Abel James Show

Have you ever sat in a pointless meeting wondering, "what am I even doing here?'Imagine if meeting up with fellow humans felt less like a slow-motion train wreck… and more like a great jam session—where everyone’s locked in, connected, and creating something truly inspirational none of you could have created alone.Some call this concept the mastermind, when your group becomes more than the sum of its parts, creating something altogether much more expansive and, at its best, transcendent. On today’s show, we’re here with Dr. Colin Fisher, professor, jazz trumpet player, and author of The Collective Edge, talking about the real science of group dynamics, creativity, and leadership. Dr. Fisher has spent his career studying why some teams become far more than the sum of their parts… while others spiral into dysfunction, groupthink, and soul‑sucking meetings that could have easily been an email.If you’ve ever watched a brilliant team of superstars underperform and fail spectacularly, this conversation will give you a totally new lens on how human dynamics actually work, and how to build teams that launch you into the stratosphere.In this episode, we dig into:How to handle the person who sucks all the air out of the room (without making it personal)Why 60% of a team’s performance is decided before the first meeting even happensWhat jazz improvisation can teach us about flow, trust, and spontaneous collaboration at workWhy the “lone genius” is a myth of marketingWhy we desperately need to talk about what AI is already doing to our teamsAnd much more..Find Dr. Colin Fisher and his work at: Website: ColinMFisher.comBook: The Collective Edge: Unlocking the Secret Power of GroupsSubstack: https://colinmfisher.substack.com/ Instagram: @ColinMFisherInstagram: @TrumpetFisherYouTube: @DrColinMFisherLinkedIn: @ColinMFisherPlease take a moment to make sure you’re subscribed wherever you listen to podcasts, and to stay up-to-date, sign up for my newsletter at AbelJames.com.You can also join Substack as a free or paid member for ad-free episodes of this show, to comment on each episode, and to hit me up in the DM’s. Join at abeljames.substack.com. And if you’re feeling generous, write a quick review for the Abel James Show on Apple or Spotify. You rock.This episode is brought to you by:Tonum Health – Go to Tonum.com/WILD and punch in code WILD for 10 % off your first order.

Feeling a little stressed lately? You're certainly not alone. Counterintuitively, instead of beating yourself up for not being able to calm down and eliminate stress altogether, consciously taking on more stress can actually make you perform better. It's strange but true: "When you need something done, give it to a busy person."  Stress doesn't need to paralyze you or bowl you over, it's a natural energy that can be directed and used to your advantage. The problem is that our ancient brains can't keep up with modern threats. As our guest puts it: tigers of the savanna have transformed into a snarling inbox. Since avoiding stress is impossible, what if we stopped trying to "reduce stress" and instead learned to open the floodgates, harnessing our natural energy to use stress as a source of strength, focus and momentum?In this age of unprecedented technological change and and crippling career insecurity, how can we conquer fear and regain clarity and confidence in the face of uncertainty? Today we're here with Dr. Rebecca Heiss, a stress physiologist, researcher, keynote speaker, and author of the new book Springboard. Her work has been called transformative by the National Science Foundation, and after this episode, you’ll understand why.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why telling a stressed out person to calm down is the worst possible thing you can doWhy stress management workshops make us more stressedHow rugged individualism is fueling a stress epidemic, especially for menWhy adults desperately need more play, community, and shared challenge — and how that protects your brainWhy we’re more afraid of snakes, spiders, and public speaking than the tiny daily choices that quietly steal years off our livesAnd much more...If you’re feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or stuck in your own head, this conversation will help you see stress in a totally different light — not as something to escape, but as natural energy you can channel and direct to launch you to the next level of success. Find Dr. Rebecca Heiss and her work at: Website: RebeccaHeiss.comBook: SpringboardFacebook: @drrebeccaheissX: @DrRebeccaHeissInstagram: @drrebeccaheissYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO3XmakQmJX0z0TbSfr3aggLinkedIn: @rebeccaheissPlease take a moment to make sure you’re subscribed wherever you listen to podcasts, and to stay up-to-date, sign up for my newsletter at AbelJames.com.You can also join Substack as a free or paid member for ad-free episodes of this show, to comment on each episode, and to hit me up in the DM’s. Join at abeljames.substack.com. And if you’re feeling generous, write a quick review for the Abel James Show on Apple or Spotify. You rock.This episode is brought to you by:Tonum Health – Go to Tonum.com/WILD and punch in code WILD for 10 % off your first order.MUD/WTR - Go to mudwtr.com and use code ABELJAMES to save 43% off your order with free shipping, plus a free rechargeable frother gift.

Why do we wait until it's almost too late to take our health seriously? If you've ever experienced a rock bottom moment, you know it can be a powerful catalyst to take radical ownership over your life and your results. This weeks guest suggests that your health and physique is your “proof of work”—visible, undeniable evidence of your daily routines and values.Today, we're here with Dr. Jae Koonce, PharmD, certified personal trainer, Bitcoiner, and founder of Proof of Work Fitness. Jae is one of a kind—he's as comfortable leading advanced mobility drills in a pharmacy picnic as he is whipping up squirrel stew deep in the woods. Along those lines, what's the weirdest thing you've ever eaten?Mine is probably guinea pig in Peru (scrumptious), random fried crickets and bugs in Thailand (not recommended), or maybe the toughest old bear meat on earth from the backwoods in New Hampshire (not for the faint of heart).But when it comes to hunting and cooking wild game, this week's guest might just teach you how to survive the zombie apocalypse in style. In this episode, you'll discover:How to design your life to show up day after day, especially when things get toughHow to treat health as a compounding investment and dollar-cost-average your workouts by taking one small, consistent step at a timeWhy community is a superpower and surrounding yourself with goal-driven people accelerates transformationWhy tiny habits create an enormous change in your trajectoryAnd much more...Jae’s journey is as honest and actionable as it gets. Get ready for the kind of no-excuses inspiration that just might get you moving by the end of the show. Find Dr. Jae Koonce and his work at: Website: https://www.proofofwork.fit/Proof of Work Fitness App on apple and androidInstagram: @proofofworkfitnessLinkedIn: @pharmacistjeremiahkooncePlease take a moment to make sure you’re subscribed wherever you listen to podcasts, and to stay up-to-date, sign up for my newsletter at AbelJames.com.You can also join Substack as a free or paid member for ad-free episodes of this show, to comment on each episode, and to hit me up in the DM’s. Join at abeljames.substack.com. And if you’re feeling generous, write a quick review for the Abel James Show on Apple or Spotify. You rock.This episode is brought to you by:Tonum Health – Go to Tonum.com/WILD and punch in code WILD for 10 % off your first order.

Have you ever wondered how much of your happiness comes down to what you were conditioned to believe about sex? Sexual pleasure isn’t a guilty indulgence: science shows that prioritizing pleasure can build resilience, improve creativity, bolster overall health, and even enhance longevity.I’m joined by Dr. Nicole McNichols, author of You Could Be Having Better Sex and the celebrated University of Washington professor whose course on human sexuality draws many thousands of curious minds every year. In fact, her groundbreaking class, “The Diversity of Human Sexuality,” is the most popular course in University of Washington history.If you’ve ever felt like something was missing—from your relationships, your pleasure, or even your self-image—you won’t want to miss this one. We're going to challenge deep-rooted beliefs about sex, and what you’re about to hear just might change the way you think about human connection, pleasure, and your relationships.In this episode, you'll discover:Why most of what you believe about sex is probably wrongWhy the longest-lived people in the world in blue zones have lots of sexHow to master sexual communicationHow technologies like AI and virtual reality could affect the future of human sexual experienceand much more...Find  Dr. Nicole McNichols and her work at: Website: https://nicolethesexprofessor.comBook: "You Could Be Having Better Sex" by Nicole McNichols, PhDInstagram: @nicole_thesexprofessorTikTok: @nicole_thesexprofessorLinkedIn: Nicole McNicholsAs I research and write my new book about longevity, one of the most important points to understand is that connection to fellow humans is perhaps the most critical factor for living a long and healthy life. If you want to improve your health and your life, it's crucial to surround yourself with experienced folks who know how to get real results; people who truly want the best for you and will keep you accountable when things get tough. So my wife Alyson and I are hosting gamified transformation challenges where health nuts like us can level-up and get life-changing results together. For the next 5 days only, join the 14-Day Eat Wild Challenge with done-for-you meal plan, gamified rewards, micro-quests, short videos and a big giveaway at the end.  The challenge kicks off Tues, Feb 17. Join the fun at WildRx.com/challengePlease take a moment to make sure you’re subscribed wherever you listen to podcasts, and to stay up-to-date, sign up for my newsletter at AbelJames.com.You can also join Substack as a free or paid member for ad-free episodes of this show, to comment on each episode, and to hit me up in the DM’s. Join at abeljames.substack.com. And if you’re feeling generous, write a quick review for the Abel James Show on Apple or Spotify. You rock.This episode is brought to you by:14-Day Eat Wild Challenge – Go to WildRx.com/challenge and start the challenge with us on Tue, Feb 17 Tonum Health – Go to Tonum.com/WILD and punch in code WILD for 10 % off your first order.Bubs Naturals – Go to BubsNaturals.com and enter code ABEL to snag 20 % off your entire order.

Are you living YOUR definition of success, or someone else’s? Today we’re here with Jonathan Goodman: an entrepreneur, coach and author who’s lived everywhere, failed forward, and let curiosity chart his course. Traveling the world for 13 years, Jonathan's journey across continents and careers has led him to rethink not just what it means to succeed, but how to find joy in every season of life.  Together, we’ll uproot old ideas of ambition, explore why true friends might be “useless” to your goals, and discover just how much richer life gets when you focus your energy on what truly matters instead of approval-seeking and living on autopilot. In this episode, you'll discover:Why daring to travel the world builds adaptability and resilience in familiesHow to prioritize personal fulfillment over external validation and approvalWhy designing your life around seasons improves everythingAnd much more...Find Jonathan Goodman and his work at: Website: https://www.theptdc.com/Book: Unhinged Habits: A Counterintuitive Guide for Humans to Have More by Doing LessMore Books by Jonathan Goodman: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jonathan-Goodman/author/B007V2QK18?ccs_id=249712d9-26df-4449-905a-b379db98763dSubstack: Diary of a Book LaunchSubstack: @itscoachgoodmanPodcast: The Obvious Choice with Jonathan GoodmanInstagram: @itscoachgoodmanX: @itscoachgoodmanFacebook: @jonathan.goodman101LinkedIn: @jon-goodmanYouTube: @JonathanGoodmanCoachIf you become the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with, why not use that to your advantage?If you're ready to commit to getting the best results of your life this year, don't wait. Join the 14-Day Eat Wild Challenge and claim your Early Bird savings of 37% off when you sign-up by Thurs, Feb 5th. Come join the party.Just visit https://www.wildrx.com/challengePlease take a moment to make sure you’re subscribed wherever you listen to podcasts, and to stay up-to-date, sign up for my newsletter at AbelJames.com.You can also join Substack as a free or paid member for ad-free episodes of this show, to comment on each episode, and to hit me up in the DM’s. Join at abeljames.substack.com. And if you’re feeling generous, write a quick review for the Abel James Show on Apple or Spotify. You rock.This episode is brought to you by:14-Day Eat Wild Challenge – Go to WildRx.com/challenge and save $30 off when you join by Feb 5, 2026.Tonum Health – Go to Tonum.com/WILD and punch in code WILD for 10 % off your first order.

Did you know that your heart has a brain?In fact, there are more connections running from the heart to the brain than from the brain to the heart! (Think about that for a second.)We've all heard the expression "dying of a broken heart." It may sound hard to believe, but the phenomenon is quite real. Unresolved emotions like grief, anger, or fear can quietly build pressure in the body and contribute to issues like high blood pressure, heart rhythm problems, and worse. The hidden strain of emotional pains of the past affect the physical health of the heart, taking a toll over a lifetime of real and imagined stressors. Your emotional health is a direct input into your physical health. So before you ignore your body and reflexively say "I'm fine," now is a good time to take a deep breath, check in with yourself for a moment and ask, "how do I feel in my heart?"When we're hurt physically or emotionally, our body and nervous system naturally engage guarding mechanisms. In the wild, injured animals withdraw from socializing and normal tasks and hide until they're healed. But in humans, the fight, flight, and freeze response can go haywire.  Our fragile nervous systems face a constant barrage of unnatural, overstimulating modern stressors that eat away at our health, vitality, and sanity.When natural healing processes are interrupted, we can develop subconscious maladaptive patterns of avoidance, isolation, and lack of connection. This incomplete healing can feel like you're not fully alive or not fully present, yet also completely overwhelmed. (After getting my bell rung pretty good recently in a hit-and-run car wreck, I can say I've been there myself.) After a lifetime of struggles, you might not feel not quite so free, open, and alive as a child chasing butterflies in the backyard. So how can you create the life you dream about when your energy is being drained by the emotional baggage?How can we build profound connections with people we care about if our hearts are shuttered behind protective defensive emotions?The paradox is that pain and struggle actually shape us into the people we're meant to become. Some even call it the human condition. This week's guest offers that our trials may even serve a divine purpose.No matter what life has in store for us, the good news is that the human body has a remarkable (and often miraculous) ability to heal. This week's guest has helped millions of souls across the world do just that. Dr. Bradley Nelson is a renowned Holistic Physician, father of 8, husband of 44 years, bestselling author of multiple books including his latest The Heart Code, and a visionary thought leader in root cause healing and personal transformation. He's here to help us drop the emotional baggage and smash through the mental blocks that prevent you from living your best life.In this episode with Dr. Nelson, you'll discover:How to identify and drop maladaptive subconscious patternsHow clearing trapped emotions restores our body’s natural healing intelligenceWhy trapped emotions create patterns of limitation that seem impossible to break (and what to do about it)How to show up unguarded and authentic, feeling fully aliveAnd more...Find Dr. Bradley Nelson and his work at: Website: DrBradleyNelson.comWebsite: DiscoverHealing.comBooks: The Heart Code, The Emotion Code, The Body Code, The Belief CodeFacebook: @DrBradleyNelsonX: @DrBradleyNelson Instagram: @OfficialDrBradleyNelsonYouTube: @DrBradleyNelsonLinkedIn: @DrBradleyNelsonBig news! We just launched our brand new membership club where you can level up with fellow aspiring and veteran health nuts like us. It's called Club Wild, and it's finally ready for you. The modern internet has become far too reliant on exploitation, advertising, anti-human algorithms and anti-social media. So we've essentially built our own social media platform with no advertising, no fake accounts, and no nonsense. Just real people on a shared journey to better themselves and better the world. Join today and kick off your membership with a 3-day “Nutrition Myths Busted” Mini‑Course followed by a Wild 30-Day Challenge, guiding you step-by-step to shed unwanted fat and get in the best shape of your life. > Join The ClubAnd if you'd just like to dip your toes in to see how you like it, try our free 5-Day Challenge. You can join for free by signing up for the newsletter at AbelJames.com. Please take a moment to make sure you’re subscribed wherever you listen to podcasts.You can also join Substack as a free or paid member for ad-free episodes of this show, to comment on each episode, and to hit me up in the DM’s. Join at abeljames.substack.com. And if you’re feeling generous, write a quick review for the Abel James Show on Apple or Spotify. You rock.This episode is brought to you by:Tonum Health – Go to Tonum.com/WILD and punch in code WILD for 10 % off your first order.Bubs Naturals – Go to BubsNaturals.com and enter code ABEL to snag 20 % off your entire order.

In this conversation, Jim Murphy, a former pro-baseball player and bestselling author, shares powerful insights on mental toughness and the pursuit of 'inner excellence.' He discusses strategies elite athletes use to maintain focus under pressure and how to overcome setbacks through daily rituals and gratitude practices. Jim emphasizes redefining success beyond ego and inspiring young people to connect with their passions. Learn how to rewire negative memories and design environments that foster growth and resilience.

A modern mystery haunts professional sports: Why are today's star athletes—who are bigger, faster, and stronger than ever—getting injured at such catastrophic rates?The glory days when all-stars like Cal Ripkin Jr. played 2,632 consecutive games seem far behind us.These days, promising careers are tragically cut short by horrific injuries televised to the masses. Some managers even see pro athletes as expendable, as surgeons circle broken bodies like buzzards. The strange truth is this: sometimes getting stronger actually makes us worse at sports. Athleticism is much more than just an arms race of strength and speed. It's about physical intelligence, skill development, and building fluency in the language of movement.We're here today with Henry Abbott, award-winning journalist, OG podcaster, and author of the new book “Ballistic: The New Science of Injury-Free Athletic Performance.”From jaw-dropping moments on the NBA court to the hidden science and technology in cutting-edge elite training labs, Henry unpacks the secrets behind how to build and maintain athletic mastery for life.if you're looking for extra motivation to get out of your chair, this is it. In this episode, you'll discover:How cutting-edge research is reshaping the way athletes train Surprisingly sneaky causes of common injuries (and how to prevent them)What professors and elite athletes know about recovering from injury that you don'tHow to incorporate more "play" and joyful movement into your fitness routineAnd much more.... Find Henry Abbott and his work at: Website: henryabbott.comBook: Ballistic: The New Science of Injury-Free Athletic PerformanceSubstack: truehoop.comTrueHoop podcast: Apple / SubstackX: @TrueHoopInstagram: @true.hoopQuick note: Very soon, we'll be sharing a very special invitation with our newsletter subscribers. Alyson and I are building a brand-new gamified, member's-only private community completely outside of social media.The internet doesn't have quite the vibe it used to, so we're building our own "space" where health nuts like us can level-up together.We're planning challenges you can join from anywhere as well as live events and in-person meetups in Austin, Texas and beyond.It's called Club Wild, and it's almost ready for you. If you're not already subscribed to our newsletter, be sure to sign up at https://abeljames.com/.You can also join Substack as a free or paid member for ad-free episodes of this show, to comment on each episode, and to hit me up in the DM’s. Join at abeljames.substack.com. And if you’re feeling generous, write a quick review for the Abel James Show on Apple or Spotify. You rock.This episode is brought to you by:Crowd Health - Go to JoinCrowdHealth.com and use the code WILD at checkout to get started for as low as $80 per month.Troscriptions - Go to troscriptions.com/WILD or enter WILD at checkout for 10% off your first order.Nature's Sunshine - Go to NaturesSunshine.com and use code WILD for free shipping and 20% off your first order.

Is microdosing more effective than macrodosing? While heavy-handed megadoses of synthetic pharmaceuticals attempt to dominate a single biochemical pathway, microdoses of synergistic botanticals can stimulate the body to normalize, balance and heal itself.Meanwhile, much of modern medicine has devolved into a game of manipulating numbers on blood tests rather than actually healing you. Because they're not so easily patented and monetized, many of the most effective, affordable and simple substances and practices in health and longevity are dismissed, ignored, or at the very least taken for granted. For instance, did you know that the simple act of prayer has been scientifically proven to not only improve mental health, but also improve the literal physical health of the heart?Deep breathing, gratitude, meditation, and prayer steady the vagus nerve and allow our bodies to remain flexible and adaptable, downregulating our nervous system from fight-or-flight into a relaxed parasympathetic state. The truth is, we don't need to wait for the next miracle pill to save us. We already know more than enough to put life-saving practices into action today. Donnie Yance is a Clinical Master Herbalist, Certified Nutritionist and Author, known internationally for his pioneering work in botanical and nutritional medicine, particularly in the field of integrative cancer. As an accomplished jazz bassist and former monk, Donnie is also known as "The Funk Monk."In this episode, you'll discover:How to eat and supplement for greater adaptive capacity, hardiness, and resilienceWhy many of the secrets to long life lie in humble livingHow Donnie earned the nickname of "The Funk Monk"How improvisation in music mirrors the intellectual and playful flexibility we need in healthAnd much more...Find Donnie Yance and his work at: DonnieYance.comMederiCenter.orgNaturaHealthProducts.comListen to Donnie’s music on Apple and SpotifyFacebook: @DonnieYanceInstagram:  @medericenterYouTube:  @mederifoundationLinkedin:  @mederi-centerBooks by Donnie Yance: Adaptogens in Medical Herbalism: Elite Herbs and Natural Compounds for Mastering Stress, Aging, and Chronic Disease by Donald Yance , MH, CN, RH (AHG), SFOHerbal Medicine, Healing & Cancer: A Comprehensive Program for Prevention and Treatment by Donald Yance , MH, CN, RH (AHG), SFOPlease take a moment to make sure you’re subscribed wherever you listen to podcasts, and to stay up-to-date, sign up for my newsletter at AbelJames.com.You can also join Substack as a free or paid member for ad-free episodes of this show, to comment on each episode, and to hit me up in the DM’s. Join at abeljames.substack.com. And if you’re feeling generous, write a quick review for the Abel James Show on Apple or Spotify. You rock.This episode is brought to you by:Troscriptions - Go to troscriptions.com/WILD or enter WILD at checkout for 10% off your first order.Nature's Sunshine - Go to NaturesSunshine.com and use code WILD for free shipping and 20% off your first order.

As soon as you think you have it all figured out, absolutely everything can change in an instant. What do you do when out of nowhere, life hands you a serious injury or diagnosis? In this episode, I'll be sharing hard‑won insights from recovery after being sidelined in a serious high speed hit‑and‑run wreck.We'll explore: Why it's best to train for resilience before you take the hitHow to turn hardships into gifts by refusing to settle for "poor me" thinkingSpecific practices to bounce back to 110%A surprising warning in the age of deepfakes and rampant AI slopAnd much more...Just before the car wreck, I played a couple live music shows in Las Vegas, at Nos Vegas as well as the BSN Golf Championships during the Bitcoin Conference. As a special bonus, stay till the end of today's episode to hear a full set from one of the shows in Las Vegas featuring all original music, lots of improvisation and special guests. During the performance, people all around the world tuned in, tipped the musicians in Bitcoin and commented in real time on the livestream. It's an innovative way to support musicians and connect with each other, and I hope to see you on the next livestream. You can connect with me on NOSTR Here. Big thanks to Mike from Tunestr and Jim and Julie Costello of Phantom Power Music for recording, producing, livestreaming and putting together these shows. Enjoy.Please take a moment to make sure you’re subscribed wherever you listen to podcasts, and to stay up-to-date, sign up for my newsletter at AbelJames.com.You can also join Substack as a free or paid member for ad-free episodes of this show, to comment on each episode, and to hit me up in the DM’s. Join at abeljames.substack.com. And if you’re feeling generous, write a quick review for the Abel James Show on Apple or Spotify. You rock.This episode is brought to you by:Troscriptions - Go to troscriptions.com/WILD or enter WILD at checkout for 10% off your first order.Nature's Sunshine - Go to NaturesSunshine.com and use code WILD for free shipping and 20% off your first order.