Yoga With Jake Podcast

Today, I have the honor to speak with back-to-back BSR champion, Josh Izewski. Josh not only won the ten mile race, but he did so in an impressive 45 minutes and 8 seconds, that is roughly a 4 minute and 30 second mile pace. This unbelievable performance not only set a course record, but it marked the fastest 10-miler ever by an American! Josh joins me to discuss this amazing accomplishment. He explains what he believes makes the broad street run unique, how he approached it, how he managed to run the course 65 seconds faster than his winning time last year, and what it meant to him to set the course record at the largest 10-mile race in the country. Roughly 40,000 runners raced down broad street, and Josh tells me what it was like leading the pack with the huge crowds who came out to cheer and bring the energy that only Philly can provide. Josh unpacks what he did differently that allowed him to be aggressive on race day, how he stays consistent and dialed-in with his training and how his mentality and belief helped him run at his best. Josh recently signed as a professional runner with Asics and he is set to move closer to his family in the New Jersey / Pennsylvania area with his fiancée and dogs.Josh's InstagramSupport the show

Dr. Gehrman is Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.  He directs the Sleep, Neurobiology and Psychopathology lab at Penn where he studies insomnia and the links between sleep and mental health.  Dr. Gehrman’s clinical specialization is on the delivery of cognitive behavioral treatments for sleep disorders. Support the show

Tyler Brockbank is a licensed therapist (AMFT, ACMHC) and the founder of Greencrest, where he is improving the world’s mental health one individual at a time. By trading the traditional clinical office for a private golf simulator, Tyler helps people move past the stigma of therapy and into a space where they can engage comfortably in their process of personal development.Tyler's InstagramGreencrest Therapy WebsiteSupport the show

Micha Shaw is a Mental Performance Coach, Meditation Teacher and former USA Swimming 10K National Champion. Micha brings her unique experience as a professional athlete, mindfulness practitioner and education in sports psychology to help athletes unlock their full potential by building a strong and resilient mind.Micha's WebsiteMicha's InstagramSupport the show

Today, I’m giving you a “behind the reporting” podcast, where I’ll provide you my personal opinion, experience and added value with information that did not make it into my recent article for the U.S. News titled: How to Start a Yoga Practice for Depression, According to Experts.In the article, I feature Dr. Ken Duckworth the Chief Medical Officer at the National Alliance of Mental Illness and author of the book, You Are Not Alone. Amy Weintraub, someone who attributes her recovery from depression in large part to yoga. While her therapist once told her that she would always struggle with mental health, Weintraub is a published author who has also trained hundreds of yoga teachers how to teach yoga for depression.  Dr. Patricia Kinser, dean of Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Nursing and Judith B. Collins and Joseph M. Teefey Distinguished Professor. She researches yoga- and mindfulness-based interventions for mental health. I will provide their expert insights alongside my sentiments for this episode of the yoga with jake podcast.Support the show

Indira Gurubhagavatula is a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Sleep Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center. She is also Director of the Sleep Medicine Fellowship Program. She has over 30 years of experiencing in taking care of patients with sleep disorders. She has done research looking at screening for sleep apnea in high risk groups, including commercial vehicle drivers, and has a special interest in sleep and public health. Support the show

Mohit KheraBaylor College of Medicine, United States of AmericaDr. Khera earned his undergraduate degree at Vanderbilt University. He subsequently earned his MBA and his MPH from Boston University. He received his Medical Degree from The University of Texas Medical School and completed his Urology residency training in the Scott Department of Urology at Baylor College of Medicine. He went on to complete a one-year fellowship in Male Reproductive Medicine and Surgery at Baylor. Currently he is a Professor of Urology at Baylor College of Medicine, and he holds the F. Brantley Scott Chair in Urology. Dr. Khera also serves as the Director of the Laboratory for Andrology Research, the Medical Director of the Scott Department of Urology, and the Associate ProgramDirector of the Baylor Infertility and Sexual Medicine Fellowship Program. He is also the past President of the Sexual Medicine Society of North America.Dr. Mohit Khera's website: https://drmohitkhera.com/Support the show

Gone Guys explores a “quiet crisis” in our communities, hidden in plain sight: the increasing disengagement and isolation of boys and young men. Set in rural Vermont, this documentary brings national data to life highlighting the struggles faced by boys and young men and sets the stage for a meaningful conversation. Over the past fifty years, boys and young men have steadily disengaged from school, work, and broader society. They’re falling behind academically, struggling with loneliness and isolation, and facing rising rates of substance abuse and suicide.This 45-minute documentary draws on the influential work of Richard V. Reeves’ “Of Boys and Men”, illuminating these challenges through powerful data and compelling personal stories. Many of us have experienced these issues first-hand, but it can be difficult to talk about them. It’s not an either-or choice: caring more about boys and men does not mean caring less about women and girls.The film brings national data to life with engaging animation accompanying lived experience featuring young men, educators, mentors, and trailblazing programs that are working to re-engage boys and young men in their communities and reshape their futures.Website: goneguysfilm.com Support the show

Daya Grant, Ph.D., CMPC is a certified mental performance consultant, neuroscientist, and yoga/meditation teacher, who helps athletes and high performers train their mind for elevated performance. Dr. Grant has a private practice in Los Angeles and consults with athletes in a wide range of sports from youth to professional, as well as business leaders, doctors, ad musicians. She’s a contributing writer for Triathlete and Run magazines, and has been featured in The New York Times, Women’s Health, Yoga Journal, Vox, and Peloton. Dr. Grant also created two courses for Yoga Medicine: Yoga for Concussion and Yoga for Triathletes. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their two young sons.Daya's WebsiteSupport the show

Laura is a licensed physical therapist who graduated with an exercise science degree from St. Olaf College. She then attended Creighton University’s physical therapy program and graduated with her Doctor of Physical Therapy.Her experience is in general outpatient orthopedics, but she also has a special interest in post operative joint replacements and has been certified to treat dizziness, vertigo and balance dysfunctions since 2019. She received her advanced vestibular rehabilitation certification in 2025 so that she could continue to grow clinically and improve patient outcomes.Laura transitioned from the clinic to home visits in the last couple of years and loves the way that she can be fully one on one with patients to fully customize patients’ physical therapy plan and goals to positively impact their lifestyle.She has been very fortunate to be part of a healthy, active family and loves educating and assisting people of all ages how to avoid chronic pain, immobility and balance disorders that typically stigmatize aging. She has always found the vestibular (balance) system fascinating and loves to educate in this area since it can be so beneficial for patients’ well-being.Laura lives in Dallas, Texas with her family. She enjoys running, yoga and trying new restaurants.Laura's website: www.dr-laura-pt.comOn Point Movement and Performance: www.onpointmvp.comSupport the show

Keith Humphreys is the Esther Ting Memorial Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University. His research addresses addictive disorders and the translation of science into public policy.  In addition to over 400 scientific publications, he has written extensively for outlets like The Washington Post and The Atlantic.Dr. Humphreys’ public policy work includes testimonies to U.S. House and Senate Committees, to the Canadian and U.K. parliaments, and in many state legislatures. He served on the White House Commission on Drug-Free Communities during the Bush Administration and as Senior Policy Advisor in the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy under President Obama. He created and co-directs the Stanford Network on Addiction Policy, which brings scientists and policy makers together to improve public policies regarding addictive substances. To recognize his service to addiction-related scholarship and policy, Queen Elizabeth II made him an Honorary Officer in the Order of the British Empire in 2022.Dr. Keith Humphreys' WebsiteSupport the show

Elise Riley is one of Australia's leading holistic performance experts, renowned for coaching elite athletes including England footballer Ben Chilwell, Dylan Grimes, and Adam Hollioake, as well as hosting the Generation Elevation Podcast.Elise empowers high performers from professional athletes to corporate teams at Google, ASOS, and Soho House to excel in their careers by harnessing the power of breathwork, meditation, and mindfulness to reduce stress, boost energy, and unlock their full potential.Based in London, Elise specialises in helping creatives, performers, and leaders break through mental blocks and step into their power through transformative wellness practices.Elise's InstagramSupport the show

Mark D'Esposito is a  Distinguished Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology at the Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute.  Drawing on his training in Neurology, Neuroscience and Psychology, his research focuses on investigating the neural bases of high-level cognitive processes such as working memory and cognitive control, achieved through several different experimental approaches and methodologies. First, functional MRI (fMRI), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and electrocorticography (ECoG) are used to identify the neural substrates and temporal dynamics of various cognitive processes, especially those supported by the prefrontal cortex, in normal human subjects. Second, the role of the dopaminergic system in working memory and cognitive control is investigated with pharmacological studies during which direct dopaminergic agonists are administered to normal human subjects, as well as patients with Parkinson’s disease. Third, behavioral studies in patient populations with frontal lobe dysfunction (e.g. stroke, brain injury) are performed to further understand the mechanisms that underlie working memory and cognitive control. Fourth, based on the knowledge gained from our research on frontal lobe function, we are developing and implementing cognitive therapeutic approaches to patients with traumatic brain injury and healthy elderly with executive function deficits. Finally, our methodological research is aimed at developing improved techniques for the acquisition and the analysis of fMRI and TMS data.Center for Brain Health WebsiteSupport the show

I am thrilled to start the new year by sharing a conversation with a longtime friend and student, Keith Tomaselli. Keith, while he might deny it, is an impressive, experienced, avid runner, and is one of the founders of the Northern Liberties Run Club in Philly. When he isn’t running with the club, Keith says he prefers to run solo miles over races—yet here are just some of his running highlights:- He’s completed 19 Broad Street Runs - 7 half marathons- 9 full marathons (PR 3:21 at Marine Corps)- 9 ultras, including a 50-miler at Dirty German (2017).He came to my Broga class in Philly after a chance meeting me at, of all places, a South Philly brewery called Brewery ARS, and after a few pints, we sparked up a conversation about my male-specific class, and Keith decided to give it a shot. Keith is a great example of a regular guy who came to yoga extremely tight, injured, in serious pain and with zero experience practicing yoga. Now, it has been seven years since Keith has been practicing Broga and Iyengar yoga with Gabriel Sigal, and the progress he has made is nothing short of inspiring. He joins me to discuss:What his process was like becoming a yogi or I like to say, a bro-gi. Why he decided to come to an all-male yoga class. What the benefits are of practicing men’s-specific yoga.How the low-key vibe of Broga where “regular” dudes take their practice seriously, but don’t take themselves seriously, is a great fit for him, and how yoga informs his running and vice-versa.And how communities, regular practices and social gatherings – like Broga and his NLRC are the key for his physical, social and mental health. Link to Northern Liberties Run Club Website.Link to NLRC Instagram.Support the show

Rachel Bambrick is the founder and executive director of Women In Ultrarunning, a nonprofit dedicated to helping more women access the sport of ultrarunning. She lives in the Philadelpha area, and is also an ultrarunning coach and pediatric occupational therapist. She is an avid ultrarunner herself, with her favorite distance being 200+ milers. When not ultrarunning herself, she loves spending time with her husband and cat, going to drag shows, hiking, and camping.Rachel's InstagramWomen In Ultrarunning InstagramSupport the show

Mel Mah was born and raised in Toronto, and she moved to Los Angeles in 2011 to pursue a professional dance career. During her time as a performer, she had the privilege of working with top artists such as Janet Jackson, Britney Spears, Justin Bieber, and Kanye West. In 2017, Mel has now transitioned into filmmaking and she’s pursuing her passion as a writer, director and producer. She’s created 6 short films which has screened at festivals such as Cannes, the LA Asian Pacific Film Festival and the Cleveland International Film Festival, and she was anassociate producer on Sony’s BIG GEORGE FOREMAN (2023).Mel is also a passionate yoga and meditation teacher, and she’s been teaching since 2012. She has her 200 hour certification in Vinyasa Yoga from CorePower Yoga, her 200 hour certification in Hot Power Fusion from CorePower Yoga, and an additional 500 hour certification in Tantric Hatha Yoga from The Practice Bali. Mel currently teaches for the mindfulness app Calm where she produces, writes, and hosts a show called the Daily Move. Her mindfulness videos have garnered over 1 million views and she was also featured on THE TODAY SHOW for her work onCalm (watch video here). In addition, she’s the founder and director of an empowerment company called ANVITA (https://anvitacommunity.com). Anvita’s mission is to help others cultivate their authentic voices and uncover their purpose through mindfulness. With Anvita, she facilitates online coaching programs, retreats, mentorships, and community events for individuals all around the world.Support the show

Dr. Dominick Shattuck is a public health researcher whose work focuses onreproductive health, technology integration, vaccine uptake, HIV, and engaging men in care. His research examines how men’s health-seeking behaviors, masculinity, and gender norms shape outcomes. He has led pioneering studies, including evaluating a mobile contraceptive app (the Dot Study), conducting the first randomized trial of male engagement in reproductive health, developing the first reproductive health mobile games (Nari Paila), and leading Rwanda’s national vasectomy scale-up.At Johns Hopkins University, he is a faculty member in the Bloomberg School of Public Health and the OB-GYN Department in the School of Medicine. He’s also the CEO of Relational Ground, LLC, on the Advisory Boards of Next Life Science, the Men’s Health Network, a member of Global Action on Men’s Health, and he’s the Men’s Health Fellow at the American Institute for Boys and Men.AIBMAIBM HEAL JobsBoys & Men OnlineOutsmart Ovarian CancerDominick's Personal websiteSupport the show

Jett Stone, Ph.D., is a writer and clinical psychologist on a mission to improve men’s mental well-being and bring their inner life into full color. Stone went to undergrad at the University of Michigan and earned two master’s degrees in journalism and psychology from Columbia University. He completed his Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Adelphi University and continued training at the Manhattan Veterans Affairs Hospital. Stone eventually founded a clinical practice in Connecticut, focusing on individual and couples psychotherapy. After years of psychotherapy with a diverse range of men, he authored Quiet Your Mind: A Men’s Guide, a comprehensive book of his creative, evidence-based strategies for overcoming worry and rumination.Outside of his practice, Stone is an organizational consultant for Work Haven, helping leaders thrive in high-stress careers. In addition to Psychology Today, his writings and contributions have appeared in the New York Times, American Institute for Boys and Men, the Guardian, and Fortune.Dr. Jett Stone's Instagram“The Existential Load: What Dads Carry That No One Sees.” Published in Psychology Today.Support the show

One of the most accomplished U.S. track athletes of all time, Shannon's career longevity is unmatched. Shannon is a 3x Olympian, Olympic Bronze Medalist, 2x World Bronze Medalist, World Record holder (DMR), and American Record holder at three distances (1500m, 2 miles, 5000m). Ranked in the world's top 10 for over a decade, Shannon made history at the London 2012 Games as the first American woman ever to medal in the Olympic 1500m. Shannon is also an Emmy Award winner, recognized for her work in sports broadcasting and storytelling. She has served as a broadcaster and in-stadium announcer for CBS, World Athletics, USA Track & Field, and the NCAA, and in 2024 she made her NBC Sports debut as a Track & Field analyst for the Paris Olympics. Beyond sport, Shannon is the co-founder of Imagining More, a nonprofit that promotes arts and athletics for youth. She was selected by the U.S. Department of State as a Sports Envoy to Morocco on the topic of Women's Empowerment Through Sport. A Duke University alum, Shannon graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in English, Theater & Film Studies, and later earned her Master's cum laude in the Humanities. She also holds executive certificates from Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business (Next Step), Harvard Business School (Crossover to Business), and IMD (Innovation in Action). Shannon lives with her husband, Pablo, and their two children in her hometown of San Francisco, CA. Shannon's InstagramShannon's LinkTree Support the show

On this episode: I’m joined by Dr. Erica Sharpe to discuss our yoga research project that we’ve started at a hospital. Our goal is to bridge the gap between doctors, their patients and yoga teachers, by providing a tool for physicians to refer their patients to the most appropriate yoga class and effective teacher for their needs.There is a huge variety of yoga styles and an even greater variety of teachers. Often, yoga students come to class after their doctor told them it was safe to practice yoga, when in reality, the doctor may have one idea of what yoga is, say a gentle, restorative class, while the patient may find themselves attending a vigorous, athletic, power yoga class, that may not be a good fit for someone who is, for example, experiencing severe wrist pain. For them, a gentle class or chair yoga practice would be more appropriate. Dr. Sharpe, myself and Dr. Steffany Moonaz, who is a previous guest on the show, worked together to develop a tool to help physicians, their patients and yoga teachers in this process. So that a patient can bring a prescriptive plan, in writing, that includes exactly what the doctor suggests they should avoid in a yoga class and what is safe for that particular individual, to their yoga teacher. Our hope is to ultimately help more people who can benefit from yoga find the right class and teacher and avoid being in the wrong class. Dr. Sharpe is a clinical human researcher and professor of chemistry at SUNY Empire, a research investigator at the National University of Natural Medicine and an adjunct professor, teaching yoga, chemistry, music, and botanical medicine at SUNY Canton. Erica specializes in Yoga Nidra  (yogic sleep), natural medicine and human research. Yoga Nidra has exploded in popularity as an accessible meditation practice, thanks in large part to very popular science podcasters. In that process, these very persuasive individuals, have re-branded  and re-named yoga nidra to call it a Non-Sleep Deep Rest Protocol. Which, on the surface, may seem harmless. However, Dr. Sharpe explains that those who have re-named yoga nidra, have also completely changed and diluted the practice. She talks to me about why this is problematic, and how it can, and in some cases, how it already has, turned a traditional practice that has promising, science-backed benefits that she has found in her work, for things like insomnia and anxiety, into a gimmick that is oversimplified and misused both online, and even in research. Dr. Sharpe explains why this trickle-down effect from podcasters to scientific research is something we should be concerned about. Link to Erica's Linked-InSupport the show

Jon Macaskill is a retired Navy SEAL Commander turned mindfulness teacher.  He’s taking what helped him excel in his professional life and heal in his personal life and now sharing this with others to help them do the same.Jon's WebsiteMovemberSupport the show

Andrew Tanner is the Founder of the American Yoga Council and the co-founder of the Berkshire Yoga Festival. He’s a yoga teacher himself and he helps teachers and studios make a career in yoga. He explains to me the direction he believes yoga is going, how yoga studios and teachers could thrive as businesses, and how he plans to help pave the way to a more successful future for yoga with his American Yoga Council movement.American Yoga Council WebsiteSupport the show

After completing a PhD in Neuroscience and training in psychiatry, John Kruse began working with adults with ADHD - at a time when the condition was widely thought to be present only in children. He has written several hundred popular articles on ADHD and other mental health topics as well as posting more than 300 informative videos on his YouTube channel and hosting a weekly Q & A session. After three decades in San Francisco, he moved to the Big Island of Hawaii in 2022 where he continues to enjoy nature, hike, and run.https://www.youtube.com/@DrJohnKrusehttps://medium.com/@dockruseSupport the show

My guest today is Dierdre Rae, and she usually goes by the name Dee. She shares with me, very candidly, her battle with OCD, what it cost her and how she regained her life back with hard work and grit and by giving herself grace throughout the process. I found Dee through her NOCD – online therapy and app page, and when I saw her social media page I knew I had to talk to her. Dee’s willingness to share the raw truth about living with OCD on her page is breaking the stigma of mental health, and she provides tools that help thousands with their mental health and OCD. Dee is a certified personal trainer, life coach, and confidence mentor who helps people rewire their mindsets to become the best versions of themselves. Having overcome OCD, ADHD, eating disorders, and years of self-doubt, she now tries to empower others to turn their biggest struggles into their greatest strengths.Link to Dierdre's InstagramLink to NOCD App for OCD HelpSupport the show

Dr. Hezel is a licensed clinical psychologist in New York State and an Assistant Professor and researcher at Columbia Medical Center/New York State Psychiatric Institute. Her goal is to create a warm, secure environment in which people feel prepared and able to address their concerns and meet their goals.Dr. Hezel has trained extensively in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with adults and children suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety, mood, and personality disorders. She currently specializes in treating adults with OCD, anxiety, and depression. Dr. Hezel has previously held teaching positions at Harvard College and Harvard Extension School. She has published numerous peer-reviewed articles about OCD and anxiety disorders, has presented her research at national and international conferences, and has guest-lectured at local universities.Dr. Hezel believes in using treatments that are backed by science and that can be applied in a personalized and flexible way. She is committed to building a strong working relationship with her clients, ensuring that they are on board with the treatment plan, and listening attentively to their concerns. Her years of experience have taught her that people are capable of great change, and she continues to be humbled by their resilience and determination.Dr. Hezel's WebsiteColumbia OCD ResearchSupport the show

Don Noble is an Instructor in the Department of Cell Biology at Emory University. He received his BS in Neuroscience from the University of California – Los Angeles (UCLA) in 2008, and his PhD in Neuroscience from Emory in 2016. Dr. Noble’s academic interests include understanding fundamental sensory processes that contribute to the benefits of meditation, with an emphasis on slow, deep breathing. For his PhD, he developed an animal model of the relaxation response by using operant conditioning to train rodents to slow their breathing, and pursued the idea that patterned activation of mechanically sensitive lung afferents can shift autonomic balance, decrease stress and pain, and improve performance. As a Postdoc, he pioneered remote respiratory recordings to investigate breathing deficits in the context of chronic pain after traumatic injury. Dr. Noble is passionate about integrating these ideas across fields, and adapting them to educational curricula that explore alternative and sometimes unconventional approaches to enhance well-being. His research publications to date have focused on the functions and mechanisms of slow, deep breathing as a voluntary portal to autonomic nervous system control, while ongoing physio-behavioral studies in his lab use chemogenetic techniques to elucidate how the simple, repetitive act of breathing can powerfully modulate mental states.Support the show

About Amy:Although I’m best known as a yoga therapist for my books and teachings on Yoga and mental health, Yoga for Depression (Harmony Books), Yoga Skills for Therapists (W.W. Norton), and my new card deck Yoga for Your Mood (Sounds True), my passion, ever since I picked up a pencil in the second grade, was to write a book with a character like Nancy Drew who could transport me to a world beyond my suburban bedroom. I grew up in Pittsburgh before it was green and beautiful. Like the darkened riverfront lit by the coal fires of J & L Steel, my world view was bleak. I read to find a brighter place in other worlds, and I wanted to write books that could meet that bleakness and transcend it. In pursuit of that desire, I returned to school, earning the Master of Fine Arts in literary fiction from Bennington College Writing Seminars in 2000.My short fiction and poetry appeared in numerous literary journals. I received the Allen Tate Memorial Award for the Short Story and was a finalist for the William Faulkner Award for the Novel and for the Heekin Group Foundation Fellowship for the novel-in-progress. I also received Second Place, in the Writer’s Digest Writing Competition for Literary Fiction.I began my love affair with yoga in the late 1980’s, after a successful career in television broadcasting that garnered the documentaries I wrote and produced national and regional awards but did not alleviate my chronic depression. When I started practicing yoga daily, with supervision, I was able to titrate off medication and find joy in the world once again. As my practice deepened, I wrote for magazines like Yoga Journal and Yoga International and wrote the first feature article about yoga and depression called “Yoga the Natural Prozac”, which appeared on the cover of Yoga Journal in 1999. My own recovery led me to research and write books on yoga and mental health, and I became passionate about sharing what had helped me heal with others who suffered.In 2004, I founded the LifeForce Yoga® Healing Institute, which continues to train yoga teachers and health care providers in yoga practices appropriate in clinical and yoga therapy settings. I’m happy that the evidence-based yoga protocol for managing mood I developed is in use in health care settings throughout the world. This protocol is featured on audio-visual products, including the LifeForce Yoga series, an award-winning library of evidence-based yoga and meditation CDs and DVDs for mood management.I love yoga and continue to teach workshops and trainings, but a book by my dear yogi brother and friend Stephen Cope called The Great Work of Your Life, set me on a course to reclaim my dharma. I returned to writing fiction in 2016, and though I have written several other novels, TEMPLE DANCER is the first to be published.Amy's WebsiteSupport the show

Susan Verde is a #1 New York Times bestselling and award-winning author and yoga-mindfulness expert. Susan has written over 20 books for children and adults, including all nine books in the New York Times bestselling I Am series illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds. Her picture book The Water Princess was an ALA Notable Children’s Book, Amazon Best Book of the Month, and New York Public Library Best Book. Her nonfiction book for adults, Say One Kind Thing, is an original essay collection about the power of positive self-talk and her reflections on motherhood. In addition to her writing career, Susan co-founded Enlightened Generation, a groundbreaking children’s clothing brand with an impact-driven mission. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in reading remediation and was an elementary school teacher for many years. She is now certified in yoga and mindfulness and teaches workshops for kids of all ages. Susan currently lives in East Hampton, NY with her 2 cats, 3 rescue dogs, and 3 children.Susan's WebsiteSupport the show

Reggie Hubbard, certified yoga and meditation teacher, senior political strategist, and influential changemaker who is paving the way toward a more conscious world by sharing techniques that cultivate peace and ease as a foundation. He is on a mission to help activists find balance while inspiring the wellness community to become more engaged, socially conscious citizens. He believes that when inner peace aligns with civic responsibility, it creates the foundation for meaningful, transformative change. I would love to discuss a guest opportunity for him. Reggie has done extensive work with the Permission and Refuge program at Kripalu, which supports men in exploring emotional wellness and vulnerability. He recently shared insights from this work in Essence.Reggie is the founder/chief serving officer of Active Peace Yoga, a practice whose mission is to make the practice of yoga and living the yogic lifestyle accessible to all, regardless of race, gender, body type or practice level. He advises yoga and meditation communities, studios, teachers, and the broader wellness industry on the importance of diversity and inclusion, helping to make the practice accessible to all by eliminating exclusionary cultures and habits.   His teaching style is designed for all levels and lifestyles, with the only requirement being an open mind. Reggie has studied extensively with renowned teachers such as Faith Hunter, Amy Ippoliti, Yogarupa Rod Stryker, Sri Dharma Mittra, Roshi Joan Halifax, Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. He earned his B.A. in philosophy from Yale University and holds an M.B.A. in international strategy from the Vlerick Business School in Belgium. Link to Reggie's InstagramSupport the show

Heather Mason, MA, MA, MSc, is the founder of The Minded Institute, The Yoga in Health Care Alliance, and joint founder of the APPG on Yoga. She holds master’s degrees in Buddhist Studies, Psychotherapy, Medical Physiology, and has extensive education in Neuroscience. Heather has been a yoga teacher since 2001 and specialised in yoga therapy for mental health since 2007. As a world leader on this topic, Heather has lectured at universities from Harvard to UCL and at an array of academic conferences around the world. She was the first person in the UK to train with the Boston Trauma Center to offer yoga for trauma, launched a yoga programme at The Maudsley’s Traumatic Stress Service, and has been training others in yoga therapy for PTSD since 2012. In 2023 Heather co-created the world’s first yoga therapy psychotherapy accredited training programme.The Minded Institute WebsiteSupport the show

Dr. Ali Seidenstein is an orthopaedic surgery resident at Johns Hopkins and longtime yoga teacher with nearly 20 years of experience which included three years living and studying in India. Before medical school, Ali was on faculty at NYU’s School of Engineering, where she continues to advise premedical students. Her Ph.D. research focused on how trauma and PTSD influence gene expression through epigenetic changes. She continues to bridge science and movement in her clinical research on yoga and musculoskeletal health, she currently is the lead on a clinic trial for Yoga and scoliosis. Ali is also the founder of Kids Who Care, a nonprofit she launched over 20 years ago to support youth advocacy and leadership. A third-generation orthopaedist, she is proud to carry on her family’s legacy in medicine. She lives in Baltimore with her husband, a radiology resident, and with what little time they have left after the hospital, they can usually be found hiking, cooking plant-based meals, or planning their next adventure.Ali's WebsiteAli's InstagramSupport the show

Jivana Heyman, C-IAYT, E-RYT500, is the founder and director of Accessible Yoga, an organization dedicated to increasing access to the yoga teachings and supporting yoga teachers. He’s the author of Accessible Yoga: Poses and Practices for Every Body; Yoga Revolution: Building a Practice of Courage & Compassion; and The Teacher's Guide to Accessible Yoga: Best Practices for Sharing Yoga with Every Body. His books, classes, and trainings support yoga teachers and yoga therapists in finding ways to bring creativity and collaboration into their teaching while still respecting the ancient yoga tradition. Learn more at jivanaheyman.com.Jivana's InstagramSupport the show

Dr. Tracey Shors is a Distinguished Professor in Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience in the Department of Psychology at Rutgers University, where she is also a member of the Center for Collaborative Neuroscience. Dr. Shors has more than 150 scientific publications in journals including Nature, Science, PNAS and Nature Neuroscience, and her research findings have been featured in popular publications such as Scientific American, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and on NPR and CNN. Her research efforts were recently recognized with W. Horsley Gantt Medal from the Pavlovian Society for the"noble pursuit of truth."Dr. Shors’ research program studies how our brains learn, including how they learn to ruminate on trauma-related memories and how this process can interfere with our everyday lives, while making still more memories. Dr. Shors is also focused on identifying effective tools for reducing repetitive thoughts that reinforce our everyday traumas. Her popular press book, Everyday Trauma (Flatiron,2021), reviews the causes and consequences of trauma as well as the most effective treatments. It has been translated in six languages. Her brain fitness program, known as MAP Train My Brain combines “mental and physical” training with silent meditation and aerobic exercise to enhance brain health through effortful learning. To try out her free 6-week online course, sign up at maptrainmybrain.com.Dr. Tracy Shor's InstagramSupport the show

Dr. Susanna Søberg is a Danish scientist and expert in cold and heat therapy, with a PhD in metabolism. She's the founder of the Soeberg Institute and creator of the Thermalist Method and Søberg Principle, which combine cold and heat exposure to improve health. Søberg's research focuses on how deliberate exposure to heat and cold can improve metabolism, reduce stress, and promote longevity. Susanna's WebsiteSusanna's InstagramSupport the show

Natalia Mehlman Petrzela is a historian of contemporary American politics and culture. She is the author of CLASSROOM WARS: Language, Sex, and the Making of Modern Political Culture (Oxford University Press, 2015), and FIT NATION: The Gains and Pains of America’s Exercise Obsession (University of Chicago Press, 2023). She is Executive Producer and host of the podcast EXTREME (BBC/Novel) and host of WELCOME TO YOUR FANTASY ( Pineapple Street Studios/Gimlet). She is a columnist for MSNBC, a frequent media guest expert, public speaker, and contributor to outlets including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and Atlantic.Natalia is a Carnegie Corporation Fellow and a recipient of a National Endowment for the Humanities Public Scholars Grant. She is currently working on two new books, a short history of the school culture wars, and a history of the Hamptons, with historian Neil J. Young. She is executive producer of a documentary series based on FIT NATION, in development with TIME Studios. Natalia began her career as a public school teacher, and she is currently Lead Historian on the Jewish American Hidden Voices curriculum for the New York City Department of Education, forthcoming in 2025.Natalia is Professor of History at The New School, co-founder of the wellness education program Healthclass 2.0, and a Premiere Leader of the mind-body practice intenSati. Her work has been supported by the Spencer, Whiting, Rockefeller, and Mellon Foundations, the Carnegie Corporation, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. She holds a B.A. from Columbia and a Ph.D. from Stanford and lives in New York City.Want a Better Relationship With Your Teen Children? Exercise With Them. -WSJNatalia's WebsiteNatalia's InstagramSupport the show

Leslie Kaminoff, co-author of the bestselling book “Yoga Anatomy” and creator of YogaAnatomy.net, is a yoga educator and internationally recognized specialist with over four decades’ experience in the fields of yoga, breath anatomy and bodywork. His approach to teaching combines intellectual rigor, spontaneity and humor, and is always evolving.Link to Leslie's Instagram. Support the show

Today, I share a podcast that I had the honor to be a guest on: The Brain Shaman Podcast, where I talk about why I started practicing yoga, how I went from college wrestler to men’s yoga teacher. I also discuss men’s health, men’s mental health, and why I believe yoga is uniquely equipped to help men work through their challenges and do so without it being awkward or forced. Please go support Michael Waite and the brain shaman podcast, he did a really nice job with this, I’m very pleased with our conversation.The Brain Shaman PodcastSupport the show

Jonathan Rosenthal, MD is a neurologist in NYC and a yoga student of Sri Dharma Mittra. He is passionate about understanding how yoga affects the brain. He hosts educational events on neuroscience and yoga, conducts scientific research on yoga, and teaches yoga to clinical populations.Jonathan's WebsiteJonathan's InstagramSupport the show

Dr. Steffany Moonaz is a yoga therapist and researcher in Southern California. She serves as Research Director at Southern California University of Health Sciences and Professor at the Maryland University of Integrative Health. She became curious about the importance of mind-body activities at a young age and has always had a passion and a curiosity about the healing power of mindful movement. She completed undergraduate work in biology and dance at Oberlin College, earned an MFA from University of Maryland as well as a CMA from the Laban Institute and spent eight years at Johns Hopkins University, helping to develop and evaluate a yoga program for individuals with the chronic diseases of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, which became the basis for her PhD in public health.Along with ongoing research collaborations with major research institutions worldwide, Dr. Moonaz is working to bring yoga to people with arthritis directly, as well as educating yoga teachers and yoga therapists about the unique needs of this population. She currently leads Yoga for Arthritis teacher training programs and serves as a mentor for several emerging researchers who are working to study the effects of yoga for various health conditions. Dr. Moonaz also serves on the faculty of several other yoga and yoga therapy training programs, including Integral Yoga, Phoenix Rising, and The Mindfulness Center.Dr. Moonaz’s work has been covered by Time, HuffPost, the Baltimore Sun, and U.S. News and World Report. She has been invited to speak at Emory University, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Johns Hopkins Palliative Care, and the Smithsonian. Her Arthritis-Friendly Yoga DVD, produced by the Arthritis Foundation, became their best-selling product when it was released in 2013. Her first book, Yoga Therapy for Arthritis: A whole-person approach to movement and lifestyle, was published by Singing Dragon Publishers in December of 2018, and she has contributed to several other widely used yoga texts. Her second book, Driving Home, a memoir, was released in 2024 by Freisen Press and shares an unforgettable year of identity, responsibility, and the unexpected lessons of adversity. Steffany's Website: https://www.arthritis.yoga/Steffany's Instagram: @yogaforarthritisSupport the show

Dr. Anoop Kumar communicates a new vision of true health system based in a more comprehensive understanding of you as a whole human being. He is a Board-Certified emergency physician and Co-founder and CEO of Numocore, a company building the new health system with a focus on healing, cure, and activating human potential.Website: numocore.comSupport the show

Abha Karki Rajbhandari, PhDAssistant ProfessorDepartments of Psychiatryand NeuroscienceFriedman Brain InstituteBrain and Body Research InstituteCenter for Affective NeuroscienceIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiEmail: [email protected] Page: https://labs.icahn.mssm.edu/karkilab/Dr. Rajbhandari is an Assistant Professor in the departments of Psychiatry andNeuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Dr. Rajbhandari obtained her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she studied the role of the amygdala sub-regions in regulation of stress and sensorimotor gating via norepinephrine and the neuropeptide- corticotropin releasing factor. Prior to joining Mount Sinai, Dr. Rajbhandari was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California-Los Angeles, where her research focused on understanding the role of the neuropeptide, pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide in regulation of fear and stress behaviors via amygdala sub-regions. At the Icahn School of Medicine. Dr. Rajbhandari’s team focuses on the brain, vagus nerve and body mechanisms of fear, stress, and anxiety.Outside of lab, Dr. Rajbhandari is a whole-body health enthusiast and spiritual seeker through Yoga and Vedanta. For her, yoga is not just something done on a mat; it is woven into every aspect of life. Born in Nepal, she moved to the United States to pursue higher education. While her spiritual journey began in Nepal, she continues to explore deep questions about human existence through the lenses of logic, reasoning, knowledge, and mysticism. Abha is passionate about bridging the gap between scientific and spiritual understandings of life.Support the show

Kian Heiat serves as a Community Development Manager at Movember overseeing university and sports participation at the organization. He has been with the team for almost 5 years and currently works out of our New York office.Movember WebsiteSupport the show

Zoe Mantarakis is an Associate Professor of Practice in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education at the University of Texas at Austin. She has logged decades teaching in Austin's yoga studios and was voted Austin's Best Yoga Teacher in 2014. As a Yoga Teacher Trainer she has certified more than 75 students at the 200hour level. She created and established the Yoga Specialization degree path within the KHE Dept at UT and is graduating her first cohort in May 2025. Her field of interest is exploring the places where modern science and medicine corrleate, corroborate and validate ancient yoga wisdom. She is a loving mother to 3 children.Support the show

Anthony Robleswww.anthonyrobles.com3-time wrestling All-American and the 2011 NCAA Division I National ChampionTwo Time ESPY Award Recipient including, Jimmy V Award for PerseveranceInternationally renowned motivational speaker to Fortune 500 companies2012 Inductee, National Wrestling Hall of FameESPN College Wrestling Expert and Analyst since 20122013-16 member of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and NutritionMember of the Presidential Delegation to the 2014 Sochi Paralympic GamesFeatured in a 2014 prime time TV special on TBS in Japan and viewed in 15.5M homesPublished Author, UnstoppableNike Athlete2015 National Wrestling Media Association's Broadcaster of the Year award2017 Inductee, Arizona Sports Hall of Fame 2018, Guinness World Record Holder for pull-ups in one minute with 622020, Guinness World Record Holder for pull-ups in one minute with an 80 lbs pack with 232021, Guinness World Record Holder for pull-ups in one minute with an 60 lbs pack with 302022, Inductee, ASU’s Sun Devil Athletics Hall of FameBen Afflect and Matt Damon Produced a film on Anthony’s life for distribution on Amazon Prime, January, 2025Support the show

Jerome Teelucksingh is one of the leading men’s rights activists. He is a senior lecturer at The University of the West Indies in Trinidad & Tobago (in the Caribbean). Jerome has published articles and spoken at academic conferences on masculinity, fatherhood and gender relations.  In 1999, he initiated International Men’s Day on 19 November in Trinidad and Tobago. Also, he would later begin the observance of World Day of the Boy Child on 16 May and The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Men and Boys on 31 January. In 2022.Jerome's e-mail: [email protected] the show

Clayton is dedicated to empowering individuals and teams to achieve their full potential. With over three decades of leadership experience in financial services and nonprofit organizations, he has seamlessly transitioned his expertise into performance improvement as a freelance trainer and executive coach for several prestigious international training companies.Clayton’s passion for neuroscience is backed by a certificate in the Foundations of NeuroLeadership, enhancing his understanding of how the brain influences leadership and performance. A committed meditator for more than 23 years, he has completed an intensive two-year program to earn a certificate in teaching mindfulness and deepens his practice through annual week-long retreats.Clayton collaborates with both established and emerging leaders to identify and overcome barriers to awareness, connection, and perspective. He mentors a mindful approach, helping individuals and teams unlock their true potential. His evidence-based methods, rooted in the synergy of neuroscience and mindfulness, prioritize measurable results—fostering enhanced performance and promoting personal well-being.Support the show

Ashley-Nicole Russell, Esq. is an award-winning family law attorney, author, and speaker who is changing the way divorce is perceived around the world. She is widely-known as a dedicated, passionate, and trustworthy attorney with integrity. She is committed to protecting her clients while understanding the needs of their families. As a child of divorce and divorcee, she brings a unique, relatable, and personal understanding to AN|R Law Offices and the communities it serves. As the first collaborative law firm in eastern North Carolina, AN|R Law has office locations in Greenville, Raleigh, Beaufort, and Wilmington.When her parents divorced, she faced years of hardship and adversity due to the impact of traditional litigation and the lack of shared parenting laws. This experience inspired her to pursue law and find a better way for families to divorce.Ashley-Nicole graduated Magna Cum Laude from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. She went on to attend North Carolina Central University School of Law where she graduated Magna Cum Laude and earned a Juris Doctor and a Certificate in Dispute Resolution from the Dispute Resolution Institute. Ashley-Nicole trained and obtained membership with the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals and co-founded the North Carolina Collaborative Attorney Network.With more than a decade of experience in collaborative law, Ashley-Nicole knows first-hand how this model benefits families during separation and divorce. This method, which Ashley-Nicole used in her own divorce, allows the couple to move forward peacefully with understanding and respect. She is the author of The Cure for Divorce Culture and the host of the Divorce, Healthy! podcast. She is an advisor for co-parenting app Fayr and is a member of the national board of directors for the National Parents Organization. She also serves as the Vice President for the Carteret County Bar Association.As an expert in divorce culture, Ashley-Nicole has appeared on various multi-media platforms to discuss collaborative law, conflict resolution in the workplace, and the future of divorce in America. Ashley-Nicole has been featured in Forbes, The Washington Post, and ABC, NBC, and CBS news affiliates. She actively shares her mission nationwide by speaking at events, conferences, and trainings focused on family law, human resources, and mediation. She is committed to sharing information to help families navigate the emotional and legal aspects of separation and divorce.Support the show

Dr. ​​James L. Nuzzo isan exercise scientist and men’s health researcher. Dr. Nuzzo has published over 80 research articles in peer-reviewed journals, and he writes regularly about exercise, men’s health, and academia at The Nuzzo Letter on Substack. Dr. Nuzzo is also active on X @JamesLNuzzo.James' Substack: https://jameslnuzzo.substack.com/Support the show

Ann Swanson teaches yoga and meditation to busy people with busy minds. She is the author of the books SCIENCE OF YOGA and Meditation for the Real World. Ann wasn’t a naturally “chill person,” and meditation didn’t come easy to her. Overcoming chronic pain and anxiety led her to India to study yoga, to China to explore tai chi, and to earn a Master of Science in Yoga Therapy. Now, Ann teaches accessible yoga and meditations that you'll actually do. Get Ann’s books and free bonuses at www.MeditationForTheRealWorld.com and www.scienceof.yogaAnn’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AnnSwansonWellnessAnn’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scienceof.yoga/Support the show

Warren Farrell, PhD, has been chosen by the Financial Times of London as one of the world’s top 100 thought leaders. His books are published in 19 languages. They include The New York Times bestseller Why Men Are the Way They Are, and the international bestseller The Myth of Male Power.Dr. Farrell presented the findings of The Boy Crisis (2018) worldwide, from the White House to the Norwegian Parliament. It was a catalyst for bipartisan legislation for father involvement in Florida. He is currently working on The Man Crisis.Dr. Farrell’s most recent book, Role Mate to Soul Mate: The Seven Secrets to Lifelong Love (2024), is based on his teaching couples’ communication for the past 30 years to more than a thousand couples and psychologists. Warren Farrell has been a pioneer in both the women’s movement (elected three times to the Board of the National Organization for Women in NYC) and the men’s movement (called by GQ “The Martin Luther King of the men’s movement”). He advocates for a “Gender Liberation Movement, freeing both sexes from the rigid roles of the past.” The challenges he faced also advocating for boys and men is the subject of a 2025 documentary, The Boy Crisis: Cancel Warren Farrell, nominated for “Best Documentary” by the Idyllwild Film Festival.Dr. Farrell has been interviewed repeatedly by Oprah, Barbara Walters, Tucker Carlson and Jordan Peterson, and also by Peter Jennings, Sean Hannity, Katie Couric, Larry King, Regis Philbin, and Charlie Rose. He has frequently written for and been featured in The New York Times and publications worldwide. Warren has two daughters and lives with his wife in Mill Valley, California, and virtually at warrenfarrell.com.Support the show