Stronger Weekly

Many Americans feel let down by primary care. Short visits, endless referrals, and a system that reacts to illness rather than preventing it. The result: rising costs, worsening health outcomes, and a growing sense that the foundation of our healthcare system is broken. But what if there’s another way? Chloe Harrouche, breast cancer survivor and founder of The Lanby , believes the answer lies in a...

Can supplements support sobriety? Or help you drink less? Mike Hardenbrook—founder of Cloud 9, author, and host of the Alcohol Reset podcast—joins Running Free to unpack the role supplements can play in recovery and alcohol use disorder. From amino acids and gut health to dopamine support and cravings, this conversation explores a growing area of interest: nutritional support for the sober and sob...

For decades, the dominant message in recovery has been clear: quit completely, or fail. But what if there’s another way? Journalist, author, and podcast host Katie Herzog joins Running Free to discuss her new book, Drink Your Way Sober —a deeply personal and well-researched look into The Sinclair Method, a medication-assisted approach that helps people reduce or eliminate alcohol without white-knu...

The Variety Pack is back—and somehow, you keep raising the bar. In this episode, we answer your most honest (and hilarious) questions about fitness, fatherhood, faith, productivity, and mental health—with no prep and no filter. This week: - Our Top 10 Exercises for life - Can being too nice hurt your kids later in life? - What should the next 10 years of your marriage look like? - How do you balan...

Could toxic relationships and personality disorders be the most overlooked public health crisis of our time? In this episode, Dr. Jamie Huysman—clinical psychologist, social worker, and founder of the STAR Network—joins Jesse to unpack the shocking reality behind Cluster B personality disorders (narcissistic, borderline, antisocial, and histrionic) and their devastating ripple effects across famil...

What’s it really like to be a stay-at-home dad in America? In this raw and honest episode, Jesse sits down with longtime friend and future fellow podcaster Dave Lipay (The Off Tangent Podcast, Coming Soon) for a conversation about ALL THINGS parenting, and being a Stay-at-Home Dad. From wrestling with ego and identity, to finding meaning in the daily chaos, they unpack the decision to stay home, t...

Many veterans today are suffering—and isolation is a key cause. Without the shared mission and tribe of active duty life, mental and emotional wounds can deepen in silence. Could nature, skill, and community be the antidote? Retired Lt. Col. John “Saint” Langford thinks so. As CEO of Project Healing Waters, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving disabled veterans, Langford now leads one of the most unique...

The Variety Pack is back—and yes, it’s as unpredictable as ever. We’re tackling your best (and weirdest) questions about fitness, faith, health, and real life with zero filter and plenty of laughs. This week: - What your pee color says about your supplement stack - Are peptides worth the hype—or just expensive hope? - How alcohol affects your brain long-term - Can fitness become a new addiction? -...

How would the world be different if everyone had a good father? In this special Father’s Day Week episode, we ask a simple but powerful question: What makes a good dad? Drawing from wisdom, research, and personal experience, this episode explores four pillars that every parent can strive toward: protection, provision, presence, and praise. Whether you're a dad, want to be one, or reflecting on...

We don’t like to talk about death—but what if your fear of death is shaping how you live, and driving your anxiety? In this solo episode, Jesse shares how his personal experiences with death—and how a therapist’s simple question unlocked a deep truth: our fear of death may be the hidden source of our anxiety, ambition, and need for control. Drawing from global traditions, we explore what Christian...

Should you drink less, or not at all? As summer starts, we want to help you answer this question and give you the tools to stay on whatever wagon YOU choose. We cover: - NA drinks, THC, nicotine, and what actually helps - The workouts, supplements, and habits that keep us anchored - How to use accountability, routine, and mindset to stay consistent - Why it’s not about being perfect—it’s about kno...

Welcome to the first-ever Running Free Variety Pack — a new monthly tradition where we let our hair down, field listener questions, react to surprise prompts, and riff on everything from the meaningful to the ridiculous. This week: • Is flexing in the mirror a crime?• The origin story of Justin's nickname• Who is the more mature gentlemen?• Our gym pet peeves• Our go-to healthy fast-food spots...

Do you really need to lift weights to be healthy? Is intermittent fasting a magic bullet for fat loss? Should you be tracking every macro, every day? In this episode of Running Free , Jesse and co-host Justin Maziarz cut through the noise and tackle some of the most persistent myths in fitness today. From cold plunges to HIIT to calorie counting, they explore what’s legit, what’s overhyped, and wh...

Modern parenting is exhausting—and the answer isn’t doing more. What if being a "Good Enough" parent is more than enough for your kids? On this week's episode, we talk about the quiet exhaustion of modern parenting, why perfectionism is stealing our joy (and presence), and how social media has warped our sense of what it means to be a “good parent.” If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, guilty, or like...

Workaholism is a hidden addiction quietly wrecking your health, relationships, and happiness. You've probably bought into the myth of hustle culture, but what's it really costing you? Today, we explore the real dangers behind work addiction, why modern society glorifies burnout, and practical steps to reclaim your life and priorities. Expect to learn how to recognize true workaholism, why obsessiv...

Nicotine is one of the most controversial—and misunderstood—substances in modern health. Touted by some as a cognitive enhancer and demonized by others as dangerously addictive, what's the truth behind nicotine? In this episode, we unpack the science to reveal nicotine's actual effects on your brain, body, and behavior. From ancient rituals to modern-day vaping, from cognitive boosts to severe wit...

Caffeine is the most widely used psychoactive drug on the planet—but how much do you actually know about it? From lattes to pre-workouts, it’s sold as a productivity booster and performance hack. But underneath the buzz, there's a darker side: anxiety, disrupted sleep, dependency, and withdrawals. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the world’s favorite legal drug and unpack what your dai...

In this episode, Jesse sits down with Vedant Pradeep, the co-founder and CEO of Reframe—the #1 neuroscience-backed app helping over 3 million people drink less and live more. Together, they explore how behavioral science, daily habit loops, and community-based tools are reshaping what recovery and moderation can look like. Vedant also introduces Liquid Luck , a new line of functional, alcohol-free...

Spring is here—and that means it’s time to shift gears. Host Jesse Carrajat shares his complete fat loss strategy designed to help you safely, and effectively shed excess fat and build confidence going into Summer 2025. This episode lays out the exact blueprint Jesse uses every year to cut body fat while staying strong—refined over two decades of training and coaching. You’ll learn: How to impleme...

Men today are more anxious, depressed, and addicted than ever before. Despite living in an era of unprecedented convenience, male suicide rates remain alarmingly high, addiction is rising, and isolation has become the norm. So what’s really going on? In this episode, Jesse sits down with David “Goose” Mills, founder of Men’s Alliance, to break down the state of men’s mental health in 2025 and why...

Social media isn’t just a habit—it’s a full-blown addiction. It hijacks your brain, steals your time, and rewires the way you think, work, and interact with the world. And the worst part? It’s happening to millions of people without them even realizing it. In this episode, we break down five shocking statistics that expose the true cost of social media addiction—not just on your mental health, but...

Stress isn’t going anywhere. Life will throw punches, pressure will build, and if you don’t have a plan, stress will own you. That’s why in Part 2 of the Mastering Stress series, we’re moving beyond the foundation (sleep, nutrition, and organization) and diving into real-time stress management strategies—the tools that help you absorb stress, channel it into something productive, and break the cyc...

Stress is the #1 reason people self-medicate—whether it’s alcohol, food, social media, or any other escape. But here’s the truth: you don’t need another drink, another distraction, or another excuse. You need a gameplan. This is Part 1 of the Mastering Stress series, where we stop playing defense and start playing offense. In this episode, we break down the three pillars of stress-proofing your li...

Navigating the complexities of mental health insurance coverage can be daunting, but it's essential to ensure you receive the care you deserve. In this episode, we delve into effective strategies to help you: - Understand Your Coverage : Learn about the mental health services your insurance plan offers and how to access them. - Advocate for Yourself : Equip yourself with tools and knowledge to...

In this episode, we sit down with Chris Herren, former NBA star and the subject of ESPN's acclaimed 30 for 30 documentary, Unguarded . We explore the pressing question: Are today's youth more addicted than previous generations? Chris's perspective may surprise you. Drawing from his extensive experience speaking across the country, he offers insights into the challenges and resilience of today's yo...