Skip to content
Systema For Life podcast artwork

PODCAST · sports

Systema For Life

by Glenn Murphy, NC SYSTEMA

Join scientist, author, and Systema Instructor Glenn Murphy for weekly musings on all things Systema. Featuring interviews with top instructors from around the world, seminar reviews, topical discussions, and much, much more. Whether you're just dipping a skeptical toe into Systema, or you're an experienced practitioner with a few million pushups under your belt, there's something here for everyone. Many thanks to Vladimir Vasiliev and Russian Martial Art HQ Toronto for their approval and support of this podcast.

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Apr 15, 2026 · Source feed

Episodes

  1. Episode 144: Ryo Onishi - the Power of Systema

    This episode sees the return of Ryo Onishi (Systema Japan) to the podcast, with an engaging discussion of developing real power in Systema. As usual, Ryo brings practicality and a healthy perspective to a topic that can easily drift into the esoteric and impractical. Here, we get into: Common...

  2. Episode 143: Edgars Cakuls

    This episode, a fascinating discussion with Systema veteran and Head Instructor of Systema NYC, Edgars Cakuls. In this second appearance on the show, Edgars reflects on ideas and concepts shared during his recent 2-day, outdoor seminar in Durham, North Carolina, entitled Working From the Spine....

  3. Episode 142: On Optimization

    Hullo, Friends. After an 8-week sabbatical, Systema For Life returns this month with a broad discussion on the subject of focus, attention, and the attempt to "optimize" your daily training and life routines. I'm joined once again by coach and wellness expert, Howard Jacobson. Here, we get into:...

  4. Episode 141: On Internal and External Work, with Jan Bloem

    This week, another fascinating conversation with prolific movement scientist, neuroscientist, and martial artist Jan Bloem. As we learned during our first conversation last year (see episode 124), Jan has studied the art and science of movement and combat at the very highest levels – on the...

  5. Episode 140: Tim Anderson

    This week, a deep dive into the world of Original Strength - a system of natural movement and neurological "resetting" created by company founder, personal trainer, and physical educator Tim Anderson. Tim's simple (but effective) OS system is a wonderful complement to Systema practice…

    more
  6. Episode 139: Gabe Stern

    This week, a dive into the world of martial arts, medicine and holistic health - with impassioned Systema student and Doctor of Chinese Medicine Gabriel Stern. On the medical side, Gabe was a trained EMT and ER nurse before becoming a student and clinician versed in Chinese healing modalities. On...

  7. Episode 138: Greg McKeown

    This week, a rare hour with bestselling author, speaker, and leadership specialist Greg McKeown. Greg is the author of the best-selling Essentialism: the Disciplined Pursuit of Less (2014), and the new New York Times bestseller, Effortless (2021). If you haven't read them, the relevance of Greg's...

  8. Episode 137: Al McLuckie

    This week, an enlightening conversation with veteran Systema, Filipino Martial Arts Instructor Al McLuckie. Al has over five decades of experience in arts ranging from Western Boxing and Kempo Karate, to Eskrima, Kali, Silat, and (of course) Systema. A former instructor for the famous Degerberg...

  9. Episode 136: Martin Wheeler (Special Episode)

    This week, a brief chat with Senior Systema Instructor Martin Wheeler, following his recent Redwoods Systema Camp in California, and foreshadowing his 4-day Masterclass events in Los Angeles and Raleigh/Durham, NC. Here, we chat about:- insights from teaching and training worldwide- the benefits…

    more
  10. Episode 135: On Discerning the Truth

    This week, another engaging conversation with author, podcaster, and expert health and wellness coach, Howard Jacobson. Here, we get into the tricky question of how to discern truth from falsehood, reality from creative (and compelling) stories. Using concrete examples in the fields of nutrition,...

  11. Episode 134: Menamy Mitanes

    After a short break (and an extended, three-week road trip across the USA), we return this week with Menamy Mitanes - Systema and BJJ Instructor at The Academy Beverly Hills and Systema Los Angeles. In this, Menamy's second appearance on the podcast, we delve beyond his personal story and get…

    more
  12. Episode 133: Taran Rosenthal

    This week, an engaging romp into the worlds of Systema, alternative medicine, and meta-cognition, with deep thinker, podcaster, martial artist, and Chinese medical practitioner Taran Rosenthal. Taran has an incredible breadth of knowledge - which is apparent to anyone who talks with him about...

  13. Episode 132: Systema Thinking, with Tyson Yunkaporta

    This week, a mind-expanding walkabout through the realms of body, mind, and spirit, with Indigenous Australian author, scholar, arts critic, and martial artist Tyson Yunkaporta. Tyson is a Senior Lecturer in Indigenous Knowledge at Deakin University, and author of the extraordinary book Sand…

    more
  14. Episode 131: On Self Talk (with Howard Jacobson)

    This week, a conversation with health and wellness guru, Systema For Life regular, and possessor of relentlessly regular bowel movements. Here, we ponder the subject of self-talk, which one way or the other has become louder and more frequent over the last, lonely year. We're often told by...

  15. Episode 130: On Creativity, with Patrick E. McLean

    This week, a light-hearted romp into the world of martial arts, mind, and creativity, with Systema Instructor and fiction author Patrick E. McLean. Patrick is an accomplished martial artist with a pedigree that includes Judo, Jujitsu, Eskrima, AikiJujitsu, and Systema. He is also the author of…

    more
  16. Episode 129: Realities of Combat, with Martin Wheeler

    This week, a deep-dive into the myths, half-truths, and hard truths surrounding training for defence against edged weapons, with none other than Martin Wheeler - Senior Systema Instructor and Co-Founder of The Academy Beverly Hills. Here, we seek to include a wide range of perspectives on knife...

  17. Episode 128: Systemanomics, with Rik Chakraborti

    This week, a ponderous diversion into the world of behavioural economics, with Economics Professor and Systema practitioner Rik Chakraborti. At first glance, you might not think that economics and martial arts have much in common. But in truth, both involve the resolution of internal conflicts,...

  18. Episode 127: On Not Being An A**hole

    This episode sees the return of author, health and wellness coach, and host of the Plant Yourself podcast Howard Jacobson. Prompted by nothing and nobody in particular, we tackle the tricky subject of how not to be an a**hole - especially when you are trying to coach or change somebody for the...

  19. Episode 126: Dr Casey Means

    This week, an interesting departure into the field of nutrition and metabolism, with Stanford-educated physician, metabolic health expert, and Co-founder / Chief Medical Officer of Levels Health, Dr Casey Means. We know that diet, nutrition, and metabolism are critically important to overall...

  20. Episode 125: Gene Smithson

    This week sees the joyous return of veteran instructor, founder of Austin Systema & Tai Chi, and thoroughly decent human being, Gene Smithson. Always an elightening guest, here Gene shares his insights on: how he has grown and developed because of the pandemic why the goal of good movement is joy...

  21. Episode 124: Jan Bloem

    This week, a fascinating conversation with neuroscientist, self defense expert, and prolific martial artist Jan Bloem. Jan has studied the art and science of movement and combat at the highest levels, in the fields of kinesiology and psychomotor therapy, as a world champion karateka, and as a...

  22. Episode 123: Matt Hill

    This week, an uplifting and inspiring chat with UK-based Systema Instructor Matt Hill. Matt is a former British Army Paratrooper Captain, and founder of the Matt Hill Systema Academy, based in Wiltshire (western England). An accomplished leader, teacher, and crisis management expert, Matt has a...

  23. Episode 122: Best of the Podcast 2020-2021

    Well here we are - we made it to the end of 2020 - some of us limping to the finish, but across the line, nonetheless. Among all the challenges and problems we faced this year, I was grateful for the enjoyable and thought-provoking conversations that the Systema For Life podcast provided, and...

  24. Episode 121: Rafe Kelley

    Merry Christmas, to all who celebrate it!This week, an energetic conversation with Rafe Kelley - martial artist, movement expert, natural parkour pioneer, and founder of Evolve.Move.Play. Rafe is legendary in natural movement circles, and seemed a great person to banter with about aspects of...

  25. Episode 120: Ben Ford

    This week, a profound exploration of abstract strategy - and specfically Colonel John Boyd's OODA loop concept - with former Commando and professional technology strategist Ben Ford. If you are interested in any aspect of good decision-making under pressure, this is one you won't want to...

  26. Episode 119: Terry Vaughn

    This week, an enlightening chinwag with author, coach, body language expert, and former Royal Marines Commando Terry Vaughn.Terry has a wealth of experience in personal protection, and is passionate about of the value of situational awareness for all. His D.I.R.T. (Dangerous Individual…

    more
  27. Episode 118: Tyson Yunkaporta

    This week, we embark on a wild, meandering convergence of modern and ancient thought, with author, academic, and custodian of indigenous wisdom Tyson Yunkaporta. A member of the Apalech Clan and a senior lecturer in Indigenous Knowledge at Deakin University, Melbourne, Tyson bridges the modern…

    more
  28. SFL Episode 117: On Coping (with Howard Jacobson)

    This week, an engaging and enjoyable chat with Systema practitioner, wellness coach, and podcaster Howard Jacobson. Here, we get into a range of topics relating to coping with the ongoing constraints of the Covid-19 pandemic, as we face the sixth month of life in its shadow. Themes include: The...

  29. Episode 116: James Sommerville

    This week we talk with James Somerville - Toronto-based Systema student, academic, and author of Meditations on a Russian Martial Art. James has a PhD in History from Queens University, and wrote his thesis on the dictum Know Thyself, as popularized during the Italian Renaissance era. As such…

    more
  30. Episode 115: Jeff Shearer

    This week, a light-hearted conversation with Arizona-based Systema Instructor and world-class cybersecurity expert Jeff Shearer. A warm, generous, and fiercely intellgent guy, Jeff trained with us for many years at NC SYSTEMA, before moving out west and starting his own Systema group near…

    more
  31. Episode 114: Barbara Tversky

    This week, a deep dive into human psychology and cognition, with author and esteemed psychologist Barbara Tversky. Professor Tversky an Emirita Professor of Psychology at Stanford and Columbia Univeristies, and is one of the world's foremost authorities on memory, spatial thinking, creativity…

    more
  32. Epsiode 113: Kenny Gonzalez

    This week, a frank and friendly chat with verteran martial artist and founder of Tampa Systema, Kenny Gonzalez.Before finding Systema, Kenny was a former military police officer, Army Tae Kwon Do champion, and expert instructor in both American Kenpo and Filipino Kali. He now lives, teaches, and...

  33. Episode 112: John Vervaeke

    This week, an intense, mind-expanding discussion with renowned author and scientist John Vervaeke. John is the Director of Cognitive Science at the University of Toronto, and an enthusiastic student and teacher of movement, meditation and T'ai Chi. Bridging the gap between cognitive science,...

  34. Episode 111: On Yoga, Systema, and Ancient Wisdom

    This week, an unusual and enligthening diversion into ancient philosophies of life, health, and mind - comparing and constrasting the approaches of Systema and traditional yoga. Our guide, Systema Instructor, Yoga Instructor, and founder of Jiyu Movement Pasquale Antonio. Pas joined the ranks of…

    more
  35. Episode 110: On Shame, Duty, and Responsibility

    This week, a challenging conversation with wellness coach and podcast regular Howard Jacobson, host of the Plant Yourself podcast and co-founder of WellStartHealth.com. Here, we address the relative roles of guilt, shame, resposibility, and inner strength in navigating the complexities of current...

  36. Episode 109: Jamie Lippiatt

    This week, a deep dive into aspects of internal training, with Toronto-based Systema Instructor and founder of Gaian Heart, Jamie Lippiatt. Jamie is a personal student of Vladimir Vasiliev and Emmanuel Manolakaki, and teaches regularly at Systema HQ in Toronto. He has also made several extended...

  37. Episode 108: On Preparation and Risk, with Joe Gehr

    This week, a insightful and practical dicsussion with Systema Instructor, IDF Officer, and Personal Security Professional Joe Gehr. His second time on the podcast, Joe returns here to talk about maintaining health, personal safety, and a sense of calmness during in light of current world events.…

    more
  38. Episode 107: Rafael Mattei

    This week - a frank, hard-hitting, helpful discussion with Rafael Mattei - co-founding Instructor at Systema Puerto Rico, and a Federal Law Enforcement Agent with some serious experience facing bad guys in the field. Rafi is a prolific martial artist and a good friend to NC SYSTEMA, having taught...

  39. Episode 106: On Starts and Restarts

    This week, we're once again joined by health and wellness expert Howard Jacbson, host of the profilic Plant Yourself podcast and co-founder of WellStartHealth.com. Here, against the uncertain backdrop of COVID-19 and the slow shift back toward to everyday life, we chat about: the emotional…

    more
  40. Episode 105: Alberto Nacif

    This week, we catch up with Systema Instructor, Medical Director, and Lifestyle Medicine specicalist Alberto Nacif, with thoughts on staying happy, healthy and sane during the COVID-19 lockdown. A relentlessly uplifting guy, Alberto offers his views and advice on: making sense of the current...

  41. Episode 104: Creative Training During COVID, with Emmanuel Manolakakis

    This week, in the midst of the global COVID-19 shutdown, we talk with Senior Systema Instructor, Founder of FightClub Toronto, and all-round great bloke Emmanuel Manolakakis. An uplifting conversation that vacillates between honest, tough-love advice and finding diamonds of positivity in the...

  42. Episode 103: On Stress, Grief & COVID-19

    This week, a deep and heartfelt discussion with healthy lifestyle guru Howard Jacobson (of WellStartHealth and Plantyourself.com), who finds himself on lockdown in South Africa during the COVID-19 crisis. Having traveled there with his family before the crisis started, he is currently unable to...

  43. SFL Episode 102: Vladimir Vasiliev - Black Belt Interview (unabridged)

    This week, a very special episode of Systema For Life, in which we talk to renowed Systema Master and Founder of Systema HQ , Toronto, Vladimir Vasiliev. This interview was conducted on behalf of the leading international martial arts magazine, Black Belt. An edited version appears in print, in…

    more
  44. Episode 101: Michael Chin

    This week, a deep discussion with Systema Instructor and Harvard-educated physician Michael Chin. Raised by Zen-trained parents and trained from a young age in mindfulness meditation, Michael later turned to Chinese martial arts to expand his awareness of breathing and movement. In the…

    more
  45. Episode 100: Best of the Podcast, 2019-2020

    100 Episodes! We made it! For this special, celebratory episode, we’ve assembled a selection of favorite questions and moments from the last year. Inclding: Vladimir & Valerie Vasiliev, talking about the changing face of Systema and the necessity of giving people what they need, even when it’s…

    more
  46. Episode 99: Mark Fan

    This week, a fascinating dive into training, self-discovery, and the somatic psychology of movement with Toronto-based Systema instructor, Clinical Engineer, and Human Factors Specialist, Mark Fan. A deep and wide-reaching discussion, touching upon: exploratory vs structured training the…

    more
  47. Announcement / Eulogy for Kenneth Stevens

    Special announcements relating to the podcast in 2020, and a brief euology for Systema Instructor Kenneth Stevens, who passed away on Decemebr 6th, 2019.

  48. Episode 98: Dan Sykes

    This week, an exciting and wide-ranging conversation with Dan Sykes - musician, film-maker, Systema Instructor, founder of the Somatic Training Network, and host of the Systema-based YouTube series Emergency Fish Party! Dan's journey to Systema was unusual to say the least, and his boundless...

  49. Episode 97: On Time

    This episode, we welcome health & wellness guru Howard Jacobson - co-author of Whole, host of the Plant Yourself Podcast, and ongoing Systema aficionado. In a timely fashion, we enter the new year by reflecting on the concept of Time, and how it influences our life, health, and happiness....

  50. Episode 96: Emmanuel Manolakakis on Teaching & Leadership

    This week, another in-depth discussion with Senior Systema Instructor, founder of Fight Club Toronto, and SFL podcast regular Emmanuel Manolakakis. For those who haven't yet had the pleasure of his company, Manny is superb instructor and coach. He always has deep insights on hand, and expresses...

Type above to search every episode's transcript for a word or phrase. Matches are scoped to this podcast.

Searching…

We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.

No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.

Showing of matches

No topics indexed yet for this podcast.

Loading reviews...

ABOUT THIS SHOW

Join scientist, author, and Systema Instructor Glenn Murphy for weekly musings on all things Systema. Featuring interviews with top instructors from around the world, seminar reviews, topical discussions, and much, much more. Whether you're just dipping a skeptical toe into Systema, or you're an experienced practitioner with a few million pushups under your belt, there's something here for everyone. Many thanks to Vladimir Vasiliev and Russian Martial Art HQ Toronto for their approval and support of this podcast.

HOSTED BY

Glenn Murphy, NC SYSTEMA

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Systema For Life have?

Systema For Life currently has 146 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Systema For Life about?

Join scientist, author, and Systema Instructor Glenn Murphy for weekly musings on all things Systema. Featuring interviews with top instructors from around the world, seminar reviews, topical discussions, and much, much more. Whether you're just dipping a skeptical toe into Systema, or you're an...

How often does Systema For Life release new episodes?

Systema For Life publishes regularly with 146 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.

Where can I listen to Systema For Life?

You can listen to Systema For Life on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Systema For Life?

Systema For Life is created and hosted by Glenn Murphy, NC SYSTEMA.
URL copied to clipboard!