I've Got a Hunch

In the next phase of my spinal recovery journey, I seek out a guide to help me improve my posture and decrease my back and neck pain. My first guide: Lyra Butler-Denman, an instructor of the Alexander Technique. A method more commonly known among actors and performers but helpful to anyone who wants to get more in touch with their body and how they move, the Alexander Technique is an educational approach to body movement that involves noticing our habits and discovering new ways to sit, stand and move. What does that have to do with the Mississippi River? You'll have to listen to the episode to find out.

For those in Portland or Philadelphia, you can check out Lyra's class schedule here: http://alexandertechniqueportland.com/

In this episode, I explore the fact that as someone who is just shorter than six feet tall, I've always wondered what my life would be like if I were just a little bit taller. Combined with the revelation from the last episode that my kyphosis and scoliosis in my teenage years perhaps stunted me from growing to my full potential, the seemingly inconsequential difference of an inch has been on my mind. So, I reached out to talk with Josh Sharp, a comedian, performer, and 6'3" human being. The episode starts with some studies that do seem to confirm a connection between height and happiness, but then we get sidetracked when I learn that Josh very recently had a similar bag-to-head accident on a flight — but with the roles reversed.

After visiting the chiropractor for a few months, I sat down to chat with Dr. Chris Zander of Portland Backsmith Chiropractor (https://portlandbacksmith.com/). We discuss scoliosis, Scheuermann’s disease, kyphosis, and whether, in the pursuit of back pain relief, it's better to focus on improving mobility or posture. We also get into the history of chiropractic and discuss why it has a bad reputation. Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, and this episode is not meant to be taken as medical advice; please consult your own healthcare professional to make decisions about your health and body.

I interview my sister-in-law, D'Arcy Carden (The Good Place, The Five Star Weekend), about the headspace I was in the week of my 40th birthday, just days before a suitcase was dropped on my head. While celebrating with family, D'Arcy asked me, "What are you proud of in the last year?" – and it made me spiral. We discuss turning forty, what it means to be spineless, and whether or not good posture matters.

The week of his 40th birthday, writer Nate Dern had a suitcase dropped on his head on a Southwest Airlines flight from Denver to Minneapolis (12/8/2024), causing a compressed spinal injury and revealing a lifetime of bad posture. In this podcast, Nate explores what it means to stand up straight again – both literally and figuratively — after life knocks you down. In this first episode, Nate interviews Connor Ratliff, the creator of the best podcast of all time, Dead Eyes, to get his advice on how to start a journey of self-discovery and improvement.