The Dr. Random podcast

In this episode of the Dr. Random Podcast, host Dr. Sarah sits down with Rich and Toni Soto, a married couple of 37 years, to explore Rich's career in law enforcement, their shared passion for fitness, and the principles that have kept their marriage and health thriving well into their 60s.

- Rich's unexpected path from high school dropout and truck driver to law enforcement officer, field training officer, SWAT team member, and Marine Patrol supervisor

- The psychological and personal toll a law enforcement career takes on officers and their families, including the high divorce rate and emotional hardening that comes with the job

- How Rich earned a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt from a Gracie school starting at age 42, alongside a decades-long commitment to weightlifting

- The founding of their YouTube channel, Pure Discipline Duo, and their mission to inspire older adults to pursue serious fitness

- Their approach to nutrition, including a biblically based whole foods diet, strategic cheat meals, creatine, peptides, and hormone therapy

- The mindset behind staying consistent in fitness, including treating gym time as a non-negotiable daily habit

- Key pillars of their 37-year marriage, including shared faith, mutual respect, commitment over comfort, and protecting time together

- Their philosophy on living fully now, fueled by the loss of Rich's sister and the understanding that health and time are never guaranteed

Resources and People Mentioned:

- Pure Discipline Duo (YouTube channel by Rich and Toni Soto)

- Dr. Kathy Platoni, retired Army colonel and previous podcast guest

- Dr. Lee Baucom, marriage expert referenced from a previous episode

- Gracie jiu jitsu lineage and Royce Gracie's early UFC appearances

- Nick and Nate Diaz, UFC fighters connected to Dr. Sarah's family

- BPC-157, TB-500, and GHK-Cu peptides for injury recovery

- Ezekiel bread as a whole food alternative to processed bread

- DEXA scan as a health assessment tool

- Iron Faith music on YouTube for faith-based workout motivation

- Ethos Gym Charleston, South Carolina 

Link to Pure Discipline Duo: https://m.youtube.com/@Pure_DisciplineDuo

In this episode of the Dr. Random Podcast, host Dr. Sarah sits down with Emma Arakelyan, a venture capitalist, CEO and founder of Orion Worldwide Innovations, author of The Business Caring Formula, and a former partner at Ernst & Young with over two decades of global consulting experience. Emma shares the philosophy and frameworks behind her remarkable career, her investment ecosystem, and the leadership principles that drive everything she builds.

- How Emma transitioned from 20-plus years in global consulting at Ernst &Young and Accenture to founding her own venture capital ecosystem

- The vision behind Orion Worldwide Innovations and what it means to build trust-centered innovation ecosystems globally

- Digital Julfa Network and how a 350-year-old Armenian trade network rooted in trust is being reimagined for the modern startup economy

- Emma's layered definition of success, spanning the individual, family, community, country, globe, and space

- The two foundational pillars she uses with every mentee regardless of age or career stage: identity and strengths

- What caring leadership actually looks like as a daily lifestyle and how accountability, responsibility, and consistency make it real

- Practical advice for women navigating entrepreneurship, including how to build support systems and redefine work-life balance around happiness rather than percentages

- Portfolio highlights including Scylla AI, Cognaize, Gecko Robotics, Picsart, and upcoming opportunities in Anthropic and OpenAI secondaries

Resources and people mentioned:

- Emma Arakelyan: mrakelian.com

- Orion Worldwide Innovations: orionworldwideinnovations.com

- Orion Score (free startup investability scoring tool): orionscore.com

- Digital Julfa: digitaljulfa.com

- BAJ Accelerator: bajaccelerator.com

- Mount Global Angel Syndicate: mountglobal.com

- Covenant Venture Capital

- The Business Caring Formula (book and podcast) by Emma Arakelyan

- Cornell Tech, New York University, Columbia University

- Scylla AI: scylla.ai

- Cognaize: cognaize.com

- Gecko Robotics

- Earth Grid

- Picsart (pre-IPO secondaries available)

- Dr. Zarik Boghossian, previously featured on the Dr. Random Podcast

In this episode of the Dr. Random Podcast, host Dr. Sarah sits down with her friend and licensed esthetician Lysandra Joy, founder of House of Vine, for a candid and wide-ranging conversation about skincare, entrepreneurship, and living boldly in your second act. The two cover everything from building a beauty routine that actually works to the emotional realities of running a business as a single woman, all wrapped in the kind of honest, warm conversation that only real friends can have.

- The skincare philosophy every woman over 40 needs to hear, including why consistency beats perfection every time

- How to correctly layer your skincare products, from cleanser to sunscreen, for maximum results

- The truth about LED therapy, clinical-grade products, and when it is worth spending the money

- Lysandra's journey from US Navy veteran and VA healthcare administrator to licensed esthetician and beauty entrepreneur

- The story behind House of Vine and how her grandmother's 25-year career/relationship with Frank Sinatra shaped the brand

- What it really takes to build a business as a single woman, and why baby steps are not the same as giving up

- How surviving triple-negative breast cancer deepened Lysandra's approach to self-care and serving others

- The one mindset shift that will change how you make every financial and business decision

Resources and People Mentioned:

- House of Vine / Lysandra Joy: lysandrajoy.com

- Epicuren Discovery skincare line

- SkinCeuticals (vitamin C serum)

- Sorella Apothecary (professional esthetic line)

- Dennis Gross LED device

- Revision Skincare and Obagi (clinical grade product lines)

- Yonka Paris toner

- Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation

- Mary Kay concealer

- Dermalogica

- Blue Mercury (retailer)

- Joel Osteen (mentioned as a source of faith and encouragement during cancer treatment)

- Veterans Future Foundation and Johnny Martin (referenced podcast episode)

- Dr. Karin Luise and Alive Collective (Atlanta event)

- Frank Sinatra (Lysandra's grandmother worked as his personal caretaker for 25 years)

- South City Kitchen, Atlanta

Her tagline—“Beauty is the ritual, style is the language, and joy is the destination”—captures the spirit of the episode. Whether you’re new to skincare, building a business, navigating a second act, or simply looking for encouragement to take better care of yourself, this conversation is equal parts practical, personal, and uplifting.

Find Lysandra at lysandrajoy.com for virtual and in-person offerings, her blog, and more.

In this episode of the Dr. Random Podcast, host Dr. Sarah sits down with Charleston-based country artist Lauren Hall to talk about her journey through the local music scene, the Nashville recording world, and the deeply personal stories behind her songs. Lauren brings warmth, honesty, and a grounded perspective on what it really takes to build a music career on your own terms, and she closes the episode with a live acoustic performance of her newest single, Denim.

- How Lauren developed her 90s-inspired country sound and what sets her apart in today's market

- The story behind her most personal song, Backwards, written during a vocal health crisis that nearly ended her singing career

- What she learned about professionalism and kindness from sharing the stage with artists like Lauren Alaina and Carly Pearce

- The Nashville recording process and what it is like to hear session players bring a song to life for the first time

- Why she believes local, in-person fan relationships matter more than social media follower counts

- How faith keeps her grounded in a competitive and unpredictable industry

- Balancing her music career with marriage and an upcoming first pregnancy

- Advice for young artists in the Carolinas looking to build a career in music

Resources and People Mentioned:

- Lauren Hall Music (website and social media handle)

- SC250 Fourth of July event in Charleston

- Travis Tritt, Miranda Lambert, Carly Pearce, Riley Green, Lauren Alaina (artists Lauren has opened for)

- Lee Brice (producer connection referenced)

- Dan Frizzell (Lauren's Nashville producer)

- Kicking Country 92.5 Charleston (radio station where Lauren co-hosted)

- TJ Phillips (late Charleston radio personality)

- Nate Smith (country artist referenced in discussion about social media pressure)

- Haley Mae Campbell (Charleston artist making her Opry debut)

- The Nashville TV series

- Paul Sidoti (Taylor Swift's longtime guitarist)

- Red's Ice House and the Windjammer (Charleston venues)

- Carolina Country Music Festival and Riverfront Revival (festivals mentioned)

- Seacoast Church (church community connected to Lauren's band members)

In this episode of the Dr. Random Podcast, host Dr. Sarah sits down with Johnny Martin, National Director of Performance at Veterans Future Foundation, to explore the real challenges veterans face when transitioning from military to civilian life and what it takes to help them thrive. Johnny draws on his background in educational psychology, mental performance coaching, and years of working with elite athletes and corporate leaders to share what truly empowers veterans to own their next chapter.

- The identity and purpose crisis many veterans experience after leaving the uniform behind

- How Veterans Future Foundation uses community, continuing education, and career advancement to support transitioning service members

- Why the "soft skills" veterans carry are exactly what civilian employers say they need but struggle to find

- The role of the Dirt Therapy Project and outdoor recreation in rebuilding connection and peace for veterans

- How limiting beliefs hold veterans back and what daily wins and values-based action can do to break through them

- Why vulnerability is not weakness but a form of strength, and how psychological safety makes deeper growth possible

- The damaging misconception that veterans are broken and why Johnny pushes back on that narrative every day

- Three powerful self-audit questions: Who am I spending time with? What am I consuming? What am I allowing?

Resources and People Mentioned:

- Veterans Future Foundation: www.veteransfuture.org

- The Dirt Therapy Project: Jonathan Hagerman, founder and executive director

- UHP Unlock Human Potential: 800-acre campus in northwest Arkansas, founded by Matt Hessey

- Ignite America: First-of-its-kind residential veteran trade school at UHP

- Team Red White and Blue (Team RWB): Veteran health and wellness community with over 300,000 members

- Devon Levesque's Behind Closed Doors: Small business and entrepreneur networking group/master chats where Dr. Sarah and Johnny connected

Demetrius Bing (Art of Bing)

In this vibrant and heartfelt episode of the Dr. Random Podcast, host Dr. Sarah sits down with Charleston native and rising contemporary abstract artist Demetrius Bing (known as Art of Bing). The conversation flows naturally through art, resilience, community, faith, and the raw realities of building a creative life. Dr. Sarah is an artist herself; they both paint abstract and contemporary art. 

Demetrius shares his journey from a young boy who loved drawing but pursued athletics and other paths, to discovering painting as a powerful outlet for processing trauma, emotion, and daily life as a young Black man. He discusses his abstract expressionist style, influences like Jean-Michel Basquiat (his “Michael Jordan”), Jackson Pollock, Salvador Dalí, and Keith Haring, and how symbolism, color, texture, and personal storytelling shape his work.

Highlights include:

The episode celebrates the fulfilling yet challenging path of being an artist—balancing day jobs, creative drive, emotional depth, and the joy of seeing your work resonate in people’s homes and lives. Both host and guest emphasize staying true to your voice, the power of vulnerability, and the importance of community support for local creatives.

A must-listen for artists, collectors, and anyone who values authentic stories of transformation, purpose, and creative persistence.

Demetrius Bing’s work can be found at artofbing.com and on Instagram @artofbing. Perfect for fans of expressive, message-driven art with heart and cultural resonance.

In this inspiring episode of The Dr. Random Podcast, Dr. Sarah sits down with entrepreneur, inventor, educator, and former Pepperdine professor Dr. Zarik Boghossian to explore a remarkable journey spanning immigration, innovation, leadership, and purpose. From helping develop mission-critical flight software for the International Space Station to founding technology ventures in AI, healthcare, and digital innovation, Zarik shares the lessons that shaped his career and life.

Together, they discuss resilience, entrepreneurship, the future of artificial intelligence, the power of imagination, and why kindness remains one of the most important leadership skills of all. This conversation is filled with wisdom, personal stories, and practical insights for anyone pursuing big dreams, overcoming challenges, or seeking to make a meaningful impact in the world.

Topics include: NASA, entrepreneurship, AI, leadership, innovation, resilience, education, kindness, and the philosophy of Imagine Always. ✨

YouTube link to Dr. Zarik & his son climbing Mt. Ararat:

https://youtu.be/S1zTaJfX1hU?si=buSMy8vawK-hfu1b

In this episode of the Dr. Random Podcast, host Dr. Sarah interviews Dr. Lee Baucom, a marriage coach and author of the Save the Marriage system, about how to build and restore strong marriages.

Dr. Baucom explains the common “pause” that quietly creeps into relationships after the wedding—when couples shift focus to careers, kids, and life demands, slowly replacing habits of connection with habits of disconnection. He emphasizes that most marriage problems (fighting, money issues, parenting conflicts, infidelity, feeling like “roommates,” etc.) are symptoms of this underlying emotional, physical, and spiritual disconnection.

Key topics include:

Dr. Baucom also discusses his resources: SaveTheMarriage.com for couples in crisis and the Unpause App (unpauseyourmarriage.com) for those wanting to reconnect before reaching a breaking point.

The conversation offers honest, insightful advice for both married couples and those hoping to build a strong marriage in the future. www.savethemarriage.com 

Dr. Sarah Laverone interviews Marine Corps combat veteran Keith Cole on the Dr. Random podcast to discuss his faith-based approach to recovery from trauma and burnout. Keith served as a machine gunner in Vietnam, was wounded three times in combat, and later struggled with the compounded trauma of losing both parents and serving in notification duties for fallen Marines. After years of self-reliance and using alcohol to cope, Keith experienced a spiritual breakthrough that led to his healing and inspired him to write his book.

Key topics discussed:

Resources mentioned:

Keith Cole's website: recoverybyfaith.com

Book: "Burnout God's Recovery Plan"

12-week recovery workbook

Matthew 11:28 as anchor verse

Keith's location: Bethesda, Maryland

Author Keith Cole of Burnout: God's Recovery Plan and operator of www.recoverybyfaith.com

In this episode of The Dr. Random Podcast, host Dr. Sarah interviews 23-year-old chemical engineer Alex Nuntapreda. Alex shares how his lifelong curiosity led him from tinkering as a kid to earning a master’s in chemical engineering and now applying an engineering mindset to optimize his life.

He discusses his work in R&D, his content creation on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube (originally for young engineers, now broader life advice), and his own podcast Engineer My Future. The conversation also covers his passions for guitar and songwriting (heavily influenced by John Mayer), playing 100+ gigs, mountaineering (~40 peaks climbed), Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, marathon/ultra running, and skiing.

Full of energy, mindset insights, and stories from the mountains and stage, this episode highlights how Alex balances adventure, creativity, health, and community while staying true to his engineering roots.

A fun, inspiring listen for anyone wanting to engineer a more fulfilling life. Find Alex on Instagram @alexnuntapreda or his podcast Engineer My Future.