In this raw and revealing episode of Simple Healthy Life, we confront one of the most avoided but universally shared experiences: death. From the ancient parable of Samara to modern reflections on mortality, reincarnation, and even uploading consciousness, we explore how death—or the awareness of it—can deeply influence how we live, love, and make meaning. We share personal stories, like a powerful breathwork vision, and ask hard-hitting questions: What do you want said at your eulogy? What would it mean to live a life that’s truly enough?

This episode blends philosophy, spirituality, psychology, and humor in a conversation that’s unexpectedly uplifting. Because we’re all headed to Samara. What will you do before you get there?

In this episode of Simple Healthy Life, we reflect on what it really takes to bring an idea to life—from the first spark of inspiration to the unexpected skills learned along the way. MJ shares the untold story behind building R Labs, a wellness space rooted in intentional recovery, community, and cold water resilience.

We explore the role of intuition (including somatic marker theory), discomfort tolerance, novelty search, and why goals often don’t unfold the way we expect. Whether you're starting a business, shifting careers, or craving personal growth, this episode offers timeless takeaways and honest insights for anyone walking the fog-covered bridge of meaningful change.

We all know we should take better care of ourselves. So why don’t we?

In this episode of Simple Healthy Life, Ryan and MJ dive deep into the tension between knowing and doing—unpacking why it’s so hard to be proactive about our health, habits, and happiness in a world wired for distraction.

We explore:

• Why distraction is the new default mode

• The invisible skill you’re building every time you scroll

• The neuroscience of energy, mitochondria, and burnout

• How avoidance becomes identity—and how to break that cycle

• The small proactive acts that can rebuild your health and confidence

Whether you're overwhelmed, stuck in reactive mode, or just wondering how to get back on track, this episode offers perspective, clarity, and permission to start small.

Some choices are too complex for logic alone. In this episode, we explore somatic marker theory—a scientific explanation for the gut feelings that guide your biggest life decisions. From job changes to relationships to moments of massive transformation, your emotions may be telling you more than your rational mind ever could. Learn why your “inner knowing” is real, how it ties to your subconscious pattern recognition, and why trusting yourself might be the smartest decision you ever make.

Most people think they’re being empathetic—when they’re really just being sympathetic.
In this “Teach Me” episode of Simple Healthy Life, we dive into the powerful difference between sympathy and empathy—and why it matters more than ever.

You’ll learn:
• The cost of empathy (and why so many people avoid it)
• Why sympathy often creates emotional distance
• The science of mirror neurons and human connection
• How practicing empathy reduces burnout and strengthens relationships
• Simple ways to build your empathy muscle without draining yourself

Whether you’re a leader, parent, partner, or friend—this conversation will shift how you show up for the people around you.

For decades, saturated fat was blamed for heart disease. But what if we got the science wrong—and silenced the evidence that told a different story?

In this episode of Simple Healthy Life, we uncover the origins of the biggest nutrition myth of the 20th century: the war on fat. You’ll learn how a flawed hypothesis, media momentum, and industry funding reshaped public health policy—and our food system.

We explore:

• The rabbit study that started it all

• How Ancel Keys’ Seven Countries Study ignored contradictory data

• Why the real threat might be oxidized fats, not saturated fat

• What landmark studies like MRFIT and the Minnesota Coronary Experiment revealed

• How food giants profited by pushing seed oils and low-fat processed foods

This is the untold history of how dietary dogma was formed—and why we’re still living with the consequences.

In this deeply moving episode of Simple Healthy Life, we sit down with grief recovery specialist and mental health counselor Julie Foster to explore the untold truths about grief.

Julie shares her powerful story of caregiving for her mother with terminal cancer, her health collapse due to unprocessed grief, and the transformative healing she found through the Grief Recovery Method.

Together, we unpack what it means to grieve someone who's still alive, why society is "grief-illiterate," how shame complicates healing, and the subtle ways grief hides in our daily behaviors.

Whether you’ve recently experienced a loss or are carrying years of silent sorrow, this episode offers validation, insight, and a path toward wholeness.

🎧 Available now on Spotify, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms.

Key topics:

Grief vs. depression and emotional labeling

How unprocessed grief can manifest physically

Anticipatory grief and grieving the living

Why we need better language for grief

The dangers of emotional avoidance and distraction

How grief coaching differs from traditional therapy

In this episode of Simple Healthy Life, Ryan and MJ explore emotional intelligence through the lens of personal stories, childhood conditioning, and modern mental health culture.
From growing up with no emotional language to today’s oversaturation of labels like “I have anxiety” or “I am ADHD,” they break down how emotional awareness forms, where it goes wrong, and what we can do to build it intentionally.
They also discuss:
• Why “fine” isn’t a feeling
• The danger of over-labeling and identity attachment
• How to separate emotion from identity
• Why space between stimulus and reaction is where growth happens
• Real-world examples of how to pause, reflect, and respond

Whether you’re learning to name your emotions or helping your kids understand theirs, this conversation is a roadmap for making space, not just naming feelings.