Best Of The Aware Show With Dr. Mario Martinez: Secrets of Longevity

Have you heard of communities where people regularly live to be healthy in their 80s, 90s, and even beyond? Is it possible that cultural beliefs can affect our health and longevity? Clinical neuropsychologist and founder of Biocognitive science, Dr. Mario Martinez, is an expert in the healthy aging process. He lectures worldwide on how cultural beliefs affect health and longevity more than genetics.   In today's interview he discusses ideas such as how our immune systems have their own moral system and how resilience has an immune-boosting factor. He also considers how archetypal wounds affect our DNA and RNA and can be passed through the generations.  His research demonstrates how thoughts and their biological expression co-emerge within a cultural history, even as current science continues to divide mind and body, and ignore the influence cultural contexts have on the process of health, illness, and aging. Cultures that view growing older as positive are associated with increased wisdom and have higher numbers of centenarians living healthier lives than cultures that view aging as a process of inevitable deterioration. He also teaches how joy requires sufficient self-esteem to accept it without self-sabotage.   Dr. Mario Martinez is the author of "The MindBody Code." Learn more about his field of "biocognition" in today's interview. Info: www.biocognitive.com. 

How do we begin to understand the division and the chaos that surrounds us? Lisa continues the conversation today with the founder of the Institute for Sacred Activism Andrew Harvey. Andrew is a religious scholar, mystical teacher, and author of more than 40 books, and discusses how to birth the new in times of extreme turbulence.   He explains how the response to chaos is to become more luminous yourself. Find deeper and deeper energy and compassion within yourself and respond from calm and spaciousness. A lighter perspective can deconstruct the narrative. You must change your consciousness. You can only do that when you recognize you are Divine. Your emotions are sacred. These are the gifts of the Sacred Feminine. This is the Law of the Universe. The feminine teaches us how to open to love, while the masculine helps us to structure that love. This gives us power.    Andrew shares how he's been working on his book for several decades and intensely for the past several years. His research, which included very credible sources, helped him to open up connections. He shared a story of finally being able to write the Preface of the book and the marriage of Jesus and Mary Magdalene. After he wrote it, he went to breakfast. Upon his return, he found his condo engulfed in flames. He lost absolutely everything including his most beloved feline. It was the hardest suffering he had ever experienced. This was less than one year ago. It completely transformed his life. Andrew talks about how he felt like he had died but then was resurrected. He felt calm after this experience. It opened the door to new possibilities. We are currently living in a severe dark night, but this is what Andrew believes is part of what will give birth to a divine new humanity. We can all become warriors of the new. We now have the chance to change and transform, by working with our self first. This is pure alchemy. We can now recognize the truth and be a source of inspiration. This is Part 2 of the interview. Info: www.andrewharvey.net

In honor of March being Women's History Month, we ask the question -- What does it mean to be a Warrior Goddess? To our guest today, author and teacher HeatherAsh Amara, that means reclaiming both our power and our compassion as women. We must have both of these qualities. It's a renewal of our commitment, passion, and creativity.   Even though women today juggle many roles and often put the needs of others ahead of their own, oftentimes they feel like they're not enough. Women can feel like they are not able to speak up and have their voices heard. Although things may have changed on the outside, on the inside we may still feel self-doubt where we don't honor ourselves deeply. We often put ourselves last, especially when we recognize how women tend to be caretakers. HeatherAsh advises us to take time for self-care. It's so important. She suggests setting up "date nights" with ourselves, whether this means going out to a museum, or taking a long bath at home. HeatherAsh talks about the idea of receiving and recommends that we ask for support, so that we are not placing the entire burden on ourselves. HeatherAsh also offers tips as to how to raise a Warrior Goddess daughter. We must be the role models. HeatherAsh also discusses her book, "Warrior Goddess Training." She'll show you how to release the layers of expectations to finally see yourself for the authentic, perceptive, perfect woman you already are! Info: warriorgoddess.com  

How do we navigate this period of oppression and division? How do we live in modern times with all the chaos that surrounds us? Religious scholar, mystical teacher, and author of more than 40 books, Andrew Harvery, joins us today to talk about how to birth the new in times of extreme turbulence. Andrew is also the founder of the Institute for Sacred Activism. We are all experiencing the destruction of the old firsthand, but where do we turn? Andrew offers wisdom by discussing his latest book, "The Magdalene Revolution: The Rise of the Sacred Feminine and the Birth of Radical Equality."  Andrew shares a firsthand experience he had many decades ago involving a vision of Mary Magdalene at her cave in the south of France. He felt an enormous peace in this place, yet he was outraged at how the church had demonized her. Upon leaving her cave, he turned back and saw her in golden light. Andrew believes Mary Magdalene is an essential part of Jesus's story. He understands that she is the sacred partner of Jesus. She was the first to see Jesus after Resurrection yet the Bible, written by men, painted her as a lunatic. Andrew explains how the Sophianic Gospel shows that Mary Magdalene and Jesus recognized the divinity in one another. She helped him come deeper into his body so they could bring in a love force to birth a new humanity. Mary Magdalene's evolution was very complex. In the Gnostic Gospels, it is believed that she was the sacred partner to Jesus. She also had great skill in healing and liberating people. As they grew united in the mission, she became more empowered and more illumined. She taught the Feminine Mysteries to groups of women as she expanded. The Sophianic Gospel talks specifically about Mary Magdalene's sacred spirituality.  Once you bring together the messages of Jesus and Mary Magdalene, you see a life force of love is being birthed. This represents enormous joy and power. It's a whole new level of radiant empowerment.    Andrew believes that Jesus, Mother Mary, and Mary Magdalene are all incarnations of the Divine, fully empowered and sacred. Andrew has done extensive research, and he shows how there are fragments in the Bible that tell the story. He presents a grounded version of how they actually lived. This story is a completion and a missing piece. It is ripe for this time as a vast hunger is rising in humanity. This is an expression of love and connection of all of creation. This is the gift of the Divine Feminine. Spirit and Matter are being healed through this resurgence. This is Part 1 of the interview. Info: www.andrewharvey.net

What's it like when you are the only African American dancer in a world of all white dancers? Lisa continues our very special interview with Jennifer Jones, the first African American Rockette. Jennifer talks about growing up seeing Broadway shows with her parents. She told her high school guidance counselor that she wanted to go to college and major in dance. Her counselor told her that she wasn't ready for college yet, although at a very early age, she always dreamed of being on stage. She was so passionate and started at a local community college before moving to New York City, auditioning, and getting hired to be a Rockette. She talks about how spectacular Radio City Music Hall is. It literally took her breath away! She shares the excitement of the famous Christmas Spectacular show and how she poured her heart into each show. She was performing up to six shows a day. Jennifer discusses resilience, and what she had to break through to make her dreams come true. She noted that this year is the 100-year anniversary of the Rockettes and a big event will be planned to celebrate. She also talks about her challenges, and how important it is to believe in yourself. She discusses the importance of being resilient. When she turned 50, she went to her doctor to request a colonoscopy. The doctor told her she was young and had nothing to worry about as she was healthy and had no family members with colorectal cancer. Jennifer listened to her powerful intuition and got a colonoscopy anyway. The doctors determined that she had colorectal cancer, and she was told she had five years to live. She felt embarrassed by this diagnosis as she was always the "healthy one" in her family. She was physically fit and a vegetarian. She met with a specialist and had four rounds of chemotherapy. To the amazement of her doctors, the tests showed dramatic improvement. She explains how she decided to meditate more, let go of toxic relationships, drink green juices, and so much more. She knew she needed to change the way she ate and the way she thought. In 2019, she was deemed cancer-free! Jennifer talks about testing early for colorectal cancer, and especially in the African American community. If there's a history, in your family, it's important to test even earlier. She shares how her symptoms started as pressure in her abdomen, so she began changing her diet and meeting with doctors. She talks about organizations who can offer early detection and additional support including Colorectal Cancer Alliance: https://colorectalcancer.org and Colon Cancer Foundation: https://coloncancerfoundation.org. Jennifer's groundbreaking memoir is titled "Becoming Spectacular: The Rhythm of Resilience from the First African American Rockette." This is Part 2 of the interview. Info: rockettejenn.com.

Today's very special interview features Jennifer Jones, the first African American Rockette. Jennifer shares her story of growing up seeing Broadway shows with her parents. From a very early age, she dreamed of being on stage. She was so passionate and knew in every cell of her body that that would be her home. Jennifer talks about resilience, and what she had to break through to make her dreams come true. She talks about the dance history of the 1920s and how the Rockettes were formed in 1925. The founder thought that Americans would love to see women of the same size and race perform the exact same moves on a dance line. During this time period, Black dancers had their own troupes, as Blacks and whites did not perform together. Jennifer was hired as a Rockette in 1987. She was the very first Black woman to join the dance line. She saw an ad in the newspaper and her friend encouraged her to audition. She wasn't familiar with the Rockettes, as she'd never seen them. She saw only white women auditioning and realized she was the only Black person. She was so nervous and intimated, she decided to leave. A voice inside of her said, "Stay!" She decided to do so. She auditioned, got measured for height and weight, and the stage manager invited her to come back. Even though she went to the call back, she still didn't realize who the Rockettes were. She didn't know their history. She was hired and they immediately sent her for media training. She met with the choreographer who said she was "misquoted" by the press and that's what Jennifer needed to say during interviews. Many people, from managers to choreographers to fellow dancers, were not happy that she was on the line. Jennifer talks about being assaulted and repeatedly insulted. It took extreme perseverance on her part to follow her dreams of being on stage. She talks about how so many women auditioned and how they were not allowed to be a Rockette simply because of their skin color. Through her perseverance, her dream came true! Her groundbreaking memoir is titled "Becoming Spectacular: The Rhythm of Resilience from the First African American Rockette."  She discusses specific mentors who helped to encourage her along the way. She received fan mail, as well as difficult hate mail. Some people didn't feel she should be there, but her parents, family, and mentors helped her along the way. She was a Rockette for 15 years, then another dream came true – she danced on Broadway! She discusses how staunch and strict the "Rockettes" brand is at Radio City. She didn't feel she could speak her truth without repercussions. They are still very strict with the brand. They do allow for slightly varying heights and weights. The draw for so many is that it's an incredible precision troupe. It has evolved over the years. They are trying to include more nationalities. The main focus is still precision and elegance. Jennifer hopes that she helped to inspire the Black women on the line today so they can experience the joy of the sisterhood of being a Rockette, dancing at Radio City Music Hall.  This is Part 1 of the interview. Info: rockettejenn.com.

How can we make our lives better through technology? And can ideas like quantum physics and AI possibly be likened to spirituality? Our guest today, Professor Riz Virk, began his career as a software engineer, entrepreneur, and venture capitalist after graduating with a computer science degree from MIT. Yet, after work and on the weekends, he devoted his time to spiritual inquiry. He studied shamanic dreaming, energy healing, consciousness, various religions, and other forms of spirituality. During his career, he also developed video games. He began exploring quantum physics, which surmises that nothing is actually real. Then Riz considered the great spiritual texts which talk about maya or a world of illusion. He thought about the idea that our reality is really like a video game. Riz talks about different levels of reality and how it works in the world of video games. Who is controlling the reality? It's very similar to having a spiritual experience. He also discusses the role of AI and how it impacts us. Currently a professor at Arizona State University, Riz is the author of numerous books including his most recent "The Simulation Hypothesis." Info: www.zenentrepreneur.com and www.bayviewlabs.com. Riz Virk will be speaking at the upcoming Conscious Life Expo held at the Hilton LAX in Los Angeles FEB 20-23. Experience visionaries, change makers, and planetary influencers exploring advancements in science, UFO disclosures, spirituality, metaphysics, and healthy lifestyles. The Expo presents provocative panel discussions, interactive workshops, free lectures, special events, live concerts, and a healthy food court. Featuring more than 200 speakers and 350 vendors, attendees can experience the latest innovative modalities in physics, science, health, and longevity. Celebrate a new paradigm for evolved consciousness! Info: consciouslifeexpo.com Lisa Garr will be hosting a Workshop with Soul Reader Sondra Sneed, "Messages from Source," on Sunday, FEB 22 at 6 pm Pacific at the Conscious Life Expo. This inspiring session will offer guidance, predictions, and direct communication from Divine Source to support you during these rapidly shifting times. Discover insights to help you navigate change with greater trust, clarity, and purpose. Info and tickets:  theawareshow.com/CLE2026 and consciouslifeexpo.com

 Would you like to learn more about what's possible as we expand our consciousness? Would you like to learn about the Akashic Records and how it relates to our Past Lives? Psychic medium Elizabeth April is able to quiet her mind to the point she can remote view and teaches others this ability. She recently wrote a book about the crisis of anxiety that so many are experiencing. She believes solar flares increase our energetic frequency, so this can create a lot of anxiety. She talks about panic and the symptoms, but also the solution. If we don't go to source of the anxiety, we may not be able to fully overcome it. If we can remote view the situation, we may be able to more fully heal. It's about making the choice to live in a higher frequency. Elizabeth talks about "The New Earth" and living in 5-D. We will still experience challenges and triggers and oftentimes we experience them negatively. In a higher frequency, we still have real-world challenges, but we can look at them from a place of appreciation instead. She believes that anxiety is like a "notification," and we can learn to turn the alarm bell off. She also talks about her latest book, "Your Anxiety is Giving Me Anxiety." Info: Elizabethapril.com Elizabeth April will be speaking at the Conscious Life Expo about "Accessing your Highest Timeline."  She will talk about reaching higher levels of consciousness and how to access them, as well as hosting a panel discussion. The Conscious Life Expo will be held at the Hilton LAX in Los Angeles FEB 20-23. Experience visionaries, change makers, and planetary influencers exploring advancements in science, UFO disclosures, spirituality, metaphysics, and healthy lifestyles. The Expo presents provocative panel discussions, interactive workshops, free lectures, special events, live concerts, and a healthy food court. Featuring more than 200 speakers and 350 vendors, attendees can experience the latest innovative modalities in physics, science, health, and longevity. Celebrate a new paradigm for evolved consciousness! Lisa Garr will be hosting a Workshop with Soul Reader Sondra Sneed, "Messages from Source," on Sunday, FEB 22 at 6 pm Pacific. This inspiring session will offer guidance, predictions, and direct communication from Divine Source to support you during these rapidly shifting times. Discover insights to help you navigate change with greater trust, clarity, and purpose. Info and tickets:  theawareshow.com/CLE2026 and consciouslifeexpo.com

Are you searching for purpose and meaning? Would you like to receive answers to questions directly from Source energy? Lisa continues the conversation today with author and soul reader Sondra Sneed. Sondra talks how she is able to communicate directly with God / Source for answers. In this part of the interview, she channels messages from God who is talking about consciousness and why we are here. She describes it as being similar to the movie "The Matrix." She talks about distractions and the threat of Artificial Intelligence. Social Media is programmed to act as a distraction and can cause reprogramming, so we get away from our natural truths as human beings. Source energy is asking us to stop scrolling several times a week, so we do not become addicted. We can be so much more creative if we take time to step away. Source also talks about Universal Consciousness and how it is unlimited. If we tap into Source, humans can gain limitless creativity and potential. This can lead us to a new period of Enlightenment. Humans will recreate a new era of their own invention. Sondra is the author of "What to Do When You're Dead," and creator of "The Accelerated Self" program. She discusses the lessons and levels of her programs and how to also have direct communication with Source. Info: sondrasneed.com. Lisa Garr and Sondra Sneed will be at the upcoming Conscious Life Expo, held at the Hilton LAX in Los Angeles over the weekend of FEB 20-23, 2026. Lisa and Sondra's Workshop "Messages from Source" will be on Sunday, FEB 22 at 6 pm Pacific. This inspiring session will offer guidance, predictions, and direct communication from Divine Source to support you during these rapidly shifting times. Discover insights to help you navigate change with greater trust, clarity, and purpose. Info and tickets:  theawareshow.com/CLE2026

Would you like to find the answers to deep questions such as "Why am I here?" and "What is my purpose?" What would you do if you heard Source answer directly? Our guest today, author and soul reader Sondra Sneed talks about losing a man she loved at the same time she lost a job she loved. She felt thrown into isolation, so she began to journal as a way to comfort herself. She started receiving direct messages from a consciousness she came to know as God. The Universe sometimes takes away everything so people can hear messages. Sondra shares about how she was a student first, as she was originally an atheist. For 10 years, she was secretly working on trying to communicate and hear answers. This was during the time she was working on her first book, while she was maintaining a high-level professional career in business in New York City. After losing her job and partner, she spent one year in solitude, deeply searching for answers.  She explained how it's similar to creating a mirror of conversation. It is an aspect of you that returns to Source to get the message. Lisa asked Sondra to expand upon the relationship of Story and Purpose. Sondra channeled a message from God, who explains how we can write our own stories and become the author and authority of our lives. God's story expands through our creations. Sondra is the author of "What to Do When You're Dead," and creator of "The Accelerated Self" program. She discusses the lessons and levels of her programs and how to also have direct communication with Source. Info: sondrasneed.com. Lisa Garr and Sondra Sneed will be at the upcoming Conscious Life Expo, held at the Hilton LAX in Los Angeles over the weekend of FEB 20-23, 2026. Lisa and Sondra's Workshop "Messages from Source" will be on Sunday, FEB 22 at 6 pm Pacific. This inspiring session will offer guidance, predictions, and direct communication from Divine Source to support you during these rapidly shifting times. Discover insights to help you navigate change with greater trust, clarity, and purpose. Info and tickets: Consciouslifeexpo.com