Quality Values

Quality Values

By Jacob Conlan ShieldsSociety & CulturePhilosophy
Download on the App Store

Quality Values episodes

  • QV #66 - Josh Dorfman: Turning a Perennial Grass Into a Building Material

    Josh Dorfman wanted to be a spy. Ended up building the future instead.

    Two years in 1990s China. A parking lot full of Mercedeses in a communist country. An epiphany that sat in his back pocket for seven years before he knew what to do with it. Now he grows perennial grass, presses it into building panels stronger than the OSB in most American homes, and locks carbon into walls and roofs instead of the atmosphere. Josh Dorfman is the founder of Planted and runs Super Cool, a media platform covering the companies scaling the low-carbon economy. He recently returned to Planted as CMO.

    We talk about how the business works, why they built their own machines from scratch, why farmers aren't risk-averse — they're risk-saturated — and why China is the Standard Oil of the 21st century while most people aren't looking.

    Good conversation. Worth your time.

    Planted: plantdmaterials.com | Super Cool: getsuper.cool | Josh on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dorfmanjosh

    #sustainability #carbonremoval #buildingmaterials #climatetech #podcast

    59 min
  • QV #65 - Richard Amerling MD: 40 Years in Medicine. Here's What's Actually Wrong

    Dr. Richard Amerling is a nephrologist with over 40 years of experience who watched American medicine go from high-quality care to a metrics-driven system that's lost the plot entirely. In this conversation, we trace the root causes — from the moment doctors accepted third-party payment, to the Marxist formula that dictated their billing, to the vaccine mandates that got Richard himself fired from his teaching position in Grenada.

    We go deep on what quality actually means in medicine (hint: it has nothing to do with hitting benchmarks), why the doctor-patient relationship is fundamentally an act of love, the cholesterol and statin scam, homeostasis and the kidney as the body's silent regulator, and why Richard now proudly calls himself an anti-vaxxer.

    This one challenges a lot of assumptions. Worth the full listen.

    🔗 Dr. Amerling's Substack: https://substack.com/@richardamerlingmd437332

    🔗 Gold Care Health & Wellness: https://www.goldcare.com/

    CHAPTERS:

    00:00 – Intro clips: "They've completely lost the plot"

    00:50 – Welcome & the Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance connection

    01:38 – Richard's background: 40 years in nephrology

    04:20 – What quality actually means (and why you can't measure it)

    05:10 – What a quality doctor-patient relationship looks like

    07:40 – The root of the dysfunction: where American medicine went wrong

    08:04 – Third-party payment and the beginning of the end

    14:24 – Skin in the game: time, money, and the patient-doctor equation

    16:12 – Confidentiality, insurance, and what's really being broken

    17:44 – Are there better systems? Looking at the UK and beyond

    24:51 – How Richard built his practice after leaving the system

    27:50 – Gold Care Health & Wellness: what it is and how it works

    28:35 – What he actually coaches: diet, medication, and getting back to basics

    30:28 – The cholesterol scam and why statins are "slow motion poisons"

    33:40 – Homeostasis, the kidney, and the sodium-potassium pump

    37:32 – Salt restriction, balance, and what the kidney is really doing

    39:26 – Vaccines: where did Richard's skepticism come from?

    43:32 – "I am thoroughly anti-vax. Throw the insults — I don't care."

    45:01 – RFK Jr., DOGE, and the shifting political landscape around vaccines

    49:16 – Financial incentives, the childhood schedule, and the vaccine gravy train

    50:23 – Is the cultural tide on vaccines actually changing?

    55:36 – Is there a depopulation agenda, or is it just greed?

    56:43 – The spike protein, the trials, and what pharma knew

    1:01:46 – Wrapping up: care + homeostasis = healing

    1:05:40 – Final synthesis and where to find Richard

    1 hr 7 min
  • QV #64 - Oliver Brossman: Custom Barefoot Cleats & The Future of Footwear (Prevolve Footwear)

    On this episode of the Quality Values Podcast, I’m joined by Oliver Brossman from Prevolve Footwear — a company building custom-fit minimalist “barefoot” cleats designed from your foot scans. We dig into WHY conventional cleats can wreck your feet/knees, what “custom” actually means in performance footwear, and how Prevolve uses scanning + iteration to create wide toe-box, zero-drop, flexible cleats for sport.


    If you play soccer, football, baseball/softball, or flag football — and you care about foot strength, injury risk, and performance — this one’s for you.


    👇 LINKS (Guest + Prevolve)

    Prevolve Footwear (Website): https://prevolvefootwear.com/

    Prevolve Foot Scanning Guide: https://prevolvefootwear.com/pages/foot-scanning

    Prevolve Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prevolve_/


    👇 QUALITY VALUES PODCAST

    IG: https://www.instagram.com/quality_values/

    (Subscribe here on YouTube + drop a comment with your sport + what your feet/knees have been through.)


    CHAPTERS

    00:00:00 Why cleats hurt: knee surgeries → barefoot “aha” moment

    00:01:18 Meet Oliver + what makes Prevolve different

    00:02:04 Oliver’s origin story: soccer injuries, 3D printing, and the road to custom cleats

    00:16:36 Cleat design rabbit hole: stud patterns, surfaces, and performance tradeoffs

    00:32:06 Foot scanning + customization process, transition tips, injury risk, and how to order


    KEY TOPICS

    - Minimalist / barefoot cleats for field sports

    - Wide toe box, zero-drop, and foot strength

    - 3D printing + iteration in footwear design

    - Stud patterns, traction, and plate stiffness vs flexibility

    - Scanning your feet (Volumental) + customizing fit

    - Transitioning safely + reducing injury risk


    #barefoot #minimalistshoes #soccercleats #footballcleats #baseballcleats #foothealth #3dprinting #injuryprevention #performance

    1 hr
  • QV #63 - Andy Bryant: Barefoot Shoes Changed How I Treat Pain — A Podiatrist Explains Why

    Andy Bryant is a podiatrist, movement thinker, and educator with **The Foot Collective**, one of the leading voices in changing how we understand feet, footwear, and human movement.In this episode, Andy walks through his evolution from *traditional podiatry* to a **movement- and nervous-system–informed approach**, shaped by his own athletic background, injury history, and years of working with people in chronic pain. We explore why the foot is not a rigid structure to be “corrected,” but a dynamic sensory organ that adapts to environment, load, and lifestyle.This conversation spans barefoot shoes, injury rehab, posture myths, footwear for athletes and kids, ultra-running, nervous system feedback, and why changing how your feet interact with the ground often leads you to question *everything else* about how you live and move.---🦶 CONNECT WITH ANDY BRYANTInstagram: *@andybryant_podiatry*---🌍 THE FOOT COLLECTIVEWebsite: [https://www.thefootcollective.com](https://www.thefootcollective.com)Instagram: [  / thefootcollective  ](  / thefootcollective  )Podcast: The Foot Collective Podcast (available on all major platforms)---⏱️ CHAPTERS00:00 – Andy’s journey into podiatry & questioning traditional foot care12:00 – The foot as sensory input: movement, variability & nervous system feedback25:00 – Injury rehab, barefoot exploration & chronic pain38:00 – Shoes, kids, athletes & changing cultural assumptions52:00 – The Foot Collective, education & the future of foot health---🎙️ QUALITY VALUES PODCASTHost: Jacob ShieldsInstagram: [  / quality_values  ](  / quality_values  )If this conversation shifted how you think about shoes, posture, or movement — share it with someone who’s dealing with foot pain, transitioning to barefoot footwear, or rethinking how the body actually works.

    1 hr 2 min
  • QV#62 Kevin Oestreicher 2 - This Offseason Defines Everything for BMORE Sports

    This is my second conversation with Kevin Oestreicher — Baltimore sports reporter, host of *Locked On Ravens*, and one of the most consistent voices covering the Ravens and Orioles.Almost exactly a year after our first conversation, Kevin returns to break down a pivotal moment for Baltimore sports: massive offseason changes for the Ravens, a shifting Orioles organization, and what all of this reveals about leadership, alignment, money, and timing in professional sports.We also zoom out into Kevin’s personal journey in sports media — how he found his lane, how he sustains an intense daily output, the difference between reactive media and long-form value conversations, and the kind of impact he’s actually trying to make through community and storytelling.This episode blends *current sports analysis* with **timeless media, career, and values-based insights**.---🎧 CONNECT WITH KEVINInstagram & X: *@koestreicher34*---🔁 PREVIOUS EPISODE WITH KEVINWatch our first conversation here:[   • #31 Kevin Oestreicher - Ravens/Baltimore S...  ](   • #31 Kevin Oestreicher - Ravens/Baltimore S...  )---⏱️ CHAPTERS00:00 – Welcome back: Kevin Oestreicher returns (Episode 2)01:03 – Ravens offseason reaction & Harbaugh’s departure03:49 – “Successful breakups” & coaching cycles in the NFL06:56 – Ideal next head coach fit for Lamar & the Ravens07:42 – Orioles outlook: young cores & competitive windows12:16 – Organizational alignment: Ravens vs Orioles16:09 – Orioles leadership, culture & feel vs analytics19:58 – Why Ravens & Orioles jobs are so attractive21:22 – Media narratives, Ravens vs Steelers expectations22:14 – Orioles spending: Pete Alonso vs Chris Davis contracts26:05 – Kevin’s path into sports media & long-term goals33:41 – Finding your lane & following what feels right39:42 – Daily sports media vs long-form value conversations46:36 – Flow state, creative energy & sustainability53:07 – Admin work, systems & avoiding burnout58:54 – Community, impact & who Kevin is really speaking to01:03:56 – Final thoughts & where to follow Kevin---📌 QUALITY VALUES PODCAST🎙️ Host: Jacob Shields📸 Instagram: [  / quality_values  ](  / quality_values  )🐦 X: [https://x.com/quality_values](https://x.com/quality_values)If you enjoyed the episode, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who cares about sports, media, and building something that actually lasts.

    1 hr 5 min
  • QV #61: Fermentation, Microbes & the Past & Future of Food with Tyler Cullender (Feral Ferments)

    In this episode, Jacob Shields sits down with Tyler Cullender, microbiologist and founder of Feral Ferments, to explore how fermentation connects gut health, sustainability, and flavor. From the genetic complexity of our microbiome to the ancient roots of fermentation, this conversation dives deep into how microbes shape our food and our health.Tyler shares the science behind wild fermentation, why it’s one of the safest and oldest ways to preserve food, and how the bacteria that live on fresh produce can strengthen your immune system, improve digestion, and even influence your mood.⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Introduction: How Jacob Discovered Feral Ferments02:00 – Tyler’s Journey: From PhD in Microbiology to Pickles05:00 – The Hidden Power of the Gut Microbiome08:00 – Fermentation vs. Cooking: Making Nutrients More Bioavailable11:00 – How Fermentation Shaped Human History13:30 – Lactobacillus & The Art of Balancing Microbes17:00 – The Safety of Fermented Foods (and Why Salmonella Can’t Survive)24:00 – Common Mistakes in Homemade Fermentation27:00 – Microbes, Immunity, and Modern Diets40:00 – Sustainability: Food Waste and Energy Savings48:00 – Where to Find Feral Ferments in Nashville50:00 – Closing Thoughts🔗 Connect with Feral Ferments🌱 Instagram: @feral_ferments🌿 Website: feralferments.com🎙️ Connect with the Quality Values Podcast📩 Email: [email protected]📸 Instagram: @quality_values🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube📚 Hashtags#Fermentation #GutHealth #FeralFerments #Microbiome #QualityValuesPodcast #Nashville #FunctionalHealth #WildFermentation #NutritionScience #SustainableFood

    53 min
  • QV #60: Reclaiming Control: Movement, Injury, and Inner Balance with Chad Dunn

    In this episode, Jacob Shields sits down with Chad Dunn, founder of Dunn Movement Co., to explore what it really means to move well, recover intelligently, and connect physical training with emotional and neurological balance.Chad shares his experience helping athletes, martial artists, and everyday movers reconnect with their bodies — through awareness, mobility, and functional performance. They discuss the connection between injury and identity, how nervous system regulation influences recovery, and why stillness can sometimes be the most powerful form of movement.⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Intro: Chad Dunn’s Journey into Movement Coaching04:00 – The Moment Chad Rebuilt His Own Body09:30 – What People Get Wrong About “Mobility Work”15:20 – Nervous System & Emotional Regulation in Training22:10 – The Real Path to Sustainable Performance29:00 – Pain, Injury, and the Mental Game37:20 – Helping Clients Reconnect to Themselves44:00 – Finding Balance Between Rest and Drive52:10 – Closing Thoughts🔗 Connect with Chad Dunn🌐 Website: https://moveperformance.com/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moveperformance/🎙️ Connect with the Quality Values Podcast📸 Instagram: @quality_values🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube🧩 Affiliate Links🌀 Alleviate Your Deepest Tensions – The Body Lever💧 Water-Filled Rope Flow – AquaSwing👣 VivoBarefoot – 20% Off First Orders📚 Hashtags#QualityValuesPodcast #FunctionalTraining #Mobility #MovementCulture #Neuroscience #Recovery #BodyAwareness #NervousSystem #EmotionalHealth #ChadDunn

    52 min
  • QV #59: What If Soil Microbes Matter? | Leo Horrigan 2 - Regenerative Agriculture & Living Soil

    🔗 Guest Links Leo Horrigan – What If Soil Microbes Matter?Audiobook: youtube.com/watch?v=lFioOO4IkRM&feature=youtu.bePDF Book: https://clf.jhsph.edu/sites/default/files/2025-08/what-if-soil-microbes-mattered-1.pdfIn this episode, Leo Horrigan joins Jacob Shields to explore the living intelligence of soil — the unseen network of microbes that sustain life on Earth. Drawing from his book *What If Soil Microbes Matter?*, Leo explains how agriculture, biology, and climate intersect beneath our feet.This conversation connects microbiology, ecology, and philosophy — exploring what it means to “get out of the way” and let natural systems do what they’ve done for hundreds of millions of years.🎙️ Hosted by Jacob Shields📘 Guest: Leo Horrigan, author of What If Soil Microbes Matter?---⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Preview01:32 – Introduction02:37 – How Leo’s new book came to life04:43 – The unseen world: microbes and soil symbiosis06:50 – Fertilizer dependency and the energy loops in agriculture08:14 – Nitrogen fixation and bacterial “superpowers”09:05 – Soil as a carbon factory10:34 – Microbial diversity and resilience12:52 – Synthetic nitrogen and livestock health15:42 – Regenerative farming vs. industrial agriculture18:01 – Glyphosate and metal binding in soils20:40 – The rhizophagy cycle with Dr. James White26:37 – Where do microbes end and “life” begin?29:37 – Parallels between fascia and the soil microbiome36:37 – Diversity as the engine of ecological efficiency39:37 – Obstacles to scaling regenerative agriculture43:32 – AI, data tracking, and soil metrics of the future44:43 – Tillage, carbon release, and climate impact53:13 – Human microbiome and soil microbiome parallels56:33 – Next projects and closing reflections60:18 – Outro and links---🔗Guest Links -- Leo Horrigan – What If Soil Microbes Matter?Audiobook: youtube.com/watch?v=lFioOO4IkRM&feature=youtu.bePDF Book: https://clf.jhsph.edu/sites/default/files/2025-08/what-if-soil-microbes-mattered-1.pdf---🎙️ Connect with Quality Values📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quality_values/🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/XXXXXX🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@qualityvalues---🧩 Affiliate Partners🌀 The Body Lever — Alleviate Your Deepest Tensions: https://www.thebodylever.com/?ref=bpyotrjo 💧 AquaSwing— Water-Filled Rope Flow: https://www.aquaswing.com/?ref=JACOBSHIELDS👣 VivoBarefoot — 20% Off First Orders: https://vivobarefoot.mention-me.com/m/ol/jc7dj-jake-shields---🧠 Hashtags#QualityValuesPodcast #RegenerativeAgriculture #SoilMicrobiome #LeoHorrigan #Microbes #CarbonCycle #SustainableFarming #Rhizophagy #Permaculture #HealthAndSoil #EnvironmentalScience

    1 hr 2 min
  • QV #58: Rick Jimenez - Dragon Snake MMA "Where best friends punch each other in the face"

    Rick Jimenez — head coach at Dragon Snake MMA in Tempe, Arizona — joins me for a conversation on martial arts training, fight preparation, and building a strong gym culture. We dive into his approach to developing fighters, the mental side of competition, and lessons learned from years on the mats.

    📍 Dragon Snake MMA: https://dragonsnakemma.com/
    📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dragonsnakemma/

    ⏱ Chapters
    0:00 – Intro2:15 – Rick’s background in martial arts8:40 – The story behind Dragon Snake MMA15:22 – Building a fighter’s mindset23:10 – Coaching philosophy & approach to sparring31:44 – Preparing athletes for competition41:20 – Strength & conditioning for fighters52:55 – Advice for new martial artists59:18 – Closing thoughts

    Affiliate Links
    🦶 VivoBarefoot – 20% Off First Order: https://vivobarefoot.mention-me.com/m/ol/jc7dj-jake-shields💧 AquaSwing – Water-Filled Rope Flow: https://www.aquaswing.com/?ref=JACOBSHIELDS🌀 Body Lever – Alleviate Your Deepest Tensions: https://www.thebodylever.com/?ref=bpyotrjo


    🎙 Follow the PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/quality_values/



    1 hr
  • Jarod Burton on Movement Freedom, Fascia Training & The Neuroscience of Efficiency | QV #57

    Jarod Burton (@train__efficiently) joins the Quality Values Podcast to dive into the deeper systems behind movement, performance, and longevity. We talk fascia, neurology, energy management, and what it takes to feel like yourself again in the modern world. Co-hosted with performance coach Quintin Torres (@quintin.torres36).

    📍Chapters
    00:00 – Intro Highlights
    01:14 – Who is Jarod Burton?
    04:02 – Movement freedom & uncoiling
    07:35 – Fascia vs muscle training
    11:28 – Efficiency vs effort
    15:04 – Breathing & fascial tension
    18:50 – Early training influences
    22:44 – Brain, energy, and pain
    26:17 – Nervous system rewiring
    31:00 – Rooted movement & injury prevention
    36:45 – Releasing trauma physically
    42:10 – Regulating your inner speed
    47:30 – How Jarod trains himself
    52:14 – Final thoughts & values

    🎙️ Guest
    Jarod Burton
    Instagram: @train__efficiently
    Coaching/Links: linktr.ee/train__efficiently
    YouTube: Train Efficiently

    🎧 Hosts
    Jake Shields (Host) – @quality_values
    Quintin Torres (Co-host) – @quintin.torres36

    📎 Affiliate Links
    🧘‍♂️ Alleviate Your Deepest Tensions — Body Lever
    💧 Water-Filled Rope Flow — AquaSwing
    🦶 Barefoot Training – VivoBarefoot 20% Off

    1 hr 6 min

About Quality Values

From the publisher's feed

🎙️What are your VALUES in the context of your story?