Is Stress Speeding Up Your Aging? What You Can Do About It Today with Elissa Epel
In this episode, Elissa Epel explores how stress can speed up aging and what you can do about it. She explains telomeres, which are those protective caps on our chromosomes, shorten with stress and poor habits, speeding up aging and disease. She also delves into the science of how thought patterns, diet, and even our response to daily challenges can literally change our biology.Want to stay intentional in your daily life? Sign up for Good Wolf Reminders—free, thoughtful text messages from Eric that land once or twice a week. Each message offers a quick burst of insight to help you pause, reflect, and feed your good wolf. No spam. Easy to opt out anytime. Join nearly 5,000 others at oneyoufeed.net/sms.Key Takeaways:The science of telomeres and their role in cellular aging.The impact of stress and lifestyle choices on telomere length and overall health.The relationship between genetics and environmental factors in health outcomes.The concept of “inflammaging” and its connection to chronic inflammation and aging.The influence of diet on telomere maintenance and inflammation.The bidirectional relationship between depression and telomere shortening.Strategies for reframing stress as a challenge rather than a threat.The importance of mindfulness and social support in managing stress.The potential risks and benefits of telomerase and its role in telomere health.The significance of making intentional lifestyle choices to influence aging and well-being.Elissa Epel, Ph.D. is an international expert on stress, well-being, and optimal aging and a best-selling author of The Telomere Effect, and now The Stress Prescription. She is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, at The University of California, San Francisco, where she is Vice Chair of Psychology and directs the UCSF Aging Metabolism Emotions Center. She studies how psychosocial and behavioral factors, such as meditation and positive stress, can slow aging and focuses on climate wellness.Connect with Elissa Epel Website | Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedInIf you enjoyed this conversation with Elissa Epel, check out these other episodes:How to Shift Your Emotions: Moving from Chaos to Clarity with Ethan KrossSmall Steps to Happiness: The Science of Mindful Living with Laurie SantosFor full show notes, click here!Connect with the show:Follow us on YouTube: @TheOneYouFeedPodSubscribe on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyFollow us on InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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33:29
From “Why Me?” to “What Now?”: A New Approach to Pain and Growth with Scott Barry Kaufman
In this episode, Scott Barry Kaufman challenges us to go from asking ourselves “Why Me?” to “What Now?” as he unpacks a new approach to pain and growth. Scott explains how the real work happens in the messy middle as we unpack the dangers of black and white thinking, and why genuine change isn’t about a single epiphany, but a thousand small choices. If you’ve ever wondered how to hold your suffering without letting it define you, or how to spot the agency that you still have, this episode is for you.Every Wednesday, we send out A Weekly Bite of Wisdom – a short, free email that distills the big ideas from the podcast into bite-sized practices you can use right away. From mental health and anxiety to relationships and purpose, it’s practical, powerful, and takes just a minute to read. Thousands already count on it as part of their week, and as a bonus, you’ll also get a weekend podcast playlist to dive deeper. Sign up at oneyoufeed.net/newsletter!Key Takeaways:The concept of a victim mindset and its impact on personal growth.The importance of personal agency and empowerment in overcoming challenges.The balance between acknowledging suffering and recognizing potential for growth.The role of emotions and cognitive distortions in shaping our mindset.Techniques for emotional regulation and reframing negative thoughts.The significance of self-compassion and its role in personal development.The dangers of black-and-white thinking and the need for nuanced perspectives.The relationship between trauma, identity, and self-worth.The process of post-traumatic growth and healing from past experiences.Listener questions addressing limiting beliefs and the fear of the unknown.If you enjoyed this conversation with Scott Barry Kaufman, check out these other episodes:Tasha Eurich on Growing Self-AwarenessHow to Choose Growth with Scott Barry Kaufman & Jordyn FeingoldFor full show notes, click here!Connect with the show:Follow us on YouTube: @TheOneYouFeedPodSubscribe on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyFollow us on InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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56:56
Purposeful Living: Strategies to Align Your Values and Actions with Victor Strecher
In this episode, Victor Strecher discusses purposeful living and strategies to align your values and actions. Vic shares his imperfect journey back to meaning and to living for what matters most after losing his daughter. He explores what it means to be purposeful versus just having a purpose, how energy and vitality play a role in living out our values, and why purpose isn’t just for the privileged.For the first time in over three years, I’ve got a couple open spots in my coaching practice. If you’re a thoughtful business owner, creator, or leader feeling stuck in scattered progress or simmering self-doubt, this might be the right moment. Through my Aligned Progress Method, I help people move toward real momentum with clarity, focus, and trust in themselves. If that speaks to where you are, you can learn more at oneyoufeed.net/align.Key Takeaways:The significance of purpose in life and its impact on well-being.Personal experiences of loss and grief, particularly the impact of losing a loved one on understanding purpose.The distinction between values, purpose, and meaning, and how they interconnect.The role of energy and vitality in living a purposeful life, including factors like sleep, mindfulness, and nutrition.The concept of mortality salience and its influence on identifying core values and priorities.Practical methods for discovering and articulating one’s purpose, such as the headstone test.The accessibility of purpose for everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status.The relationship between purpose and happinessEncouragement for self-reflection and intentionality in daily life to align actions with personal values.If you enjoyed this conversation with Victor Strecher, check out these other episodes:How to Create a Life Strategy for Meaningful Change with Seth GodinHow to Shift Your Emotions: Moving from Chaos to Clarity with Ethan KrossFor full show notes, click here!Connect with the show:Follow us on YouTube: @TheOneYouFeedPodSubscribe on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyFollow us on InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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1:04:18
Escape the Goal Trap: Embrace Curiosity and Tiny Experiments with Anne-Laure Le Cunff
In this episode, Anne-Laure Le Cunff, discusses how to go from procrastination to action using the power of tiny experiments. Most advice about self-improvement assumes you know where you’re going, but what if you don’t? Anne-Laure suggests that’s not a flaw, it’s actually the starting point. Her new book, Tiny Experiments, offers a way to explore change without chasing outcomes. In our conversation, we talk about curiosity as a guide, how to stay engaged in uncertainty, and what it means to choose persistence.For the first time in over three years, I’ve got a couple open spots in my coaching practice. If you’re a thoughtful business owner, creator, or leader feeling stuck in scattered progress or simmering self-doubt, this might be the right moment. Through my Aligned Progress Method, I help people move toward real momentum with clarity, focus, and trust in themselves. If that speaks to where you are, you can learn more at oneyoufeed.net/align.Key Takeaways:Importance of curiosity and exploration in personal growthConducting small experiments to challenge the status quoEmbracing uncertainty and learning from emotionsDistinction between passive and active acceptance of challengesThe concept of “field notes” for self-reflection and observationUnderstanding and labeling emotions to reduce anxietyAddressing procrastination through curiosity and explorationThe iterative process of growth loops and adjusting one’s trajectoryThe significance of taking actionable steps in the presentDeveloping mini protocols or “pacts” for personal experimentationIf you enjoyed this conversation with Anne-Laure Le Cunff, check out these other episodes:The Power of Visualization to Achieve Your Goals with Emily BalcetisWhy We Stop Noticing What Matters and How to Feel Alive Again with Tali SharotFor full show notes, click here!Connect with the show:Follow us on YouTube: @TheOneYouFeedPodSubscribe on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyFollow us on InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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54:40
The Hidden Cause of Procrastination and How to Finally Move Forward with Taylor Jacobson
In this episode, Taylor Jacobson discusses the hidden cause of procrastination and how to finally move forward in your life. He explores how transformation rarely feels graceful, how repressed emotions shape our behavior, and what it takes to live a life true to your inner compass. It’s a vulnerable, grounded conversation about fear, reinvention, and creating space for what you actually want to give to the world.For the first time in over three years, I’ve got a couple open spots in my coaching practice. If you’re a thoughtful business owner, creator, or leader feeling stuck in scattered progress or simmering self-doubt, this might be the right moment. Through my Aligned Progress Method, I help people move toward real momentum with clarity, focus, and trust in themselves. If that speaks to where you are, you can learn more at oneyoufeed.net/align.Key Takeaways:Importance of experiencing and releasing emotions for personal growthThe concept of safety in productivity and its impact on focusOverview of Focusmate as a solution for procrastination and accountabilityThe role of community support in overcoming distractions and enhancing productivityThe significance of vulnerability in seeking help and building connectionsThe principles of behavior change, including commitment and accountabilityThe relationship between emotional well-being and productivityThe challenges of transformation and the necessity of aligning with one’s true selfThe exploration of intuition and discernment in navigating emotions and decision-makingIf you enjoyed this conversation with Taylor Jacobson, check out these other episodes:How to Overcome Procrastination with Tim PychylDavid Kadavy on Getting StartedFor full show notes, click here!Connect with the show:Follow us on YouTube: @TheOneYouFeedPodSubscribe on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyFollow us on InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transformative ideas from the best thinkers on the planet including guests like James Clear, Susan Cain, Michael Pollan, Deepak Chopra, Nicole LaPera, Yung Pueblo, Gabor Mate, Maggie Smith, David Whyte, Macklemore, George Saunders, Anne Lamott, Frank Turner, Mark Manson, Tara Brach, AJ Jacobs, Oliver Burkeman, Ryan Holiday, Parker Palmer. It’s not about perfection; it’s about direction.