Sourdough Modernity

In this special crossover episode, guest host Paul Brown — barbershop owner, life insurance pro, and creator of It’s Always Personal in Philadelphia — jumps in to co-host and open up his studio as we sit down with someone we both know from North Star Mixed Martial Arts: Jay. When I first walked into North Star MMA, I wasn’t there to make friends. Hood up, earbuds in, train hard, go home. That was...

In this episode, I dive deep into Crataegus spp., the beloved hawthorn — an herb, well technically tree of the heart, both physically and energetically. From easing grief and heartbreak to strengthening the cardiovascular system, hawthorn has long been a bridge between emotional and physical healing. I share folklore, personal stories, and ways to work with hawthorn through tea, syrup, and solid e...

In this episode, we sit down with Dalton Dreihaus — better known online as someidiotwithawrench — to dig into what it really means to be working class in America today. From the garage to the grain field, Dalton brings a no-BS perspective on how car culture, farming, and labor have all been twisted by modern narratives. We talk about how the working class — the original left — built the foundation...

What’s in a name? In this episode, I share the heart and meaning behind Savage Souls Botaniks — where it came from, and what it truly stands for. We dive into the deeper layers of the health care industry, the patterns of the American diet, and why herbal healing, though it may take longer, offers a gentler, more sustainable path toward true wellness. I also touch on practical ways to avoid health...

This week, we’re calling it like we see it. Too many Christians in America preach love and humility on Sunday but live in contradiction the rest of the week. My brother and I share what we’ve seen firsthand—how faith can get tangled in politics, judgment, and money instead of the teachings of Jesus. We talk about how supporting harsh immigration policies and agencies like U.S. Immigration and Cust...

In this episode, we dive into the soothing world of my Aches Away Salve — a rich, sun-infused blend crafted to ease tired muscles, melt away tension, and bring comfort back to your body. I share how wildcrafted Brittle Bush, along with organic Lavender, Chamomile, and Calendula, come together to relieve pain, inflammation, and stiffness while nourishing the skin. Plus, we explore how turmeric and...

Our parents split for good reasons — Mom knew how to love us, and Allen… well, he didn’t. She built a good life after the divorce. He built walls. Now they’re both aging, both fragile in different ways — Mom recovering from a stroke, Allen in the hospital after a heart attack — and we’re grappling with how much we do or do not care. In this episode, I talk with my dad — the man who spent most of h...

In this week’s episode, we’re talking all about one of my favorite everyday essentials — the Wounded Warrior Salve — my grown-up version of the “boo boo bear” I begged my mom for every time I scraped a knee or got a bruise back in the 90’s. (Yes, I may have cried when she finally threw it away — what can I say, I’m a nostalgic soul.) This salve is that same kind of comfort in a tin — soothing, ant...

In an age where hot takes go viral and nuance gets lost in the noise, real conversations are becoming rare. Why is it so hard to disagree without disrespect? In this episode, we dive into the lost art of debate — where listening, asking questions, and actually learning used to matter. We explore what’s changed, why people seem more interested in being right than being informed, and how we can brin...

This week on The Herbal Corner, we’re steeping into calm with You’ve Got a Lot of Nerve Tea — a blend crafted to help you steady, ground, and come home to yourself. This tea soothes the body, mind, and nervous system, bringing a sense of ease and peace whether you sip it in the quiet of morning, after dinner, or before bed, oh yeah and it helps your gut! Let this cup remind you: you are safe here....

Episode Description: What does it really mean to be professional in today’s world? Spoiler: it’s not about wearing a suit, fitting in, or playing corporate games. In this episode, we challenge outdated ideas of professionalism and call for a new standard — one rooted in merit, emotional intelligence, and basic human decency. We unpack how societal norms around appearance, behavior, and success hav...

This week on The Herbal Corner, we’re basking in the beauty of Mist by a Rose — a cooling botanical toner that blends the soft, heart-opening essence of rose, the refreshing clarity of mint, and the beautifying magic of hibiscus. Inspired by the scales of Libra season, beauty and balance this episode explores how this mist supports your skin. Perfect as a morning ritual, a midday reset, or a post-...

What do we expect from influencers when their platforms grow bigger than the networks that once shaped public opinion? Should they be held accountable if their followers take action — even violently? And would they keep speaking out if they knew what might come from it? In this episode, we’re joined by Dustin aka @burnest_hemingway to talk about the dangerous dance between influence, censorship, a...

✨ Herbal Corner: Goddess Divine Blend ✨ In this episode, I share the story behind my Goddess Divine remedy—a heart-centered blend created to nourish the sacred line between the throat, heart, and root. This medicine is an invitation to remember that every day is a special occasion, a chance to come home to ourselves and connect with the goddess within. Motherwort leads this formula, reminding us...

In this wide-ranging and provocative conversation, we sit down with Eric of the Austin art-punk band Big Bill to talk about everything from Gaza to ice, fascism to public schools, and how songs blowing up on Instagram still hold revolutionary potential. Eric opens up about the power of creative teaching, the shame behind ICE’s masks, and whether Kendrick Lamar could lead the next revolution. He al...

Our very first Herbal Corner! Jenn the founder of Savage Souk Botaniks will be dropping by weekly to give us advice on how to live a more happy healthy life. https://www.savagesoulsbotaniks.com Be healthy y’all.

In this deeply personal follow-up episode, I sit down with my wife, Stephanie, to talk about the heart attack—not from my perspective, but from hers. We dive into what it was like for her to suddenly become a caretaker, how it felt to watch her partner in pain, and the emotional weight of fearing the worst. Stephanie opens up about the isolation, the sleepless nights, the quiet moments of panic, a...

This isn’t your typical feel-good story. It’s better. In this deeply moving episode of Sourdough Modernity, we sit down with Mike Mac — a man who’s lived through health scares, personal losses, and societal breakdowns, and still chooses kindness every time. From surviving cancer and getting a heart stent, to bringing a homeless man home for the night, Mike shares raw reflections on what it means t...

In this powerful and wide-ranging conversation, Dustin joins Sourdough Modernity to dig deep into the fractures that keep working people divided — and the forces that benefit from it. From the artificiality of race as a construct to the way white identity has been used to split the working class, we examine the myths that uphold systemic power. We talk about the quiet dangers of choosing comfort o...

In this unapologetic episode, we talk with Samantha of Project HOME about the brutal realities of homelessness in Philadelphia — and the rising efforts to criminalize it. Samantha shares what it really takes to fight for housing, dignity, and justice on the ground. But we don’t stop there. We also go in on toxic masculinity, the incel mindset, and why our right to porn deserves defending in a cult...

The two-party system is broken — and Teddy Roosevelt wouldn’t stand for it. In this Sourdough Modernity rally cry, we channel the spirit of the Bull Moose himself to take back patriotism from performative flag-waving, Cosplay law enforcement and put it where it belongs: defending freedom, justice, and community. We’re talking voting rights for the incarcerated, rehabilitation over punishment, and...

In this episode, we catch up with Jake from TRASHxSTRIKE to talk about the recent Philadelphia trash strike, the value of labor, and why paying workers a living wage should matter to all of us — especially those of us raised on the ethics of DIY and community care. We dig into how the systems we live under often exploit the people who keep everything moving, and why it’s time to take that personal...

In this insightful (and, let’s be real, not-quite-as-intuitive) recap, we revisit the powerful conversation with Jenn Bell, founder of Savage Soul Botaniks. Jenn breaks down her work in herbalism, astrology, and ancestral healing, sharing how she weaves together plant medicine and cosmic insight to support collective and spiritual transformation. We also expand the conversation beyond the personal...

In this raw and inspiring episode of Sourdough Modernity, we dive deep into a life-altering event—one that nearly took me out but ultimately will morph into positive lifestyle changes. A few weeks ago, I experienced a heart attack. It was terrifying! Join me as we reflect on what happened during those intense moments and how this event reshaped my outlook on health, purpose, and everything in betw...

🎙️ Guest Bio: Sheila Harvey, LCSW Sheila Harvey is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 30 years of experience in relationship and trauma therapy. She holds advanced degrees in Clinical Psychology and Social Work, and specializes in helping people heal from narcissistic abuse and toxic love patterns. We explore: 🧪 The biology of love: Why “honeymoon highs” trigger dopamine, oxytocin, corti...