. By 2030, 50% of Americans will be diabetic or pre-diabetic. Not only is chronic illness is killing us, it's bankrupting our economy.

It’s insanity—and a reality that today’s guest lived, transmuted, and has committed his life to changing.

Meet New York City’s next mayor, Eric Adams.

At age 54, Eric woke up unable to read his alarm clock. Concerned about his vision and numbness in his extremities, he reluctantly went to the doctor, who delivered a grim diagnosis of advanced Type II diabetes. Progressive eyesight loss was inevitable. His nerve damage was leading him on a path to amputation. Going on a battery of medications for the rest of his life was a given.

Refusing to believe his fate was sealed, Eric decided instead to take matters into his own hands. Rather than googling ‘living with diabetes‘, instead he searched ‘reversing diabetes’. What he found was a plethora of support, science, and experts—many of which have appeared on this show—that inspired him to ditch his lifelong allegiance to the standard American diet in favor of a whole food plant-based diet.

Within weeks of this nutritional shift and without any medication whatsoever, Eric’s symptoms subsided and his diabetes indeed reversed. His vision returned. His nerves repaired themselves. In the months that followed, he lowered his cholesterol by 30 points. He dropped 35 pounds. And a new lease on life was signed.

Now five years hence, Eric is the fittest he’s ever been. His remarkable transformation inspired him to create radical initiatives as Brooklyn Borough President to improve the nutrition, health, and lives of New Yorkers and beyond. A commitment he’s adamant about expanding as New York’s next mayor.

Those who have followed this mayoral race closely know it’s been focused on one issue: law and order. Under-reported is Eric's incredible commitment to revolutionizing health policy, the direct result of his very personal experience with chronic lifestyle disease.

So today we dive into Eric’s remarkable journey from ill to well, and the purpose-driven mission it has birthed within him to revolutionize health not just in NYC, but across America.

I suspect you will end this exchange wanting to know more, in which case you should check out Eric’s book, Healthy At Last: A Plant-Based Approach to Preventing and Reversing Diabetes and Other Chronic Illnesses.

I appreciate Eric for taking time out of his busy schedule to talk to me. We only had a tight hour—but we really made the most of it.

To read more click here. You can also watch listen to our exchange on YouTube (audio only—we didn’t film this one). And as always, the podcast streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Enjoy!

Peace + Plants,

Rich

We love to celebrate Olympians as superheroes. It’s important to remember they are human beings.

In today’s episode of the podcast, Adam Skolnick and I trade thoughts on Tokyo 2020, great white shark sightings, kaatsu training and more.

For those new to the show, Adam Skolnick is a waterman, writer, activist, and veteran journalist best known as David Goggins’ Can’t Hurt Me, co-author. Adam writes about adventure sports, environmental issues, and civil rights for outlets such as The New York Times, Outside, ESPN, BBC, and Men’s Health. He is the author of One Breath and is currently using the ‘new dad’ excuse to avoid working on his novel.

Topics covered in this episode  include:

• Adam’s close encounter with a great white shark;
• endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh and the massive melting event in Greenland;
• Robbie Balenger’s Colorado Crush challenge;
• Timothy Olson’s recent FKT on the Pacific Crest Trail;
• Simone Biles’ choice to scratch Olympic events & the ensuing conversation around mental health and elite athleticism’
• was Russia ‘actually’ banned from the Olympics?; and
• a look at blood flow restriction & ultra-short race-pace training; 

In addition, we answer the following listener questions:

• What does it mean to ‘do the work’?
• What are Rich & Adam’s top five bands and albums?
• How do you set realistic physical goals as you age?

Thank you to Justin from Minnesota, Jess from Illinois, and Bev from Denver for your questions. If you want your query discussed, drop it on our Facebook Page or better yet leave a voicemail at (424) 235-4626.

To read more click here. You can also watch our exchange on YouTube. And as always, the podcast streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Peace + Plants,

Rich

We tend to think of high-performance athletes as superhuman—a rare species with extraordinary strength and a preternatural ability to suffer.

But if you ask today’s guest what distinguishes the elite athlete and everyone else, she’ll say nothing.

For her, the secret to high-level performance isn’t about cutting edge training plans, coaches, or carefully honed nutrition.

For her, it’s instead found in seeking out and celebrating the pain cave, that deep place of physical discomfort most go to great lengths to avoid.

Meet Courtney Dauwalter, the world’s best female ultrarunner—and when it comes to races 200 miles and longer—arguably the best period.

A humble mater of grit and boundary-busting physical prowess, Courtney is universally loved and admired for her winning smile, mental fortitude and intuitive training style (she doesn’t even have a coach).

In addition to being named one of the 50 Fittest Athletes in the World by Sports Illustrated and a two-time Ultrarunner of the Year, among her countless accomplishments, Courtney:

• won the 2017 Moab 240 (including beating all the men) by an astonishing 10 hour margin;
• won the 2020 Big Dog Backyard Ultra by clocking 283 miles (again beating all the men);
• won the women’s division of 2018 The Western States 100;
• broke the Tahoe 200 female course record in 2018 by 18+ hours; and
• was the fastest female at the 2019 UTMB, considered the world’s most prestigious ultra

Not bad for an athlete who didn’t even begin her professional running career until she was 32 years old.

The thing about Courtney is that she lives in the moment. She’s a doer. She doesn’t overthink things. She trains on feel, eats what she wants, and does it all with joy and a laudable degree of humility and perspective. But behind it all is a very intentional human—an athlete of unparalleled mental fortitude with the drive required to test the very limits of human capability.

Today we get into all of it.

Courtney shares the mindset techniques and tactics that have propelled her superhuman accomplishments.

She shares her perspective on career longevity. Her evolution as an athlete. How she approaches unlocking unprecedented performance. And the purpose that lives beneath it all.

But if you extract anything from this conversation, may it be the importance of having fun. Why taking things lightly is strength and not a weakness.

When you reframe pain as a destination rather than an obstacle, truly anything is possible.

To read more click here. You can also watch our exchange on YouTube. And as always, the podcast streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

An athlete I’ve admired for many years, I aspire to Courtney’s unique blend of grit and joy. Yes, she is a badass. But she’s also a good sport. A better human. And an absolutely delightful hang.

Enjoy!

Peace + Plants,

Rich

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Imagine a day when alternative protein is no longer alternative. Welcome to the moonshot for meatless meat.

When it comes to meat, the news is both good and bad. On the one hand, alternative protein innovation is at an all-time high, with ever more options stocked at grocery stores across the country. However, despite the cultural ascension and mainstreaming of all things vegan & plant-based, the unfortunate reality is that globally, meat consumption is actually the highest it’s ever been. And according to the UN, global meat production is projected to double by 2050.

So what gives?

To address this conundrum and bring us up to speed on the cultivated and plant-based meat state of affairs, I’m once again joined by my friend & resident expert on all things meatless meat, Bruce Friedrich—returning for his third appearance on the show (catch RRP 286 & 402 if you missed them).

Graduating magna cum laude from Georgetown Law with additional graduate degrees from Johns Hopkins and the London School of Economics, Bruce is the founder & president of The Good Food Institute, an international non-profit focused on facilitating the reimagination of meat production. He is also a TED Fellow, a Y Combinator alumnus, and a popular food innovation speaker at places like Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, and MIT. Bruce has been profiled in The New York Times and many other prominent outlets and has penned op-eds for The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, Wired, and many other publications.

Today we pick up where we left off almost three years ago to assess the current state of the union on all things alternative protein.

We discuss advances in both plant-based and cultivated meat. We review how the latest technological breakthroughs in fermentation, 3D printing and funghi (or mycoprotein) harvesting are changing the game. And we cover the political and regulatory landscape that frames the alternative protein movement—and the policy changes we need to realize a better food system for all.

In addition we discuss the many problems solved by a global pivot to alternative proteins—including zoonotic disease, greenhouse gas emissions, resource reduction, and animal suffering.

Overall, this is an optimistic forecast of food system innovation—how technology, urgency, and popular demand are rapidly converging to create healthy, sustainable, and compassionate solutions to help solve our current food, health, and environmental crises.

To read more click here. You can also watch our exchange on YouTube. And as always, the podcast streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

As you will soon discover, Bruce is super smart. This episode is our smartest yet. Enjoy!

Peace + Plants,

Rich

Insane feats of endurance. Space-traveling billionaires. Dystopian musical comedy specials. Record-breaking freediving depths. And of course, UFOs. Today is a little bit of everything, all of the time.

Welcome to another edition of ‘Roll On’, wherein myself and my podcast co-pilot Adam Skolnick break bread on matters high-minded and mildly entertaining.

For those new to the show, ‘Roll On’ is about stories that deserve a brighter spotlight, buttressed with a bit of show and tell, wins of the week, and rounded out with answers to questions posed on our voicemail, which you can ring up at (424) 235-4626.

Aside from serving as my magnanimous sidecar hype-beast, Adam Skolnick is an activist and veteran journalist best known as David Goggins’ Can’t Hurt Me, co-author. Adam writes about adventure sports, environmental issues, and civil rights for outlets such as The New York Times, Outside, ESPN, BBC, and Men’s Health. He is the author of One Breath and is currently using the ‘new dad’ excuse to avoid working on his novel.

Some of the many topics covered today include:

• Richard Branson’s successful spaceflight and the billionaire race to space;
• the Pentagon’s efforts to de-stigmatize reporting UFO sightings and their recent release of unclassified reports on aerial phenomena;
• Our summer must-watch list;
• Robbie Balenger’s Colorado Crush & Timothy Olson’s PCT FKT attempt;
• Lachlan Morton’s Alt-Tour;
• a 2021 Tour de France wrap-up; and
• Vertical Blue freediving records

In addition, we answer the following listener questions:

• How do you adjust to post-pandemic parenting?
• How do you create a healthier body image?
• Will there be future RRP gatherings and events?

Thank you to Eric from South Bend, Zach from West Virginia, and Chris from Rockland, California for your questions. If you want your query discussed, drop it on our Facebook Page or better yet leave a voicemail at (424) 235-4626.

FULL BLOG & SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/richroll616

YouTube: bit.ly/rollon616

Peace + Plants,

Rich

What happens when one of—if not the—greatest restaurants in the world suddenly goes 100% plant-based?

For perspective, out of the 132 three-star Michelin star restaurants around the world, not a single one is vegan. Suffice it to say, most would say such a move is tantamount to financial suicide.

But Chef Daniel Humm—the world-renown chef and owner of Eleven Madison Park—sees it as the greatest purpose-driven, creative challenge of his lifetime.

Like most restaurants, when the pandemic hit Eleven Madison Park closed its doors and grappled with bankruptcy. But it was during this time that Daniel started thinking more deeply about purpose. What he stands for. How he could leverage his talent and resources to meaningfully participate in solutions to food insecurity and the inherently unsustainable nature of food systems more broadly.

Bold leaps followed. He converted the EMP kitchen into a commissary to provide free meals to food-insecure New Yorkers. He kitted out a food truck to distribute those meals. He partnered with Rethink Food, a non-profit committed to creating sustainable and equitable food systems, to work on solving food inequality at scale. But his coup de grace involved re-opening the most revered restaurant in the world with a completely plant-based menu—and ensuring that every EMP meal enjoyed pays for five meals freely distributed to those in need.

It’s a move that sent shockwaves throughout the food world. But Daniel’s bet is more than paying off, denoted by a waitlist that currently exceeds 15,000 people.

On the very day Eleven Madison Park announced its new menu, I committed to making this podcast happen. My friend, past podcast guest, and former Esquire magazine Food & Drinks editor Jeff Gordinier connected the dots. In turn, Daniel agreed to do the show. But there was a condition: first I must dine at EMP. Deal. I immediately booked a flight to NYC. I joined Jeff for said dinner—an exquisite experience like no other—and the day following convened with Daniel for this exchange.

This conversation is about why cuisine at the highest level—food as art—plays a vital role in moving culture forward. It’s about what makes a great chef. What pursuing a passion truly entails. And the magic of embracing constant reinvention.

It’s also about the role that art, minimalism and essentialism have played in the evolution of Daniel’s craft and life philosophy.

But more than anything, this is a deeply personal tale of evolution. It’s about the search for purpose beyond accolades—and what it means to devote your talents in service of a better world.

Special Thanks to Daniel’s team for arranging this dining & podcasting experience and to Joseph Hazan at Newsstand Studio in Rockefeller Center for allowing us to record in his facility. Also, gratitude to photographers Sebastian Nevols (kitchen portrait) and Craig McDean (black & white portraits) for permitting use of their images.

Now one of the most important and influential figures in the plant-based movement, it was a privilege to experience Daniel’s talents and company. And it’s an honor to share this fascinating exchange with you today.

FULL BLOG & SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/richroll615

YouTube: bit.ly/danielhumm615

My hope is that his words inspire you to deeply rethink your personal capabilities—and to see that the answers you seek lie within.

Peace + Plants,

Rich

Our time is defined by a crisis of consciousness and broken spiritual connection. Driven by a materialist, zero-sum approach to everything, we seek answers in ego, money, power and consumption. It’s an addiction that’s wreaking havoc on the planet—and ultimately leaves us empty.

Short of a spiritual reconciliation or outright revolution of the heart, I fear for the future well-being of humanity.

It is this terrain that today we tread with spiritual psychologist, historian, philosopher, and the world’s only rabbi with a black belt in jiu-jitsu, Rabbi Mordecai Finley, Ph.D.

The co-founder of Ohr HaTorah Synagogue in Los Angeles, Rabbi Finley holds a doctorate in Religion and Social Ethics from the University of Southern California. He’s taught Holocaust Studies, Talmud, Rabbinic Literature, Jewish Law and Ethics, and other courses at USC, USC School of Law, and Loyola Law School. And he is a founder and the former president of the Academy for Jewish Religion.

Rabbi Finley’s gift lies in wisdom counseling, and today we are gifted just that.

This is a rather extraordinary deep dive into the teachings of moral philosophy, spiritual psychology, skepticism, and stoicism. We deal with anger & fear, the relationships that divide ourselves and others, and what Rabbi Finley calls The Inner Pharaoh, the internal oppressor who keeps us trapped with the crushing persistence of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh. In addition, Rabbi Finley helps answer questions like:

• what does it mean to pursue a life of virtue, wisdom, depth, purpose, and meaning beyond the material?
• how do we parse our inner voice from the ego?
• how do we connect our inner consciousness to the divine?
• how do we end cycles of anger, disappointment, and dissatisfaction? 
• and most importantly, what is the role of spirituality in 2021?

But the most powerful lesson imparted is the importance of thinking well. Exploring the depths of your motivation. And understanding that only you can heal yourself.

FULL BLOG & SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/richroll614

YouTube: bit.ly/rabbifinley614

Rabbi Finley is a beautiful soul. I sincerely hope you find this conversation as powerful and fascinating as I did.

Peace + Plants,

Rich

For too long, talking about mental health has been a social taboo.

Shame prevents confronting our struggles. The pressure of our daily lives exacerbates the problem. Compound that with society’s lack of mental health education and you create an epidemic of mental health disorders ranging from chronic stress and anxiety to loneliness and depression. PTSD. And of course, suicide.

The solution to these problems is complicated. But it always begins with talking about them.

Today we do just that. Introducing a masterclass on all things mental health, my second in a new ongoing series of compilation-based deep dives.

The conversations excerpted for this episode feature some of the best, most inspiring exchanges I’ve had on the topic of mental health, with practical takeaways and bite-size chunks of advice that you can apply in your life today.

The full episodes for guests featured in this episode can be enjoyed here:

• RRP 464: Lori Gottlieb: Stories From A Therapist In Therapy
• RRP 416: Johann Hari: On Lost Connections
• RRP 579: Alexi Pappas Is Bravey
• RRP 468: Quelling Stress With Rangan Chatterjee, MD
• RRP 565: Caroline Burckle On The Power Of Vulnerability
• RRP 584: Steven Pressfield On The War of Art
• RRP 330: Drs. Dean & Ayesha Sherzai
• RRP 393: Guru Singh On Disrupting Depression
• RRP 424: Sarah Lee On The War Inside
• RRP 557: Hakim Tafari On Reinvention

FULL BLOG & SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/richroll613

YouTube: bit.ly/mentalhealth613

Note: If you missed our first deep dive, a masterclass on all things microbiome, click here.

Final Note: This conversation traverses difficult emotional terrain. If you are struggling, please raise your hand and reach out for help. For a catalog of resources, you can visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness and if you are experiencing suicidal ideation, know you’re not alone. I encourage you to call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1(800) 273 – TALK.

I sincerely hope you find this experiment helpful, instructive, and inspiring.

Peace + Plants,

Rich

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you stay committed to your goals when sh*t gets hard?

There’s an entire industry built on answering this question—and a litany of #lifehacks meant to assuage intolerance for hard work and discipline.

But if you ask today’s guest, he’ll tell you the answer is found in consistently doing what you feel called to do—and doing it for something greater than yourself. It’s about making friendships along the way. And seeing the process of pursuing your dreams as a privilege—not just a self-serving opportunity.

Meet Hellah Sidibe.

Born in Mali, Hellah emigrated from to the States from West Africa when he was a teen, becoming a professional soccer player and now, a U.S. citizen and the first Black person to ever run 3,000 miles across America. It’s a truly extraordinary feat eclipsed only by his incredibly inspirational positive vibe and another noteworthy accomplishment: a 4+ year run streak.

Hellah has run every single day, without missing one single day, for over 1500+ days in a row.

I first came across Hellah’s story when my friend Robbie Balenger joined Hellah for a segment of his transcontinental run through the Navajo Nation. Captivated by Robbie’s Instagram Stories documenting the experience, I was immediately taken by Hellah’s energy. I followed his journey through the conclusion of his run in New York City, and immediately got to work trying to book him here as soon as I could.

And so, here we are.

We talk running of course, but this conversation is about so much more. It’s about reimagining your own personal potential. It’s about chasing dreams, taking risks, putting yourself out there, and of course, what it takes to accomplish seemingly outlandish goals.

We also discuss Hellah’s decision to go plant-based. The impact this lifestyle has had on his running and, beyond that, his broader awareness.

In addition, we talk about his work with Soles4Souls, a non-profit that provides repurposed shoes to empower the developing world. We discuss his relationship with social media, his growing YouTube presence, and the impact Casey Neistat has had on how he shares his personal perspective online.

But mostly, this is about mindset. It’s about living with intention—and the beauty of sharing the journey to self-actualization unfiltered, in real-time.

FULL BLOG & SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/richroll612

YouTube: bit.ly/hellahsidibe612

Hellah’s energy is infectious. It rubbed off on me. It will rub off on you too.

Peace + Plants,

Rich

A cornerstone of this podcast is the power of sport to catalyze personal and societal change, cultivate confidence, and ultimately transform lives.

But what happens when sport breaks you?

If you’ve listened to my conversations with Lindsay Crouse and Lauren Fleshman, you know this story is all too familiar within athletic institutions—particularly Nike. Today’s guest is busting this paradigm.

Meet Mary Cain.

Established as the fastest girl in a generation by the time she reached high school, Mary was only 16 when she qualified for the Olympic Trials. At 17, she became the youngest American track and field athlete to make a world championship, competing in Moscow in the 1500 meters.

Olympic glory seemed a foregone conclusion. Until that is, she joined Nike’s elite Oregon Project team run by infamous coach Alberto Salazar.

And that’s when everything changed.

Under severe pressure from Salazar and others to lose weight, her mental and physical health began to crumble. Ultimately, her body collapsed—and her running career behind it. Then she just disappeared.

Until November of 2019 that is, when Mary broke her silence on what happened and why, bravely exposing the abusive system that derailed her in a New York Times Video OpEd entitled, “I Was the Fastest Girl in America, Until I joined Nike”.

Here’s the thing about Mary: she’s emerged from this whole experience stronger—both as an athlete and as an advocate resolute on creating positive change for the next generation of female athletes.

Now 25, she continues to run while serving as the New York Community Manager for the running apparel brand Tracksmith.

In addition, this podcast announces her new role as CEO of Atalanta, a new NYC-based elite running team & community non-profit Mary founded with the dual mission of promoting running community, inclusivity & diversity, while also rewriting the rule book on professional women’s athletics.

Today we get into all of it.

FULL BLOG & SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/richroll611

YouTube: bit.ly/marycain611

I have a ton of respect for this young woman. Her story is powerful. It’s instructive. And I’m proud to help share it.

Peace + Plants,

Rich

Success in all forms demands mental fortitude—a capacity honed through consistently placing yourself beyond comfortable confines. When practiced with daily rigor, an increasingly sturdy mindset becomes a superpower—and the foundation for the purpose-driven life you aspire to inhabit.

Welcome to another edition of ‘Roll On’, wherein myself and master of pen, keyboard and dictaphone Adam Skolnick explore the concept of mental fortitude in contexts athletic and political through the lives of two individuals, James Lawrence (aka the ‘Iron Cowboy’) and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.

Beyond RRP hype-man duties, Adam Skolnick is an activist and journalist best known as David Goggins’ Can’t Hurt Me, co-author. He writes about adventure sports, environmental issues, and civil rights for The New York Times, Outside, ESPN, BBC, and Men’s Health. He is the author of One Breath and is currently awash in his umpteenth draft of an untitled novel—slowly losing his mind in the process.

This episode unfurls in a fashion unique.

The balance of today’s discussion focuses on James Lawrence—the undisputed king of mental fortitude wrought in physical form—and his mind-bending completion of 101 iron-distance triathlons in 100 days.

In addition, we cover a few notable stories, including The Woman Who Fell 2 Miles To Earth,  The Great Lakes Jumper and The Great Pacific Race. We also discuss the recent Supreme Court decision backing payments to NCAA student-athletes, wherein I go on a tear against the college-industrial complex.

It is here that we depart from standard Roll On protocol and instead segue into my conversation with a man notable for a very different kind of mental fortitude, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. The most accomplished runner currently holding elected office (he’s a 2:16 marathoner!), it’s an exploration of the demands, discipline and disposition required to lead a fractured city through the treacherous terrain of social upheaval in the wake of George Floyd’s murder.

FULL BLOG & SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/richroll610

YouTube: bit.ly/rollon610

Final Thought: this episode marks the one-year anniversary of ‘Roll On’ (and on-air bromance with Adam Skolnick). What started as an experimental but intentional response to the many historic moments that greeted us in 2020 has turned into an important RRP mainstay—and a success due in no small part to the incredible work that Adam has and continues to bring to the series. So thank you Adam. Show him some love on Instagram @adamskolnick.

Enjoy the show!

Peace + Plants,

Rich

A mysterious artist on the cusp of breakthrough success walks away from it all. Beyond the public’s gaze, he spends the next decade pursuing purity, beauty and truths both personal and universal.

Then, like a Jedi returning from parts unknown, the artist resurfaces as ‘The Spirited Man’. And this ‘Spirited Man’ goes by the name Van.

Van Neistat to be precise.

The elder half of The Neistat Brothers, it’s a name that will ring familiar to many, a name typically associated with a superstar YouTuber, OG vlogger, and friend of the pod, Casey Neistat.

In the Neistat Venn Diagram, Van and Casey overlap on many traits. Both are artists with an utterly distinct aesthetic. Both are exceptional filmmakers who honed their skills in the days before YouTube even existed. Both have a preternatural aptitude for storytelling, perfectionist dispositions, an appreciation for the analog, and extreme respect for detail. The list goes on.

And yet, Van and Casey are also very different artists with disparate sensibilities.

Back in 2010 after the Neistat Brothers HBO show wasn’t picked up for a second season, Casey went on to become, well Casey Neistat. Van on the other hand, embarked on a very different journey. An artistic journey of self-discovery—outside the public sphere—until recently.

Now re-emerged by dint of his recently launched YouTube Channel, ‘The Spirited Man’, Van muses philosophical and explores questions large and small with a curious, introspective flare that is totally unique, utterly compelling, and just-so-perfectly Van.

I was (and continue to be) thoroughly entranced by this series—and so curious about Van—that I reached out to Casey to connect us.

Today Van shares his story, and it is wild.

My plan was to unfurl ‘The Story of Van Neistat’ in a relatively linear fashion.

That’s not at all what happened. And this exchange is better for it.

Fluid and conversational, this is an excavation of the artist life. It’s as much about hardship and survival as it is about creativity and productivity.

We discuss curiosity, sobriety, discipline, the value of being meticulous, and his commitment to preserving an analog life.

We talk about why he didn’t continue making films with Casey and Van’s many collaborations with artist Tom Sachs.

Finally, Van spins a few epic yarns featuring Werner Herzog, the Safdie Brothers, and the lore of 368 Broadway—a building in lower Manhattan that birthed many an amazing creative career in the early 2000s.

FULL BLOG & SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/richroll609

YouTube: bit.ly/vanneistat609

Van is super awesome. I love this one. Hope you do too.

Peace + Plants,

Rich

How can you possibly excel as an athlete on a plant-based diet? Where do you get your protein? Don’t you need meat to be fit?

If you’re a long-time whole food, plant-based enthusiast, chances are you’ve been asked these questions more times than you can count. For the rest of you, let’s put these questions to the test.

My comrades for this inquiry are friends Matt Frazier & Robert Cheeke, here to testify on how to absolutely kick ass and take names as a plant-based athlete.

The occasion for this conversation is the publication of Matt & Robert’s aptly titled new book, The Plant-Based Athlete—the ultimate primer on maxing peak performance the plant-based way, a drum you I’ve been beating for years.

Long-time listeners will remember Matt from from RRP 54 in the early days of the podcast. A plant-based marathoner and ultrarunner, he’s the man behind everything NoMeatAthlete.com—the wildly popular community, blog, books, and podcast.

Making his first and long overdue appearance on the show, Robert is a former champion vegan bodybuilder, public speaker, founder of Vegan Bodybuilding & Fitness, and a solid dude who’s been crushing it on nothing but plants for more than 25 years.

Today, Matt and Robert bust myths and break down the basics of plant-based performance. We talk about optimizing athleticism from strength training to endurance. We discuss proper fueling and recovery techniques. We get into responsible supplementation, balancing macros, enhancing micronutrient intake, and the importance diversifying your microbiome. Plus, we dive into the latest science and research behind why plants reign supreme when it comes to peak gains.

Of course, we also bust some common myths, including the big one: where do you get your protein?

Whether you’re seeking to break a strength plateau, hit a PR, compete in your first ultra event, or simply lose a few, shape up and feel better—this is the intensive, in-depth, masterclass on plant-based performance you’ve been waiting for.

And it might just change your life.

FULL BLOG & SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/richroll608

YouTube: bit.ly/frazierandcheeke608

It was a blast hosting these awesome humans and long-time friends. I sincerely hope you enjoy the exchange.

Peace + Plants,

Rich

It's been over a year since we dipped our toes in the rippling currents of the spiritual deep end.

To make amends for this grievous and much delayed pause, today marks the the welcome return of my favorite wizard and sparring partner when it comes to matters mystical, Guru Singh —here to resuscitate another round of Guru Multiverse.

The master of the Kundalini arts, now presiding over Kundalini University, Guru Singh has paid many a visit to this show. For those newer to the podcast, Guru Singh is a celebrated master spiritual teacher, third-generation Sikh yogi, author, accomplished musician, father, grandfather, and gift to humanity at large who has been teaching and studying Kundalini yoga for the past 40-plus years.

Our last get-together focused on navigating grief. Today we extend and apply that theme to aid in processing this most unusual year.

We discuss our addiction to the idea of normalcy. We explore the idea of a 'global reset' — the personal and planetary growth opportunity in the wake of what we have collectively weathered. And we weigh the pros and cons of incremental versus revolutionary change.

Make sure to stick around to the end. As has become his custom, Guru Singh takes it out with a song.

FULL BLOG & SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/richroll607

YouTube: bit.ly/gurusingh607

It's great to be back with my wise friend. I sincerely hope you enjoy this exchange.

Peace + Plants,

Rich

The godfather of integrative medicine and a true pioneer of health, today’s guest is a legend in the realm of mind-body healing.

Meet Dr. Andrew Weil.

Named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by TIME Magazine (among a zillion other accolades), Dr. Weil is a New York Times bestselling author of 15 books, the founder and director of the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona, and a man who’s spent the last 50+ years studying and evangelizing holistic wellness, under-appreciated healing modalities, medicinal plants, and the reform of medical education.

As an entrepreneur, he is the founder of matcha tea brand Matcha Kari and a partner in True Food Kitchen, a chain of healthy food restaurants located all across the U.S.

Dr. Weil has occupied a space in my consciousness for as long as I can remember. However, it wasn’t until I read Michael Pollan’s book How To Change Your Mind that I began to more fully appreciate the vast extent to which Dr. Weill has served as integrative medicine’s greatest pioneer.

the legacy of integrative medicine can be traced to Dr. Weil’s breadth of this man’s contribution to introducing and mainstreaming so many ideas and practices he has been advocating since the 70’s.

A long-time advocate of simple practices like breath work and healthy eating decades prior to it being vogue, Dr. Weil’s storied legacy also includes the evidence-based study of clinical applications for psychedelics, and marijuana. The nutritional properties of mushrooms. And the advisability of a variety of other alternative healing modalities that, back in the day, were considered anathema and ridiculed by the medical establishment.

Simply put, integrative medicine would exist as it does today without the path courageously blazed by Dr. Weil.

Today we explore this man’s extraordinary life. Counter-culture days at Harvard. And his convictions as a healer.

We talk psychedelics, funghi, food and breath—and the best practices you can adopt to sidestep chronic lifestyle disease and thrive.

We also explore what’s wrong with medical education. How to change it. And his quest to completely reinvent health care.

FULL BLOG & SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/richroll606

YouTube: bit.ly/andrewweil606

This was a fun one. I learned a ton, and I know you will too.

Final note: Dr. Weil was gracious enough to offer all of you a 15% discount on his Matcha Kari matcha tea. Let it be known this is not a sponsored thing, he’s just being a mensch. To avail yourself of this act of kindness visit matcha.com and use code RICH15 at checkout.

This is a glorious conversation with one of the most wildly fascinating individuals of our time. I was honored to host it and more proud to share it.

Peace + Plants,

Rich

We all create imagined blueprints for how we want our lives to unfold—but what happens when things don’t go according to plan?

Today’s guest knows a thing or two about managing pressure, prioritizing intention over expectation, and transforming disappointment into gratitude.

Meet Olympic swimmer Katie Hoff.

Dubbed, for better or worse, ‘the female Michael Phelps’ Katie is an 8x world champion that made her first Olympic Team at the ripe age of 15, the youngest member of the 2004 USA Swimming Team. She won 5 first place Olympic berths at the 2008 Olympic Trials, took home 3 medals in Beijing, and over the course of her career toppled more than a few American & international records, accruing 8 world championship titles along the way.

But Katie’s story isn’t what you think it is. It’s not some totally unrelatable Olympic fairy tale, filled with empty platitudes and cliché mottos.

It’s a story about not living up to the expectations the world set for you.

What’s most interesting about Katie is that she’s an athlete that should have had a far more decorated career.

So what happened?

Today we explore her storied career, covering the complicated mental and emotional implications of elite performance, as well as the external forces beyond an athlete’s control.

We dissect the vertigo-inducing success Katie experienced at such a young age. The insane pressure she faced that accompanied high highs, the bitter disappointment she experienced by failing to live up to unreal and unfair expectations, and the process of picking up the pieces and moving forward with life in the wake of dreams unrealized. And of course, the valuable and applicable life lessons extrapolated along the way, which she chronicles in her book, Blueprint: An Olympian’s Story of Striving, Adapting, and Embracing The Suck.

Katie is an absolute delight and our exchange is littered with gems—big ideas on managing stress, expectations, and knowing when and how to push your limits.

FULL BLOG & SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/richroll605

YouTube: bit.ly/katiehoff605

This was a fun one. I learned a ton, and I know you will too.

Peace + Plants,

Rich

Striving to achieve a ‘balanced life’ on a daily basis sets you up for failure. Approach it instead from a long-term perspective. Aim for self-awareness. Go all-in on what lights you up. Along the way, be gentle with yourself.

We are here to follow our curiosity, not mercilessly judge ourselves. Awareness is key. Shame is counterproductive.

Welcome to another edition of ‘Roll On’, wherein myself and Lord of the podcast manor Adam Skolnick wane and wax on philosophical, spiritual, and practical ideas both big and small. Beyond bantering sundry matters of varying interest, we play show and tell, share a few wins of the week, and round it out by answering listener questions deposited on our voicemail at (424) 235-4626.

Beyond RRP hype-man duties, Adam Skolnick is an activist and journalist best known as David Goggins’ Can’t Hurt Me, co-author. He writes about adventure sports, environmental issues, and civil rights for The New York Times, Outside, ESPN, BBC, and Men’s Health. He is the author of One Breath and is currently awash in his umpteenth draft of an untitled novel—slowly losing his mind in the process.

Topics explored in today’s conversation include:

• the ultramarathon tragedy in China and why there must be better protocols and oversight in this growing sport;
• thoughts on Adam Grant’s recent NYT article, There’s a Name for the Blah You’re Feeling: It’s Called Languishing;
• Rich’s current approach to writing, motivation, and why balance is overrated;
• SriMu’s Father’s Day Special, 10% off not-cheese boxes for all hard-working dads;
• Hellah Sidibe’s impressive, history making ultra-run across the United States;
• an update on the Iron Cowboy’s history-making Conquer 100;
• Van Neistat’s The Spirited Man series on YouTube;
• the Malcolm Gladwell vs. Chris Chavez journalist / influencer 1-mile challenge; and
• the legacy of Duke Kahanamoku

In addition, we answer the following listener questions:

• How do you create time to care for yourself without disappointing others?
• How do you avoid late-night hunger pangs following a day of rigorous training?
• What is the best way to transition from road to trail running?

Thank you to Sierra (or Ciara) from Kalamazoo, Michigan, Kevin from Northern California, and Ben from Columbus, Ohio for your questions. If you want your query discussed, drop it on our Facebook Page or better yet leave a voicemail at (424) 235-4626.

FULL BLOG & SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/richroll604

YouTube: bit.ly/rollon604

Peace + Plants,

Rich

How do you find purpose? What does it mean to live with intention? And why is it important to cultivate stillness?

These questions are important. The answers are tricky. To solve these riddles to the human dilemma, you have to know where to look.

Knowing Where To Look also happens to be the title of Light Watkins’ new book. Is it a sign or coincidence? The answer is up to you.

In addition to being a good friend, a beautiful incarnation of the human form, a nomadic minimalist, and expert meditation and spiritual teacher, Light is also a prolific public speaker and the founder of The Shine (a groovy TED meets Self-Realization love child event series) and the author of three books: The Inner Gym, Bliss More, and of course, his latest work and the focus of our gathering, Knowing Where To Look.

My third microphone communion with Light begins with a dive into his adventures in minimalism (every single thing he owns fits into a single carry-on bag) and what it’s like being a 50-year old ex-pat nomad living in Mexico City. We also touch on his experiences in meditation and mindfulness, and the impact of his activism on issues related to racial injustice.

But mainly we focus on things like the power of kindness, the importance of patience and reflection, how to cultivate intuition, and how to have the courage to trust it.

In a nutshell, this conversation is about how to put faith into action, and why the aspirational life is built upon a foundation of small gestures—tiny actions undertaken every day, every hour, every moment.

If you’re new to the force of love that is Light Watkins, I suggest tuning up our earlier conversations, RRP #172 and RRP #357. Check him out in my book Voicing Change, which you can find here. Listen to his podcast At the End of The Tunnel and of course, pick up his new book, the choose-your-own-adventure style of daily inspiration that is Knowing Where To Look.

FULL BLOG & SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/richroll603

YouTube: bit.ly/lightwatkins603

Light Watkins is one of my most favorite beings. My hope is that this conversation helps you find what you’re looking for.

Light Watkins is one of my most favorite beings. May this conversation be a tuning fork for your gaze—and lead you closer towards what you’re looking for.

Peace + Plants,

Rich

Meet Brogan Graham. 

Fitness fanatic. Extreme extrovert. Style icon. Force of Nature. Cool dad. Loyal friend and overall stellar human being.

These are just a few of many labels I would pin to BG’s chest.

An exceptional host during my April visit to Minneapolis (the whole thing was his idea), Brogan is the co-founder of November Project, a free and frenetic, open-to-anyone, grassroots sweat revival—a flashmob fitness revolution that counts over 250,000 lifetime members and dominates the pre-dawn urban landscape of 52 cities and nine countries spread across North America, Europe, the United Kingdom and even parts of Asia. 

Leveraging community, a simple sense of accountability, and open public spaces, the November Project motivates people of all ages, shapes, sizes and levels to move their bodies—welcoming everyone from Olympic medalists and professional athletes to complete fitness rookies and recent couch potatoes.

Today’s conversation traverses many landscapes with a unique flair that can only be described as unapologetically Brogan-esque.

Chronologically the first conversation recorded during my time in Minneapolis, we digest lessons delivered by a city and citizenship under duress—and why it’s necessary to never stop learning.

We talk ‘dadding’, training, perfectionism, friendship, and the importance of getting outside your comfort zone—not just in the context of fitness but in all aspects of life.

But the overall theme of this discussion is cultivating inclusivity. Why the path forward demands resisting the impulse to call people out. Instead, let’s call people in.

As I’m fond of saying, prophets walk among us. Brogan isn’t just one such everyman prophet. He understands that to find these people, you need to always be on the hunt. You need to take swings at bat. You need to always be expanding your circle. And you need to develop the habit of reaching out to others, embracing your neighbors, and contributing to your community.

This reflex begins with one simple word: hello.

FULL BLOG & SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/richroll602

YouTube: bit.ly/brogangraham602

I urge all of you to absorb this conversation in its entirety. Whip out your pen and paper—this is essential, potentially life-altering listening for every human. And simply put, it’s everything I hoped it would be.

Brogan is a beautiful dude. I wish he lived in Los Angeles. But I’ll take him however I can get him.

May his words inspire you to reach out to someone new today.

P.S. – This is Brogan’s second spin on the RRP flywheel. If you enjoy today’s episode then dig up his first appearance four years prior in RRP 277.

P.P.S. – Special thanks to talented Minneapolis visual artists Bennie Wilson and Jordan Lundell for photographing today’s podcast.

Peace + Plants,

Rich

We live in a culture that glorifies the hustle. But the 24/7 grind mentality is actually anathema to long-term success. How do we break this paradigm and avoid the inevitability of burnout?

You periodize your life as you would your training. Ditch the guilt and take time to rest. Choose your fallow chapters. And embrace your life in seasons.

In the race of life, the tortoise always beats the hare.

Welcome to another edition of ‘Roll On’, wherein myself and Sir Adam Skolnick corrupt your neurochemistry with ideas big and small. Beyond sundry matters of varying interest, we play show and tell, share a few wins of the week, round it out by answering listener questions deposited on our voicemail at (424) 235-4626.

Beyond RRP hypeman duties, Adam Skolnick is an activist and journalist best known as David Goggins’ Can’t Hurt Me, co-author. He writes about adventure sports, environmental issues, and civil rights for The New York Times, Outside, ESPN, BBC, and Men’s Health. He is the author of One Breath and is currently awash in his umpteenth draft of an untitled novel—slowly losing his mind in the process.

Topics explored in today’s conversation include:

• the benefits of periodizing both your fitness and all aspects of your life;
• why fallow periods are essential to optimal creativity;
• an Iron Cowboy’s ‘Conquer 100‘ challenge update (and WTC’s tone-deaf response);
• the recent Laird Superfoods and Picky Bar acquisition;
• the HBO docuseries ‘Q: Into The Storm’;
• Rachel Kushner’s collection of essays, The Hard Crowd;
• Michelin star restaurant Eleven Madison Park‘s shift to a plant-based menu; and
• plant-based bodega start-up Plantega’s plan to eradicate food deserts

In addition, we answer the following listener questions:

• How do you manage the financial risks that come with following your passion?
• How do you properly train for a Swimrun event without access to safe open water?
• How do you maintain relationships with people who have unhealthy drinking habits?

Thank you to Greg from Virginia, John from Northern England, and Nancy from Santa Clarita, California for your questions. If you want your query discussed, drop it on our Facebook Page or better yet leave a voicemail at (424) 235-4626.

FULL BLOG & SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/richroll601

YouTube: bit.ly/rollon601

Peace + Plants,

Rich

Why do we sleep? What exactly happens when we sleep and why is it so important? What are the implications of sleep deprivation? And what can we do to improve our sleep hygiene?

Answering these questions is the life’s work Dr. Matthew Walker.

Longtime listeners know that I am obsessed with sleep and the critical role it plays in every facet of health. This infatuation is driven in no small part by the incredible work of today’s guest, one of the world’s leading neuroscientists and researchers in the field of sleep science.

Matriculating at Nottingham University where he studied neuroscience, Matthew earned his Ph.D. in neurophysiology from the Medical Research Council in London, subsequently became a Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and is currently a Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, where he serves as the founder and director of the Center for Human Sleep Science.

In addition, Matthew hosts a MasterClass on the science of better sleep. His TED Talk, ‘Sleep is your superpower’ has over 20 million views. And his international smash bestselling book Why We Sleep—a must-read for anyone and everyone looking to live and feel better—provides the framework for today’s mind-blowing, slumber-focused primer.

To put it rather bluntly, this conversation covers everything you need and ever wanted to know about sleep, including:

• why do we sleep?
• what happens to our bodies and minds when we sleep
• why is sleep so important?
• what happens when we don’t get enough?
• what is the deal with dreams, sleepwalking & sleep paralysis?
• what are the various stages of sleep (REM, deep, etc.)?
• what can we do to prioritize and improve our sleep? 

In addition, Dr. Walker answers the questions like: how do caffeine and alcohol affect sleep? Why do our sleep patterns change across a lifetime? What is the relationship between sleep, immunity, weight gain, and mood? And most critical: how do we resolve the global sleep-loss epidemic?

All told, this is an utterly fascinating masterclass on why you must rethink your relationship with sleep and the profound short and long-term impacts sleep has on every facet of our lives from learning to mood, productivity, energy, hormone regulation, longevity, and even susceptibility to cancer and other diseases.

FULL BLOG & SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/richroll600

YouTube: bit.ly/matthewwalker600

I urge all of you to absorb this conversation in its entirety. Whip out your pen and paper—this is essential, potentially life-altering listening for every human. And simply put, it’s everything I hoped it would be.

Peace + Plants,

Rich

Time in nature is powerful. It’s healing. It fosters community. Humanity’s connective tissue, it shows you who you are and what you’re capable of becoming.

The outdoors has played a transformational role in my personal evolution. In almost every way I am a different, better human because I make copious use of the untouched natural spaces available to me—spaces I access freely and have long taken for granted.

However, the uncomfortable truth is that outdoor parks (nature in general) are places where historically not everyone has been entirely welcome.

This is a paradigm we must diligently work to dismantle.

It’s also the spark that illuminates the work of Anthony Taylor—an extraordinary human who has spent his life advocating for greater participation and access to outdoor environments, and the second guest to appear in my continuing series of conversations from my week in Minneapolis.

The former Commissioner for Minneapolis’ Parks & Open Spaces and current Senior Vice President of Equity, Outdoors & Nature for YMCA of the North, Anthony is—at 62 years old—the very model of anti-aging. A skier, paddler, accomplished ultra-cyclist and overall outdoors enthusiast, Anthony serves on the League of American Bicyclists Equity Advisory Board as well as the board of the National Brotherhood of Skiers. He is also the founder of the Major Taylor Bicycling Club of Minnesota and the co-founder of Cool Meets Cause, an outreach program that teaches girls from North Minneapolis to snowboard. And he served as the Adventure Director for the Loppet Foundation—a program that provides year-round outdoor activities for youth in Minneapolis.

This is a conversation about the nature of outdoor recreation to empower, enliven, and inspire.

It’s a walk through Anthony’s origin story. And it’s an exploration of his love of nature and his accomplishments as a cyclist and adventurer.

But the focus of this exchange is placed on Anthony’s important work as an activist and youth educator.

It’s a history lesson on race, class, privilege, and gender in the outdoors. And the many ways we can eradicate the invisible boundaries that exist in these spaces today.

Certain transformative lessons can only be learned through adventure—lessons imperative to youth development and deeper connection to our own innate humanity.

Put bluntly, outdoor sports and time spent in nature aren’t just recreation—they are human rights.

I guarantee this conversation will positively impact you in ways you may not expect. My hope is that it will help foster ways you can advance greater outdoor inclusivity within your community along the way.

FULL BLOG & SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/richroll599

YouTube: bit.ly/anthonytaylor599

Special thanks to talented Minneapolis local photographers/videographers Bennie Wilson and Jordan Lundell for portraits & an upcoming video we are working on.

Anthony is the leader we all need now. And this conversation is definitely a fave.

Peace + Plants,

Rich

This week we dive into the why behind my decision to visit Minneapolis and what I learned from the experience. Plus stories from the swimming vault and some epic show & tell before fielding a few running-centric listener questions.

Welcome to another edition of ‘Roll On’, wherein myself and Adam Skolnick dissect matters of the day in a manner that is instructive and sometimes even entertaining.

Aside from serving as my sidekick and hypeman, Adam Skolnick is an activist and journalist best known as David Goggins’ Can’t Hurt Me, co-author. He writes about adventure sports, environmental issues, and civil rights for outlets such as The New York Times, Outside, ESPN, BBC, and Men’s Health. He is the author of One Breath and is currently using the ‘new dad’ excuse to avoid working on his novel.

Topics explored in today’s conversation include:

• The Envol Swimrun Battle & Running For Justice Virtual Run Challenge;
• an update on the Iron Cowboy’s ‘Conquer 100’ challenge;
• the intention behind Rich’s trip to Minneapolis & his experiences in the city;
• what it means to reimagine public safety to create a safer society;
• Rich’s partnership with Ten Thousand and the new ‘Distance Kit’; and
• the future of lab-grown, ‘cultured’ meat. 

In addition, we answer the following listener questions:

• How do you stay motivated in your endurance challenges?
• What advice can you offer first-time marathoners?
• How can you hone your nutrition for large endurance races?

Thank you to Steven from Charleston, Casey from Illinois, and Asha & Savannah from British Colombia for your questions. If you want your query discussed, drop it on our Facebook Page, or better yet leave a voicemail at (424) 235-4626.

Ten Thousand ‘Distance Kit’ Giveaway: We’re giving away 5 Distance Kits from Ten Thousand! To enter: (1) subscribe to the Rich Roll Podcast YouTube channel; and (2) Leave a comment under today’s episode video. We will pick 5 winners who will receive the full kit (short, tank, and socks) and reach out to them.

FULL BLOG & SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/richroll598

YouTube: bit.ly/rollon598

Peace + Plants,

Rich

This month, events in Minneapolis captured the world’s attention. The recent death of Daunte Wright and the conviction of Derek Chauvin sound a significant shift in the civil rights movement and the country at large.

Today, artist, activist, and politician Jeremiah Ellison is here to help us make sense of this historic moment.

As some of you may know, I spent the week of April 13th, 2021 (pre-Chauvin verdict) in a very tense Minneapolis. Motivating my visit was an intention to better understand the events and circumstances that brought the world’s focus upon this city—not from what I read online or saw streaming endlessly on cable news—but rather from a first-hand, experience-based perspective.

In addition, my objective was to conduct meaningful, nuanced conversations with Minneapolis civic leaders who are grappling with the important issues that have recently dominated national news coverage. Issues that include police misconduct and public safety reform; the roots of civil unrest and the purpose of protest; and of course the role social activism has played in all of this.

This conversation, the first in a series of Minneapolis-themed episodes that I will be releasing over the coming weeks, is one powerful result of that good faith inquiry.

Representing Ward 5 on the Minneapolis City Council, Jeremiah sits at the vortex of the many complicated issues that concern his community, and from the start has been one of the leading and most prominent voices calling for the reimagination of public safety.

On the one hand, Jeremiah is a very unlikely elected official. An artist at heart and painter by trade, he’s both a muralist and a comic book illustrator. He’s into Silver Surfer. And Batman.

On the other hand, he is the son of former 6-term Congressman Keith Ellison. Currently Attorney General for the state of Minnesota, the Ellison elder was also in charge of the Chauvin prosecution. In other words, it’s fair to say that Jeremiah was born for the role he currently inhabits.

My week in Minneapolis was extraordinary. There were so many experiences I will never forget. I learned much. I’m better for the trip. And my time with Jeremiah has much to do with that. I’m grateful that he took the time to share his truth and for his trust in my ability to share it.

FULL BLOG & SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/richroll597

YouTube: bit.ly/jeremiahellison597

This is a powerful exchange. My only ask is that you welcome Jeremiah and his testimony with an open mind and an open heart.

P.S. – Special thanks to talented Minneapolis local photographers/videographers Bennie Wilson and Jordan Lundell for portraits & an upcoming video we are working on.

Peace + Plants,

Rich

Actress. Athlete. Activist. Entrepreneur. Fashion designer. Environmentalist & Plant-based icon.

Maggie Q is the hero we all need.

If you’re a fan of Mission Impossible, the Divergent films, Nikita, Live Free or Die Hard, Designated Survivor, and a slew of other films, then you’re already well-acquainted with this Hawaii native’s kick-ass, action screen presence.

What you might not know is that she cut her thespian teeth in Hong Kong under the tutelage of martial arts master Jackie Chan. To this day, she’s known for performing all her own stunts.

Off-screen Maggie is a passionate plant-based, animal rights activist and environmental activist. She’s a board member of Social Compassion in Legislation, a policy advocacy group fighting for animal welfare protection laws in California, such as the Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act. And her work has been recognized and awarded by the City of Los Angeles, the State Senate of California, the California Assembly, PETA, Wild Aid, and many more organizations.

In addition, Maggie is the creator of QEEP UP, an apparel brand made from entirely recycled and pre-consumer waste materials, and ActivatedYou a nutrition company and wellness resource that combines her passion for health with the expertise of podcast alum Dr. Frank Lipman (RRP #370), a renowned integrative medicine doctor.

The question isn’t what can Maggie do — it’s what can’t she.

Today, we walk through Maggie’s unique upbringing.

We dissect her crazy career arc. Her work as an activist. And her passion for animals, human rights, and the ocean.

She shares some epic Hollywood stories, including an epic, previously untold Tom Cruise yarn that gave me chills.

We also discuss the importance of finding your cause. Fighting for it. And supporting others along their respective journeys.

But more than anything, the lesson Maggie imparts today is the power of holding space for others—and why forgiveness is paramount to personal freedom.

FULL BLOG & SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/richroll596

YouTube: bit.ly/maggieq596

Maggie is someone who is committed to self-growth and someone who knows a thing or two about catalyzing internal and external change. Wise and funny, she’s an excellent conversationalist. She brought her German Shepard, Romeo. By the end, our conversation turned into a therapy session. And for reasons you will soon discover, everyone here at the studio basically fell in love with her.

Peace + Plants,

Rich

Working out offers a healthy path towards self-actualization. But it can also be used to avoid ‘working in’, perpetuating denial of that which must be confronted.

What’s the difference between the two? Ask Chris Hauth + Caroline Burckle and they’ll both agree: the answer is intention.

Over the last few years, it’s been a tradition to host periodic performance fitness deep dives with my long-time coach, Olympian, former professional triathlete, and fellow endurance fanatic Chris Hauth in a series erstwhile referred to as Coach’s Corner. Unfortunately, the pandemic derailed the regularity of this institution, our last observance of this sacred ritual conducted exactly one year ago on Zoom.

In apologetic atonement for this grievous oversight, today we restore balance to the Universe, graced with the presence of not one but two Olympians because Chris and myself are joined by Caroline Burckle—an audience favorite many of you will fondly recall from RRP #565 this past December.

For those new to the show, Chris is a sub-9 hour Ironman champion, a former Olympic Swimmer, a veteran of many an ultra-endurance challenge, my ÖTILLÖ Swimrun World Championship teammate, and one of the world’s most respected endurance coaches.

Caroline (Burks) is a former swimmer & Olympic medalist with 23 All American titles, 2 NCAA individual victories & NCAA Female Swimmer of the Year accolades to her name. She runs RISE, a mentor program that pairs Olympic athletes with young elite athletes for support and guidance.

This is a super fun round table discussion on how to bring purpose and intention to our strength and endurance goals.

It’s about how to create opportunities for personal growth, resilience, and the adaptability that athletic performance and this pandemic present and demand.

It’s about the power of self-curated adventures in lieu of formal competition. It’s about what sport can teach us about patience, self-love, and discipline. And it’s about showing up and doing not only the physical work but also the internal work.

In other words, it’s not just about working out. It’s also about working in.

FULL BLOG & SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/richroll595

Apple Podcasts: bit.ly/rrpitunes

Chris & Caroline are two of my favorite people. But the combo is over the top. This union is so charmed, what was once dubbed Coach’s Corner is now rebranded as Coaches’ Corner.

Peace + Plants,

Rich