How Modern Lighting Can Destroy Your Sleep, Your Eyes & Your Health (& What You Can Do About It).

If you have teenagers like I do, or have kids that will become teenagers, or are considering having kids that will become teenagers, or even know anyone with a teenager… …you've probably thought about kids and substance abuse. Of course, all parents want to give their kids the best possible resources and support to prevent problems with drugs and alcohol. But what does that look like? Is it teaching moderation or prohibiting substances before the legal age? How much does genetics play into it? Those are big, important questions, considering that according to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, teen drug addiction is the nation's largest preventable and costly health problem. And nine out of 10 adults with substance use disorder report they began drinking and taking drugs before age 18. My guest on this podcast, Jessica Lahey, was born into a family with a long history of alcoholism and drug abuse. Despite her efforts to avoid that path, Jessica struggled with alcoholism herself until 2013, when she got sober in her early 40s. Her latest book, The Addiction Inoculation: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence, is a comprehensive resource that parents and educators can use to help prevent substance abuse in children. A parent herself, Jessica has also learned firsthand how to navigate this highly sensitive and important topic. Jessica is also the author of the New York Times bestselling book The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed. For more than twenty years, Jessica has taught every grade from sixth to twelfth in both public and private schools, spent five years teaching in a drug and alcohol rehab for adolescents in Vermont, and serves as a prevention and recovery coach at Sana at Stowe, a medical detox and recovery center in Stowe, Vermont. Jessica writes about education, parenting, and child welfare for The Washington Post, The Atlantic, is a book critic for Air Mail, and her biweekly column “The Parent Teacher Conference” for three years at the New York Times. Jessica designed and wrote the educational curriculum for Amazon Kids’ award-winning animated series The Stinky and Dirty Show, and was a 2019 Pushcart Prize nominee for her Creative Nonfiction magazine essay, “I’ve Taught Monsters.” The co-host of the #AmWriting podcast, with bestselling authors KJ Dell’Antonia and Sarina Bowen, Jessica also holds the dubious honor of having written an article that was later adapted as a writing prompt for the 2018 SAT. Jessica will be soon featured in a special chapter of my Boundless Parenting book, for which this podcast interview is part of a series leading up to the official book launch in late 2022. She lives in Vermont with her husband, two sons, and many dogs. Episode Sponsors: DNA COMPANY: If you value your health and want the tools to help you avoid serious diseases, then go ahead and order this DNA test from The DNA Company. All listeners are eligible to receive a $50 discount using code BEN at checkout.  BGL Careers: Check out our open positions at BenGreenfieldLife.com/Careers Wild Health: Wild Health, a precision medicine company, is hosting a series of events with some amazing guests, with the intention of providing people the opportunity to heal their spirit, connect with their true nature and wake up to reality, they’re calling it the ‘Awake and Aware Series.’ If you'd like to join, visit bengreenfieldlife.com/wildhealthprinciples and use code BG15 to get 15% off the event price.  Clearlight Sauna If you want to sweat buckets in the privacy of your own home, go to HealwithHeat.com use code: BEN for a discount and free shipping – this is a huge savings because these saunas are big, and heavy and well-made.  Joy Mode: Want to spice things up in the bedroom and boost your sexual performance? And do it naturally without nasty prescription drugs? We have a special offer for the Ben Greenfield audience. Go to usejoymode.com/GREENFIELD or enter GREENFIELD at checkout for 20% off your first order.  WATER & WELLNESS: Use code GREENFIELD to save 10% on all orders. Go to WaterAndWellness.com/GreenfieldSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

17 Sep 202251min

Earlier this summer, as you probably heard if you've been following me, I declared that plant medicines were a "big problem"... …and that after a great deal of study, contemplation, and prayer, I decided to put up some big ol' warning signs against the use of mind-altering substances, especially considering their widespread abuse and potential for psychological harm, but perhaps of more concern, the increasing trend to put one's faith for healing, trauma, relationship work, self-discovery, divination, spiritual awakening, and anything of the like in drugs instead of in God.  I also feel that it's my God-given responsibility to educate you on why I made this choice, in the hope not necessarily that you also stop but that you can make an informed decision for yourself. For (many) more details about this topic, you can read the two-part article series that I published in June and listen to my more recent podcast with Josh Trent: The Big Problem With “Plant Medicines”: Part 1 The Big Problem With “Plant Medicines”: Part 2 The Pros And Cons Of Plant Medicines, The Truth About Pharmakia, Spiritual Growth & Much More With Josh Trent Of Wellness + Wisdom. Social media is another important pathway for me to offer thoughts and prompt discussion on this popular topic. My Instagram post announcing my decision in June earned more than 2,500 likes and a wide range of responses in the form of comments, which I appreciate because I put my views out there honestly, and I want you to, also, even if they don't line up with what I'm saying. I don't hold back on my Twitter feed either, which has more than 88,000 followers. Last year, Twitter launched Twitter Spaces, an online forum for live audio conversations. Spaces are another cool way for me to have open and unfiltered discussions about different topics that are on my mind. This latest Twitter Space audio – graciously hosted by @AncestralVril and joined by @CenterHps and @ReclaimMind - goes even deeper into how I got to where I am today with my stance on plant medicine, which, for all its nuance, really comes down to a single belief: you just don't need drugs to talk to God or hear His voice or seek His direction. This was a Q&A that was open to many voices, so you'll hear many opinions other than mine, and I think you'll find the wide range of views quite beneficial for better understanding this topic. Episode Sponsors: BGL Careers: Check out our open positions at BenGreenfieldLife.com/Careers Tru Kava: Kava is a powerful plant-based stress relieving, Nootropic drink from islands in the South Pacific that has been highly regarded for 3000 years as a safe, natural, non-addictive alternative to drugs and alcohol.Go to: gettrukava.com and use code BEN for 10% off  BIOPTIMIZERS (NOOTS): Nootopia is the most powerful, bespoke nootropics on the market today. Go to nootopia.com/ben and use ben10 to receive up to 50% off your first order.  HIGHERDOSE: Get your own Infrared Sauna Blanket or Infrared PEMF Mat at HigherDOSE.com today and use my exclusive Promo Code: BEN at check out to save 15% off! Organifi: Get the restful sleep you need with the most soothing ingredients! Gold is a delicious superfood tea that contains powerful superfoods and mushrooms to help you sleep and recover so you can wake up feeling refreshed and energized. Go to organifi.com/Ben for 20% off your order. Seed: If you’re taking supplements, but not a probiotic you might be overlooking your gut—which affects your whole-body health. Adding a probiotic + prebiotic to your daily, use code BEN15 to redeem 15%off your first month of Seed’s Daily Synbiotic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

15 Sep 20221h 9min

My new book, Endure, is now available! I’ll gift you the first three chapters of Endure as an instantly downloadable e-book and I'll also give you a sweet discount on the exact journal my family and I developed and use each day, The Spiritual Disciplines Journal. Visit https://getendure.com for all the details!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11 Sep 202216min

My friend Joseph Anew is the mastermind behind one of my all-time favorite immersive VIP wellness experiences on the face of the planet: RUNGA, happening again this year, October 13th-15th (click here to join me and my family there in Austin Texas for it!).  But he's much more than that. Not only has Joseph joined me in the past for episodes including: Digital Detoxing, Travel-Proofing Your Immune System, Underground Body Weight Workouts & More With Joe DiStefano. Kettlebell Yoga, The Best 5 Cardio Machines You Can Use, How To “Reset” Your Body With An Adventure & Much More! But I've also appeared on his Intuitive Warrior podcast (previously called the Stacked podcast) on the episodes: RUNGA Live Panel with Ben Greenfield, Dr. Jason Sonners, Dr. Chris Shade, and Leland Stillman, MD Finding Purpose & Staying Charged with Ben Greenfield Joseph Anew is an international speaker, fitness expert, entrepreneur, and lifestyle coach. During his eight years as Head of Sport and Training at Spartan Race, Joseph worked full-time with professional endurance athletes and taught seminars worldwide. From there, Joseph went on to found RUNGA, an experiential lifestyle brand empowering individuals through highly effective and sustainable practices that fuel health, wellness, and performance. He shares his teachings and interviews inspiring guests on his podcast Intuitive Warrior. Emilía Rún is a plant-based chef, Kundalini yoga teacher, and mindfulness meditation teacher. With nutrition as her primary focus, Emilía also credits yoga and meditation as pivotal to her healing from lifelong painful autoimmune disease. Since stumbling into a class at 18 years old, the teachings of Kundalini yoga, and later mindfulness, have allowed her to cultivate an unbroken connection to the heart, which serves as a compass in her daily life. Eventually becoming a teacher in both herself, Emilía has trained under Tara Brach, Jack Kornfield, Tej Kaur Khalsa, Krishna Kaur, and Siri Bahadur Khalsa. At RUNGA, Joseph leads workouts, kettlebell instruction, and mobility drills. But RUNGA goes far beyond fitness. If you join me at RUNGA in Austin, Texas, this October 13th-15th, you can spend three life-changing days treating your mind and body to organic chef-prepared meals, daily movement, and meditation, plus full access to the latest anti-aging biohacks and health-optimizing therapies, with a lively community of like-minded health-seekers. It's the one event I make sure to attend every year. Click here to learn more or to apply today. Episode Sponsors: Vuori: Get yourself some of the most comfortable and versatile clothing on the planet at vuori.com/BEN. Not only will you receive 20% off your first purchase, but enjoy free shipping on any U.S. orders over $75 and free returns. Go to vuori.com/BEN and discover the versatility of Vuori Clothing. ButcherBox: ButcherBox offers our listeners an incredible deal—Free Chicken for a Year. Get 2 lbs of free-range, organic chicken breasts for free in every order when you sign up at butcherbox.com/ben. CHILISLEEP: These luxury mattress pads keep your bed at the perfect temperature for deep sleep, whether you sleep hot or cold. These sleep systems are designed to help you fall asleep, stay asleep and give you the confidence and energy to power through your day. Save up to 30% off your purchase of any new sleep system at chilisleep.com/bengreenfield. Timeline Nutrition: Timeline is offering 10% off your first order of Mitopure. Go to timelinenutrition.com/BEN and use code BEN to get 10% off your order. Kion Aminos: Building blocks for muscle recovery, reduced cravings, better cognition, immunity, and more. Go to getkion.com/bengreenfield to receive 20% off monthly deliveries and 10% on one-time purchases.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10 Sep 20221h 39min

Lenore Skenazy has been known by the nickname “America’s Worst Mom.” And yet I'm featuring her as a parenting expert in my upcoming Boundless Parenting book. Hear me out... Lenore graduated from Yale in 1981, and earned her master’s degree from Columbia University in 1983. A speaker, blogger, syndicated columnist, and reality show host, Lenore has been featured by national media outlets, including NPR, the New York Daily News, Good Morning America, and NBC News. Until 2008, Lenore was a regular columnist for the New York Sun. Her controversial piece, "Why I Let My 9-Year-Old Ride the Subway Alone," received worldwide news coverage and earned her that "Worst Mom" nickname. However, the column also led to the founding of a blog called Free-Range Kids, which is "fighting the belief that our children are in constant danger from creeps, kidnapping, germs, grades, flashers, frustration, failure, baby snatchers, bugs, bullies, men, sleepovers and/or the perils of a non-organic grape." A bestselling book that followed, also called Free-Range Kids, kicked off a movement that promotes childhood independence and resilience as the path for children to grow into capable, confident, and happy adults. Lenore serves as the president of Let Grow, the non-profit organization behind Free-Range Kids. On her television show World's Worst Mom, Lenore trains overprotective parents to give their children more independence and confidence. Lenore Skenazy believes that the concept of helicopter parenting, excessive and often unnecessary worry about safety, and lack of creative and slightly dangerous free play are hampering the health and growth of children. Episode sponsors: Joovv. Get an exclusive discount on your first order. Just go to Joovv.com/ben and apply my code BEN to your qualifying order. Traeger: Traegers can tackle everything from hamburgers and hotdogs to slow-smoked brisket and even dessert thanks to their 6-in-1 versatility. Check out www.Traeger.com to learn more about these amazing grills. Colima Salt: Colima salt is harvested from the Colima salt flats in Mexico, and it's super-delicious, super-crunchy, and free of ocean-borne microplastics. With every purchase, you'll be supporting the Salineros. Customers get their first bag for free. Visit www.GreenfieldSalt.com to redeem your free bag of Colima Sea Salt. Kion Aminos: Building blocks for muscle recovery, reduced cravings, better cognition, immunity, and more. Go to https://getkion.com/bengreenfield to receive 20% off on monthly deliveries and 10% on one-time purchases. RUNGA: Come hang out with me and my family for the ONE weekend I look forward to every year, way more than any vacation, or event, or trip I have planned. An event so intimate that only 50 people can attend. Spots are filling up fast so be sure to act now and apply at www.bengreenfieldlife.com/runga.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

8 Sep 202252min

My new book, Endure, is now available! I’ll gift you the first three chapters of Endure as an instantly downloadable e-book and I'll also give you a sweet discount on the exact journal my family and I developed and use each day, The Spiritual Disciplines Journal. Visit https://getendure.com for all the details!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

4 Sep 202218min

Back in June of this year, I made one of the most important decisions of my life. I announced, after much contemplation and prayer, to stop using plant medicines. In a comprehensive two-part article series that provoked a wide range of responses, I detailed my reasoning for reaching this conclusion (you can read Part 1 here and Part 2 here). And while I've returned to reiterate this decision here and there since June, I have not yet - until now - devoted an entire podcast to the subject. Today I'm doing just that, as a guest on my friend Josh Trent's Wellness + Wisdom Podcast. Josh is the CEO and founder of Wellness Force Media, a company that has a mission to help humans heal mental, emotional, and physical health through podcasts, programs, and a global community that believes in optimizing their potential to live life well. Josh has spent the past 19+ years as a trainer, researcher, and facilitator discovering the physical and emotional intelligence for humans to thrive in our modern world. In Josh's words, he has been "bouncing around inside my orbit and consciousness) for 10+ years now, but it took this rather polarizing and controversial topic to bring us together for a real discussion on his Wellness + Wisdom podcast. Now, Josh is not for or against plant medicines. He does believe that plant medicines have special use cases, and that four lifesaving "levers" that need to be taken into account when considering usage: Preparation. Was the plant medicine prepared in a sacred way? Does the shaman or facilitator have the sacred experience and trusted lineage, combined with a pure heart? Setting. Has the space been properly cleared of dark energies, and are all participants aligned with humility and curiosity? Intention. Has the participant done preliminary work to get very clear on their intention, and to not come to the medicine with a disempowered wish? Integration. Is there a pre-, peri-, and post-integration skilled facilitator so the participant will avoid going away with no lessons learned? This podcast episode may ruffle some feathers. But at the end of the day, you are the only one who can answer the profoundly important question of whether or not you will partake in plant medicine. Hopefully, this fascinating conversation with Josh will get you thinking (and if you'd rather watch the video, that's below, too). Episode sponsors: Joy Mode: Want to spice things up in the bedroom and boost your sexual performance? And do it naturally without nasty prescription drugs? We have a special offer for the Ben Greenfield audience. Go to usejoymode.com/GREENFIELD or enter GREENFIELD at checkout for 20% off your first order.  BIOPTIMIZERS (MAG)  These 7 essential forms of Magnesium included in this full spectrum serving help you relax, unwind and turn off your active brain after a long stressful day so you can rest peacefully and wake up feeling refreshed, vibrant and alert. Go to magbreakthrough.com/ben and use code ben10 for 10% off any order  Organifi (Red): Recharge your mind and body with a delicious superfood berry blend of premium, organic superfoods that contain potent adaptogens, antioxidants and a clinical dose of cordyceps. Increase energy and boost nitric oxide levels with zero caffeine and only 2 grams of sugar. Go to organifi.com/Ben for 20% off your order. Kion Aminos: Building blocks for muscle recovery, reduced cravings, better cognition, immunity, and more. Go to https://getkion.com/bengreenfield to receive 20% off on monthly deliveries and 10% on one-time purchases. Wild Health: Visit bengreenfieldlife.com/wildhealthprinciples to learn more about this experience. I really hope to see you there! Use code BG15 to get 15% off your entry fee. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

3 Sep 20221h 22min

News Flashes – Follow Ben on Twitter for more… I don't "fast" very much nor do I sit around much (high energy intake, high step count, etc.). I live what would be called a "high energy flux" lifestyle. Will visit this concept more on a PODCAST soon, but here's the basic reasons why: Eat Like an Athlete: High Flux Your Way to Apex Performance (And Get Jacked in the Process) and Everything You Thought You Knew About Burning Fat Is Wrong  and Increasing Energy Flux to Maintain Diet-Induced Weight Loss....08:07 This is why (especially if you are keto/low carb) it can feel like steroids if you do a carb refeed the night before you hit the gym hard: The Ergogenic Effects of Acute Carbohydrate Feeding on Resistance Exercise Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis....19:18 Helpful: The 8 Most Popular Ways to Do a Low-Carb Diet - The 8 Most Popular Ways to Do a Low-Carb Diet....29:40 Pretty surprising how LITTLE you need to walk after a meal to lower blood sugar: Just 2 Minutes of Walking After a Meal Is Surprisingly Good for You (2 min!)....39:07 Yogic practices suggest, and scientific evidence demonstrates, that right-nostril breathing is involved with relatively higher sympathetic activity (arousal states), while left-nostril breathing is associated with a relatively more parasympathetic activity (stress alleviating state).: EEG signatures change during unilateral Yogi nasal breathing (e.g., Zen Spray - use code BEN to save 5%)....48:25 Episode sponsors: HIYA. Get your kids the full-body nourishment they need to grow into healthy adults. We've worked out a special deal with Hiya for their best-selling children's vitamin. Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/BEN. This deal is not available on their regular website.  ARX. Whether your goals are bigger muscles, increased strength, stronger bones, or just to look good in bathing suit, ARX can help you achieve all of these and more but do so in a fraction of the time it would take compared to traditional equipment. Go to arxfit.com/ben to check it out! Essentia: Organic mattresses, the only mattress to score best on eliminating all sleep-interrupting stimulants. Experience Essentia for yourself and save an additional $100 on your mattress purchase using code BENVIP at myessentia.com/bengreenfield  Lucy Nicotine Gum: If you are looking for a cleaner and tastier alternative to other nicotine products, this product is for you. To save 20% on any order, just use discount code BEN20. Kion Aminos: Building blocks for muscle recovery, reduced cravings, better cognition, immunity, and more. Go to https://getkion.com/bengreenfield to receive 20% off on monthly deliveries and 10% on one-time purchases.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1 Sep 20221h 14min