Episode 10 — Nino Surdo

There are lives that follow a straight line. And then there are lives that are broken open and rebuilt into something entirely different.

Nino Surdo’s story is one of those lives.

As a young man, Nino headed to Los Angeles chasing the physical and visible definitions of success — bodybuilding, acting and the possibility of making it in Hollywood. His twin brother, Leonardo, joined him, and for a time the brothers seemed to be moving toward the life they had imagined together.

Then everything changed.

Leonardo died in Nino’s arms from a drug overdose.

What followed was not simply grief. It became the beginning of a profound questioning of identity, purpose and what it actually means to live a meaningful life.

Nino gradually moved from building the body to exploring the inner life. His search led him toward Eastern philosophy, qigong, spirituality, teaching and a different understanding of strength — one rooted less in what we can control and more in how we respond to what life gives us.

He would spend decades as an educator, teacher, counselor and mentor, eventually putting his journey into words in two books: From Rock to Water: A Healing Journey and Street Tao: Musings of an Angry Buddha.

Nino’s story is one of ambition, brotherhood, devastating loss, spiritual awakening and reinvention — a reminder that strength can take many forms, and that sometimes the deepest transformation begins when the life we thought we were building falls away.

For Episode 10, Nino chose Soothe — a fitting choice for a man whose path has ultimately become one of healing, reflection and finding peace through everything life has asked him to carry.

Explore Nino’s books:

From Rock to Water: A Healing Journey
https://a.co/d/0a0bh1f2

Street Tao: Musings of an Angry Buddha
https://a.co/d/04GxO9Md

Episode 9 — David Lee, Paparazzo FilmSome people take pictures. David Lee builds heirlooms.For 12 years, David has owned and led Paparazzo Film, a fine art portrait studio in North Scottsdale where every session is treated as a long process — a personalized journey from consultation to final presentation, ending with hand-crafted, heirloom quality canvas portraits meant to be passed down, not just hung up. Recognized by Phoenix Magazine as "Best of the Valley," his work has earned a reputation for a dramatic, detail-driven style paired with a down-to-earth presence behind the camera — the kind of eye that finds the person before it finds the pose.But the frame only tells part of the story. For over two decades, David has spent his weeks in a very different kind of studio — visiting a senior citizen home to lead a non-denominational church service, delivering the sermon himself, then closing things out on the piano. A man of faith who treats gratitude as a daily discipline rather than an occasional feeling.That discipline shows up everywhere. David is a dedicated biohacker — sharp, curious, and deliberate about how he trains his body and mind, always chasing the next edge in performance and longevity. It's the same precision he brings to a portrait session: nothing left to chance, everything in service of getting it right.Behind a camera or behind a pulpit, in the gym or in the studio, David Lee's throughline is the same — draw out what's real, and be grateful for it.For Episode 9, David chose Smooth — steady, unhurried, exactly the register of a man who has made discipline look effortless.Visit Paparazzo Film Website → https://www.paparazzofilm.com/Follow Paparazzo Film → https://www.facebook.com/paparazzofilm/https://www.instagram.com/paparazzo_film/?hl=en

Episode 8 — Art FineWhat does it look like to dedicate a lifetime to making the world a better place?In this inspiring episode of *The Ritual*, we sit down with Arthur Fine—a lawyer, world traveler, humanitarian, and living example of what it means to leave the world better than you found it.Admitted to the California Bar in 1968, Art built a successful legal career spanning more than five decades. But while the courtroom provided his profession, service became his purpose.Having traveled to more than 170 countries, Art has witnessed humanity in all its beauty, resilience, and complexity. Those experiences inspired a lifelong commitment to helping people in some of the world's most underserved communities.Together with his wife, general surgeon Dr. Marjorie Fine, Art has spent decades supporting humanitarian efforts through organizations including Aloha Medical Mission and the Ellen Meadows Prosthetic Hand Foundation. From organizing complex surgical missions to delivering prosthetic hands and critical medical supplies to those in need, their work has transformed lives across the globe.Yet what makes Art's story so compelling is not simply where he has traveled or what he has accomplished. It is the quiet belief that every person has the ability—and perhaps the responsibility—to make a difference. While many people spend their lives chasing success, Art has spent much of his life creating impact.In this episode, Art reflects on what he is most grateful for, what he is ready to release, and what he hopes to claim moving forward. Along the way, he offers wisdom gathered from decades of service, perspective earned from seeing the world firsthand, and a powerful reminder that purpose has no expiration date.Few people have seen as much of the world as Arthur Fine. Even fewer have devoted so much of their lives to improving it.Art chose Sunrise.🎙️ Subscribe to The Ritual🍵 Shop Pure & Easy Tea: https://pureandeasytea.com

Episode 7 — Alex Rogers — Co-Founder, Emmeline SkinEvery morning, a woman looks in the mirror and decides whether to honor herself or apologize to herself. Alex Rogers built Emmeline Skin for the women who choose to honor.A graduate of the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Sciences, Alex brings a science-backed approach to skincare grounded in her deep understanding of how ingredients nourish the body. Born from a close friendship with co-founder Sydney Kofron, now her sister-in-law, Emmeline Skin challenges the conventional beauty narrative with a deceptively simple philosophy: healthy, glowing skin requires nothing more than ingredients you can see, feel, and trust. In an industry saturated with marketing noise and hidden compounds, Alex and Sydney took a different path, meticulously curating formulations with clean, effective botanicals and marine extracts that actually work.What sets Emmeline Skin apart is its radical commitment to recognizable ingredients. No mystery actives. No proprietary blends. No chemical alphabet soup. Every product is engineered to enhance your natural radiance through purposeful formulation and purposeful self-care.Beyond the skincare itself, Alex has articulated a vision that resonates deeply with modern women: to create a permission structure for self-prioritization. Emmeline Skin isn't selling a product—it's sponsoring a ritual. In a world that constantly demands women do more, be more, accomplish more, Alex empowers women to slow down, reclaim their time, and invest in themselves without apology.Alex's journey to entrepreneurship reflects her core values: authenticity, quality, and the uncompromising belief that women deserve skincare as refined and intentional as they are.Visit Emmeline Skin: https://emmelineskin.comAlex Chose Radiance.🎙️ Subscribe to The Ritual🍵 Shop Pure & Easy Tea:https://pureandeasytea.com

Episode 6 — Mark Candelaria, AIA

Some people build houses.Mark Candelaria has spent more than forty years helping people build lives worth coming home to.That distinction matters.Since founding Candelaria Design in 1999, Mark has become one of the most respected residential architects in America. His firm has designed more than 2,500 homes across Arizona and throughout the country. His work can be found everywhere from Paradise Valley and Scottsdale to California, Colorado, and the East Coast. He has designed homes for professional athletes, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and families seeking something deeply personal—a place that reflects who they are and how they want to live.But success was never the destination.At twenty-two years old, Mark walked into the Phoenix office of legendary architect George Christensen and began what would become an eighteen-year apprenticeship. Over time he became a partner, helped design some of the Southwest's most iconic projects, including Sedona's Enchantment Resort, and developed the philosophy that would ultimately define his career.For Mark, architecture has never been about square footage.It's about connection.In a world where luxury often means bigger, Mark believes comfort matters more than size. He has often said that whether a home is 5,000 square feet or 25,000 square feet, the rooms themselves don't need to be dramatically larger. People gather around conversation. Around meals. Around shared experiences. When spaces become too large, people can begin to feel disconnected from one another.The best homes don't impress people.They welcome them.That philosophy has attracted clients from every walk of life, including NFL legend Larry Fitzgerald, who once described Mark as both an artist and a sculptor—someone capable of transforming ideas and dreams into places where families can live, grow, and create memories for generations.Yet architecture tells only part of Mark's story.Over the years, he has become equally passionate about the things that happen inside the homes he designs.Food.Travel.Friendship.Community.Conversation.Mark regularly hosts cooking experiences, leads lifestyle tours through Italy and Spain, and serves as the host of Inspiring Living, a podcast where he sits down with chefs, physicians, entrepreneurs, designers, and thought leaders to explore what it truly means to live well.The common thread running through all of it is intentionality.A thoughtfully designed home.A carefully prepared meal.A meaningful conversation.A life lived with purpose.These are the things that matter to Mark.During our conversation on The Ritual, we discussed the importance of creating spaces that support the lives we want to live, why relationships matter more than possessions, and how true luxury isn't found in extravagance but in having the freedom to spend your time with the people and experiences you value most.It was a conversation that felt less like an interview and more like sitting down with someone who has spent decades studying the art of living well.And perhaps that's exactly what Mark has been doing all along.Through thousands of homes, countless client relationships, years of travel, and hundreds of meaningful conversations, he has quietly been exploring one question:How do we create a life worth coming home to?We're grateful to have him as part of The Ritual and proud to call him a member of the Pure & Easy Tea community.Follow Candelaria Design on Social Media: @candelariadesignCheck out Mark's book:https://www.candelariadesign.com/candelaria-design-bookWatch Mark's homes featured on Extravagant Spaces from The Design Network:https://youtu.be/zoSLkOHlmJY?si=b5kSaET-MrQWvdRLMark choose EnduraBoost.🎙️ Subscribe to The Ritual🍵 Shop Pure & Easy Tea:https://pureandeasytea.com

Episode 5 — Rich SlivockaSome people play tennis. Rich Slivocka dedicated his life to it.What began as a seven-year-old boy spending entire summer days at the Wichita Racquet Club evolved into one of the most distinguished careers in American racquet sports. Dropped off by his older sisters at eight in the morning and picked up when the streetlights came on, Rich found more than a pastime — he found a passion that would shape the course of his life.A standout collegiate athlete at Wichita State University, Rich was a three-time All-Conference selection in both singles and doubles. Playing an aggressive all-court style built around a powerful serve and forehand — a game often compared to that of 1996 Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek — he helped lead the nationally ranked Shockers to two conference championships and three NCAA Tournament appearances.Following his competitive career, Rich turned his attention to teaching, leadership, and elevating the sport he loves. Over the decades, he built a reputation as one of the most respected professionals in tennis, combining technical excellence with a relentless commitment to growth and innovation.His leadership journey ultimately led him to serve as National President of the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA), one of the most influential positions in the sport. In 2024, he achieved the designation of USPTA Master Professional — the pinnacle of credentialing in the tennis industry and a distinction earned by fewer than one percent of professionals worldwide.But the chapter Rich treasures most is the one being written now. At 51, he is the father of a young daughter and an infant son — the family he always wanted. It has sharpened everything: how he trains, how he eats, how he spends his hours. Staying strong, healthy, and present isn't a goal for Rich. It's a promise. Every choice is intentional, made in service of the years ahead.It is the same philosophy that carried him from Wichita to the pinnacle of the profession, now applied to the things that matter most: get better every single day.For his ritual, Rich chose EnduraBoost — the blend born on an Arizona tennis court.The Ritual is a live podcast by Pure & Easy Tea — where intention meets conversation, one cup at a time.🎧 Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts🛒 pureandeasytea.com

Episode 4 — Kimm MauceriShe has attended over 5,000 concerts. She collects vinyl. And she built an entire world around the culture of music — on screen, behind the camera, and in life.Kimm Mauceri is a SAG-AFTRA actress, producer, voice-over artist, radio personality, entrepreneur, and mentor who has spent decades reinventing herself while staying true to one core passion — telling stories that connect people. Trained in Sanford Meisner and Michael Chekhov technique at The Acting Studio in New York, she has worked opposite Tom Sizemore, Daniel Roebuck, Robbie Rist (the voice of Michelangelo in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), and many other established names in the industry. She has hosted radio talk shows, interviewing television celebrities, musicians, and many more.Now she steps into her most ambitious role yet — starring as Raechel Night in Raechel's Records, an upcoming rock-and-roll television series centered around the colorful characters, passions, and drama surrounding a one-of-a-kind record store.🎬 Watch the official trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evSCLNKexKcIn this episode of The Ritual, Kimm chose Signature Chai. She sat with it. She brewed it. And she moved through the four questions the same way every guest does — with no script, no agenda, and nothing but intention.Kimm Mauceri is a valued member of the Pure & Easy Tea community.🎙️ Subscribe to The Ritual🍵 Shop Pure & Easy Tea: https://pureandeasytea.com

Episode 3 — Dr. Mindy WeinsteinSome people study human behavior. Mindy Weinstein has spent her career decoding it.Dr. Mindy Weinstein is a research psychologist, international speaker, university professor, marketing expert, and TEDx speaker — and one of the country's foremost authorities on why people make the decisions they do.She is the founder and CEO of Market MindShift, a marketing agency that combines psychological insight with digital strategies to drive revenue. She has trained thousands of professionals from organizations including Facebook and World Fuel Services, and has taught marketing at Columbia Business School and The Wharton School.Her book The Power of Scarcity: Leveraging Urgency and Demand to Influence Customer Decisions (McGraw Hill, 2022) was a #1 new release — a masterclass in the invisible psychology driving every buying decision we think we're making freely.She holds both an MBA and a PhD in General Psychology, and has appeared across Fox, NBC, ABC, Bloomberg, and SiriusXM. Her insights have been quoted in The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, and NASDAQ.She is also a valued member of the Pure & Easy Tea community — a fellow Scottsdale resident who understands that clarity of mind begins long before the boardroom.She chose Midnight Rose.🌿 The Power of Scarcity 🌿 Market MindShift 🌿 Connect with Mindy The Ritual is a live podcast by Pure & Easy Tea — where intention meets conversation, one cup at a time.🎧 Available on Spotify and YouTube🛒 pureandeasytea.com

Episode 2 — Dr. Stephen Hochschuler

Some people build careers.
Dr. Stephen Hochschuler built an institution.

A pioneering orthopedic surgeon, entrepreneur, and visionary in spinal medicine, Dr. Hochschuler co-founded the Texas Back Institute in 1978 — a practice that would grow into the largest freestanding spine specialty clinic in the United States.

Educated at Columbia College and Harvard Medical School, he trained through some of the most demanding programs in American medicine before creating something the field had never truly seen before: a fully integrated approach to spine care. Prevention, ergonomic analysis, fellowship training, research, industrial back schools, and product innovation — all operating under one roof with a singular mission: improving the lives of patients suffering from spinal disease and chronic pain.

The impact has been generational.

The fellowship program he helped establish has trained more than 108 spine surgeons across the United States, extending his influence far beyond the walls of a single operating room.

Dr. Hochschuler is also a founding member and past president of the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery and has played a leadership role across numerous medical technology and research organizations. Over the course of his career, he has helped launch multiple medical companies, advised emerging surgical innovators, and contributed to advancements that continue shaping the future of spine care today.

As an author and educator, he helped bring complex spinal conditions into public understanding through landmark works including Back in Shape, Treat Your Back Without Surgery, and The Comprehensive Treatment of the Aging Spine — empowering millions of people to better understand their bodies and explore pathways beyond surgery alone.

Even after decades at the forefront of medicine, his attention remains fixed on what comes next: biologics, regenerative therapies, telemedicine, and the future of neurological recovery.

But beneath the titles, institutions, and accomplishments is something quieter — a lifelong commitment to helping people reclaim movement, dignity, and quality of life.

Dr. Hochschuler is also a valued member of the Pure & Easy Tea community — someone who understands that wellness is rarely defined by a single breakthrough, but by the small disciplines and daily rituals that shape how we live.

He chose Smooth.

Episode 1 — Dr. Jeremy Pruzin

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Alzheimer's disease will affect one in three people over the age of 85. It has no cure. It erases the person before it takes the life. And for the families watching it happen — the slow disappearance of someone they love — it is one of the most devastating experiences a human being can endure.

Dr. Jeremy Pruzin decided to spend his life fighting it.

A behavioral neurologist and Associate Professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine and Banner Alzheimer's Institute in Phoenix, Dr. Pruzin has been immersed in Alzheimer's research since before he entered medical school. While most medical students were focused on survival, he traveled to Medellín, Colombia to study families carrying a rare genetic mutation that guarantees early-onset Alzheimer's — some of the most heartbreaking and scientifically valuable research communities in the world. That experience shaped everything that followed.

He completed his neurology residency at Rush University Medical Center, then pursued a fellowship at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and Massachusetts General Hospital — where he conducted research with the Harvard Aging Brain Study, one of the most important longitudinal studies of Alzheimer's pathology ever undertaken. During that time he was awarded the Alzheimer's Association Clinical Scientist Fellowship, one of the field's most competitive research honors.

Today his work is centered on a powerful and hopeful idea: that Alzheimer's disease may be preventable — and that the window to act is not in old age, but in midlife, when lifestyle interventions carry the greatest potential to change the brain's future. Hypertension. Physical inactivity. Diabetes. These are not just health conditions. In Dr. Pruzin's research, they are modifiable risk factors — meaning they are within our control — and addressing them early may be among the most important things a person can do to protect their mind decades from now.

He has been a principal investigator or subinvestigator on more than 30 clinical trials, including trials that led to the approval of the first anti-amyloid disease-modifying therapies in early Alzheimer's disease — a landmark moment in the history of the disease.

His most recent work is backed by a $21.6 million NIH grant awarded to Banner Alzheimer's Institute. The study will analyze nearly 40,000 frozen blood samples from the landmark SPRINT trial — one of the largest hypertension studies ever conducted — to understand exactly how high blood pressure contributes to Alzheimer's risk at the molecular level. All findings will be made publicly available, creating one of the largest open research repositories of its kind in the world.

Beyond the lab and the clinic, Dr. Pruzin founded the Preventing Alzheimer's Community — PACo — because he believes that science locked inside research papers helps no one. PACo translates cutting-edge findings into honest, practical, actionable guidance for everyday people who want to protect their brain health now.

This is a man who has given his career, his curiosity, and his conviction to one of medicine's hardest problems. Not for recognition. Because the disease demands it.

In this episode of The Ritual, Dr. Pruzin chose his tea, moved through the four movements, and for ten minutes set down the weight of all of it — and simply shared what matters most.

Watch and find out what a man who fights Alzheimer's every day is grateful for. What he wants to release. And what he claims going forward.

Learn more about Dr. Pruzin's work:Banner Alzheimer's Institute: bannerhealth.com/AlzheimersPreventing Alzheimer's Community: pacocommunity.com

Because the ritual is the revolution.