In Sync

Abdullah Antepli shares his remarkable journey from poverty in southeastern Turkey to becoming an imam, professor, and chaplain at Duke University, and now director of the Rothko Chapel in Houston. Growing up in an environment of violence and hardship, Abdullah was one of the first in his extended family to complete elementary school. His conversion to Islam became a transformative escape from cycles of destruction, providing him with discipline, inspiration, and a framework for meaningful living. After training as an imam and spending eight years doing humanitarian work across Southeast Asia, he found his calling in non-traditional religious leadership settings, eventually serving at Duke University for over 15 years before moving to the Rothko Chapel in Houston. Abdullah emphasizes the importance of religious pluralism, explaining how his deep study of other faith traditions (including Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, and even atheism) actually strengthened rather than weakened his Muslim faith. He views religion as a powerful force "in our hands" that can activate human potential for either good or evil depending on how we choose to engage with it. 

Dr. Don Vaughn is a Stanford and UCLA trained Neuroscientist and the co-founder of Ampa Health. He discusses fascinating world of neuroplasticity and groundbreaking approaches to mental health treatment. Dr. Vaughn explains how our brain continuously rewires itself based on our experiences, thoughts, and behaviors. He dives into his compelling research on why we dream as well as Ampa's revolutionary work with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)—a non-invasive technology that uses magnetic fields to target specific brain networks affected by depression and other mental health conditions. Dr. Vaughn shares Ampa's vision to democratize TMS treatment, making it more accessible and affordable as a potential first-line treatment rather than a last resort.

Dr. Bridgette Hard is the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Psychology at Duke University. She shares her journey from accidentally discovering her passion for teaching introductory psychology at Stanford to becoming one of Duke's most beloved professors.The conversation explores Dr. Hard's teaching philosophy, built on three pillars: providing clear structure and support, maintaining high academic rigor, and using storytelling as a powerful pedagogical tool. Dr. Hard challenges the notion that stress is inherently harmful, explaining how reframing stress as fuel for goals we've chosen can transform it from an obstacle into a motivator. The episode also delves into growth mindset theory and the famous "academic bloomers" study, which demonstrates how others' beliefs in our potential can become self-fulfilling prophecies.Finally, Dr. Hard discusses her unexpected passion for group fitness instruction, explaining how teaching cycling, strength training, and other classes provides meaningful recovery from academic stress while empowering others to discover their physical capabilities.

Dr. John Rose is a theologian and civil discourse expert who bridges faith, philosophy, and productive dialogue across political divides. From his academic journey through Princeton's theology program to pioneering classes at Duke and UNC on navigating polarization, Dr. Rose shares how Christian virtues like love and charity inform his approach to helping students engage across differences.This episode covers big questions: the existence of God, the role of prayer and scripture, open-mindedness as a virtue, and why political identity has become so consuming in modern life. Dr. Rose offers a refreshing perspective on keeping politics in context while building genuine human connection. This episode offers wisdom on staying grounded in what truly matters, cultivating intellectual humility, and loving across lines of disagreement.

Amanda Freeman is a serial wellness founder. She brought high-intensity Pilates to New York with SLT (Strengthen Lengthen Tone) Pilates, everyone's go-to Pilates studio. She shares her journey from trend forecaster to fitness industry pioneer. After identifying "the rise of well-consciousness" in 2006, she launched Vital Juice, a wellness newsletter that reached 250,000 subscribers.She discusses growing SLT to over 26 studios and simultaneously creating Stretched, a one-on-one assisted stretching business. She is now launching Func Fit: a longevity-focused circuit workout studio featuring science-backed exercises such as weighted vest walking, strength training, Pilates reformer work, and zone-five cardio. She also shares her personal work-life balance philosophy of choosing to "do more, worse" rather than sacrificing family for career perfection.

This episode features Colin McCabe, co-founder of Chopt Creative Salad Company and The Founder's Table. Colin shares the remarkable 25-year journey of building one of the first fast-casual health food chains in America. Starting as two college graduates with no business background selling salads in Union Square, Colin and his best friend Tony Shure pioneered the concept of healthy fast food when the landscape was dominated by burgers and pizza. They built their conviction around a simple belief: healthy food could taste amazing, and health would be the next big movement in food. The conversation explores how Chopt navigates modern challenges - from balancing technology and human connection in an increasingly app-driven world, to competing in a struggling fast-casual space while remaining profitable and private. Colin also shares insights on building a platform of healthy fast-casual brands through strategic acquisitions like Dos Toros and Protein Bar, leveraging decades of operational experience. He reflects on the insecurity and constant drive to improve what has kept Chopt relevant for 25 years, and what makes him feel most in sync: being fully present with his wife and kids.

This episode features Dr. Richard Jaffe, a Duke University Religious Studies professor and Buddhist scholar specializing in Zen Buddhism. Professor Jaffe recounts how his journey began in the 1960s when he left college to practice full-time at the San Francisco Zen Center, including three years at a monastic retreat, before earning his PhD in Buddhist studies from Yale.The conversation explores fundamental Buddhist concepts, including the nature of Zen Buddhism with its emphasis on meditation and paradoxical teachings called koans. Professor Jaffe explains the Buddhist perspective on suffering and "beginner's mind." He also discusses D.T. Suzuki's pivotal role in introducing Zen to Western audiences in the early 20th century. Professor Jaffe shares how the practice of decades of meditation has impacted his life, making him less reactive and more present to the joy found in each moment.

This episode features an intimate conversation with Sima Sistani, former CEO of Weight Watchers, founder of House Party, and a current Duke professor. She covers everything from career conviction, authentic leadership, and the power of relationships. Sima shares her unconventional career journey from Goldman Sachs to tech startups, revealing how she's always chased what "lights her up" rather than following a traditional path. The conversation explores the inspiration behind her Women's Leadership Lab course at Duke, where she teaches the "soft skills" that helped her navigate setbacks, build an incredible network through genuine curiosity and reciprocity, and find what she calls "calibration" rather than balance across motherhood, career, and wellness.

Dr. Becky Kennedy is a clinical psychologist and the founder of Good Inside, a multi-media parenting platform with over 5 million followers. Dr. Becky shares her framework for understanding relationships (starting with the one we have with ourselves) and explains how the principles she teaches parents apply universally to workplace dynamics, friendships, and romantic relationships. She discusses the unique challenges facing today's young adults, who are "growing up in a bar while trying not to drink," constantly flooded with opportunities for external validation through social media. Dr. Becky dives into practical strategies for self-discovery, including her powerful "act, learn, know" framework - the idea that we must take action before we have all the answers, rather than waiting for perfect clarity.

Dr. Patty Van Cappellen is the Duke University Professor for the course "The Science of Happiness," and the Director of the Interdisciplinary Behavioral Research Center. In this episode, she shares insights from her groundbreaking research in positive psychology, exploring how we can move beyond simply being "okay" to truly flourishing in life. The conversation delves into the psychological mechanisms underlying religion and spirituality, revealing how practices like prayer, meditation, and worship generate profound emotions that promote wellbeing and a sense of meaning. Dr. Van Cappellen discusses her fascinating research on embodied practices, demonstrating how physical postures during prayer and worship actually influence our emotional experiences and the importance of bodily awareness in spiritual life.She also discusses her Duke course called "The Science of Happiness." She explains the challenges Duke students face in a high-pressure academic environment where productivity often overshadows wellbeing, and how practices like savoring, gratitude journaling, and mindfulness can serve as powerful antidotes to stress and tunnel vision. She concludes by talking about AI chatbots in mental health, examining both the potential benefits and risks of using technology for emotional support.

Kira Jackson is the Chief Brand Officer at SET Active, one of today's fastest growing female athleisure brands that is truly shaping the current cultural landscape. She is also a growth strategist with 10+ years of experience spanning private equity investing, brand transformation, and marketing leadership. In this episode, Kira reflects on her career evolution from public relations to investing to branding, revealing the mindset that has allowed her to embrace change with intention rather than fear. She offers a nuanced perspective on both the quantitative and intangible qualities that transform a company into an exceptional brand. Kira also speaks candidly about the realities of modern working womanhood and offers invaluable advice for navigating personal wellness amid competing demands.

Lisa Blau has over 20 years of experience working in the health and wellness space as both an operator and investor. She attended Duke University and Harvard Business School. She’s a partner at _able, an early stage consumer investment fund focused on supporting visionary brands in the positive, healthy living space. In this episode, Lisa delves into everything from _able’s investment thesis on narrowing the “Wellness Gap” to her current view on emerging frontiers such as longevity and peptides. She discusses exciting new investments as well as her personal wellness regiment and life as a working mother. Lisa’s deep integration in the space gives her a unique perspective on the future of wellness for consumers and society as a whole. 

In this episode, Duke’s Chabad Rabbi Nossen Fellig shares an abundance of wisdom regarding the Jewish perspective on living well. He delves into the essence of the Jewish religion, the importance of rituals such as Shabbat and Mitzvot in a broader context, and the intertwined nature of believing in God and yourself. The endurance of the Jewish tradition thousands of years after its origin speaks to the power and resilience of these practices. This episode offers a powerful introduction to the religion, and its applicability to anybody interested in living well, regardless of religious affiliation. 

Dr. Eric Trexler is a Duke University professor in the Health, Wellness, and Physical Education Department. In this episode, he delves into everything from apple cider vinegar, vitamin D, and caffeine to how to optimize workout routines and why cognitive framing plays a critical role in sustainable weight loss.He holds a PhD in Human Movement Science from UNC Chapel Hill and currently teaches courses related to weight training, exercise physiology, and the role of physical activity in public health. Dr. Trexler has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals on topics ranging from HITT & resistance training, weight loss, diet breaks, energy availability, and the physiological and psychological demands of training. In addition to his academic research, Dr. Trexler creates evidence-based fitness content for the Iron Culture Podcast, Front Page Fitness Podcast, and the MASS Research Review.

Dr. Nicole Brooks is a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 20 years of experience. She gives powerful advice for cultivating healthy relationships and protecting your energy. Her work extends far beyond the therapy room, from founding multiple businesses to appearing on Shark Tank to earning her meditation certification, and of course, raising four amazing children. She also happens to be my mom :)

A podcast inspired by the major I designed at Duke University to study health & well-being multidimensionally. Welcome.