The Urban Monk podcast with Dr. Pedram Shojai

What happens when a successful surgeon realizes the medical system that made him wealthy is slowly killing him? Dr. Darshan Shah was living the American dream—performing hundreds of surgeries, owning multiple surgical centers, and earning top dollar. But at 42, he was 50 pounds overweight, battling six different diseases, and taking 15 pharmaceutical drugs daily. Then came the moment that changed everything: holding a donut in a hospital lounge while reading about his 50% chance of dying before his newborn son turned 20. In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Shah reveals how he completely transformed his health in just 8 months using functional medicine principles, lost 40 pounds, got off nearly all medications, and discovered what he calls "vitality"—the energy to wake up ready to attack each day. But this isn't just a personal transformation story. Dr. Shah went on to create Next Health, reimagining what healthcare could look like by building what he calls "the Apple Store of health"—beautiful, inspiring spaces where people can optimize their biology before disease strikes. This episode dives deep into the broken healthcare system that profits from keeping you sick, the five pillars of true health (including the overlooked fifth pillar of toxin elimination), and emerging quantum biology that could revolutionize how we think about human potential. If you're tired of being told there's "a pill for that" and ready to discover what 1.0 version of yourself could feel like, this conversation will show you the way.

Join Dr. Pedram Shojai as he interviews Mark, a former NASA rocket scientist, about the fascinating world of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy. This eye-opening conversation explores how a small, affordable device is helping people with chronic health issues when traditional medicine falls short. Mark shares his journey from skeptic to advocate after witnessing remarkable results with PTSD, anxiety, Lyme disease, and more. Learn about the science behind electromagnetic frequencies, how they influence cellular health, and why this technology—once suppressed by pharmaceutical interests—is experiencing a renaissance. This episode bridges the gap between ancient healing practices and modern science, offering hope for those seeking alternative approaches to wellness without the hyperbolic claims common in the energy medicine space.

In this enlightening podcast, the host speaks with Dr. Rob Silverman, a chiropractor who expanded into functional medicine after discovering the profound connection between gut health and overall wellness. Dr. Silverman shares how he initially focused on musculoskeletal issues but found that many patients' chronic pain and inflammation stemmed from gut problems. The conversation explores several key topics: The critical importance of gut health as "the epicenter of health" with 80% of immune cells located there How leaky gut (increased intestinal permeability) allows undigested food particles and pathogens to enter the bloodstream The role of zonulin and occludin proteins in regulating gut barrier function Why food sensitivities can cause symptoms up to 72 hours after consumption, making them difficult to identify The benefits of modern testing over traditional elimination diets for identifying food triggers How common substances like glyphosate, processed seed oils, and NSAIDs damage gut barrier integrity Practical advice for making better food choices, including eating organic when possible Dr. Silverman emphasizes the importance of "testing, not guessing" to create personalized treatment protocols, particularly through food sensitivity tests and gut permeability panels that provide crucial baseline information for addressing chronic inflammation and health issues.

In this insightful episode of the Urban Monk Podcast, Dr. Pedram Shojai explores the critical concept of neuroception—our nervous system's automatic detection of safety and threat—and how it fundamentally impacts our health, happiness, and ability to thrive. Dr. Shojai breaks down the science behind Dr. Stephen Porges' polyvagal theory, explaining how our subconscious continuously scans for environmental cues of safety or danger, triggering different responses in our autonomic nervous system. When we don't feel safe, our body can't properly heal, digest, or function optimally—regardless of how many supplements, green smoothies, or wellness practices we incorporate. Learn how to recognize safety signals in your environment, relationships, and within yourself, while discovering practical techniques to counteract stress responses: peripheral vision exercises, diaphragmatic breathing, calf stretching, and tongue positioning. Dr. Shojai also offers valuable advice on creating sanctuary spaces, minimizing exposure to negative news cycles, and making intentional choices about your environment to support your nervous system. Whether you're dealing with chronic stress, healing from trauma, or simply navigating our increasingly chaotic world, this episode provides essential insights for recalibrating your neuroception and creating the conditions for genuine wellbeing. As Dr. Shojai emphasizes, it's time to "stop cutting yourself" with harmful inputs and start actively cultivating the safety signals your body and mind need to flourish.

At 30 years old, former Marine Kevin Ellis received shocking news: he had osteoporosis, a condition most associate with elderly women. Facing a medical system offering only medication and the grim prediction of inevitable fractures, Kevin refused to accept this fate. In this eye-opening conversation, Kevin reveals how he transformed his diagnosis by uncovering the true causes of bone loss and building a protocol that not only reversed his own osteoporosis but has now helped thousands reclaim their skeletal health. Discover why the standard medical approach to bone health is dangerously incomplete, how your gut health directly impacts your bone strength, and why the exercises you're doing might be completely ineffective for building bone density. Kevin shares the specific nutrients, movements, and testing protocols that can dramatically change your bone health trajectory—regardless of your age or current diagnosis. Whether you're in your 30s or your 70s, this episode provides actionable strategies to build a stronger skeletal foundation that will carry you through decades of vibrant, active living. Don't miss this powerful conversation that challenges everything you thought you knew about building unbreakable bones.

Bob Rountree is a legend in the functional medicine space and it's important to hear how he's living.

Why do we self sabotage? Why do we avoid pain so readily? How can we change the way we go about things to be less avoidant and come back to life?

Nick Pineault is known as the EMF Guy. I brought him to have a sane and sober discussion aroudn a topic that has a lot of sillyness around it. Listen to this!

It's a process but do you know how? You have to feel it to heal it but there are ways to make it flow better. Let's discuss.

We were all excited about the microbiome and remain so but my thining around testing the gut has changed and I'm seeing better results doing it this way...