Ep 449 Lonely? Your Brain’s Begging for Connection with Dr. Paul Zak
Richer Soul, Living A Life on Purpose!
Release Date: 07/11/2025
Ep 467 From Trauma to Triumph: Dr. John A. King on Living from the Inside Out
Richer Soul, Living A Life on Purpose!
From Trauma to Triumph: Dr. John A. King on Living from the Inside Out Most of us carry invisible stories — old pain, expectations, and patterns that shape how we live, lead, and love. Dr. John A. King knows that journey firsthand. After surviving years of childhood abuse and losing everything when his repressed memories resurfaced at 45, he had to rebuild his identity from the ground up. Today, he helps men recover from trauma, rediscover authenticity, and live from the inside out through The Phoenix Collective and Mindfire Challenge. This conversation isn’t just about...
info_outline
Ep 466 From Startups to a $941 Million Exits: The Execution Formula for Entrepreneurs with Marc Daniels
Richer Soul, Living A Life on Purpose!
From Startups to a $941 Million Exits: The Execution Formula for Entrepreneurs Most entrepreneurs don’t fail because they lack ideas—they fail because they stop executing. Planning feels safe. Execution exposes reality. Billion-Dollar Coach Marc L. Daniels learned that truth the hard way—from paper routes to startups to a $941 million exit. In this episode of Richer Soul, Marc reveals why 85 percent of business plans fail, how to build the discipline to follow through, and the system that keeps momentum alive even when markets shift. Key takeaways and reflection: ...
info_outline
Ep 465 Unlock Your True Potential with Human Design: Create Success That Feels Aligned with Stefanie Carlstedt
Richer Soul, Living A Life on Purpose!
Unlock Your True Potential with Human Design: Create Success That Feels Aligned Most entrepreneurs follow every strategy they’re told — post daily, hustle harder, chase the next goal — only to end up exhausted and disconnected from why they started. What if the missing piece isn’t effort, but alignment? That’s the shift Stefanie Carlstedt discovered after building a six-figure business that looked successful on paper but felt completely wrong inside. Through Human Design, she learned how to build a business — and a life — that actually fits who she is. In this...
info_outline
Ep 464 How to Dream, Drive, and Deliver with Mike Maddock
Richer Soul, Living A Life on Purpose!
How to Dream, Drive, and Deliver Plan D: How Disruptors Turn Problems into Possibilities Disruptors aren’t pyromaniacs—they’re builders. Mike Maddock has launched seven companies, advised Fortune 100 innovators, and co-chaired the Gathering of Titans at MIT. In this episode, we unpack his Plan D: the mindsets, rooms, and questions that turn pressure into breakthroughs—and why your “ghost” might be your greatest edge. Key Points + Reflection Questions: See possibilities where others see problems. Disruptors reframe first, act second. Reflect: Where am I...
info_outline
Ep 463 The Spiritual Practice That Literally Saved My Life with Regan Caruthers
Richer Soul, Living A Life on Purpose!
The Spiritual Practice That Literally Saved My Life with Regan Caruthers The Spiritual Practice That Saved My Life with Regan Caruthers What if the path to real success wasn’t money, titles, or material possessions—but the ability to connect with your heart, shift your energy, and live in coherence? In this episode of Richer Soul, Regan Caruthers shares her remarkable journey from Silicon Valley executive to yoga teacher and spiritual guide—and how a daily practice of devotion and gratitude literally saved her life. Key Lessons: Money Doesn’t Equal...
info_outline
Ep 462 Radical Engagement: How to Work With, Not Against, Broken Systems with Adam Kahane
Richer Soul, Living A Life on Purpose!
Radical Engagement: How to Work With, Not Against, Broken Systems Radical Engagement: 7 Everyday Habits for Transforming Systems We blame “the system,” but systems are just elements + relationships + results. If that’s true, then changing a system means changing how we relate and respond—daily. Adam Kahane, author of Everyday Habits for Transforming Systems, shares seven habits that let ordinary people move complex issues forward—at work, in community, and at home. Key Points: Radical Engagement (the umbrella). Engage with the system—alert, curious,...
info_outline
Ep 461 From Bomb Blast to Abundance: Aaron Hale’s Story of Grit and Growth
Richer Soul, Living A Life on Purpose!
From Bomb Blast to Abundance: A Story of Grit and Growth “Complacency Kills”: Aaron Hale on Grit, Humor, and the Discipline of Doing Hard Things Most of us wait for confidence before we act. Aaron Hale lost his sight in service—and later his hearing—then chose to act anyway. He rebuilt a meaningful life with courage, craft, and a lot of humor. In this episode, we unpack the mindset that turns struggle into service and purpose into action. Key Insights: Ban the word “can’t”. When you say “can’t,” you shut off innovation and potential. Leadership is...
info_outline
Ep 460 Invisible Distortions: Why We Misunderstand Each Other (and How to Stop) with Erin Pheil and Evan Walton
Richer Soul, Living A Life on Purpose!
Invisible Distortions: Why We Misunderstand Each Other (and How to Stop) Have you ever walked away from a conversation thinking, “How did that go so wrong?” You were clear. They were clear. And yet somehow, you both walked away feeling misunderstood, hurt, or even resentful. Erin and Evan call these hidden forces “distortions.” They’re like funhouse mirrors in our relationships—subtle patterns, beliefs, or unspoken feelings that bend what we say and hear. Left unchecked, distortions quietly erode connection, fuel resentment, and create conflict that seems impossible to...
info_outline
Ep 459 From Drug Runner to $60M Exit: Jason Sisneros’ Redemption Story
Richer Soul, Living A Life on Purpose!
From Drug Runner to $60M Exit: A Redemption Story Most of us never stop to think how much our past — the pain, the wounds, the survival patterns — shape our future. For Jason Sisneros, that past meant delivering drugs at age 12, becoming a violent debt collector at 16, and nearly losing his life in a knife fight. But his story didn’t end there. He rebuilt himself, learned directly from legends like Tony Robbins and Keith Cunningham, and eventually achieved a $60 million exit. In this episode of Richer Soul, Jason shares the hard-won wisdom he’s gathered along the way —...
info_outline
Ep 458 Breaking Free from Hidden Patterns and Rewiring Your Brain for Success with Adele Spraggon
Richer Soul, Living A Life on Purpose!
Breaking Free from Hidden Patterns and Rewiring Your Brain for Success Rewire Your Brain: Adele Spraggon on Breaking Free from Hidden Patterns Like many of you, I’ve seen firsthand how money stories and old habits can run our lives without us even realizing it. I work with business owners every day who want more profit, more freedom, but they’re trapped in repeating cycles—just like I’ve been in my own journey. Our guest today, Adele Spraggon, is an award-winning author, international speaker, and behavioral change expert. In her book Shift: 4 Steps to Personal...
info_outlineLonely? Your Brain’s Begging for Connection
How Dr. Paul Zak Decoded the Neuroscience of Trust and Human Connection
What if the secret to happiness, purpose, and even financial success lies in your brain’s chemistry—and in how often you hug others?
Have you ever wondered why we trust some people instantly and others not at all? Why love feels so healing—and why certain leaders inspire loyalty while others trigger fear? At the heart of these mysteries is a powerful brain chemical: oxytocin.
“Oxytocin is a gift you have to give to somebody else.” – Dr. Paul Zak
In this Richer Soul episode, Dr. Paul Zak, affectionately known as Dr. Love, reveals how understanding our brain's biology can transform the way we lead, parent, connect, and even build wealth.
🧠 The Inner Shift: From Disconnected to Deeply Human
Paul’s story begins in modest, frugal roots—raised by a planner’s mindset and a banker aunt who taught him the magic of compound interest. But his true transformation happened in the lab, where he uncovered something remarkable: our brains are wired for connection, trust, and empathy.
Through groundbreaking neuroscience research, Dr. Zak discovered that oxytocin—the “love hormone”—is the biochemical key to cooperation, generosity, and emotional well-being. It’s not just science; it’s a call to live more open-hearted lives.
4 Pillar-Aligned Takeaways:
1. Emotional, Mental, and Spiritual Balance:
- The Science of Hugs: Want to build trust quickly? Skip the handshake and go straight for a hug. Paul found that physical touch stimulates oxytocin and makes people feel safe and connected—fast.
- Trust Is a Neurological Strategy: His studies showed that people with higher oxytocin levels were more generous and less likely to hurt others emotionally or physically.
2. Career and Purpose:
- Leadership Through Connection: Zak’s research influenced how companies design cultures of trust. His Immersion Neuroscience platform even measures what content the brain “loves” in real time—powering better storytelling, learning, and engagement.
3. Relationships and Connection:
- “Hugs Not Drugs”: Rather than medicating to connect or calm, we can engage in meaningful eye contact, shared joy, and emotional vulnerability to foster natural brain-based bonding.
- Empathy = Protection: When you increase someone else’s oxytocin, you activate their empathy. This reduces harm and strengthens bonds—at home, at work, and in society.
4. Continuous Learning and Curiosity:
- Lifelong Curiosity in Action: Paul considers himself a Martian, observing human behavior through experimentation to understand why we do what we do—because we often can’t explain it ourselves.
Money Learning: Frugality and Trust Over Flash
Raised in a family that struggled with money, Paul’s early education in wealth came from his aunt: “Understand the magic of compounding,” she taught.
Now a seasoned entrepreneur and neuroscientist, Paul still lives by frugality—not for scarcity, but for freedom. He calls himself “cheap with joy,” focusing on value over vanity.
“Why waste money? I love good things, but I don’t buy frivolous stuff.”
His wealth philosophy echoes what Richer Soul listeners know well: true abundance begins in mindset, not materialism.
Guest Bio: Dr. Paul J. Zak
Dr. Paul Zak is a Distinguished University Professor at Claremont Graduate University and a pioneer in the field of neuroeconomics. Ranked among the top 0.3% of cited scientists, he’s the founder of Immersion Neuroscience and a regular TED speaker. Paul’s work spans from the Pentagon to Papua New Guinea, helping brands, leaders, and everyday people better understand what our brains love—and why it matters.
Links:
X: @pauljzak
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-j-zak-91123510/
The Little Book of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Living Better: The Little Book of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Living Better: Zak, Paul J.: 9781544547879: Amazon.com: Books
Key Discussion Points:
- Why human beings are wired for generosity, not just survival.
- The surprising link between oxytocin and business success.
- How to raise trust levels in any environment—without tech or therapy.
- The value of emotional data in education, leadership, and content creation.
What’s one relationship in your life that could be transformed by more empathy and connection?
Start there. Maybe it just begins with a hug.
This Episode Is for You If:
- You’re curious about the science behind trust and love.
- You lead a team and want to foster real loyalty and collaboration.
- You’ve felt disconnected in a hyper-digital world.
- You want to parent, love, or lead more intentionally.
“It’s hard to get your own brain to make oxytocin. You have to give it to others—and they’ll give it back.” – Dr. Paul Zak
Let this episode be your brain’s love letter to humanity.
🎧 Listen now. Share it forward. #HugsNotDrugs
#RicherSoul #InnerWealth #LifeOnPurpose #SpiritualSuccess #AlignedLiving #PurposeOverProfit #MindsetShift #EntrepreneurAwakening
Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@richersoul
Richer Soul Life Beyond Money. You got rich, now what? Let’s talk about your journey to more a purposeful, intentional, amazing life. Where are you going to go and how are you going to get there? Let’s figure that out together. At the core is the financial well-being to be able to do what you want, when you want, how you want. It’s about personal freedom!