Dr. Patty Van Cappellen is the Duke University Professor for the course "The Science of Happiness," and the Director of the Interdisciplinary Behavioral Research Center. In this episode, she shares insights from her groundbreaking research in positive psychology, exploring how we can move beyond simply being "okay" to truly flourishing in life. The conversation delves into the psychological mechanisms underlying religion and spirituality, revealing how practices like prayer, meditation, and worship generate profound emotions that promote wellbeing and a sense of meaning. Dr. Van Cappellen discusses her fascinating research on embodied practices, demonstrating how physical postures during prayer and worship actually influence our emotional experiences and the importance of bodily awareness in spiritual life.

She also discusses her Duke course called "The Science of Happiness." She explains the challenges Duke students face in a high-pressure academic environment where productivity often overshadows wellbeing, and how practices like savoring, gratitude journaling, and mindfulness can serve as powerful antidotes to stress and tunnel vision. She concludes by talking about AI chatbots in mental health, examining both the potential benefits and risks of using technology for emotional support.

Kira Jackson is the Chief Brand Officer at SET Active, one of today's fastest growing female athleisure brands that is truly shaping the current cultural landscape. She is also a growth strategist with 10+ years of experience spanning private equity investing, brand transformation, and marketing leadership. In this episode, Kira reflects on her career evolution from public relations to investing to branding, revealing the mindset that has allowed her to embrace change with intention rather than fear. She offers a nuanced perspective on both the quantitative and intangible qualities that transform a company into an exceptional brand. Kira also speaks candidly about the realities of modern working womanhood and offers invaluable advice for navigating personal wellness amid competing demands.

Lisa Blau has over 20 years of experience working in the health and wellness space as both an operator and investor. She attended Duke University and Harvard Business School. She’s a partner at _able, an early stage consumer investment fund focused on supporting visionary brands in the positive, healthy living space. In this episode, Lisa delves into everything from _able’s investment thesis on narrowing the “Wellness Gap” to her current view on emerging frontiers such as longevity and peptides. She discusses exciting new investments as well as her personal wellness regiment and life as a working mother. Lisa’s deep integration in the space gives her a unique perspective on the future of wellness for consumers and society as a whole. 

In this episode, Duke’s Chabad Rabbi Nossen Fellig shares an abundance of wisdom regarding the Jewish perspective on living well. He delves into the essence of the Jewish religion, the importance of rituals such as Shabbat and Mitzvot in a broader context, and the intertwined nature of believing in God and yourself. The endurance of the Jewish tradition thousands of years after its origin speaks to the power and resilience of these practices. This episode offers a powerful introduction to the religion, and its applicability to anybody interested in living well, regardless of religious affiliation. 

Dr. Eric Trexler is a Duke University professor in the Health, Wellness, and Physical Education Department. In this episode, he delves into everything from apple cider vinegar, vitamin D, and caffeine to how to optimize workout routines and why cognitive framing plays a critical role in sustainable weight loss.

He holds a PhD in Human Movement Science from UNC Chapel Hill and currently teaches courses related to weight training, exercise physiology, and the role of physical activity in public health. Dr. Trexler has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals on topics ranging from HITT & resistance training, weight loss, diet breaks, energy availability, and the physiological and psychological demands of training. In addition to his academic research, Dr. Trexler creates evidence-based fitness content for the Iron Culture Podcast, Front Page Fitness Podcast, and the MASS Research Review.

Dr. Nicole Brooks is a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 20 years of experience. She gives powerful advice for cultivating healthy relationships and protecting your energy. Her work extends far beyond the therapy room, from founding multiple businesses to appearing on Shark Tank to earning her meditation certification, and of course, raising four amazing children. She also happens to be my mom :)

A podcast inspired by the major I designed at Duke University to study health & well-being multidimensionally. Welcome.