The Johnjay Van Es Podcast

Want the real story on stem cell treatments? Dr. Rafael Gonzalez breaks down what actually works, what is marketing hype, and why the results come from signaling, not new organs. You’ll learn: What culture-expanded umbilical cord lining cells do Why dosing changes by goal, from autoimmune to performance Real patient results, and what to expect The lifestyle habits that make treatments stick If you...

Pressure doesn’t disappear under the bright lights; it explodes. We chat with the Phoenix Suns’ performance psychiatrist about how players keep their cool, bounce back from injury, and avoid the flashy “quick fixes” that don’t actually work. We break down what really moves the needle: CBT, mindfulness, sleep hacks, confidence drills, and rehab routines that actually stick. Plus, we get into the NB...

What happens when a 15-year-old turns raw talent into a real music career without losing himself? We sit down with Recker Eans and his firefighter dad to hear the story from birthday drum kits to a Republic Records deal and a boy band boot camp with choreographers behind Justin Bieber and Janet Jackson. We cover early Disney gigs, intense dance and vocal sessions, and how Wrecker stays true to him...

She started as a 16-year-old HR intern just trying to pay for acrylic nails. Now she runs Phoenix Raceway. This episode is a full-throttle career story. Growing up in the West Valley, buying a condo at 21, learning money early, and saying yes to an opportunity that felt way bigger than the job description. She breaks down how she learned NASCAR by walking garages, talking to pit crews, and obsessi...

From a family kitchen to iconic restaurants, Larry “Lo-lo” White shares how he turned home recipes into Lo-lo’s Chicken & Waffles and a growing hospitality empire. Hear stories from his record-label days, celebrity encounters, and lessons on staffing, consistency, and running community-driven restaurants that double as destination dining. We also dive into his personal reset—losing 50 pounds,...

Build a global pizza empire without selling out, that’s the story of CEO, Joseph M. Ciolli, behind 50+ Grimaldi's locations and a clean-label sauce brand sold on Amazon, Walmart, and 5,000 stores worldwide. We dive into heritage, franchising internationally, keeping quality over shortcuts, and scaling retail without losing the soul of the brand.  He also shares a personal health reset with tr...

Boost your heart health with simple, science-backed habits that actually work.   Preventive cardiologist, Dr. Jack Wolfson, shares how sleep, clean food, movement, stress management, and toxin reduction improve heart function and lower cardiovascular risk. Learn practical tips to track lab markers like hs-CRP, omega-3, and glutathione, plus daily signals that show progress.  Say goodbye to wellnes...

Phones crashed, callers vanished, and even a Disneyland giveaway went sideways— but Johnjay Van Es and his wife, Blake, turned chaos into laughs and real talk. We dive into life at home, rescue dogs, LovePup Family Fest, and the little rituals that keep their marriage and family steady. Listeners push them into honest stories about first impressions, teasing, chores, and the mantra that keeps them...

We kick off nervous and end up in one of our boldest chats yet. Our guest, Pardis Mahdavi, has stared down traffickers, survived 33 days in detention, and spent 18 hours in a sealed shipping container with 31 women. She breaks down human trafficking, higher education, and resilience with honesty and sharp insight. We dive into meditation, psychedelics for healing, and practical ways to build agenc...

Chris Tuff went from rock bottom to a life built on better questions, saved asks, and everyday courage. We get into fun, practical tips for actually connecting—why “saving your asks” beats the LinkedIn spam, how a quick video message packs more punch than email, and how to turn small talk into something real. Chris also shares his daily habits that keep him grounded and family routines that help t...

What if half the “food” in your pantry is actually just keeping you tired and craving more? Let's unpack that. From leaving pop radio to starting Culture Apothecary, we share the real-life health wake-up that changed everything, plus the easy swaps that make a difference fast: raw milk, sourdough, beef tallow, and salt that actually has minerals in it. We talk red light, travel hacks, and why...

What if hiring your next CEO started with a real conversation instead of a job post?  Max Hansen, co-founder of Y Scouts, shares how he turned recruiting into a purpose-driven adventure, matching leaders to roles that actually fit who they are, not just what’s on their resume. We get into covert searches, culture fits, and why great leaders don’t need a script. Plus, Max opens up about his own rou...

The Foundry: Hot Yoga, Sweat, and Community A tiny hot studio, a stubborn dream, and a community forged in 105 degree. This is how Nicole built The Foundry , a yoga network where people come to sweat, heal, and start over. We dive into first classes that feel impossible, the discipline of the 26 and 2, and the calm that comes when you stay in the room. Nicole shares what keeps students coming back...

What do you get when a 21-year-old skips college, gets married young, and starts building a life from pure purpose?   A story that’s equal parts guts, growth, and gratitude. We talk about how a move to Molokai shaped everything, how Lifebook turned self-discovery into structure, and how new tools like Lumen help turn big visions into daily habits that stick. It’s a mix of real talk, reflection, an...

Joe Polish: Recovery, Marketing & the Business of Being Human What if the same principles that heal trauma could also build great businesses? Entrepreneur and recovery advocate Joe Polish shares how connection, not competition, drives both healing and success. He opens up about addiction, shame, and authenticity, then breaks down how ethical marketing works: educate, don’t manipulate. Joe’s EL...

Restaurateur Craig DeMarco (Postino, Le Grande Orange) has logged 4,600+ hikes up Camelback Mountain, not for fitness, but as a daily meditation that shaped his approach to parenting, partnership, and community. In this episode, Craig shares the rituals that endure slow hikes, mindful practices, optimized sleep, and prevention-focused health, along with insights on marriage, parenting, and creatin...

What if your immune system already knows how to fight cancer, if only it could see it?  In this episode, immunotherapy pioneers Dr. Matt Halpert, Dr. Dan Rubin, and Dr. Rafael Gonzalez explain how their breakthrough at Immunoscene “removes the blindfold” from your body’s natural defenses using your own immune cells. They share powerful patient stories, the science behind dendritic cell therapy, an...

Elvia Van Es Oliva didn’t just “break into” reality TV; she built a whole career out of it. From her very first job as a temp on Rescue 911 to interviewing Steven Spielberg and eventually running shows for Gordon Ramsay’s studio, her story is packed with crazy behind-the-scenes moments and hard-won lessons. Oh, and there’s a love story too; she met her husband while producing a million-dollar real...

What if you’re being zombified right now, by your phone, your gut microbes, or even your dog?  Dr. Athena Aktipis, the “Zombie Professor,” breaks down how unseen forces influence our thoughts and behaviors in ways we don’t realize. From smartphone addiction hacks to the surprising science of pets, microbes, and even cancer cells, she shows how playful ideas can unlock serious insights about being...

Family takes the spotlight as JohnJay rings in his birthday with wife Blake and oldest son Jake in a crossover conversation that’s equal parts heartfelt, funny, and real. From marriage communication (including why John admits he goes to bed angry) to health experiments like stem cell treatments in Mexico, the trio opens up with surprising honesty. They share insights on parenting, navigating the e...

What happens when an engineer and a nurse discover their true calling as marriage coaches? Meet Aaron and Jocelyn Freeman, the couple behind a relationship coaching movement that’s helped thousands of partners shift from surviving to thriving. From almost breaking up after a gym date to building a coaching brand with nearly a million followers, their story is full of real-life lessons. They share...

What if all the scattered thoughts, half-finished projects, and “doom piles” weren’t flaws but part of how your brain is uniquely wired?  ADHD expert and author Meredith gets real about her late diagnosis and how finally understanding her brain turned years of frustration into self-acceptance. She breaks down why ADHD minds think in “spider webs” instead of straight lines, how that can be a strugg...

What do you get when a radio show spinoff turns into a no-filter family chat? JohnJay Van Es and his wife Blake sit down with their son Kemp, who takes over the interview chair with listener questions and his own take on growing up as one of three boys. From hilarious “boy mom” moments and fart-joke confessions to heartfelt reflections on marriage, parenting, and family traditions, this episode is...

Modern motherhood, burnout, and building your village—Regina Steele says it’s time to stop doing it alone. In this honest and empowering episode, Regina opens up about her journey from autoimmune struggles to becoming a nutrition coach and author of Mother F cked: The Anti-Perfectionist Guide to Surviving and Thriving in the Chaos of Modern Motherhood*. She shares no-BS health tips (think: real fo...

MMA legend Mark Kerr’s true story of addiction, redemption, and resilience is raw and unforgettable. From underground fights in Brazil to an upcoming biopic by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Mark Kerr’s life is the stuff of legend and pain. Known as “The Smashing Machine,” Kerr dominated early MMA with raw power and chilling instincts, but his greatest fight was outside the cage: battling ad...