The Rich Roll Podcast

I think it’s safe to say that many people are suffering, not just from major public health concerns and economic hardship, but also from loneliness—the prevalence of which has skyrocketed in recent years. Studies indicate that about half of U.S. adults have reported experiencing loneliness. The impact of this extends beyond a decline in mental health, increasing the risk of heart disease, dementia, stroke, and even premature death. It’s a problem today’s guest has officially labeled an epidemic—and has made his mission to ameliorate. Meet the 21st Surgeon General of the United States, Vice Admiral Dr. Vivek Murthy. Today Dr. Murthy explains how we arrived at this juncture of disconnection and why it is so vitally important to redress. We also discuss the compound effects of loneliness on our health as individuals and as a society, and what we can do to engender our lives with more connection, companionship, and community. It was an honor to host an important conversation with such an esteemed individual. I wa

Imagine a young singer-songwriter of global acclaim—someone like Justin Timberlake or Shawn Mendes. Except this star also happens to be an elite athlete with an Olympic dream. It sounds like fiction. But this is the true story of Cody Simpson. Superstardom within reach, Cody Simpson put his guitar down and traded Hollywood for the black line at the bottom of a pool with one singular goal in mind: to compete in the Olympics. It's the story of a chlorine-soaked little kid who became a global star. He traveled the world, performed before massive crowds, modeled for luxury brands, even acted on Broadway and in movies and television. But something was missing. Out of an instinct for survival, he proceeded to do what many would consider unthinkable. He walked away from all of it. He couldn’t shake the feeling of what might have been had he not forsaken the Speedo for the stage and decided to do something about it. World-class competitive swimming is a sport in which the elite never dare to take more than a month of

Everyone wants more happiness in their life, but most pursue it incorrectly, mistakenly believing it can be found in places like the promotion or the bank account. Instead, happiness is the by-product of pursuits less appreciated. Like the quality of your relationships with friends and family. Doing hard things. Creating value for others. And being in communion with the transcendent. Here to help us better orient our lives towards happiness is Arthur C. Brooks, returning for round two on the podcast. Arthur is a social scientist, in-demand public speaker, and professor at both the Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School where he teaches courses on leadership, happiness, and social entrepreneurship. In addition, he is the creator of the popular How to Build a Life column for The Atlantic, and the author of 13 books, including the #1 New York Times bestseller From Strength to Strength. His latest offering—a book he co-authored with Oprah Winfrey—is entitled, Build the Life You Want: The Art and Scien

Today we’re going to deep deep into the world of business leadership and personal development with a truly extraordinary person—entrepreneur, renowned speaker, investor, and the host of the UK’s No.1 podcast Diary of a CEO, Steven Bartlett. For the uninitiated, Steven is the co-founder of Flight Story, a marketing and communications company that works with some of the world’s most cutting-edge brands, as well as ThirdWeb, a San Francisco-based software company, and the venture enterprise FlightFund. He is the youngest ever host of Dragon’s Den (UK’s version of Shark Tank), he was included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, and has delivered talks for the UN, SXSW, and TEDx. But Steven’s formal bio fails to tell the story of how an outcast kid with very little means who dropped out of university would go on to become not only a wildly successful entrepreneur whose ongoing concerns generate hundreds of millions in revenue—but also a genuine thought leader on everything from business and leadership to personal grow

Determined to bring transparency and accountability to Big Tech, in 2021 Frances Haugen risked everything to blow the whistle on Facebook. She copied tens of thousands of pages of documents that revealed that the social media giant had accidentally changed its algorithm to reward extremism. Even worse, Facebook knew its customers were using the platform to foment violence and spread falsehoods—and refused to fix it. Frances testified to Congress and spoke to the media. She was hailed at President Biden’s first State of the Union Address. She made sure everyone understood exactly what the documents showed. And she set an example for standing in truth and doing what is right for the greater good. Today we dive into the nuanced impact of social media on society. We talk about why algorithms prioritize extreme content and Facebook’s own complicity in radicalization and political violence around the world. We explore the tools available to combat these issues, including what Big Tech can do to prioritize user cons

We tend to think professional athletes live perfect, charmed lives. Genetically gifted, they effortlessly conquer physical challenges with confidence, propelled by physiques unattainable by mere mortals. From the outside looking in, Tim Tollefson is one such example.  One of the world’s most successful ultra-runners, Tim has a slew of impressive race victories to his name. These accomplishments matched with his winning smile and handsome looks would lead anyone to believe that he’s an exemplar of strength and health. But behind it all, Tim has waged a private, two-decade-long battle with body dysmorphia and disordered eating that not only compromised his athleticism, but completely debilitated him, producing a never-ending cycle of anxiety, loneliness, and self-hatred. Today Tim shares his experiences and the path he’s forged to reclaim his sense of self-worth and balance in a world (and sport) that pushes us to extremes. He opens up about his decision to go public with his struggles, the role of social media

From global disruptions to individual life changes, transformation—both good and bad—is happening constantly. Here to offer us a path for embracing life’s inherent instability is Brad Stulberg—a sustainable excellence expert, human performance coach, and bestselling author returning for his fourth appearance on the pod. Today we talk about how to embrace transformation, cultivate resilience, and adapt to an ever-changing world. We also explore rugged flexibility, tragic optimism, adopting a flexible identity over time, how to navigate big life changes successfully, the perils of biohacking, and many other fascinating topics. Amidst the chaos and confusion of self-help, I find Brad to be a principled voice of reason. This conversation is overflowing with evidence-based, practical, and actionable life counsel. My hope is that some of the tactics shared help you not only navigate difficult circumstances but help facilitate the emergence of meaning and growth. Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-U

Even in the darkest moments, there exists the potential for redemption, rebuilding, and the reclamation of one’s life. Today’s guest is a living embodiment of this truth. Meet Osher Günsberg—one of the most celebrated television hosts and media personalities in Australia.  Longtime listeners may recall Osher’s first appearance on the podcast over nine years ago (episode #76) where we discussed his journey to the big stage and his transformation from being a chubby kid to a plant-powered, marathon-running host of Australian Idol. Shortly after that conversation, Osher experienced a public psychotic breakdown that left him terrified, distressed and convinced the world was coming to an end. But rather than hide this experience and internalize his struggles with his mental health and substance abuse, Osher bravely began to talk openly about his recovery. Today he shares that terrifying experience in vivid detail, what happened, how he clawed his way back to sanity, and the hard-earned lessons he’s garnered along

With over 400 triathlons to her name, today's guest Lesley Paterson is a 3x XTERRA Triathlon World Champion and 2x World Triathlon Cross Champion. But if you asked about her greatest test of endurance, it wouldn’t be a race. It would be chasing an Oscar. For 16 years during her professional triathlon career, Lesley fought to secure and maintain the film rights to All Quiet on the Western Front out of her own pocket from race winnings. She wrote and rewrote the script, and despite the odds stacked heavily against her, never gave up on her dream of getting the movie made. After many years of starts and stops the film was finally released and took home four Oscars and seven BAFTAs—including one for best-adapted screenplay (this was Lesley’s first screenplay might I add). All of which is a testament to her patience, discipline, and hard work. Lesley’s relentless persistence is the focus of today’s conversation, along with the importance of self-belief, playing the long game, and the ‘never quit’ drive required to

Here to guide us toward an evidence-based, rational model for nutritional health and teach us how to distinguish good nutrition science is one of the world’s leading and most innovative researchers, Christopher Gardner, Ph.D. Dr. Gardner is the Director of Nutrition Studies at the Stanford Prevention Research Center and a Rehnborg Farquhar Professor of Medicine at Stanford University. He's been researching the health effects of a plant-based diet for 20 years, and his research has provided significant and practical health insights to better inform our everyday dietary decisions. Today we dive into the following topics: What we know and don’t know about diet, weight loss, obesity, diabetes, heart & metabolic health; the diet wars: plant-based vs. carnivore vs. Mediterranean & low-fat vs. low carb; common misconceptions about protein requirements; the importance of personalized nutrition and finding a sustainable diet for long-term success; what makes a rigorous scientific study and why knowing a

Welcome to ‘Roll On’—the semi-regular version of the podcast where we ramble on matters of interest across culture, sports, art, literature, politics, self-betterment, and more. My co-host is Mr. Adam Skolnick, an activist, veteran journalist, author of One Breath, and David Goggins’ Can’t Hurt Me and Never Finished co-author. Adam writes about adventure sports, environmental issues, and civil rights for outlets such as The New York Times, Outside, ESPN, BBC, and Men’s Health. Today we exchange updates on personal goings on, discuss listener questions, welcome UK radio legend Chris Evans to the table, and share the whys and hows of my new creative partnership with Swiss sportswear brand On. Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: Timeline Nutrition: TimelineNutrition.com/RICHROLL On: On.com/richroll AG1: DrinkAG1.com/RICHROLL Indeed: Indeed.com/RICHROLL Plant Power Meal Planner: https://meals.richroll.com Peace + Plants, Rich

Today's podcast guest is Baratunde Thurston—an Emmy-nominated writer, comedian, and cultural critic focused on the intersection of tech, democracy, climate change, and race in America. A generational voice in the media landscape, Baratunde is a former executive at The Onion, a writer for Puck News, the New York Times bestselling author of How To Be Black, and the host of both America Outdoors on PBS, and the podcast How To Citizen. Today we cover everything from the impact of technology and social media on society to the current perils of our democratic system. We also discuss the need for diversity and representation in media, the importance of community and belonging, nuanced conversation, and responsible media practices. We also address the rapid evolution of our media landscape and our declining trust in institutions across the country, what it means to be black in America, and how we can all become more active and informed citizens. I’ve been a fan of Baratunde and his work for many years. He is a witty

Kai Lenny is the greatest and most versatile waterman the world has ever known. A Maui-born and bred athlete of extraordinary skill, he pushes the boundaries of possibility at the highest levels in not just surfing—performing maneuvers and aerials never believed possible with regularity—but also as a kiteboarder, foiler, outrigger canoer, and as big wave rider. Kai doesn’t just ride the world’s most fearsome waves—he conquers them. Like a maestro of the ocean who channels nature’s ferocity into art, he carves down 80-foot plus cliffs of water with physics-defying maneuvers previously thought only possible on small waves with a flair, joy, and an intensity that can only be described as balletic. He’s the GOAT and he’s here today to let us in on his crazy world, the visualization and mindset tools he uses to hone his craft, and what the future holds both for himself and the sport of surfing. There’s a lot to be learned from Kai’s experience, his pursuit of mastery, and his approach to physical, mental, and emot

A relentless experimenter and master of productivity, Tim Ferriss is the mega-best-selling author of The 4-Hour Work Week, Tools of Titans, and Tribe of Mentors. He’s also the host of the wildly popular Tim Ferriss Show—where he deconstructs the tools, mindsets, and practices of world-class performers across business, sports, and more. While Tim is known and revered for his wisdom regarding optimization and productivity, it’s his arc as a human that impresses me the most. He’s been through a lot. He’s grown considerably. And he’s shared his personal and professional struggles with a laudable degree of courage and vulnerability. Today’s exchange centers on Tim’s inward journey. How he grapples with anxiety and depression. The ways he learned to face difficult emotions. And the various modalities he has explored from silent meditation and psychotherapy to psychedelics. I hope you find this conversation helpful, and that it reframes how you think about, manage, confront, and heal your own emotional wounds. Show

One of the most acclaimed filmmakers of his generation, today Judd Apatow graces the podcast to discuss his fascinating perspective on filmmaking, storytelling, creativity, and more. From directing This Is 40, Knocked Up, and The 40-Year-Old Virgin, to serving as producer for Anchorman and executive producer for Freaks and Geeks, Judd has made an indelible mark on Hollywood. Today we unpack the experiences, philosophies, and strategies that have shaped him into the unparalleled creator he is today. We explore his creative process, his approach to storytelling, the lessons he’s learned from working with some of the biggest names in the business, and how he pays it forward. This conversation left me with a newfound appreciation of comedy not only as an art form—but as a powerful means of grappling with the complexities of the human experience. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did. Show notes + MORE Watch on Youtube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: BetterHelp: BetterHelp.com/RICHROLL Timeline Nutrit

Light Watkins is an expert meditation and spiritual teacher who gave up all his earthly possessions five years ago (save what he could fit into a small backpack) and proceeded to travel the world giving talks on happiness, mindfulness, inspiration, and meditation. Today he shares lessons learned from this experience, imparting wisdom that is equal parts profound and hyper-practical on how to prioritize and cultivate inner happiness, the importance of presence, following your curiosity, the joy of giving what you want to receive, and something he calls the “freedom of choicelessness” that declutters your life decisions. I love Light. He is a wise and gifted teacher. My sense is that this conversation will leave you with more than a few life-altering profundities to ponder and practice. Show notes + MORE Watch on Youtube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: AG1: http://drinkAG1.com/richroll Squarespace: Squarespace.com/RichRoll Indeed: Indeed.com/RICHROLL Plant Power Meal Planner: https://meals.richroll.com

One of the first questions I was asked when I found myself in a treatment center for alcoholism was: do you want to change? Most sane individuals in my circumstances would respond of course I do. But only a mentally deranged addict like myself would need to pause before answering to consider the options. Luckily, I was blessed with pain so severe it eclipsed the very real fear I held about changing every facet of who I was as a person to get and stay sober. While in many ways pain makes the process of change easier, the truth is you don’t have to hit rock bottom to make a transformation. Change is always within your grasp if you can summon the willingness to ask for it—and most importantly, receive it. Today I venture out of my comfort zone once again to explore some thoughts on transformation in monologue format—sharing intimate details from my own personal story of addiction and lessons learned within the walls of rehab—in a podcast experiment I hope provides value.  Transformation demands a price—accountab

As rates of chronic disease continue to rise, What should I eat? has become one of the most important questions we can ask ourselves. Here to help us cut through the morass of diet confusion to provide clear and actionable counsel is the very wise and articulate Dr. Alan Desmond. Certified in both Gastroenterology and General Internal Medicine, Alan is a gut health expert specializing in the role diet plays in the prevention and treatment of digestive diseases—more specifically the overall health benefits, of a whole-food plant-centric approach to nutrition. Today he teaches us how we can harness the power of a healthy gut and optimize our overall well-being by simply eating more plants. We dive into the nitty-gritty of the microbiome, its relationship to digestive health, and the fundamentals of a healthy diet—in other words, what to eat and what to avoid. My hope is that this conversation leaves you with the information, strategies, and protocols you need to adopt better nutrition habits with staying power—

The shapeshifter of elite endurance sports, today’s guest is by far one of the world’s most remarkable all-around athletes. Meet Cam Wurf, an Aussie who has distinguished himself at the highest, most elite level, in three distinct sports. First in rowing where he represented Australia in the 2004 Athens Olympics. He then turned to professional cycling as a super domestique for Team Sky and now INEOS, where he played a crucial role in supporting guys like Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas, serving as a secret weapon to their Tour de France victories. Cam has simultaneously distinguished himself at the highest level of Ironman triathlon, collecting wins at IM Wales and IM Australia, and is most well known for setting and holding (until this past year) the bike course record at the IMWC in Kona. He can train and race with the best professional cyclists in the world, set bike course records at the world’s most prestigious Ironmans, and even run a 2:45 marathon after a 2.4 mile swim and 112-mile bike. He doesn’t see

How do we move with ease? Maintain flexibility as we age? And how do we counteract the physical effects of technology dependence, sedentary living, and other modern ways of life? Here to help us answer these important questions are movement experts and co-authors of Built To Move Kelly & Juliet Starrett. Dr. Kelly Starett is a globally renowned physical therapist and strength coach who consults with athletes from the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB the US Olympic Team—along with elite Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard forces. Juliet is a 3-time white water rafting world champion and CEO of The Ready State, the mobility coaching company they founded together. Today we cover everything from pain management to ideal recovery and post-workout practices, the essential elements of a home gym, and easy ways to change sedentary habits and integrate more movement into your daily life. Show notes + MORE Watch on Youtube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/RICHROLL BetterHelp: BetterHelp.com/