The Way of Kami: 8 Million Ways to Happiness Through Japanese Ritual, Nature, & Renewal with Hiroko Yoda – Episode 436

Joy isn't something you chase. It's something you notice, when you finally stop, put down your phone, and look around. In this episode, Peter Fenger sits down with Hiroko Yoda, a Tokyo-born cultural historian, writer, and journalist who has spent decades making Japanese spirituality, folklore, and tradition feel alive and accessible for Western audiences. A certified Shinto cultural historian and former Miko shrine dancer, Hiroko has authored and co-authored numerous books exploring Japan's rich spiritual heritage, and co-founded AltJapan Co., Ltd., a creative bridge helping Japanese storytellers in video games, anime, manga, and film share their work with the world. Her latest book, “Eight Million Ways to Happiness: Wisdom for Inspiration and Healing from the Heart of Japan”, is at once a memoir, a travel log, and a cultural deep dive. Drawing on the Shinto concept of kami, the countless unseen presences said to inhabit everything from mountains and oceans to the words we speak, Hiroko invites readers to loosen their grip on rigid ideas of belief and discover spirituality as something far more flexible, practical, and personal. Part grief journey, part cultural history, the book shows how small rituals, reverence for nature, and a spirit of play can make us feel less alone, even in the hardest seasons of life. Today, we explore what it means to live as though everything has a spirit, and why that simple shift in perspective might be one of the most powerful tools we have.

From Chronic Pain to Full Recovery: How Nervana Is Rewriting the Rules of Healing with Nora Rodden – Episode 435

Your nervous system learned danger. It can learn safety too. In this episode, Peter Fenger sits down with Nora Rodden, CEO and co-founder of Nervana, a science-based mobile app helping people regulate their nervous systems and reclaim their lives from chronic pain. After a life-altering car accident left her suffering from chronic pain, GI issues, and insomnia for over five years, Nora didn't find relief through injections, surgery, or nerve ablation. She found it through neuroscience. A clinical trial at Harvard Business School introduced her to the power of mind-body therapy, and effectively rewired her brain's alarm system. Now, drawing on her background in biotech and her training as a certified yoga teacher, she's on a mission to bring these evidence-based neuroplasticity tools out of the research lab and into the hands of millions. In this conversation, Nora takes us inside her recovery, the science behind chronic pain, and how Nervana is helping users move from a chronic state of fight-or-flight back to one of lasting internal safety, one small, powerful experiment at a time.

The Brain Architect: How Movement, Food, & Purpose Reshape Your Hippocampus with Dr. Majid Fotuhi – Episode 434

Your hippocampus isn't a fixed shape, it's a garden. With the right sleep, movement, and purpose, it can actually grow larger and stronger at any age. In this episode, Sharlee Dixon sits down with Dr. Majid Fotuhi, a pioneering neurologist and neuroscientist with more than 35 years of experience in brain health, memory, neuroplasticity, and the prevention of Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Fotuhi earned his PhD in neuroscience from Johns Hopkins, completed his medical training at Harvard Medical School, and returned to Johns Hopkins for his neurology residency, where he now serves as an adjunct professor. Known for translating complex brain science into practical tools, his award-winning work has helped thousands improve memory, focus, and clarity. His expertise has been featured on CNN, NBC News, the Today Show, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and more. He is also the author of the new book “The Invincible Brain: The Clinically Proven Plan to Age-Proof Your Brain and Stay Sharp for Life.” In this conversation, Dr. Fotuhi shares the science behind his 12-week program and the everyday habits, movement, nutrition, mindset, stress control, purpose, and even embracing boredom, that help prevent cognitive decline and keep your mind sharp for life.