In this episode of the Beautifully Broken Podcast, Freddie Kimmel talks with Jon Hacker, co-founder of Zenbud, about the broken incentive structures inside MedTech and academia — from the unnecessary gatekeeping around credentials and funding, to an insurance system that rewards defensibility over efficacy. Jon shares his personal path from an eleven-year-old fascinated by the nervous system to building a company focused on non-invasive, science-backed nervous system technology, and the two explore what it really means to "meet people where they are" instead of demanding a total lifestyle overhaul.

The conversation then turns to Zenbud itself: how the device uses ultrasound (not electrical stimulation) to support the vagus nerve, the history and research behind vagus nerve stimulation, early tolerability and reaction-time data, and why Jon is skeptical of HRV as a standalone metric. They close out with a candid look at frictionless, daily-life-compatible wellness tech, Zenbud's 90-day guarantee, and where the product is headed next — including future plans for real-time brain activity feedback.

Episode Highlights

00:01 Welcome to the Beautifully Broken Podcast and introduction of Jon Hacker

01:55 What drew Jon into health, wellness, and integrative technology

03:29 Why Jon believes MedTech is broken

06:14 Barriers to innovation in MedTech and academia

09:20 Insurance, reimbursement, and misaligned incentives

12:04 Freddie's perspective on the longevity and health optimization space

14:18 Meeting people where they are and building for real life

20:12 Introduction to Zenbud

23:36 How Zenbud works and why it uses ultrasound

27:00 The history of vagus nerve stimulation

32:58 Early results, tolerability, and reaction time data

36:07 Why HRV is a limited metric

39:50 Passive, frictionless use in daily life

42:43 The 90-day guarantee

49:52 Future vision for Zenbud

52:45 Where to find Zenbud and closing thoughts

Get Zenbud:

https://zenbud.health/beautifullybroken

Use code BEAUTIFULLYBROKEN 

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CONNECT WITH FREDDIE

Work with Me: https://www.beautifullybroken.world/biological-blueprint

Website and Store: (http://www.beautifullybroken.world) 

Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/freddie.kimmel

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beautifullybrokenworld 

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