Bountifull Podcast

In this episode, Cheryl Sew Hoy explains how gut health affects immunity, mental health, hormones, and resilience, drawing on both microbiome science and her own experience building Tiny Health . She shares how a deeply personal journey into motherhood led her to rethink gut health as a foundation for lifelong wellbeing, and why the microbiome - particularly in the first 1,000 days of a babies lif...

In this episode of the Bountifull Podcast, we sit down with Tasman Denize , the creator behind NZ Wild Adventures , to talk about life lived close to the land - hunting, fishing, boating, camping, and many very remote solo adventures. Raised in the remote Marlborough Sounds, Tasman grew up with solitude, self-reliance, and a deep connection to nature as everyday realities. Our conversation explore...

Hayden Paddon is one of the world’s top rally drivers, but this conversation goes well beyond motorsport. It’s about what happens inside a person when the pressure is high, the stakes are real, and nothing is guaranteed. Hayden grew up around racing and has spent most of his life pushing cars — and himself — to their limits. From winning a World Championship in Argentina to losing his seat, his co...

What if defiance wasn’t a flaw, but a skill? In this episode, Dr. Sunita Sah—physician, behavioural scientist, and author of Defy —shares how reclaiming agency and redefining what it means to say “no” can change the trajectory of our lives. Raised to equate goodness with compliance, Sunita’s journey is a powerful reminder that being agreeable often comes at a cost: to our integrity, our well-being...

What if the simplest acts of giving could transform your confidence, resilience, and sense of purpose? In this inspiring episode, resilience psychologist Dr Alia Bojilova shares why contribution—small acts of meaningful generosity—can profoundly shape our lives, communities, and well-being. Drawing from her diverse background—from a childhood in post-communist Bulgaria to her distinguished career...

“So much of what’s meaningful about science is the process of discovering something that nobody else knew.” What can the universe teach us about being human? For astrophysicist and NASA program scientist Joshua Pepper, the answer lies in curiosity, contribution, and learning to sit with the unknown. In this episode of the Bountifull Podcast , we talk about exoplanets, randomness, and the emotional...

“I wanted more stuff that felt like it was mine.” Zara Jilling’s life has been defined by excellence — elite basketballer, top of her class, and a rising force in AI. But behind the accolades is a story of transition, questioning, and quiet reinvention. In this episode, she opens up about the intensity of her athletic and corporate years, the quarter-life unraveling that followed, and the slow, te...

“There isn’t one rote path that you have to take to reach a goal... it’s okay to meander a little bit and live life and kind of explore.” For Agnar Hall, the journey to NASA wasn’t linear—it was layered. In this episode, he opens up about stepping away from a PhD, working at Starbucks while healing from fibromyalgia, and embracing his identity as a transgender man. With gentle candour and sharp in...

“A bountiful life is driven by action, not by money.” — Pascal Wagner What does it really mean to be financially free—and how do you know when you have enough? In this powerful conversation, Pascal Wagner shares his journey from startup founder to investor, unpacking the mindset, strategies, and personal challenges that shaped his relationship with money. From accumulating and managing $8.5 millio...

What do you build when the world around you wasn’t designed with you in mind? For Emma Bates, the answer was Diem - a social search engine and online community where women’s lived experiences are turned into collective knowledge and wisdom. In this week’s episode of the Bountifull Podcast , we sit down with Emma to talk about entrepreneurship, building what you wish existed, the value of asking be...

"Food is a bridge. It's one of the few places where people let their guard down and are open to learning something new." — Adrian Miller This week on the Bountifull Podcast, we sit down with Adrian Miller—lawyer, author, former White House advisor, and James Beard Award-winning soul food historian—for a rich conversation about how culture, history, and food shape our identity. From growing up in a...

This week on the Bountifull Podcast , we’re joined by Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad , professor of psychology and neuroscience, and one of the world’s leading researchers on social connection. Julianne’s work has shaped global public health policy and sparked a deeper understanding of why our relationships matter—not just emotionally, but physically, cognitively, and even biologically. Together, we ex...

This week on the Bountifull Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Kristin Francis , psychiatrist, educator, and passionate advocate for brain health. In this honest and practical conversation, we explore the spectrum of mental health—from depression and anxiety to resilience and wellness—and how we can begin to understand our brains with more clarity, compassion, and curiosity. Kristin offers a powerful re...

This week on the Bountifull Podcast, we’re joined by Dirk Philipsen , Duke professor, economic historian, and one of the world’s leading thinkers on capitalism and well-being. In a world where burnout, inequality, and the pressure to grow at all costs feel ever-present, this conversation gives voice to so many of the questions we quietly carry—but don’t always have the words for. Together, we expl...

Hey friends, Welcome to Season Three of the Bountifull Podcast. This season, we’ve got eleven incredible episodes that help us explore what it means to live a bountiful life—through themes like contribution, depression, gratitude, culture and identity, entrepreneurship, passive income, social connection, exercise, and even capitalism. My goal, as always, is to bring you conversations with extraord...

"You don’t have to believe in energy for it to affect you. You’ve walked into a room and felt tension. You’ve met people who drain you, and others who light you up. We are all picking up on energy, whether we realize it or not." This week on the Bountifull Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Rick Leskowitz , a Harvard-affiliated psychiatrist, researcher, and expert in pain management, energy he...

🌟 "Most people can do anything, but a lot of people interpret that to mean they can do everything. And that’s just not true. You have to choose." 🌟 The startup world is filled with big dreams, bold bets, and the constant pressure to be right. But what if the secret to success isn’t about always getting it right, but learning how to be wrong? Rowan Simpson has spent decades at the heart...

"I try to squeeze every last drop out of life that I can. If I could have two or three shots at it, I would. There's just so much to explore." Ever feel like you're too old to start over? Think again. Some people tiptoe through life—Lindsay Kaldon is not one of them. A NASA project manager, nuclear engineer, Air Force officer, pilot, and mother of four, she radiates energy and curiosity, always lo...

🌟 "I don’t think bountiful always has to mean money. It doesn’t always have to mean success in the world’s eyes. Bountiful to me is that my kids want to talk to me every day, that I have love in my life, and that I’m in a place where I don’t have to worry anymore." 🌟 What does it really mean to live a bountiful life? For Jessica Mogford, it’s not about status or wealth—it’s about resil...

🌟 “Belonging isn’t something you achieve; it’s something you discover within yourself and nurture in the communities around you.” 🌟 This week on the Bountifull Podcast, I sit down with David Spinks, community builder, coach, and author of The Business of Belonging, to explore the intricate interplay of community, belonging, and self-discovery. From his journey of building CMX, a global community...

🌟 “Money touches every part of our lives—it’s not just numbers. It’s emotional, personal, and deeply connected to our values.” 🌟 Money shapes so much of our lives, from the decisions we make daily to the conversations we have (or avoid) with our loved ones—and even the internal dialogue we have with ourselves. For many of us, it’s tied to ingrained habits, childhood experiences, and relationship...

🌟 “If you want to live a happy life, don’t focus on finding your own happiness—focus on serving others, and you’ll wake up one day and realize you’re happy.” 🌟 This week on the Bountifull Podcast , we’re joined by Adam Wardel , a lawyer, leader, father, and self-described work-in-progress who lives (quite literally) in Bountiful, Utah. In this refreshingly practical conversation, Adam talks abou...

"Purpose needs to be actionable, aligned, and authentic. It's not about lofty ideas; it's about how you live on a Wednesday afternoon." Feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to find your purpose? You're not alone. In this episode, I sit down with Nell Derick Debevoise—speaker, coach, and best-selling author—to explore how to find purpose in your life without the crushing weight...

"Doing everything will burn you out. Focus on a few things and do them well—that’s how you build something that lasts." This week on the Bountifull Podcast , we head to the Shenandoah Valley in rural Virginia (USA) to explore what it means to live with purpose and focus with Ty Walker , a trout farmer and steward of a historic 1930s hatchery. Ty shares his remarkable journey of leaving the noise a...

🌟 "A bountiful life isn’t one without stress—it’s about learning how to embrace and manage it. Without stress, life would lose its meaning." 🌟 In this episode of the Bountifull Podcast , we dive deep into the science of stress, resilience, and the transformative power of awe with Dr. Paula G. Williams, a Professor of Clinical and Health Psychology at the University of Utah. Paula’s pioneering re...