Better High Podcast

In this episode of the Better High Podcast , I take the mound for the Gotham Comedy Club softball team in Central Park’s Performing Arts League, sharing what it’s like to pitch under pressure, compete with friends, and discover the mental side of the game. Along the way, I talk with Sean Taylor , artistic director of the Magnet Theater and host of the 31 Days of Pizza podcast, about the mental sid...

On this episode of The Better High Podcast, Matt catches up one last time with runners from the Fleet Feet Princeton Marathon Training Program. This third and final interview reflects on their triumphs, struggles, and lessons that emerged from marathon training. Zhen, Nick, Ben, and Fletcher shared honest reflections on race day, injuries, recovery, and the mental resilience it takes to keep movin...

On this episode of the Better High Podcast, we talk about hitting the waves with my surfing buddy Alex Hernandez and the surf team from Ocean City High School in New Jersey. We talked about the natural high of surfing, the unique bond of going out in big surf together and finding freedom in the ocean. From early-morning winter swells to the confidence building benefits of learning how to manage em...

On this episode of the Better High Podcast, we lace up for a conversation about endurance, mindset, and the natural high that comes from pushing beyond what you thought was possible. Guest hosts Dr. Dara Bellace — Fleet Feet Princeton run coach — and podcast audio engineer Steve Blumenthal brave the chilly weather with three runners preparing to take on the Jersey City Marathon: Jenny Castro, Zhen...

On this episode, we examine the natural high of acting. Our guest today is someone who lives at the powerful intersection of performance and psychology. Dr. Mykee Fowlin is an accomplished actor, writer, and clinical psychologist who has spent his career using the stage not just to entertain, but to challenge, heal, and transform. Mykee brings a rare depth to his work—whether he’s performing one o...

We caught up with the Fleet Feet Princeton marathon training group as they prepare for their big races in April.  Our first interview was with Ben Saunders, an IT specialist at Princeton University, who says running makes him feel more comfortable being uncomfortable. Then we interviewed Nick Woodbury, a dad of three and a podcast producer at Hidden Brain. Nick finds that running gives him more en...

In this episode, Matt sits down with singer-songwriter Harry Singer for a unique before-and-after conversation about the natural high of singing. Harry was performing at Small World Coffee in Princeton, NJ on Valentine's Day. The interview captured Harry's process of rehearsal that allows him to be more "in the moment" during the show and what he thinks about distractions while performing. The epi...

In this episode, Matt visits one of the top high school wrestling programs in the country at Wyoming Seminary in Kingston, Pennsylvania. He sits down with team captains Brian Chamberlin and Lucas Parietti to talk about the natural high that comes from intense training, competition, and being part of an elite program. Matt even tries to capture the sound of practice—but the action is a little too m...

Matt left New Jersey during one of the coldest stretches of the winter to walk the beach in Naples, FL. Join him as he interviews longtime Florida football coach turned motivational speaker, Billy Sparacio. Coach Sparacio literally created the athletics department at First Baptist Academy, guiding the football team to a state champion. His story has all the ups and downs of a great football game,...

Turning 50 is a big milestone. This episode's guest, Drea Jacome Potocny, decided to commemorate it by running a marathon or almost two! 50 miles on her 50th birthday! Dr. Bellace biked alongside Drea, talked about life, turning 50 and her new initiative, Sobrie-tour, introducing people to a 90-day alcohol fast. Dr. Bellace also revisits fun speaking tour trips to Wyoming Seminary, The Hun School...

Matt interviews several friends of the podcast at post-run coffee about their favorite natural high of 2025 and what natural highs they're looking forward to in 2026. The "cold open" of the episode is literally a cold open, as Matt goes surfing on his birthday in Manasquan, NJ. at sunrise. We hope this episode helps you reflect on your favorite natural high of the year and inspires you to be "daun...

Finishing a marathon is a natural high, perhaps the most well documented of its type. This episode we have the podcast's very own Steve Blumenthal, finishing his first marathon in Philadelphia. Steve battled a head cold and nagging self-doubt but emerged triumphant in his quest!  Congrats to Steve on an impressive effort. Matt also recounts nearly losing the footage and the natural high of celebra...

The idea for the Better High Pod started while I was biking along the side my wife's Saturday morning run club. I noticed how open the runners, many of whom did not know me at all, were with opening up to me. The 45-mintue runs felt a lot like an intake interview at the beginning of a therapeutic relationship. This episode features Alex Windrem, a New Jersey native, youth lacrosse coach and fellow...

Rowing is both a euphoric and calming natural high, according to our guest this week, long time rower Susan Weinstein. Susan is the Director of Employee Assistance Program and Student Wellness Program at Rutgers University and has lot of experience rowing. On the hand, I do not have much experience which explains why I almost tip us into Carnegie Lake!  Join us on a beautiful late summer evening,...

The Helper's High is real and it may feel better than the rest. That's the opinion of this episode's guest, Cheryl Stavola. She's put together a life of helping others, from teaching, volunteering and now working for the Tigger Stavola Foundation. Cherly is my point person at the foundation and accompanies me to the many schools I speak at in New Jersey. It's fitting that I interview her during th...

Music has the power to transform to your life. Marine Corps veteran and frontman for the band Star City Syndicate, Doug Cronkhite is a living example of this transformation. Doug shares his talent and his journey in this episode of the Better High Podcast. Matt met Doug in 2014 at the Aroostook Teen Leadership Conference in Presque Isle, Maine. Each year, he looks forward to Doug's infectious laug...

We descended upon Gotham City for this episode to join Summer Streets, an event which involves closing over 400 blocks of New York City streets so runners, bikers and fringe characters can get out of their apartments. Dr. John Cave was our surprise interview! He shared his insights on the natural high of running (and swimming) from the perspective of a guy with two boys, a PhD in chemistry, and a...

In the first episode of the second season, we dive into the world of swimming. It's not just an immersive form of exercise, but it's a natural high for the mind and body. From the meditative rhythm of laps to laughing about the crazies who insist on bumping you when they share a lane, we talk about it all. More importantly, we talk about it with my indefatigable wife, Dr. Dara Bellace! She's a cli...

In the final show before summer break, Matt played a round of golf with his buddy, Ty Sells. You may remember him from the episode on public speaking. Ty is a nationally recognized speaker, author and longtime friend. They discuss how golf qualifies as a natural high and how the hang might be the best part.  Ty's stoic philosophy about the game of golf comes out after Matt hits several lucky shots...

This episode focuses on Central Park softball in New York City. Specifically, the Gotham Comedy Club softball team and its longtime manager, Tom Burnett.  Tom invites Matt to play a few times a year when the team needs players since he used to co-manage the team in the late 2000's. Explore the natural highs and natural lows of softball through the course of one game. Jump to 6:50 to hear the inter...

Is walking a natural high? We'll answer the question while out for a vigorous walk with a climate scientist affiliated with Princeton University and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Bill Hurlin.  Walking tends to be a default natural high after an injury, but it might be the most convenience and low cost natural high in the world. In this interview, Matt and Bill chat about the...

This episode explores the natural high of traveling with Matt's first cousin, John Bellace. He's a physical therapist for Penn Medicine in South Jersey and has traveled the world. John reflects on big moments during trips to Sicily, the Vatican, the Galapagos Islands and Ecuador. Matt also talks about recent speaking gigs and escaping the kids for a night to be with his wife at the Broad Street Ru...

Phil Januszewski is a dynamic keynote speaker dedicated to spreading positivity and well-being. Many years ago, he worked as a line cook and decided he loved food too much to make a meal for people and not see them enjoy it. He brought his passion for food into the high school physics classroom, where he taught for over a decade.  Now, Phil is embarking on a career as a professional speaker.  He's...

Is public speaking a natural high? How about a traveling around and being paid to speak? This episode's guest is a longtime professional speaker and friend, Ty Sells. After decades on the stage, Ty knows as well as anyone the highs and lows of public speaking. The episode takes place during Matt and Ty's training for prevention specialists in Columbus, Ohio. Ty brings energy, genuine humor and hea...

In this episode, Matt bikes alongside Shahram Hejazi, Princeton professor, entrepreneur and investor. Shahram reflects on his first few years in America and what it's like to live alone at 15 years old! We learn about his philosophy of "things could always be worse" and how that helps in him today. In addition, Matt sums up his packed week of natural highs and lows traveling throughout New Jersey...