Raff's Brain

In this wide-ranging Drive & Jive episode of Raff’s Brain, host Rob Raffety takes listeners on an emotional and nostalgic ride through the mountains of West Virginia — and through his mind. After an unplanned but unforgettable reunion with three lifelong friends in his hometown of Buckhannon, Rob reflects on friendship, family, aging, and the surprising power of dune buggies (sorry, side-by-si...

After weeks of silence, Raff reemerges from the hot room—and possibly his own ashes—to share an epic tale of yoga triumph and personal rejuvenation. In this zany and heartfelt comeback episode, he dominates CorePower Yoga 3, deciphers the mystery of Apple branding, flirts with Pizza Hut self-sabotage, and previews some serious life moves ahead. Plus, will a legendary reunion with Code H, Nate Dogg...

In this episode of Hot Yoga Problems , Rob Raffety sweats through a mystery of his own making: the case of the missing yoga mat. With the heat rising and the clock ticking, Rob invokes Sherlock Holmes and Occam’s Razor to make sense of his early-morning brain fog. It's a raw and humorous reflection on forgetfulness, habit loops, and the fine line between chaos and calm on the way to the yoga...

Rob returns to the mat—and the mic—for another episode of Hot Yoga Problems , where today's challenge is Cow Face Pose: the silent destroyer of knees, hips, and egos. It's a seated pose, sure, but don't let that fool you. From anatomical impossibilities to nostalgic riffs on puppet masters and board games, this episode is a hilarious and brutally honest reflection on yoga limitation...

In this episode of Hot Yoga Problems , Rob starts strong with a sweaty 6AM session before diving into a week full of travel, transitions, and tech speculation. He’s heading back to Elkins, WV to move his dad into assisted living—and reminiscing hard about Taco Bell runs and hometown hierarchy. Meanwhile, his car’s sending cryptic signals, and society’s heading full throttle toward driverless vehic...

Hot Yoga Problems returns with a vengeance as Rob Raffety reflects on a rough few weeks marked by hospital stays, caregiving stress, and a long-overdue return to the mat. In true Raff’s Brain style, he blends heartfelt updates with hilarious hot yoga humility, offering insights into physical regression, motivation, and why he thrives on in-class competition. Also: a triumphant sequence that proves...

On this Drive and Jive edition of Raff’s Brain , host Rob Raffety blends introspection, media strategy, and a healthy dose of comedic detour as he makes his way through the mountains of West Virginia. Along the way, he shares a personal pitch to longtime friend and Political Orphanage host Andrew Heaton: let Rob run a 30-day short-form content campaign using clips from Heaton’s podcast—no strings...

Hot yoga redemption! Rob Raffety returns to the mat and finds himself in the elusive zone — focused, balanced, and dominating every sequence from crow to tree pose. In this episode of Hot Yoga Problems , Rob wonders what triggered the magic: a Turkey Tom sandwich? No IPAs? Or just cosmic alignment? He reflects on how rare these peak moments are and how he might replicate them in the future. Also,...

This episode of Raff’s Brain taps straight into the nostalgia vein. Rob Raffety opens a “mystery box” of sports cards and stickers from the 80s and 90s, gifted by childhood friend Johan Sebastian Herring, III aka Jon Herron. Alongside baseball legends like Steve Avery, Jose Canseco, and Kirby Puckett, Rob finds a blast from his own past — Italia 90 World Cup stickers he may have collected as a kid...

In this episode of Hot Yoga Problems , Rob Raffety confronts the trials of early morning yoga, from dodging chin stands to regrettable mat placement decisions. Join Rob as he reflects on being both broken and triumphant after a 6AM class that left him physically crushed but spiritually smug. He skewers the absurdity of peak poses (we see you, camel), wrestles with inclusive yoga lingo, and explore...

Rob Raffety is back from another sweaty CorePower session, and this time he’s got more questions than answers. From his mid-level yoga effort to a game-show concept called “Name That Rain,” Rob dives into the subtle social science of mat placement in hot yoga studios. What does your spot say about you? Could there be an app for that? Why are yawns so contagious? This episode is a stream-of-conscio...

In this episode of Riffin’ with Raff , Rob Raffety connects with art historian and educator David Gliem for a fascinating conversation about the evolution of a career, the magic of mentorship, and the joy of collecting Japanese woodblock prints. From college days in Pennsylvania to current life in the mountains of North Carolina, David recounts his journey from aspiring doctor to devoted professor...

This Drive & Jive episode of Raff’s Brain takes you on a scenic and emotional journey through the hidden gems of the Carolinas. Rob reflects on reconnecting with an old friend after 25+ years, compares the aesthetics and vibes of Asheville and Greenville, and shares powerful moments from his wife’s stirring commencement address at Warren Wilson College. Expect humor, introspection, rock-n-roll...

What happens when a certified-but-rusty yoga teacher gets asked to lead a chair yoga session at the office during Mental Health Awareness Month? In this silly and heartfelt Hot Yoga Problems episode, Rob Raffety reflects on his personal yoga evolution, the sudden opportunity to lead a wellness event, and how he prepared to guide coworkers through mindful movement. The episode features a full pract...

Rob Raffety is back with another Hot Yoga Problems episode, taking you inside a brutally comedic play-by-play of his 5:30am Yoga Sculpt class. It’s 10% yoga, 90% cardio hell—and Rob’s not shy about the suffering. From claiming sacred yoga mat real estate to airing grievances on D.C. crosswalks and mourning the lack of a killer quesadilla in the capital, this episode swings between physical collaps...

On this episode of Raff's Brain: Hot Yoga Problems , Rob Raffety conquers the mat (mostly) and unpacks the real issues plaguing post-class peace—from mysterious yoga studio soundtracks to shavasana cough attacks. It’s an episode filled with real talk about allergy paranoia, overdiagnosis in the suburbs, and why chin stands just might defy human anatomy. Plus, Rob tests out a harmonization exe...

Walk & Talk makes its long-awaited return as Rob laces up and hits the streets — this time, with no music, no podcast, no distractions. That’s right, it’s a raw dog 5K. In this introspective episode, Rob explores the strange serenity of exercising without tech, vents about ambient suburban noise, and takes listeners inside a late-night backyard ramble where 30+ creative ideas were unleashed. H...

Rob is back on foot and on mic, continuing his reflective streak in Walk & Talk Pt. 2 . He dissects how younger generations are shifting the way we communicate (spoiler: it's not email), revisits his recent AI-powered creative inventory, and reveals the three projects he's tentatively committed to. But this episode isn’t just talk — Rob lays out an accountability plan to drive actual...

Filmmaker and techno-optimist Nick Tucker joins Riffin’ with Raff to talk about Decommissioned , his ambitious new sci-fi short exploring the future of warfare, drone technology, and human connection. Rob and Nick dig into the creative process behind launching a successful Seed&Spark campaign, what it takes to bring practical effects and dystopian visions to life, and why stories like these ma...

Today’s Hot Yoga Problems episode is a whirlwind of classic Raff: part therapy, part traffic survival guide, part existential crisis. After crushing a solid yoga class, Rob battles a nightmare parking garage, debates whether a nice car is worth it, and accidentally stumbles into cartoon character sightings. Plus, he teases big crossover plans for Mental Health Awareness Month, including teaching y...

In this episode of Riffin’ with Raff , Rob Raffety is joined once again by graphic novelist Olivier Ballou. They dive into the realities of creative output — what it really takes to finish a project when life keeps throwing curveballs. Olivier opens up about the third and most ambitious book in his Val d'Or  series, and the creative methods he uses to keep momentum: deadlines, critique groups...

In this brutally honest installment of Hot Yoga Problems , Rob Raffety emerges from a 5:30AM class dazed, drenched, and deeply confused. Wrestling with muscle pain, mental haze, and a weird post-cereal energy crash, Rob lays out three competing theories for his sorry state — including potential sickness, a rogue long walk, and the classic "two-bowl cereal trap." From pollen denial to roo...

On this Drive & Jive installment of Raff's Brain, Rob takes listeners along for a candid, caffeinated drive to Shepherdstown, WV, to visit Shepherd University with his niece. This road trip turns into a full-blown stream-of-consciousness odyssey—touching on college admissions madness, Waze loyalty, West Virginia nostalgia, and creative inspiration from filmmaker Robert Rodriguez. He refle...

In this episode of Hot Yoga Problems , Rob dives into his pre-dawn journey to a Yoga Sculpt class in Clarendon, Virginia — and all the madness that came with it. From silent coffee grinder dreams to green-light miracles on Washington Boulevard, it's a morning of small wins, big sweats, and unexpected revelations. He reflects on the challenge of categorizing hybrid workouts, makes a humble ple...

Ever been ambushed by a yoga pose? Rob returns to the hot yoga studio and gets completely wrecked by his longtime nemesis: the dreaded baby back bend. In this episode, he channels his frustration into song (literally), serving up an improvised riff on the iconic Chili’s jingle with a side of spicy takes on yoga vulnerability, backup cameras, and the glory of pancakes for dinner. Whether you’re a y...