The Johnjay Van Es Podcast

Chris Tuff went from rock bottom to a life built on better questions, saved asks, and everyday courage.

We get into fun, practical tips for actually connecting—why “saving your asks” beats the LinkedIn spam, how a quick video message packs more punch than email, and how to turn small talk into something real.

Chris also shares his daily habits that keep him grounded and family routines that help teens survive the chaos. Packed with wild stories, laughs, and easy-to-try ideas, this episode shows how to lead, connect, and live with more joy.

Hit follow, share, and leave a review with your favorite takeaway.

What if half the “food” in your pantry is actually just keeping you tired and craving more? Let's unpack that.

From leaving pop radio to starting Culture Apothecary, we share the real-life health wake-up that changed everything, plus the easy swaps that make a difference fast: raw milk, sourdough, beef tallow, and salt that actually has minerals in it.

We talk red light, travel hacks, and why not every wellness trend is made for every body. No fluff, just stuff that works.

Hit follow, share this with a friend ready to ditch seed oils, and leave a review with the one swap you’re trying this week.

What if hiring your next CEO started with a real conversation instead of a job post? 

Max Hansen, co-founder of Y Scouts, shares how he turned recruiting into a purpose-driven adventure, matching leaders to roles that actually fit who they are, not just what’s on their resume.

We get into covert searches, culture fits, and why great leaders don’t need a script. Plus, Max opens up about his own routines, from hiking Camelback to testing cold plunges and chasing adventure with his family.

Hit play for a fresh take on leadership, purpose, and building teams that thrive.

The Foundry: Hot Yoga, Sweat, and Community

A tiny hot studio, a stubborn dream, and a community forged in 105 degree. This is how Nicole built The Foundry, a yoga network where people come to sweat, heal, and start over. We dive into first classes that feel impossible, the discipline of the 26 and 2, and the calm that comes when you stay in the room.

Nicole shares what keeps students coming back, shorter classes for busy schedules, Pilates for strength and form, and HIIT to complement flexibility. We also talk the science of heat, studio expansion, retreats, and the teachers and alumni who make every class feel alive.

If you’ve ever needed a reset, a tougher practice, or a place to belong, this episode shows a path back to your mat. 

Subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review with the pose that lifts your mood.

What do you get when a 21-year-old skips college, gets married young, and starts building a life from pure purpose? 

A story that’s equal parts guts, growth, and gratitude. We talk about how a move to Molokai shaped everything, how Lifebook turned self-discovery into structure, and how new tools like Lumen help turn big visions into daily habits that stick.

It’s a mix of real talk, reflection, and a few laughs about figuring out life as you go. Tune in for inspiration, practical takeaways, and maybe a nudge to start designing your own version of “better.”

Joe Polish: Recovery, Marketing & the Business of Being Human

What if the same principles that heal trauma could also build great businesses? Entrepreneur and recovery advocate Joe Polish shares how connection, not competition, drives both healing and success.

He opens up about addiction, shame, and authenticity, then breaks down how ethical marketing works: educate, don’t manipulate. Joe’s ELF filter easy, lucrative, fun, shows how to build trust, design community, and create work that sustains you.

If this shifts how you think about business or recovery, follow, share, and leave a quick review to help others find it.

Restaurateur Craig DeMarco (Postino, Le Grande Orange) has logged 4,600+ hikes up Camelback Mountain, not for fitness, but as a daily meditation that shaped his approach to parenting, partnership, and community.

In this episode, Craig shares the rituals that endure slow hikes, mindful practices, optimized sleep, and prevention-focused health, along with insights on marriage, parenting, and creating neighborhood hubs like Air Guitar. 

From meditation to music memories, it’s a conversation about living with purpose and building spaces where people truly connect.

What if your immune system already knows how to fight cancer, if only it could see it? 

In this episode, immunotherapy pioneers Dr. Matt Halpert, Dr. Dan Rubin, and Dr. Rafael Gonzalez explain how their breakthrough at Immunoscene “removes the blindfold” from your body’s natural defenses using your own immune cells.

They share powerful patient stories, the science behind dendritic cell therapy, and why preserving tumor tissue before conventional treatment could change future options.

If you or someone you love has been touched by cancer, this conversation offers hope, clarity, and a glimpse at the future of personalized treatment.

👉 Hit play to hear how this revolutionary approach is reshaping cancer care.

Elvia Van Es Oliva didn’t just “break into” reality TV; she built a whole career out of it. From her very first job as a temp on Rescue 911 to interviewing Steven Spielberg and eventually running shows for Gordon Ramsay’s studio, her story is packed with crazy behind-the-scenes moments and hard-won lessons.

Oh, and there’s a love story too; she met her husband while producing a million-dollar reality competition (he lost the prize but got the girl).

In this episode, Elvia spills on what it’s really like to make reality TV, how the industry has changed, and what it takes to survive and thrive behind the camera.

🎧 Hit play to go behind the curtain of unscripted TV and pick up some real-life career inspiration along the way.

What if you’re being zombified right now, by your phone, your gut microbes, or even your dog? 

Dr. Athena Aktipis, the “Zombie Professor,” breaks down how unseen forces influence our thoughts and behaviors in ways we don’t realize. From smartphone addiction hacks to the surprising science of pets, microbes, and even cancer cells, she shows how playful ideas can unlock serious insights about being human.

👉 Hit play and subscribe for more conversations that make you see the world differently.