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Two Percent with Michael Easter
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Two Percent with Michael Easter episodes
- #2: Hunting, Hard Things, and the Mindset That Gets You Through Storms | Donnie Vincent
In this episode of Two Percent, Michael sits down with backcountry bow hunter and filmmaker Donnie Vincent to unpack what months in remote wilderness teach you about stress, calm, and competence. Donnie was featured heavily in Michael’s bestselling book, The Comfort Crisis, and now he joins Michael for the first time on mic since the book’s release.
They talk about the ethics and emotional reality of hunting, why sourcing your own food changes your relationship with life, and how modern convenience hijacks the ancient “search” that once made humans thrive. Donnie shares stories from Alaska—about storms, solitude, and the kind of discomfort that forces growth.
The two discuss the importance of building resilience when nothing's certain, staying present in wild places, and how you can get the same benefits of a hunt without ever picking up a bow – all it takes is choosing experiences that are hard and honest.
HOST
Michael Easter
PRODUCERS
Dana Brawer
Joey Fischground
Robbie Hiser
EDITOR
Nick Pomeroy
HEAD OF VIDEO
Maria Paz Mendez Hodes
KALEIDOSCOPE - EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
Julia Nutter
Kate Osborn
Mangesh Hattikudur
IHEARTMEDIA - EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
Katrina Norvell
Nikki Ettore
THEME MUSIC BY
Heat Manager
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:07:18 - The First Kill & What It Feels Like
00:12:30 - The Ethics of Hunting in a Modern World
00:16:54 - What Hunting Gives You Beyond Meat
00:20:00 - The Frozen Pond Duck Story
00:28:16 - 5 Months Alone Counting Salmon in Alaska
00:33:00 - The 1,000-lb Bear & "Don't Quit Until the Magic Happens"
00:46:17 - "Make Films Like No One Will Watch Them"
00:52:00 - How Authenticity Changed Hunting Culture
01:01:06 - Fantastic Places Are in Your Mind
GET A FREE GUIDE TO EXAMPLES OF MISOGI. GO TO https://www.twopct.com AND ENTER YOUR EMAIL.
I share similar insights around health and wellness here:
https://substack.com/@michaeleaster
https://instagram.com/michael_easter/
https://linkedin.com/in/michael-easter-b208848/
https://facebook.com/easter.michael
https://tiktok.com/@michael_easter6
https://x.com/Michael_Easter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 hr 12 min - #1: Humans are Built to Walk Farther Than You Think | Dr. Melissa Ilardo and Foster Kamer
Walking shaped humans into who we are—and it’s one of the simplest ways to improve health, mood, and longevity right now. In this episode of Two Percent, Michael sits down with evolutionary geneticist Dr. Melissa Ilardo and writer Foster Kamer to explore what endurance science says about how far humans can actually go, why the brain often quits before the body, and how small daily choices compound into massive long-term outcomes.
We cover the real research behind step counts (including why the 10,000 number is a myth), the minimum effective dose that meaningfully improves health, and how to make walking effortless by stacking it into things you already do. Plus: persistence hunting, sleep differences that change performance, and what ultra-endurance reveals about mindset.
HOST
Michael Easter
PRODUCERS
Dana Brawer
Joey Fischground
Robbie Hiser
EDITOR
Nick Pomeroy
HEAD OF VIDEO
Maria Paz Mendez Hodes
KALEIDOSCOPE - EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
Julia Nutter
Kate Osborn
Mangesh Hattikudur
IHEARTMEDIA - EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
Katrina Norvell
Nikki Ettore
THEME MUSIC BY
Heat Manager
Chapters:
0:00 Cold Open
0:45 Introduction: Welcome to 2%
2:16 Why Is It Called 2%?
3:03 Today's Topic: Walking
3:35 850 Miles Through the Utah Desert
6:08 The Long Walk Movie Setup
7:59 Interview: Melissa Allardo (Evolutionary Geneticist)
9:23 Persistence Hunting: We Literally Outrun Animals
10:31 Biggest Hurdles: Nutrition, Footwear & Sleep
12:03 Sleep Genetics & Natural Short Sleepers
13:57 Training vs. No Training
15:10 How Far Humans Used to Walk (Hadza 20K Steps)
16:07 Why Women Outlast Men in Ultra-Endurance
17:21 Pregnancy Is a Marathon Every Single Day
18:39 Mindset & The Central Governor Theory
21:27 Immune System Suppression During Endurance
22:25 Finding Joy in Movement
24:38 Practical Takeaways from the Movie
27:07 Interview: Foster Kamer (The Grief Walk)
30:37 The Friendship & The Loss
32:06 The Walk Begins
33:24 Crossing Every Bridge in NYC
43:39 The Long Island City Connection
44:01 Coming Home (24-25 Miles)
45:36 The Insight: Pushing the Edge
47:53 Year 2: The George Washington Bridge
52:17 The Lesson: New Things Are Possible
53:54 Walking as Processing & Pilgrimage
56:10 How Many Steps Do You Actually Need?
56:56 The 10,000 Steps Myth (Invented by a Pedometer Company)
57:34 The Real Numbers: 7,000 vs 12,000 Steps
59:07 How to Actually Get Your Steps
1:00:26 Closing: Have Fun, Don't Die
GET A FREE GUIDE TO EXAMPLES OF MISOGI.
GO TO https://www.twopct.com AND ENTER YOUR EMAIL.
I share similar insights around health and wellness here:
https://substack.com/@michaeleaster
https://instagram.com/michael_easter/
https://linkedin.com/in/michael-easter-b208848/
https://facebook.com/easter.michael
https://tiktok.com/@michael_easter6
https://x.com/Michael_Easter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 hr 2 min - Coming April 7: Two Percent with Michael Easter
From New York Times bestselling author and journalist Michael Easter comes a twice-weekly deep dive into the science of living better by doing things the hard way. Building on the insights of his #1 Substack and acclaimed books, Easter balances rigorous evidence with a healthy dose of skepticism to cut through the noise of the modern wellness industry. Whether he’s interviewing elite explorers and Harvard biologists or deconstructing the truth about longevity and metabolic health, this isn't a show for "biohacking" perfectionists—it’s a grounded, often humorous guide for real people looking to build resilience and agency in an increasingly comfortable world. From ancient wisdom to cutting-edge research, listen to Two Percent to discover why the antidote to modern malaise is often found in the challenges we’ve been taught to avoid.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
3 min - Resilience is normal (podcast)Michael covers the new science of resilience. Psychologists used to think people weren’t inherently resilient, then new research began to suggest a brighter picture.But now, cultural forces may be shifting us in the direction of less resilience.We’ll cover the science and how you can become more resilient.Note: This audio read was generated with AI.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.twopct.com/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
9 min - Muscle and Women's Health (podcast)This episode is the deepest dive into how muscle impacts women’s health.Michael will cover the shocking state of women and muscle. You’ll learn how muscle:* Protects your heart.* Helps survival rates if you get cancer.* Improves your metabolism.* Helps you sleep better.* Helps against pain and illness.* Protects you from death.* Adds years to your life …* … And life to your years.* Protects your brain.The lessons apply to men, too. Note: I’m out in the wilderness, so this episode was generated with AI.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.twopct.com/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
13 min - The Time Audit (podcast)Michael covers the infamous time audit. It’s one of the most effective ways to discover the time you need to exercise (or do anything else you feel you don’t have time for).The time audit is simple and brutal—and the numbers don’t lie.Read more about why it works here.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.twopct.com/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
6 min - My Badass Mom (podcast)For Mother’s Day this Sunday, I’m sharing a story I wrote about my mom.We can all learn a lot from her: About hard work and persistence. But also about how quitting can paradoxically get us ahead. And how this ride we call life isn’t about us—a realization that allows us to ride it better.The story, however, isn’t just about my mom. It’s the story of so many moms who work hard with their heads down every day to make our lives better.Thanks for listening.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.twopct.com/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
10 min - 6 Sleep Myths (Podcast)The world of sleep is tainted with misinformation, and it’s driving up sleep anxiety. Michael dove deeply into the research on sleep and discovered the surprising truth about six common sleep myths. Michael will cover each myth, why it’s wrong, and better ways to think about sleep.Why it matters: Evolution programmed us to all sleep differently (it was a survival mechanism) and understanding the nuances of sleep can help you figure out what’s good and bad about your sleep habits. The result: you’ll rest easier.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.twopct.com/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
20 min - 4 ways to find belonging (podcast)Today, Michael covers belonging and how to find it. Belonging is linked to greater happiness and better health outcomes—yet belonging is dwindling today.Here’s an easy way to belong: Become a fan of something or join a group.You’ll learn a strange way I found belonging through fandom, and four research-backed ways to find belonging in an increasingly fragmented, isolated world.Note: I’m in the wilderness for a couple months, so this episode’s audio was generate by AI.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.twopct.com/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
11 min - Gear Not Stuff: Outdoor GearThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.twopct.com
Post Summary* We’re covering the gear I’m using on my 850-mile hike.* The video above covers the gear I’ll be using along the way and my philosophy on outdoor gear.* Below, I’ve also listed each item, a quick sentence or two on why I’m taking it, and linked to it.Housekeeping* Full access to this post and video is for Members of Two Percent.* Members get access to all our Gear Not Stuff posts and videos and everything else Two Percent offers. Become a Member here:* Thanks to our partners:* Momentous Nutrition: The company that made me feel good about supplements again. They’re researched back and tested for purity because Momentous has contracts with most pro sports leagues and the US Military. My picks: Essential Plant Protein + Daily Multivitamin. Use discount code EASTER for 15% off.* Maui Nui Venison harvests the healthiest meat on planet Earth. 100% wild, ethically-harvested, and delicious. Maui Nui is offering Two Percent readers a limited collection of my favorite cuts and products, like the Sugar-Free Peppered meat stick. Supply is limited because axis deer are wild. Head to mauinuivenison.com/EASTER to secure access.* GOREWEAR. I’m using the hell out of GOREWEAR gear on the trail. Especially the Concurve LE3 Jacket. It’s light, weatherproof, and has a bunch of features that make it ideal for all outdoor runs, hikes, rides, and more. Check it out. EASTER gets you 30% off your first GOREWEAR purchase.The postToday is the second Friday of the month, which means it’s time for Gear Not Stuff.Read more about the idea behind Gear Not Stuff here.* In short: Gear Not Stuff is a framework that helps us make smarter purchasing decisions. Gear has a clear purpose of helping us achieve a higher purpose—a tool we can use to have better experiences.Today’s Gear Not Stuff covers 12 pieces of essential gear I’ll be using on my hike. Watch the video above to learn:* My philosophy on gear for the hike (balancing gear...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
7 min
About Two Percent with Michael Easter
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Lessons from the frontiers of health, psychology, thought, and human experience. Hosted by Michael Easter—New York Times bestselling author of The Comfort…
Crisis and Scarcity Brain. New episodes are released twice each week.
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