The Urban Monk podcast with Dr. Pedram Shojai
Join Dr. Pedram Shojai, New York Times bestselling author and acclaimed filmmaker, for deep conversations about living with balance and purpose in our chaotic modern world. As "The Urban Monk," Dr. Shojai brings a unique perspective as a former Taoist monk, Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Qigong Master, and creator of multiple documentary series including "Interconnected," "Gateway to Health," and "Trauma." Each week, he explores the intersection of ancient wisdom and modern science with leading experts, sharing practical tools for stress management, energy optimization, and conscious living. Whether you're a busy executive, overwhelmed parent, or anyone seeking more meaning and less chaos, this podcast provides actionable insights for transforming your daily life. Dr. Shojai is the author of bestselling books including "The Urban Monk," "Inner Alchemy," "The Art of Stopping Time," and "Focus." His no-nonsense approach combines Eastern philosophy with Western practicality, making ancient wisdom accessible for modern living. Perfect for listeners interested in mindfulness, wellness, productivity, and personal development. New episodes every week. 🎧 Featured Topics: Stress Management, Energy Healing, Mindfulness, Productivity, Ancient Wisdom, Modern Wellness, Work-Life Balance, Conscious Living 📚 Books: The Urban Monk, Inner Alchemy, The Art of Stopping Time, Focus 🎬 Documentaries: Interconnected, Gateway to Health, Trauma, Conscious Parenting 🌐 Website: theurbanmonk.com
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The Supplement Trap: What You Actually Need
11/14/2025
The Supplement Trap: What You Actually Need
🎙️ Are you spending hundreds of dollars a month on supplements you can't even remember why you're taking? Dr. Pedram Shojai exposes how the $50 billion supplement industry has convinced health-conscious people to swallow 20-30 pills daily—creating more confusion and expense than actual health benefits. He reveals the uncomfortable truth: most people are medicating symptoms they don't have, optimizing pathways that aren't broken, and actually creating deficiencies through nutrient competition and over-supplementation. 🎯 What You'll Learn: Why taking more supplements doesn't equal better health—and how over-supplementation creates new deficiencies through nutrient competition The three types of supplement users (Deficiency Corrector, Optimization Chaser, Symptom Medicator) and which trap you're falling into The Core Three supplements most people actually need: Vitamin D3+K2, Omega-3s, and Magnesium—plus how to test and dose them properly The Evidence-Based Decision Tree framework: six critical questions to ask before adding any supplement to your regimen The One-at-a-Time Protocol for actually knowing what works (Weeks 1-2: baseline, Weeks 3-6: add ONE supplement, Week 7: assess) Why the healthiest people aren't taking the most supplements—they're taking the right ones for specific needs, for appropriate durations, and they know when to stop Understanding practitioner incentives and business models when receiving supplement recommendations 🔑 Key Insights: "The healthiest people aren't taking the most supplements. Supplements are tools, not a lifestyle—meant to correct deficiencies temporarily." "You're medicating symptoms you probably don't have, optimizing pathways that aren't broken, and creating deficiencies through over-supplementation." "Simplicity is the primary medicine. The goal should be fewer supplements over time, not more." "When you stop managing dozens of bottles and start trusting your body's wisdom, health becomes simpler, cheaper, and more sustainable." 💡 Action Steps: Audit your current supplements using the decision tree—eliminate everything you can't justify with clear reasoning Get tested for the core three nutrients: Vitamin D (25-hydroxy), Omega-3 index, and RBC magnesium (not serum) Stop taking anything you can't identify a clear purpose for—check in with yourself in two weeks to see if you notice any difference Implement the One-at-a-Time Protocol: never change multiple supplements at once or you won't know what actually helped 🎧 Perfect for: Anyone spending $300-500/month on supplements, biohackers drowning in optimization strategies, health-conscious people overwhelmed by conflicting advice, or anyone who can't remember why they're taking half the pills in their cabinet. 📚 Mentioned Resources: Third-party tested Omega-3 brands: Jeff Bland, Thorne Testing recommendations: 25-hydroxy vitamin D, Omega-3 index, RBC magnesium, serum B12/methylmalonic acid Magnesium forms: glycinate (sleep/calming), threonate (brain), citrate (constipation) 🌐 Connect with Dr. Shojai: Website: theurbanmonk.com Books: The Urban Monk, Inner Alchemy, The Art of Stopping Time, Focus Documentaries: Interconnected, Gateway to Health, Trauma, Conscious Parenting #SupplementOverwhelm #FunctionalMedicine #TestDontGuess #HolisticHealth #BiohackingTruth #NutrientDeficiency #HealthOptimization #SupplementSimplicity #RootCauseHealing #IntegrativeHealth #UrbanMonk #Wellness
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Food Fear Pandemic: Break Free from Food Anxiety
10/31/2025
Food Fear Pandemic: Break Free from Food Anxiety
🎙️ Dr. Pedram Shojai addresses one of the most pervasive issues in modern wellness: the food fear pandemic. Are you spending 20 minutes reading ingredient labels? Avoiding social situations because you can't control the food? This isn't about real food sensitivities—it's about the crippling anxiety that's turning food into the enemy. Dr. Shojai reveals why the stress of restriction might be more inflammatory than the foods you're worried about, and shares a practical framework for shifting from fear-based eating to body wisdom. 🎯 What You'll Learn: Why "healthy eating" becomes obsessive and how to recognize orthorexia patterns The Four Phases of Restriction Failure—and why you're stuck in phase 4 How over-restriction creates MORE food sensitivities through reduced microbial diversity The science showing restriction stress can be as inflammatory as the foods themselves Developing sophisticated interoceptive awareness to distinguish true reactions from anxiety The 80/20 principle for both nourishment and psychological resilience Building digestive resilience through variety instead of constant protection The "Yes Foods" framework that transforms your relationship with eating 🔑 Key Insights: "Food isn't the enemy. Fear is." "The stress and anxiety that we create around food might be more inflammatory than the food you were worried about." "You want a robust, resilient digestive system that can handle a variety of foods, not a fragile system that requires constant protection." "When you learn to listen, and I mean really listen, with sophisticated interoceptive awareness, you end up becoming your best nutritionist." 💡 Action Steps: Practice the three-part interoceptive check-in: before, during, and after eating Shift from asking "Is this allowed?" to "What information does my body need right now?" Create your personal "Yes Foods" list focusing on what you GET to eat If recovering from elimination diets, start GI map testing and systematic reintroduction Build digestive resilience with bitter foods, thorough chewing, and parasympathetic eating states 📚 Resources: GI Map Analysis for microbiome testing 176-food sensitivity testing Gut health coaching programs Google, ChatGPT, Claude for "Yes Foods" recipe inspiration #FoodAsMedicine #IntuitiveEating #GutHealth #BodyAwareness #MindfulEating #FunctionalMedicine #FoodSensitivities #DigestiveHealth #Orthorexia #FoodFreedom #HealthyEating #WellnessJourney #MicrobiomeHealth #AntiInflammatory #HolisticHealth
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The Invisible Thief: How Social Media Steals Your Self-Worth
10/24/2025
The Invisible Thief: How Social Media Steals Your Self-Worth
🎙️ Dr. Pedram Shojai exposes the invisible thief stealing your peace, presence, and authentic self-worth: social media comparison culture. 🎯 What You'll Learn: Why your brain—evolved for tribes of 150—now compares you to billions of curated highlight reels 24/7 The five-step neuroscience behind the comparison spiral (from comparison trigger to deepening spiral) How chronic "not enoughness" drives anxiety, depression, elevated cortisol, and inflammation The difference between true inspiration and toxic comparison Practical protocols: three-breath awareness practice, ruthless curation, and the 100-day digital fast 🔑 Key Insights: "Your insecurity is monetizable. Algorithms are designed to keep you scrolling because attention equals profit." "Everyone is struggling. Everyone's on a journey. Everyone carefully curates what they share. You're comparing your full reality to everyone else's highlight reel." "True inspiration elevates and energizes. Comparison depletes and discourages. The test: Do you feel better or worse after closing the app?" "You don't need to be better than anyone. You just need to be more yourself. Your worth isn't comparative—it's intrinsic." 💡 Action Steps: Practice the three-breath awareness technique before opening social media Ruthlessly curate your follows—unfollow anything that triggers inadequacy or makes you feel "less than" Try the comparison exit protocol: Name what you're feeling, ask what you're afraid it means, redirect to interoception Daily check-in: What matters to me today? What are my values? What's my body telling me? 🎧 Perfect for: Anyone struggling with social media anxiety, chronic comparison, imposter syndrome, or seeking external validation instead of authentic self-worth. 📚 Mentioned Resources: Stanford's Behavior Clinic (BJ Fogg) - research on Instagram's addictive design Research linking 3+ hours daily social media use with 3x higher depression rates 🌐 Connect with Dr. Shojai: Website: theurbanmonk.com Books: The Urban Monk, Inner Alchemy, The Art of Stopping Time, Focus Documentaries: Interconnected, Gateway to Health, Trauma, Conscious Parenting #UrbanMonk #SocialMediaDetox #MentalHealth #SelfWorth #Mindfulness #DigitalWellness #Anxiety #Comparison
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The Science of Hormesis: How Strategic Stress Makes You Stronger
10/21/2025
The Science of Hormesis: How Strategic Stress Makes You Stronger
🎙️ Discover why deliberately stressing your body might be one of the most powerful health interventions available—hormesis: the principle that low to moderate doses of stress trigger beneficial adaptations that make you anti-fragile. 🎯 What You'll Learn: The science behind cold therapy, strategic fasting, and exercise as consciousness-expanding tools The adaptation cascade: from immediate stress response (minutes) to long-term resilience (months) Four-week cold therapy progression protocol (300% norepinephrine increase, 250% dopamine boost) Three-level strategic fasting approach: from time-restricted eating to multi-day fasts Traffic light system for monitoring your capacity and knowing when you're overdoing it 🔑 Key Insights: "The right stress at the right dose with adequate recovery makes you anti-fragile. Not just resistant to stress, but improved by stress." "These practices aren't just physically beneficial—they're consciousness-expanding tools disguised as physical challenges. The therapeutic benefit may come from forced engagement of multiple awareness streams simultaneously." "Comfort doesn't build capacity. Your body is designed to adapt, but only when you give it a reason to." 💡 Action Steps: Start the four-week cold therapy protocol: Week 1-2 with 30-60 second cold shower endings Implement time-restricted eating with 12-16 hour fasting windows to build your foundation Use the traffic light system: Green (stable energy, good sleep) = continue; Yellow (declining energy, irritability) = ease up; Red (chronic fatigue, illness) = take 3-5 days off 🎧 Perfect for: Anyone looking to build resilience, optimize health through strategic stress, or expand consciousness through physical practices. Essential for biohackers and wellness enthusiasts. 📚 Mentioned Resources: Temple Grounds community resources Urban Book Academy monthly book readings Upcoming clinical trial with 150 participants (collaboration with Dr. Jeff Bland) Cold therapy protocol: 50-59°F for 2-10 minutes post-adaptation 🌐 Connect with Dr. Shojai: Website: theurbanmonk.com Books: The Urban Monk, Inner Alchemy, The Art of Stopping Time, Focus Documentaries: Interconnected, Gateway to Health, Trauma, Conscious Parenting #UrbanMonk #Hormesis #ColdTherapy #Biohacking #IntermittentFasting #HealthOptimization #Resilience #WimHof #AntiFragile
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The Gut Reset Revolution: How Microbiome Transplants Are Reversing Chronic Disease
10/17/2025
The Gut Reset Revolution: How Microbiome Transplants Are Reversing Chronic Disease
🎙️ Fecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT) is emerging as a breakthrough treatment for patients who've exhausted conventional and functional medicine options. Dr. Pedram Shojai talks with Dr. Jason Klop and neuroscientist Dr. Shaina Cahill about how this ancient practice is now backed by modern science and delivering remarkable results. 🎯 What You'll Learn: Why FMT works by transplanting an entire healthy ecosystem rather than isolated probiotic strains Rigorous donor screening process (only 1% of applicants accepted into the program) Clinical results: 52-week sustained IBS improvements, over 50% ulcerative colitis remission, autism behavioral changes Proper preparation protocols combining antibiotics with antifungals to create optimal environment Critical lifestyle factors needed to maintain results long-term (diet, sleep, stress management) 🔑 Key Insights: "FMT transplants ecosystems, not isolated strains. The synergy of complete microbiome communities—bacteria, fungi, metabolites working together—creates lasting change that single probiotics cannot achieve." "Parkinson's patients show GI issues 10-15 years before diagnosis. The body gives early warning signals through gut symptoms—don't wait until disease is severe." "For patients who've tried everything and been told they're 'probably crazy' by conventional medicine, FMT offers evidence-based alternative that addresses root causes rather than managing symptoms." 💡 Action Steps: Complete the FMT candidate questionnaire if you've exhausted conventional options: theurbanmonk.typeform.com/to/AhnnLHTS Understand the preparation phase: antibiotics + antifungals + bowel prep create optimal environment Commit to lifestyle changes: diverse prebiotic-rich foods, avoiding toxins, proper sleep, stress management essential for maintaining results 🎧 Perfect for: Anyone suffering from chronic gut conditions (IBS, IBD, Crohn's, SIBO), autoimmune diseases, neurological conditions with gut-brain connections, or those who've been dismissed by conventional medicine. 📚 Mentioned Resources: FMT candidate questionnaire and consultation with trained PA Clinical trial with limited spots for comprehensive tracking GMP licensed facility by Health Canada for manufacturing safety 🌐 Connect with Dr. Shojai: Website: theurbanmonk.com Books: The Urban Monk, Inner Alchemy, The Art of Stopping Time, Focus Documentaries: Interconnected, Gateway to Health, Trauma, Conscious Parenting #UrbanMonk #GutHealth #FMT #Microbiome #IBS #IBD #CrohnsDisease #GutBrainConnection #ChronicDisease #FunctionalMedicine #Autism #Parkinsons
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Become a Detective of Your Own Body: Mastering Interoception for Early Disease Prevention
10/13/2025
Become a Detective of Your Own Body: Mastering Interoception for Early Disease Prevention
🎙️ Dr. Pedram Shojai delivers a transformative guide on developing interoceptive awareness—the ability to sense and interpret your body's internal signals before minor symptoms become major health crises. Using the powerful analogy of a car's check engine light, he reveals why most people ignore their body's warning signs and choose to "tape over" symptoms rather than investigate root causes. 🎯 What You'll Learn: Why modern culture has systematically disconnected you from your body's intelligence through "no pain, no gain" mentality, stimulant dependence, and symptom suppression The four-phase warning system: from subtle whispers weeks before crisis to full-blown alarms requiring intervention Your body's five communication channels: energy patterns, digestive intelligence, inflammatory signaling, nervous system regulation, and hormonal cycles Three-level framework for reclaiming body awareness: daily 2-minute body scans, weekly pattern recognition, monthly deep-dive investigations How catching issues at phase one could prevent a health crisis years down the road 🔑 Key Insights: "Your body doesn't send false alarms. Every symptom is information and communication. Most people only pay attention at phase 3-4, but symptom detectives catch issues at phase 1." "80% of vagal signals travel from body to brain, not the reverse. Your gut feelings and intuitive knowing are physiologically wired through interoceptive networks." "Nine out of ten people show inflammatory markers before becoming 'sick.' The goal is to nip problems in the bud years before they become a medical crisis." 💡 Action Steps: Tomorrow morning before touching your phone: 2-minute body scan (energy, sleep quality, gut sensation, mental clarity, emotional state, physical tension, breath quality) Start a weekly trigger map: when do symptoms appear, what precedes them, what makes them better or worse 🎧 Perfect for: Anyone experiencing chronic low-grade symptoms without clear diagnosis, those seeking to prevent disease rather than manage it, or anyone tired of the "pill for ill" approach to healthcare. 📚 Mentioned Resources: Dr. Shojai's new book (features extensive interoception content) Academy programs focused on gut health, oral health, and hormonal health 🌐 Connect with Dr. Shojai: Website: theurbanmonk.com Books: The Urban Monk, Inner Alchemy, Focus Documentaries: Interconnected, Gateway to Health, Trauma #UrbanMonk #Interoception #BodyAwareness #FunctionalMedicine #DiseasePrevention #VagusNerve #HealthDetective #WellnessWarrior
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The Sleep Quality Paradox: Why 8 Hours Isn't Enough
10/10/2025
The Sleep Quality Paradox: Why 8 Hours Isn't Enough
🎙️ In this essential Urban Monk weekly call, Pedram explores the critical distinction between sleep quantity and sleep quality—revealing why many people who log 7-8 hours still wake up exhausted. Drawing from his experience owning sleep labs, he breaks down the architecture of restorative sleep, identifying common saboteurs from blood sugar dysregulation to environmental factors that prevent deep sleep and REM cycles. 🎯 What You'll Learn: Why sleep is a symphony of stages—light sleep, deep sleep (the repair shop), and REM sleep (the brain's therapy session)—and you need 4-6 complete cycles for full restoration The four types of restoration your body needs: physical (tissue repair), neural (emotional processing), metabolic (hormonal balance), and nervous system (true rest) Common physiological saboteurs: blood sugar dysregulation (waking at 3 AM), cortisol issues (waking 3-5 AM), inflammation, and hormonal imbalances Environmental sleep killers: light pollution disrupting melatonin, EMF exposure, temperature above 68-72°F, and noise Behavioral saboteurs: late eating, alcohol destroying REM sleep (25% suppression from one drink), blue light, and exercise timing 🔑 Key Insights: "Sleep optimization begins the moment you wake up. You cannot out-supplement, out-meditate, or out-biohack poor sleep—it's the foundation for every other health practice." "Better sleep, not more sleep, is the key to energy, healing, and cognitive performance. Many people doing 'everything right' still don't get results because they're missing sleep quality." "Circadian anchoring alone—morning bright light within 30 minutes and dimming lights 2-3 hours before bed—produces 25-35% improvement in sleep quality." 💡 Action Steps: Tomorrow morning: Get bright light exposure within 30 minutes of waking to set your cortisol spike and melatonin timer (14-16 hours later) Tonight: Implement the three-hour rules—no food, intense exercise, or alcohol 3 hours before bed Before bed: Try the 4-7-8 breathing technique and keep your room at 68°F maximum 🎧 Perfect for: Anyone who logs 7-8 hours but still wakes up exhausted, those experiencing midnight waking or poor energy despite "doing everything right." 📚 Mentioned Resources: Deep Sleep Solution program Urban Monk Academy Magnesium supplements (Mag Threonate or Glycinate, 300-400mg) L-theanine (200mg) Oura Ring and Whoop Band for sleep tracking 🌐 Connect with Dr. Shojai: Website: theurbanmonk.com Books: The Urban Monk, Inner Alchemy, Focus Documentaries: Interconnected, Gateway to Health, Trauma #UrbanMonk #SleepQuality #DeepSleep #REMSleep #CircadianRhythm #SleepArchitecture #BloodSugar #CortisolBalance #SleepOptimization
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Healing Parkinson's Through the Microbiome: Martha Carlin's Journey from Accountant to Microbiome Pioneer
10/03/2025
Healing Parkinson's Through the Microbiome: Martha Carlin's Journey from Accountant to Microbiome Pioneer
🎙️ When Martha Carlin's 44-year-old marathon-running husband was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2002, she applied her auditor's mindset to examining the evidence behind this "old person's disease." What followed was a remarkable 20+ year journey from studying food toxins to pioneering targeted probiotic therapies that significantly improved her husband's condition. 🎯 What You'll Learn: How Martha discovered two distinct Parkinson's phenotypes distinguishable by gut bacteria and developed targeted probiotic "teams" instead of single-strain approaches Why her husband's UPDRS score improved from 35 to 20 using mannitol-producing bacteria that stopped protein aggregation The hidden dangers of glyphosate: disrupts 3,900 secondary metabolites, chelates minerals, and blocks the shikimate pathway for essential amino acid production How specific probiotic strains work together: Leuconostoc mesenteroides removes oxygen, Pediococcus acidilactici breaks down proteins, Lactobacillus plantarum degrades glyphosate Why Parkinson's and Alzheimer's are being called "Type 3 Diabetes" and the microbiome connection to both 🔑 Key Insights: "Parkinson's requires ecosystem-based treatment, not 'magic bullets.' Total toxic burden matters more than single exposures—it's lifetime accumulation of air pollution, golf course chemicals, dry cleaning fluids, and glyphosate." "We moved from 16S sequencing to functional genomics and discovered it's not about single strains—it's about microbial teams working together. The glycocalyx restoration was key to reducing tremors." "Glyphosate doesn't just affect gluten—it's a mineral chelator depleting soil nutrients and disrupting the shikimate pathway that produces essential amino acids. It's systems biology, not either/or thinking." 💡 Action Steps: Investigate your lifetime toxic exposure history: work environments, home chemicals, agricultural exposure, geographic pollution Consider microbiome testing to understand your specific bacterial ecosystem rather than taking generic probiotics 🎧 Perfect for: Anyone with Parkinson's or neurodegenerative disease, those interested in the gut-brain connection, people concerned about environmental toxins and glyphosate exposure. 📚 Mentioned Resources: BioticQuest.com - Martha's targeted probiotic company "The Parkinson's Plan" by Dr. Ray Dorsey "Missing Microbes" by Dr. Martin Blaser Martha's Quest Blog and Substack Ancient Organics Bioscience - soil probiotic formulas 🌐 Connect with Dr. Shojai: Website: theurbanmonk.com Books: The Urban Monk, Inner Alchemy, Focus Documentaries: Interconnected, Gateway to Health, Trauma #UrbanMonk #Parkinsons #Microbiome #GutHealth #GutBrainAxis #Glyphosate #TargetedProbiotics #Neurodegeneration #FunctionalMedicine #EnvironmentalToxins
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From Workaholic to Presence: Eric Farewell's Journey to Freedom Through Somatic Healing
09/27/2025
From Workaholic to Presence: Eric Farewell's Journey to Freedom Through Somatic Healing
In this poolside conversation, entrepreneur Eric Farewell shares his transformation from a workaholic aviation CEO to a presence-focused coach helping executives escape the trap of their businesses. After building multiple seven-figure companies but sacrificing his health and relationships, Eric's brother's tragic death at 22 became the catalyst for change. Unable to walk due to emotional trauma manifesting physically, he discovered somatic healing, breathwork, and nervous system regulation. Through years of intensive inner work, Eric learned that presence—not productivity—creates true success. He now teaches entrepreneurs how to replace themselves in their businesses (it took 8 people to replace him), build systems that create freedom, and most importantly, heal the childhood programming that drives destructive work patterns. His philosophy: boundaries create presence, presence creates wisdom, and wisdom creates leverage that transforms both business and life.
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PEMF Technology for Pets: How NASA Tech is Revolutionizing Animal Wellness with Mark Fox
09/19/2025
PEMF Technology for Pets: How NASA Tech is Revolutionizing Animal Wellness with Mark Fox
In this episode of the Urban Monk Podcast, Dr. Pedram Shojai interviews Mark Fox, a NASA rocket scientist turned inventor who has adapted PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) technology for pet health. After discovering the technology 27 years ago when his own dog developed arthritis, Fox has created affordable, portable devices that help pets with anxiety, inflammation, pain, and various health conditions. The conversation explores how this same technology used for humans is proving remarkably effective for dogs, horses, and cats, offering a drug-free alternative for common pet ailments like separation anxiety, arthritis, and stress from fireworks or travel. 🐕 Transform Your Pet's Health Today: Get the same PEMF device Dr. Shojai uses on his dogs - proven to reduce anxiety, ease pain, and improve quality of life. Available at
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From Military Service to VA Benefits Champion: How One Navy Doctor is Fighting the System for Veterans
09/12/2025
From Military Service to VA Benefits Champion: How One Navy Doctor is Fighting the System for Veterans
Dr. Matt Wilyonson, a former Navy orthopedic surgeon and current Chief Medical Officer of Woobie.io, shares his powerful journey from serving 10+ years in the military to becoming a fierce advocate for veterans navigating the broken VA (Department of Veterans Affairs) disability system. The VA is the U.S. government agency responsible for providing healthcare, benefits, and support to military veterans, but as Dr. Wilyonson reveals, it often fails those it's meant to serve. After witnessing firsthand how hardworking service members were being shortchanged by bureaucratic red tape while serving as a primary care doctor for Marines, Dr. Wilyonson made it his mission to help veterans get the disability benefits they've earned through their military service. In this eye-opening conversation, he exposes how the VA systematically denies or minimizes legitimate service-connected injuries and conditions, discusses the hidden epidemic of veteran mental health struggles, and offers hope through his company's honest, membership-based approach to securing proper disability ratings and compensation.
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Environmental Toxins and Mycotoxins: The Hidden Health Crisis
08/29/2025
Environmental Toxins and Mycotoxins: The Hidden Health Crisis
Dr. Dennis Hooper, founder of Real Time Laboratories and a pioneer in mycotoxin testing, shares his personal journey from growing up in Nevada's nuclear testing zone to becoming a leading expert in environmental toxicity. After his family and community developed widespread autoimmune diseases from nuclear fallout and mining toxins, Dr. Hooper dedicated his career to understanding and testing for environmental toxins, particularly mycotoxins from mold. He discusses the widespread nature of mold exposure, the importance of proper testing methods, and why treating the whole patient—not just symptoms—is crucial for recovery. Dr. Hooper emphasizes the role of glutathione supplementation and comprehensive environmental testing in helping patients overcome toxin-related illnesses.
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The Protein Problem: Why Most People Aren't Getting Enough (And What to Do About It)
08/22/2025
The Protein Problem: Why Most People Aren't Getting Enough (And What to Do About It)
In this enlightening episode of the Urban Monk Podcast, host Pedram Shojai engages with Angelo from Kion to investigate one of the most misunderstood aspects of nutrition: protein. Moving beyond the polarized debates and one-size-fits-all advice, Angelo explains the fundamental science of why protein is literally the building material of your body - not just another energy source like carbs and fats. The conversation addresses the challenges of getting adequate protein as we age, the critical difference between essential and non-essential amino acids, and why traditional approaches to protein often fall short, especially for women over 40. Visit for 20% off
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AI, Consciousness, and the Quest for Human Vitality: A Deep Dive with Dr. Srini Pillay
08/15/2025
AI, Consciousness, and the Quest for Human Vitality: A Deep Dive with Dr. Srini Pillay
In this enlightening episode of the Urban Monk Podcast, host Pedram Shojai engages with Dr. Srini Pillay, a psychiatrist, brain researcher, and author, to investigate the intersection of artificial intelligence, human consciousness, and the concept of living with vitality in an increasingly dynamic world. The conversation addresses the challenges of navigating the uncertainties associated with the AI revolution through curiosity rather than fear, the risks of delegating our emotional experiences to technology, and the potential shortcomings of the current longevity movement. Dr. Pillay shares valuable insights derived from his research on the "unfocused mind," the significance of agency in the evolution of consciousness, and the notion that true vitality, defined as more than the mere absence of illness, should be an essential objective.
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Hacking the Vagus Nerve: How a Rocket Scientist's $200 Device Replaced $30,000 Medical Equipment
08/08/2025
Hacking the Vagus Nerve: How a Rocket Scientist's $200 Device Replaced $30,000 Medical Equipment
When rocket scientist Mark Fox started experiencing debilitating anxiety around blood pressure measurements that haunted him for 40 years, he never imagined he'd become a pioneer in nervous system healing technology. In this groundbreaking conversation with Dr. Pedram Shojai, Mark reveals how his skepticism transformed into innovation as he developed the Vaguvibe - a pendant that increases heart rate variability by up to 50% in just 30 minutes. From teachers reporting dramatic improvements in students' attention without medication changes to trauma survivors finding peace after decades of suffering, this episode exposes why Big Pharma has zero interest in cheap solutions that actually work. Mark shares the latest third-party lab data proving that vagus nerve stimulation isn't just alternative medicine - it's the future of healthcare that puts healing power back in patients' hands for less than the cost of a monthly prescription.
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From Sun Fear to Sun Healing: Reclaiming Our Natural Relationship with Light
08/01/2025
From Sun Fear to Sun Healing: Reclaiming Our Natural Relationship with Light
When conventional wisdom tells us the sun is our enemy, Nadine Artemis stands as a beacon of truth, challenging decades of fear-based programming about sun exposure. Broadcasting from her stunning lakeside property in Ontario, Canada, Nadine dismantles the modern myth that sunlight is dangerous and reveals how our ancestors understood something we've forgotten: the sun is essential medicine for optimal health. From the Nobel Prize-winning heliotherapy practices of 1902 to modern understanding of vitamin D receptors and mitochondrial function, this eye-opening conversation with Dr. Pedram Shojai explores how proper sun exposure can transform your health, mood, and vitality. Nadine shares practical protocols for safely building up your sun tolerance, the critical importance of circadian light exposure, and why those expensive chemical sunscreens and fake tans might be doing more harm than good than we ever imagined.
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Your Health Coach Will See You Now
07/25/2025
Your Health Coach Will See You Now
In this compelling conversation, Dr. Sandi Scheinbaum, founder of the Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach Institute, joins Pedram to discuss the transformative power of health coaching in our broken healthcare system. With over 50 years in the field and 5,000+ coaches trained worldwide, Dr. Sandi shares her journey from special education teacher to clinical psychologist to pioneering health coach educator. The discussion explores how health coaching addresses the critical gaps in modern healthcare—from the loss of bedside manner to the rush of 7-minute appointments—by empowering individuals to take charge of their own health journey. Dr. Sandi reveals innovative approaches including whole-systems thinking, group coaching models, and the art of asking the right questions rather than prescribing one-size-fits-all solutions.
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Breaking Free from Toxic Overload
07/18/2025
Breaking Free from Toxic Overload
Dr. Aly Cohen, integrative rheumatologist and author of "Detoxify," reveals the shocking truth about modern toxic exposure: we're surrounded by over 95,000 synthetic chemicals that didn't exist 75 years ago, yet medical schools don't teach doctors about their health impacts. From air fresheners and personal care products to canned foods and cleaning supplies, these everyday items are contributing to autoimmune diseases, hormone disruption, chronic fatigue, and even early puberty in children. Rather than preaching doom and gloom, Dr. Cohen offers her practical "Four A's" framework for navigating environmental health without perfectionism or judgment. She shares real patient success stories, addresses the social challenges of living "clean" in a toxic world, and provides actionable strategies for high-impact changes that won't break the bank. This conversation is essential for anyone wondering why they don't feel well despite doing "all the right things" - the answer might be hiding in plain sight in your daily routine.
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Beyond the Scope: Gut Health, Polyphenols, and the Real Medicine of Lifestyle
06/27/2025
Beyond the Scope: Gut Health, Polyphenols, and the Real Medicine of Lifestyle
Dr. Ken Brown, a practicing gastroenterologist and researcher, joins host Pedram Shojai for an in-depth conversation about the evolution of gut health medicine. From his groundbreaking work with Dr. Mark Pimentel on SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) to his discovery of polyphenols that reduce methane-producing bacteria, Dr. Brown shares insights from 25 years of clinical practice. The discussion covers the limitations of traditional scopes, the challenges of medical research funding, and why sleep, stress management, and whole foods form the foundation of gut health—before any supplements enter the picture.
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From Toxic Babies to Clean Homes: How One Dad's Chemical Crisis Sparked a Non-Toxic Revolution
06/12/2025
From Toxic Babies to Clean Homes: How One Dad's Chemical Crisis Sparked a Non-Toxic Revolution
When Stephen Ezell's newborn son broke out in a horrific rash from toxic laundry detergent, it set him on an 18-year mission that would transform him from a restaurant owner into one of America's leading non-toxic product manufacturers. In this eye-opening conversation with Dr. Pedram Shojai, Ezell reveals the shocking truth about household chemicals lurking in our homes - from the 200+ toxic compounds found in newborn umbilical cord blood to the disturbing reality that 82% of consumers equate "clean" with artificial scent rather than actual cleanliness. Ezell shares the wild journey of building Truly Free from three people mixing soap with a concrete mixer to serving over 500,000 families, while exposing the unregulated chemical industry that prioritizes profits over public health. He breaks down the most dangerous household products (hint: it's not what you think), debunks greenwashing tactics, and explains why the EU bans over 12,000 chemicals while the US only bans 14. This conversation is a wake-up call for parents and anyone concerned about the toxic burden in their homes, offering practical solutions and hope for a cleaner, healthier future.
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The Doctor Who Chose Health Over Healthcare: A Surgeon's Journey to Functional Medicine
06/07/2025
The Doctor Who Chose Health Over Healthcare: A Surgeon's Journey to Functional Medicine
What happens when a successful surgeon realizes the medical system that made him wealthy is slowly killing him? Dr. Darshan Shah was living the American dream—performing hundreds of surgeries, owning multiple surgical centers, and earning top dollar. But at 42, he was 50 pounds overweight, battling six different diseases, and taking 15 pharmaceutical drugs daily. Then came the moment that changed everything: holding a donut in a hospital lounge while reading about his 50% chance of dying before his newborn son turned 20. In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Shah reveals how he completely transformed his health in just 8 months using functional medicine principles, lost 40 pounds, got off nearly all medications, and discovered what he calls "vitality"—the energy to wake up ready to attack each day. But this isn't just a personal transformation story. Dr. Shah went on to create Next Health, reimagining what healthcare could look like by building what he calls "the Apple Store of health"—beautiful, inspiring spaces where people can optimize their biology before disease strikes. This episode dives deep into the broken healthcare system that profits from keeping you sick, the five pillars of true health (including the overlooked fifth pillar of toxin elimination), and emerging quantum biology that could revolutionize how we think about human potential. If you're tired of being told there's "a pill for that" and ready to discover what 1.0 version of yourself could feel like, this conversation will show you the way.
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Energy Medicine: The Science Behind PEMF Technology
04/25/2025
Energy Medicine: The Science Behind PEMF Technology
Join Dr. Pedram Shojai as he interviews Mark, a former NASA rocket scientist, about the fascinating world of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy. This eye-opening conversation explores how a small, affordable device is helping people with chronic health issues when traditional medicine falls short. Mark shares his journey from skeptic to advocate after witnessing remarkable results with PTSD, anxiety, Lyme disease, and more. Learn about the science behind electromagnetic frequencies, how they influence cellular health, and why this technology—once suppressed by pharmaceutical interests—is experiencing a renaissance. This episode bridges the gap between ancient healing practices and modern science, offering hope for those seeking alternative approaches to wellness without the hyperbolic claims common in the energy medicine space.
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The Gut Connection: Solving Health Mysteries with Dr. Rob Silverman
04/19/2025
The Gut Connection: Solving Health Mysteries with Dr. Rob Silverman
In this enlightening podcast, the host speaks with Dr. Rob Silverman, a chiropractor who expanded into functional medicine after discovering the profound connection between gut health and overall wellness. Dr. Silverman shares how he initially focused on musculoskeletal issues but found that many patients' chronic pain and inflammation stemmed from gut problems. The conversation explores several key topics: The critical importance of gut health as "the epicenter of health" with 80% of immune cells located there How leaky gut (increased intestinal permeability) allows undigested food particles and pathogens to enter the bloodstream The role of zonulin and occludin proteins in regulating gut barrier function Why food sensitivities can cause symptoms up to 72 hours after consumption, making them difficult to identify The benefits of modern testing over traditional elimination diets for identifying food triggers How common substances like glyphosate, processed seed oils, and NSAIDs damage gut barrier integrity Practical advice for making better food choices, including eating organic when possible Dr. Silverman emphasizes the importance of "testing, not guessing" to create personalized treatment protocols, particularly through food sensitivity tests and gut permeability panels that provide crucial baseline information for addressing chronic inflammation and health issues.
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Feeling Safe in an Unsafe World: Understanding Neuroception
04/04/2025
Feeling Safe in an Unsafe World: Understanding Neuroception
In this insightful episode of the Urban Monk Podcast, Dr. Pedram Shojai explores the critical concept of neuroception—our nervous system's automatic detection of safety and threat—and how it fundamentally impacts our health, happiness, and ability to thrive. Dr. Shojai breaks down the science behind Dr. Stephen Porges' polyvagal theory, explaining how our subconscious continuously scans for environmental cues of safety or danger, triggering different responses in our autonomic nervous system. When we don't feel safe, our body can't properly heal, digest, or function optimally—regardless of how many supplements, green smoothies, or wellness practices we incorporate. Learn how to recognize safety signals in your environment, relationships, and within yourself, while discovering practical techniques to counteract stress responses: peripheral vision exercises, diaphragmatic breathing, calf stretching, and tongue positioning. Dr. Shojai also offers valuable advice on creating sanctuary spaces, minimizing exposure to negative news cycles, and making intentional choices about your environment to support your nervous system. Whether you're dealing with chronic stress, healing from trauma, or simply navigating our increasingly chaotic world, this episode provides essential insights for recalibrating your neuroception and creating the conditions for genuine wellbeing. As Dr. Shojai emphasizes, it's time to "stop cutting yourself" with harmful inputs and start actively cultivating the safety signals your body and mind need to flourish.
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Bones of Steel: How a Marine Reversed Osteoporosis and Rewrote His Future
03/21/2025
Bones of Steel: How a Marine Reversed Osteoporosis and Rewrote His Future
At 30 years old, former Marine Kevin Ellis received shocking news: he had osteoporosis, a condition most associate with elderly women. Facing a medical system offering only medication and the grim prediction of inevitable fractures, Kevin refused to accept this fate. In this eye-opening conversation, Kevin reveals how he transformed his diagnosis by uncovering the true causes of bone loss and building a protocol that not only reversed his own osteoporosis but has now helped thousands reclaim their skeletal health. Discover why the standard medical approach to bone health is dangerously incomplete, how your gut health directly impacts your bone strength, and why the exercises you're doing might be completely ineffective for building bone density. Kevin shares the specific nutrients, movements, and testing protocols that can dramatically change your bone health trajectory—regardless of your age or current diagnosis. Whether you're in your 30s or your 70s, this episode provides actionable strategies to build a stronger skeletal foundation that will carry you through decades of vibrant, active living. Don't miss this powerful conversation that challenges everything you thought you knew about building unbreakable bones.
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Healthy living is the basis of functional medicine with Dr Bob Rountree
03/14/2025
Healthy living is the basis of functional medicine with Dr Bob Rountree
Bob Rountree is a legend in the functional medicine space and it's important to hear how he's living.
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The Lullaby is LOUD- Self Sabotage and Conscious Awareness
03/02/2025
The Lullaby is LOUD- Self Sabotage and Conscious Awareness
Why do we self sabotage? Why do we avoid pain so readily? How can we change the way we go about things to be less avoidant and come back to life?
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Are EMFs Actually Harmful?
02/21/2025
Are EMFs Actually Harmful?
Nick Pineault is known as the EMF Guy. I brought him to have a sane and sober discussion aroudn a topic that has a lot of sillyness around it. Listen to this!
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Healing THROUGH Grief
02/13/2025
Healing THROUGH Grief
It's a process but do you know how? You have to feel it to heal it but there are ways to make it flow better. Let's discuss.
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New thinking on Gut Testing- Test don't guess
02/07/2025
New thinking on Gut Testing- Test don't guess
We were all excited about the microbiome and remain so but my thining around testing the gut has changed and I'm seeing better results doing it this way...
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