The Science of Awe: The Biological Shortcut to Expanding Consciousness

In this episode, Darin sits down with BioHarvest CEO Ilan Sobel, a leader who is redefining the future of plant compounds, human performance, and scalable biotech. Ilan shares the extraordinary origin story of BioHarvest's technology, how a single scientific breakthrough is disrupting global supply chains, and why "democratizing the power of the plant kingdom" has become his life mission. From hydration to longevity molecules to the French Paradox, Ilan reveals how his company is transforming ancient wisdom into modern, clinically validated solutions that can reach the masses.     What You'll Learn 00:00:00 Welcome and Introduction 00:00:32 Sponsor: Thera Sage 00:02:10 Introducing Ilan Sobel (Bio Harvest Sciences) 00:03:37 Electrolyte Solution Powered by Circulation 00:04:37 Vinia's Baseline: Sea Salt, Coconut Water, Marine Magnesium 00:05:36 The Uniqueness of Pi-Seed Resveratrol 00:06:50 Solubility and Bioavailability: Lasting 12 Hours 00:08:48 Overview of Botanical Synthesis Technology and Cell Growth 00:13:58 Vinia's Potency: 1,000 Red Grapes in a Capsule 00:15:31 Why Blood Flow is Critical for Longevity 00:17:23 Increased Blood Flow to the Brain and Mental Alertness 00:19:00 Sponsor: Our Place Cookware 00:21:35 The Abuse of Nature and the Need for Preservation 00:24:15 Overcoming Pharma's Barriers: Consistency, Low Levels, and Patents 00:28:32 Vinia as a Validation of the Technology's Power 00:30:02 Scaling Production: 137 Bioreactors 00:32:21 Scaling Comparison: Manhattan Island's Worth of Resveratrol 00:34:26 Clinical Substantiation and Solubility 00:35:14 The Mechanism: Increasing Nitric Oxide and Reducing ET-1 00:38:33 The "Vinia Difference" - When Consumers Feel the Benefits 00:40:05 Unseen Benefits: Reducing Oxidative Damage 00:41:16 Low Churn Rate and Science-Backed Commitment 00:42:52 Sponsor: Manna Vitality 00:44:46 Commitment to Mission and Customer Reviews as Fuel 00:48:01 Support for First Responders and Veterans 00:51:32 Ilan's Journey to CEO and Unlocking the Gold Mine 00:55:37 The Plan to Build a Second 100-Ton Facility 00:57:12 Democratization and Scaling: Software Economics in Biotech 01:00:21 The French Paradox and Red Wine Connection 01:01:33 Next in DTC: Olive Cells and Forbascoside for Liver Health 01:05:36 New Partnership: Creating a Super Saffron for Cognitive Health 01:13:02 Partnership with Tate & Lyle for Non-Nutritive Sweeteners 01:16:11 The Movement of Change and Legacy for Future Generations 01:18:52 Introducing the Vinia Blood Flow Hydration Stick Packs     Thank You to Our Sponsors Therasage: Go to www.therasage.com and use code DARIN at checkout for 15% off Our Place: Toxic-free, durable cookware that supports healthy cooking. Go to their website at fromourplace.com/darin and get 35% off sitewide in their largest sale of the year. Manna Vitality: Go to mannavitality.com/ and use code DARIN12 for 12% off your order.     Join the SuperLife Community Get Darin's deeper wellness breakdowns — beyond social media restrictions: Weekly voice notes Ingredient deep dives Wellness challenges Energy + consciousness tools Community accountability Extended episodes Join for $7.49/month → https://patreon.com/darinolien     Find More from Ilan Sobel Website: bioharvest.com Instagram: @ilansobel Red Grape Cell Product: vinia.com     Find More from Darin Olien: Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Podcast Website: superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences     Key Takeaway "Democratizing the plant kingdom isn't just a business strategy — it's a responsibility. If science gives us the ability to help millions of people feel better, perform better, and live longer, then we have an obligation to scale it in a way the whole world can access."

In this solo episode, Darin explores a radical idea backed by ancient wisdom and modern neuroscience: that awe — a single embodied moment of wonder — may be the fastest biological doorway to expanding consciousness. Drawing on cutting-edge research, timeless spiritual traditions, and personal stories, Darin reveals how awe reduces inflammation, rewires the brain, quiets the ego, boosts vagal tone, expands time perception, and reconnects us to meaning in a world drowning in distraction.     What You'll Learn in This Episode 00:00 — Welcome to SuperLife: igniting sovereignty, possibility, and human potential 00:32 — Sponsor: Therasage — the most nutrient-dense food on Earth 01:51 — Today's topic: Awe as a biological shortcut to consciousness 02:00 — The definition of awe: when the world becomes bigger than your understanding 02:17 — Awe literally changes the brain — research from Dacher Keltner 02:23 — What if the fastest way to expand consciousness isn't meditation or psychedelics… but a single moment of awe? 02:34 — "Embodied awe" as a key humans have overlooked 02:41 — Science is catching up — the physiological effects of awe 02:47 — Awe reduces inflammation, rewires neural pathways, and increases connection 02:55 — Modern life has cut us off from awe — but nature left a back door 03:02 — Awe as a temporary collapse of ego → widening of consciousness 03:12 — What awe feels like: chest expansion, mind quieting, heart opening 03:22 — Awe is triggered by vastness — moments that shift your framework 03:31 — Awe motivates us to transcend self-interest and connect to something bigger 03:47 — Examples of awe: star-filled sky, ancient trees, rivers carving canyons 04:01 — 90% of humans can't see the stars anymore — light pollution crisis 04:23 — Awe in music, nature, micro-patterns, the beauty of small things 05:00 — Awe in ancient traditions: Darshan, Greek thauma, Biblical reverence 05:12 — Darin's hawk story — the personal power of unexpected awe 06:03 — The science of awe: IL-6, immune markers, inflammation reduction 06:28 — Awe quiets the Default Mode Network — the home of the ego 06:43 — Less rumination → more presence, clarity, and connection 07:06 — Awe expands time perception — Stanford research on "time abundance" 07:32 — Awe increases generosity, altruism, pro-social behavior 08:04 — Awe boosts vagal tone: calm, resilience, emotional regulation 08:22 — Why we are STARVING for awe — screens, indoor living, disconnection 08:57 — Sponsor: Caldera Lab 11:33 — "We've traded the vastness of the universe for tiny screens." 11:40 — How to reclaim awe: look at the sky, clouds, moon, trees 11:53 — Let your eyes adjust to nature again 12:03 — Astronomical awe puts your problems in perspective 12:14 — Awe as emotional first-aid: go outside, find the horizon 12:30 — Limit phone time — reduce micro-dopamine addiction 13:02 — Micro-awe: the patterns in a leaf, the sunlight through branches 13:12 — Nature is always available — if you choose it 13:16 — Awe as the ultimate nervous-system reset 13:27 — Circadian alignment: dim lights, follow nature 13:56 — Humility = freedom — awe repositions your place in the universe 14:19 — Awe is biological, spiritual, emotional nourishment 14:27 — Awe is the ultimate bio-hack 14:35 — Awe reduces inflammation, expands time, deepens empathy 14:46 — "Awe is the gateway to the self-transcendent." 14:55 — If you want more meaning, vitality, and connection — start with awe 15:02 — Awe reduces stress, boosts empathy, reconnects you to your soul 15:18 — Awe reconnects you to what actually matters 15:30 — Final message: Have yourself the best SuperLife day ever     Thank You to Our Sponsors: Therasage: Go to www.therasage.com and use code DARIN at checkout for 15% off Caldera Lab: Experience the clinically proven benefits of Caldera Lab's clean skincare regimen and enjoy 20% off your order by visiting calderalab.com/darin and using code DARIN at checkout.     Join the SuperLife Community Get Darin's deeper wellness breakdowns — beyond social media restrictions: Weekly voice notes Ingredient deep dives Wellness challenges Energy + consciousness tools Community accountability Extended episodes Join for $7.49/month → https://patreon.com/darinolien     Find More from Darin Olien: Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Podcast Website: superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences     Key Takeaway "Awe isn't entertainment — it's medicine. It's the biological, emotional, and spiritual nourishment your body has been starving for. Reclaim awe, and you reclaim your soul."     Bibliography & Research Sources Bai, Y., Ocampo, J., Jin, G., Chen, S., Benet-Martínez, V., Monroy, M., Anderson, C., & Keltner, D. (2021). Awe, daily stress, and well-being. Emotion, 21(4), 562–566. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0000638 Chirico, A., & Yaden, D. B. (2018). Awe: A self-transcendent emotion. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, Article 2353. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02353 International Dark-Sky Association (DarkSky) & NASA. (n.d.). Light pollution and night sky brightness data. NASA Earth Observatory / DarkSky International. https://darksky.org/resources/ or https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/features/NightLights Keltner, D. (2023). Awe: The new science of everyday wonder and how it can transform your life. Penguin Press. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/622177/awe-by-dacher-keltner/ Keltner, D., & Haidt, J. (2003). Approaching awe, a moral, spiritual, and aesthetic emotion. Cognition and Emotion, 17(2), 297–314. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699930302297 Louv, R. (2008). Last child in the woods: Saving our children from nature-deficit disorder. Algonquin Books. http://richardlouv.com/books/last-child/ Piff, P. K., Dietze, P., Feinberg, M., Stancato, D. M., & Keltner, D. (2015). Awe, the small self, and prosocial behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 108(6), 883–899. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000018 Pollan, M. (2018). How to change your mind: What the new science of psychedelics teaches us about consciousness, dying, addiction, depression, and transcendence. Penguin Press. https://michaelpollan.com/books/how-to-change-your-mind/ Rudd, M., Vohs, K. D., & Aaker, J. (2012). Awe expands people's perception of time, alters decision making, and enhances well-being. Psychological Science, 23(10), 1130–1136. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797612438731 Shiota, M. N., Keltner, D., & Mossman, A. (2007). The nature of awe: Elicitors, appraisals, and effects on self-concept. Emotion, 7(4), 944–963. https://doi.org/10.1037/1528-3542.7.4.944 Stellar, J. E., John-Henderson, N., Anderson, C. L., Gordon, A. M., McNeil, G. D., & Keltner, D. (2015). Positive affect and markers of inflammation: Discrete positive emotions predict lower levels of proinflammatory cytokines. Emotion, 15(2), 129–133. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0000033  

This one legitimately feels like a cinematic universe unfolding in real time. In this episode, Darin sits down with Gustavo Herman Moro — full-time landscaper, part-time explorer, and the modern discoverer of one of the most historic sunken treasures ever found off the coast of South America. From uncovering the legendary La Capitana galleon to battling governments, navigating the ethical minefields of underwater archeology, and now pursuing what might be the largest treasure recovery in human history, Gustavo takes us into a world few have ever seen up close. This episode is adventure, danger, obsession, heartbreak, and purpose — all rolled into one.     What You'll Learn: 00:00:00 – Welcome to SuperLife 00:00:32 – Sponsor: TheraSage 00:02:10 – Setting the stage 00:02:27 – Meet Gustavo Herman Moro 00:03:05 – Beyond gold: the real story 00:03:17 – The dive that changed everything 00:03:25 – The legal battle & threats 00:03:43 – Why the money wasn't the point 00:05:02 – Becoming a treasure hunter 00:06:37 – The moment that lit the fuse 00:06:56 – Choosing La Capitana 00:07:43 – The reality of treasure recovery 00:09:01 – What discovery actually feels like 00:10:11 – "Treasure is trouble" 00:11:35 – Raising money & early failure 00:12:55 – When the press explodes the story 00:15:19 – The new Caribbean project 00:17:25 – Why shipwrecks rarely get explored 00:23:11 – Archaeologists vs treasure hunters 00:25:19 – Solving the problem with blockchain 00:30:07 – The dream: livestreaming expeditions 00:34:04 – Using magnetometers to find wrecks 00:35:30 – The artifact that confirmed everything 00:38:11 – The moment his wife said "never again" 00:39:12 – A promise on his 50th birthday 00:42:47 – "This may be the biggest treasure in the world." 00:45:06 – Why excavation is racing against pirates 00:47:19 – Security, danger & Navy SEAL jokes 00:48:52 – A personal story about a gem hunter 00:52:14 – The book: Aspiring Pirate 00:55:14 – A new dream: museums, not markets 01:00:08 – The death that almost ended the project 01:01:23 – The team that made it possible 01:06:57 – Where the story goes next     Thank You to Our Sponsors: Therasage: Go to www.therasage.com and use code DARIN at checkout for 15% off Bite Toothpaste: Go to trybite.com/DARIN20 or use code DARIN20 for 20% off your first order. Caldera Lab: Experience the clinically proven benefits of Caldera Lab's clean skincare regimen and enjoy 20% off your order by visiting calderalab.com/darin and using code DARIN at checkout.     Join the SuperLife Patreon: This is where Darin now shares the deeper work: - weekly voice notes - ingredient trackers - wellness challenges - extended conversations - community accountability - sovereignty practices Join now for only  $7.49/month at https://patreon.com/darinolien     Connect with Darin Olien: Website: darinolien.com Instagram: @darinolien Book: Fatal Conveniences Platform & Products: superlife.com     Connect with Gustavo Herman Moro: Discover Herman's Treasure: coinarchives.com Read About Herman's Discover: washingtoncitypaper.com     Key Takeaway: "Treasure isn't the gold — it's the journey, the team, the obsession, the heartbreak, the near-losses, and the impossible dream you refuse to quit on."

In this solo episode, Darin Olien explores one of the most overlooked yet revealing health topics: the truth about wisdom teeth. What if removing your wisdom teeth isn't just unnecessary — but harmful? What if this long-standing dental ritual has more to do with profits than prevention, and its removal may even disconnect us from our body's natural energy flow? From evolutionary biology to energetic meridians, Darin unpacks why wisdom teeth might hold more "wisdom" than modern dentistry admits — and how to make truly informed choices for yourself or your kids.     What You'll Learn in This Episode [00:00:00] Welcome to SuperLife – Darin introduces the show's mission: real solutions for a healthier, more sovereign life [00:00:32] Sponsor – ENERGYbits Spirulina & Chlorella: why Darin takes them daily for clean cellular fuel [00:01:52] Today's focus – "The wisdom in wisdom teeth": are we pulling them too soon and for the wrong reasons? [00:02:24] Why this topic matters – Darin's personal story of keeping all four wisdom teeth and what that revealed [00:03:31] The cultural norm – How mass extraction became a teenage "rite of passage" [00:04:01] Our ancestors and evolution – Bigger jaws, tougher food, and natural spacing [00:05:00] The breathing connection – How mouth breathing and modern diets may cause jaw constriction [00:06:01] The science gap – Cochrane review shows no strong evidence for routine removal [00:06:46] The silent epidemic – 10 million wisdom teeth removed yearly in the U.S., costing $3 billion [00:07:17] Permanent damage – 11,000 people a year experience nerve injury from unnecessary surgery [00:08:04] When removal is necessary – infection, cysts, tumors, or impaction (and how to know the difference) [00:08:33] The second opinion rule – Why you should always consult a holistic or biological dentist [00:09:11] Questioning authority – Extraction as an automatic response vs. an evidence-based decision [00:11:19] Follow the money – How profit motives keep unnecessary procedures alive [00:12:15] Cultural conditioning – "Just pull them" and how fear has shaped dentistry [00:12:47] Watchful waiting – Why monitoring can be a wise, legitimate option [00:12:58] The energetic layer – How teeth connect to meridians, organs, and your body's electrical system [00:13:46] Ancient knowledge – TCM and Ayurveda understood these energy flows long before modern medicine [00:14:03] The spiritual symbolism – Wisdom teeth as a rite of passage into maturity and integration [00:14:17] Energy interconnection – Removing one element affects the entire energetic system [00:15:05] The Western blind spot – Our medical model ignores the body's bioelectric reality [00:15:39] The real risks – Nerve damage, chronic pain, and post-surgical trauma are far more common than discussed [00:15:57] Economics over evidence – How financial incentives outweigh long-term wellness [00:16:08] The forgotten holistic view – Why true healing means considering biology, energy, and emotion together [00:16:22] What you can do – Get informed, ask questions, and don't rush to extraction [00:16:44] Empowerment checklist – Imaging, second opinions, and trusting your intuition [00:17:02] Keep your power – Don't give your health decisions away to "white coats" or outdated systems [00:17:24] If surgery is unavoidable – Do it consciously: prepare, recover, and restore energetically [00:17:50] Pre/post-surgery support – Rest, meditation, and mineral-rich nutrition [00:18:02] The deeper truth – Wisdom teeth represent the intersection of biology, energy, and consciousness [00:18:23] Final message – Stay informed, stay connected, and embrace the wisdom in your own body     Thank You to Our Sponsors EnergyBits: Get 20% off your entire order by going to https://energybits.com/ and using code DARIN at checkout. Our Place: Toxic-free, durable cookware that supports healthy cooking. Go to their website at fromourplace.com/darin and get 35% off sitewide in their largest sale of the year.     Find More from Darin Olien: Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Podcast Website: superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences Join the SuperLife Patreon for extended episodes, private Q&As, and Darin's personal health protocols: https://patreon.com/darinolien     Key Takeaway "The body is not broken — it's intelligent. When we rush to extract, cut, or suppress without understanding, we lose connection to the deeper wisdom it's offering. Sometimes the smartest thing you can do is wait, listen, and trust the design that created you."     Bibliography of Referenced Studies Cochrane Review (Systematic Review) Study Title: Surgical removal versus retention for the management of asymptomatic disease-free impacted wisdom teeth Author/Source: Ghaeminia H, et al. Publication: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2020; CD003879 Key Finding: There is insufficient evidence to support or refute the routine removal of asymptomatic impacted wisdom teeth, and no eligible studies reported on the effects of removal on health-related quality of life. Public Health Critique on Prophylactic Extraction Study Title: The Prophylactic Extraction of Third Molars: A Public Health Hazard Author: Jay W. Friedman, DDS, MPH Publication: American Journal of Public Health (AJPH), 2007; 97(9):1554–1559 Key Finding: Approximately two-thirds of extractions may be unnecessary, calling mass extraction a "silent epidemic of iatrogenic injury." M3BE Study Study Title: Prophylactic vs. symptomatic third molar removal: effects on patient postoperative morbidity Key Finding: Older patients are more at risk for complications (such as nerve injury and persistent pain), confirming that removal has real consequences. Clinical Guidelines (AAOMS) Source: American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) Title: Third Molar Surgical Guidelines Key Finding: Identifies Pericoronitis as one of the most common indications for surgical removal. Pathology Studies (Cysts/Tumors) Subject: Odontogenic cysts associated with impacted third molars Key Finding: While rare, cysts can erode jawbone and damage neighboring teeth, making this a valid medical reason for removal. Retrospective Complications Study Study Title: Retrospective Oman study: Complications of Third Molar Extraction Key Finding: Referenced in the context of risks and complications associated with extraction.

In this explosive episode, Darin sits down with Johnny Graham, the CEO of Pacific United Power and Pulse Proof, and the founder of the largest YouTube channel in the solar industry. Together they uncover the hidden vulnerabilities in America's power grid, the looming threats of EMPs and AI-driven energy demands, and how solar technology could be the key to both national security and personal sovereignty. Johnny's story — from door-to-door solar sales to building an empire redefining the energy landscape — is a masterclass in leadership, innovation, and self-reliance. This conversation dives deep into what it really means to own your power, both literally and metaphorically, in a world increasingly dependent on fragile systems. What You'll Learn 00:00:00 – Welcome to SuperLife: why energy sovereignty matters for health, freedom, and the future 00:03:00 – Meet Johnny Graham: from door-to-door solar sales to CEO of Pacific United Power 00:06:00 – How a 2018 article sparked a mission to revolutionize solar and redefine independence 00:09:00 – The four forces driving the solar revolution — tech, finance, narrative, and policy 00:12:00 – How the U.S. grid became one of the most fragile infrastructures on Earth 00:15:00 – EMPs, solar flares, and the frightening vulnerability of our power systems 00:18:00 – The birth of Pulse Proof: creating solar systems immune to EMP damage 00:22:00 – Why true freedom begins with controlling your own source of power 00:26:00 – The unseen threat: AI data centers consuming entire cities' worth of energy 00:30:00 – How energy monopolies manipulate policy to keep you tied to the grid 00:35:00 – Johnny's EMP-proof switch that isolates your home from grid interference 00:40:00 – The utility war against solar: hidden fees, fines, and false "safety" regulations 00:45:00 – The corruption behind California's rolling blackouts and energy legislation 00:50:00 – Fires, failures, and the hidden cost of centralized energy systems 00:55:00 – The psychology of dependency — why we've forgotten how to generate our own power 01:00:00 – Microgrids, self-reliance, and how decentralized energy could save lives 01:05:00 – How Pulse Proof empowers veterans, preppers, and everyday homeowners 01:10:00 – The spiritual side of solar: reclaiming autonomy and harmony with nature 01:15:00 – Why sovereignty and responsibility are inseparable — the new paradigm of power 01:20:00 – Final reflections: the path forward for conscious citizens building resilient communities     Thank You to Our Sponsors Fatty15: Get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.com/DARIN and using code DARIN at checkout. Our Place: Toxic-free, durable cookware that supports healthy cooking. Go to their website at fromourplace.com/darin and get 35% off sitewide in their largest sale of the year. Manna Vitality: Go to mannavitality.com/ and use code DARIN12 for 12% off your order.     Find More from Johnny Graham Website: pacificunitedpower.com Instagram: @johnnykilow YouTube: Real Sales Dynamics EMP Protection: pulseproof.tech      Find More from Darin Olien: Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Podcast Website: superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences   Key Takeaway "Power isn't just electricity — it's sovereignty. When you control your energy, you control your destiny. The future isn't off-grid — it's self-reliant, conscious, and connected to purpose."

In this solo episode, Darin reframes one of the most misunderstood forces in life — stress. Instead of seeing it as the enemy, he explores how stress is actually a messenger, guiding you back to alignment, safety, and awareness. Through science, spirituality, and lived experience, Darin breaks down how stress shows us where we're trying to control, where we're disconnected, and where our nervous system is calling for attention. He unpacks the layers of modern stress — from trauma and environment to community and purpose — and offers practical, embodied tools to restore calm, clarity, and resilience.     What You'll Learn 00:00:00 – Welcome to Super Life: Solutions for a Healthier Life and Better World 00:00:32 – Sponsor Spotlight: TheraSauna - Natural Healing Technologies (15% off with code Darrandai) 00:02:10 – The Super Life Podcast: Finding Contentment, Happiness, and Purpose 00:02:51 – Today's Topic: Stress - Reframing Stress as an Ally and Dashboard Light 00:04:54 – The "No Choice" Universe: Reconnecting to Infinite Possibilities 00:05:16 – The Reality of Stress: Statistics and the Impact of Chronic Stress 00:06:21 – Stress is Layered: Beyond a Single Cause, Addressing Chronic Stress 00:08:29 – Solutions for a Super Life: Safety over Calm and the Vagal Response 00:09:38 – The Inner Dialogue Layer: Trauma, Unconsciousness, and Spiritual Bypassing 00:11:47 – The Social Field Layer: Relationships, Community, and Finding Your Way Home 00:14:20 – Sponsor Spotlight: Bite Toothpaste - Sustainable, Non-Toxic Tabs (20% off with code Darin20) 00:16:35 – Creating Your Own Vision: Setting Boundaries with Media and Social Algorithms 00:17:29 – Finding Your Purpose: From Raising Children to Healing Injuries 00:18:35 – Environmental and Existential Stress Layers: Clutter, Noise, and Service 00:19:26 – Stress Load and Resiliency: Why Small Triggers Cause Blow-Ups 00:20:02 – Understanding the Dashboard Light: Acknowledging Unwillingness 00:20:35 – Safety as the Signal: Body Relaxation and Providing Inner Security 00:23:44 – Reframing Trauma: Was it the Protector You Needed at the Time? 00:25:00 – Releasing Trauma: Techniques, The Healing Code, and Waking the Tiger 00:26:06 – Finishing the Survival Response: Shaking, Crying, Screaming, and Stretching 00:26:38 – Stress as a Multiplier: Impact on Immune System, Heart, and Aging 00:28:10 – Stress Slows Repair: Inflammation, Cardiovascular Risk, and Cellular Aging 00:29:48 – The Integrative Approach: Changing Your Environments to Support Anti-Stress 00:30:07 – Actionable Stress Solutions: Circadian Rhythm, Nature, and Noise Reduction 00:30:44 – Actionable Stress Solutions: Gratitude, Conscious Breath, and Movement 00:31:32 – Energy Drains to Eliminate: Conflict, Clutter, Scrolling, and Late Caffeine 00:32:17 – Connecting to Greater Purpose: The Super Life Patreon Platform 00:32:54 – Morning/Night Questions: Letting Go, Creating, and Contributing 00:33:17 – Final Toolkit: Slow Breathing, Movement, Nature, Sauna, and Sleep 00:34:25 – The Invitation: Digging into all Layers of a Super Life on Patreon   Thank You to Our Sponsors Therasage: Go to www.therasage.com and use code DARIN at checkout for 15% off Bite Toothpaste: Go to trybite.com/DARIN20 or use code DARIN20 for 20% off your first order. Find More from Darin Olien: Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Podcast Website: superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences   Key Takeaway "Stress isn't your enemy — it's your compass. Every wave of tension points you back to what's asking for care, attention, and love. When you stop fighting stress and start listening to it, you don't just survive — you evolve."       Bibliography (selected, peer-reviewed) Sources: Gallup Global Emotions (2024); Gallup U.S. polling (2024); APA Stress in America (2023); Natarajan et al., Lancet Digital Health (2020); Orini et al., UK Biobank (2023); Martinez et al. (2022); Leiden University (2025). Cohen S, Tyrrell DA, Smith AP. Psychological stress and susceptibility to the common cold. N Engl J Med.1991;325(9):606–612. New England Journal of Medicine Cohen S, et al. Chronic stress, glucocorticoid receptor resistance, inflammation, and disease risk. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2012;109(16):5995–5999. PNAS Kiecolt-Glaser JK, et al. Slowing of wound healing by psychological stress. Lancet. 1995;346(8984):1194–1196. The Lancet Kiecolt-Glaser JK, et al. Hostile marital interactions, proinflammatory cytokine production, and wound healing.Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2005;62(12):1377–1384. JAMA Network Tawakol A, et al. Relation between resting amygdalar activity and cardiovascular events. Lancet.2017;389(10071):834–845. The Lancet Epel ES, et al. Accelerated telomere shortening in response to life stress. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA.2004;101(49):17312–17315. PNAS McEwen BS, Stellar E. Stress and the individual: mechanisms leading to disease. Arch Intern Med.1993;153(18):2093–2101. PubMed McEwen BS, Wingfield JC. Allostasis and allostatic load. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1998;840:33–44. PubMed Felitti VJ, et al. Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many leading causes of death in adults (ACE Study). Am J Prev Med. 1998;14(4):245–258. AJP Mon Online Edmondson D, et al. PTSD and cardiovascular disease. Ann Behav Med. 2017;51(3):316–327. PMC Afari N, et al. Psychological trauma and functional somatic syndromes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Psychosom Med. 2014;76(1):2–11. PMC Goyal M, et al. Meditation programs for psychological stress and well-being: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Intern Med. 2014;174(3):357–368. PMC Qiu Q, et al. Forest therapy: effects on blood pressure and salivary cortisol—a meta-analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;20(1):458. PMC Laukkanen T, et al. Sauna bathing and reduced fatal CVD and all-cause mortality. JAMA Intern Med.2015;175(4):542–548. JAMA Network Zureigat H, et al. Physical activity lowers CVD risk by reducing stress-related neural activity. J Am Coll Cardiol.2024;83(16):1532–1546. PMC Holt-Lunstad J, Smith TB, Layton JB. Social relationships and mortality risk: a meta-analytic review. PLoS Med.2010;7(7):e1000316. PMC Chen Y-R, Hung K-W. EMDR for PTSD: meta-analysis of RCTs. PLoS One. 2014;9(8):e103676. PLOS Hoppen TH, et al. Network/pairwise meta-analysis of PTSD psychotherapies—TF-CBT highest efficacy overall.Psychol Med. 2023;53(14):6360–6374. PubMed van der Kolk BA, et al. Yoga as an adjunctive treatment for PTSD: RCT. J Clin Psychiatry. 2014;75(6):e559–e565. PubMed Kelly U, et al. Trauma-center trauma-sensitive yoga vs CPT in women veterans: RCT. JAMA Netw Open.2023;6(11):e2342214. JAMA Network Bentley TGK, et al. Breathing practices for stress and anxiety reduction: components that matter. Behav Sci (Basel). 2023;13(9):756. 

In this powerhouse episode, Darin sits down with Catharine Arnston, founder and CEO of ENERGYbits, to explore one of the planet's oldest and most potent foods — algae. From spirulina's superoxide dismutase to chlorella's detoxifying chlorophyll, Catharine breaks down the science of why these tiny organisms hold the key to longevity, energy, detox, and cellular repair. This episode dives deep into the microbiology of health, uncovering how microalgae could solve both human nutrition and planetary sustainability — and why spirulina may truly be "the food of the future."     What You'll Learn in This Episode [00:00] Welcome and intro — algae near the ocean, Darin's long relationship with chlorella and spirulina [00:01:28] The origins of ENERGYbits and Catharine's passion for transparent, toxin-free sourcing [00:03:19] Why algae isn't just another supplement — it's a whole food category of its own [00:04:07] Nutrient density per calorie — the power of bioavailable vitamins, minerals, and proteins [00:05:02] Understanding macroalgae vs. microalgae — why spirulina and chlorella are the real heroes [00:06:15] Why growing algae in freshwater matters — avoiding ocean toxins and micro-contaminants [00:08:06] The global algae revolution — how sustainable "photo bioreactors" may feed the planet [00:10:30] Quality control in algae production — how ENERGYbits preserves nutrient integrity [00:11:18] Spirulina as offense and chlorella as defense — the ultimate nutrition playbook [00:12:58] Why spirulina fuels performance and chlorella drives recovery [00:13:43] Why "food first" is the future of health — and how over-supplementation misses the mark [00:14:25] Algae's 99% absorption rate vs. supplements' 5–10% — the "orchestra" analogy [00:15:06] Phycocyanin — the blue pigment powerhouse behind spirulina's antioxidant strength [00:17:14] Real food vs. isolates — why nature's nutrient matrix always wins [00:18:18] The UN's endorsement: why spirulina could solve world hunger [00:19:13] Bioavailable plant protein — 64% complete protein by weight [00:21:14] How algae creates and saves energy — digestion efficiency and cellular fuel [00:22:02] The chlorophyll connection — nature's blood builder and detoxifier [00:23:32] Why chlorella is a daily detox essential — heavy metals, toxins, and PM2.5 [00:24:43] Chlorella as your daily "internal shower" — detoxing in a toxic world [00:26:59] The antioxidant that saves your mitochondria — superoxide dismutase (SOD) [00:28:32] How SOD prevents inflammation, disease, and aging — and why we lose it after 40 [00:30:46] Why spirulina is nature's richest source of active SOD [00:32:29] Preserving enzymes — why low-temperature processing is everything [00:33:53] Algae's healing power — stories from Hippocrates and Gerson Institutes [00:35:01] The missing human operating manual — how to truly fuel your cells [00:36:07] The symptom isn't the problem — it's the signal your body's sending [00:37:12] Catharine's origin story — how her sister's breast cancer changed her life forever [00:38:32] Discovering alkalinity — Otto Warburg's cancer research and pH balance [00:40:28] The goldfish analogy — why your body's environment determines your health [00:41:32] How feeding fish algae solved oceanic "dead zones" — the alkalinity connection [00:42:22] Disease as slow imbalance — how poor food slowly drains vitality [00:43:06] Why cellular energy equals cellular wealth — mitochondria as your body's power grid [00:44:36] How chronic disease spirals begin — free radicals, mitochondria, and collapse [00:46:11] The alkaline rescue — how algae restores blood charge and vitality [00:48:23] Real food as communication — how nutrients talk to your cells [00:49:25] The mitochondria-light analogy — why spirulina "turns the lights back on" [00:50:51] Mitochondrial health and mental health — the "Brain Energy" connection [00:52:14] Aging naturally vs. declining unnecessarily — how nutrient density extends life [00:52:58] Spirulina puts nutrients in, chlorella pulls toxins out — the perfect pair [00:53:18] Catharine's 15-year algae experiment — her personal health story [00:54:22] Building ENERGYbits from scratch — Shark Tank, $50k, and unstoppable grit [00:55:07] The "Mother Nature" philosophy — how simplicity and consistency heal [00:56:13] Living in alignment — yoga, sleep, sunlight, and algae as core habits [00:57:09] Listening to intuition — following the whisper of your soul, not the ego's noise [00:59:23] The feather touch of purpose — when you follow your calling, life unfolds [01:00:36] Hitting rock bottom to rise higher — the unseen power of persistence [01:02:22] When helping others heals yourself — Catharine's message of divine reciprocity [01:03:00] Closing reflections — Mother Nature as the ultimate mentor   Thank You to Our Sponsors: Pique Tea: Go to www.piquelife.com/darin to get 20% off all products for life and a free starter kit. EnergyBits: Get 20% off your entire order by going to https://energybits.com/ and using code DARIN at checkout.     Join the SuperLife Patreon: This is where Darin now shares the deeper work: - weekly voice notes - ingredient trackers - wellness challenges - extended conversations - community accountability - sovereignty practices Join now for only  $7.49/month at https://patreon.com/darinolien     Connect with Darin Olien: Website: darinolien.com Instagram: @darinolien Book: Fatal Conveniences Platform & Products: superlife.com     Find More From Catharine Arnston: Buy Algae at Energy Bits: energybits.com Instagram: @catharinearnston Website catharinearnston.com     Key Takeaway "You didn't get sick overnight — and you won't heal overnight. But you can. The recipe is simple: give your body the ingredients Mother Nature designed — sunlight, sleep, breath, movement, and algae. Algae isn't a supplement. It's food. It's your body's operator manual in disguise."  

In this solo episode, Darin takes a grounded and research-backed look at some of the most popular wellness trends circulating today — from creatine and cold plunging to plant-based eating, morning routines, healthspan vs. lifespan, and what it actually means to build long-term vitality. Instead of hype, Darin focuses on common sense, context, and listening to your body. This one is all about clarity, discernment, and sovereignty over your wellness path.     What You'll Learn 00:00 — Welcome to SuperLife + intention of the show 00:32 — Sponsor: Mana Vitality + why real minerals matter 02:23 — Darin's shift away from social media + why he built the Patreon community 03:35 — The purpose of this episode: not to preach, but to provoke reflection 04:07 — Why creatine is more than a gym supplement 05:50 — Creatine's cellular energy role (ATP regeneration explained simply) 07:45 — Creatine for brain performance + neuroprotective support 09:09 — Who benefits most: athletes, women, older adults 10:55 — Safe dosing, cycling, hydration, and kidney myth clarification 12:22 — Longevity vs. healthspan — and why we should care more about how we live 15:50 — The research behind lifestyle, mortality, and meaningful aging 17:50 — Your set point is not your potential: feeling "fine" is not the goal 19:10 — Community, joy, purpose, emotional expression & biological longevity 20:04 — "Good genes are nice — but joy is better." 21:01 — Sleep is not hackable — it's rhythm-based physiology 22:07 — Light exposure, circadian biology, temperature, and nighttime stimulation 23:11 — Darin's grounding nightly wind-down routine 24:07 — Patreon invitation: deeper conversations + decentralized wellness community 25:13 — The carnivore diet — what the science says and what it doesn't 26:01 — Why eliminating plants is metabolically expensive and microbiome-damaging 27:12 — The Blue Zones don't eat like carnivores — and that matters 28:05 — You can get all essential amino acids from plants 29:43 — Cold exposure benefits, risks, timing, and overstimulation 31:57 — Why cold plunging after workouts may reduce gains 33:20 — Dose, duration, nervous system load — "more" is not better 33:44 — Morning routines as spiritual alignment practice, not productivity trend 35:12 — The deeper gift of sitting with yourself 35:39 — Closing: health is common-sense discipline + inner listening     Thank You to Our Sponsors: Our Place: Toxic-free, durable cookware that supports healthy cooking. Use code DARIN for 10% off at fromourplace.com. Manna Vitality: Go to mannavitality.com/ and use code DARIN12 for 12% off your order.     Join the SuperLife Patreon: This is where Darin now shares the deeper work: - weekly voice notes - ingredient trackers - wellness challenges - extended conversations - community accountability - sovereignty practices Join now for only $7.49/month at https://patreon.com/darinolien     Connect with Darin Olien: Website: darinolien.com Instagram: @darinolien Book: Fatal Conveniences Platform & Products: superlife.com     Key Takeaway "Good genes are nice — but joy is better. Your lifestyle, your community, your purpose, your sleep, your alignment — these shape your healthspan more than anything else."

This Halloween, Darin turns the spotlight from ghosts and goblins to the real ones that haunt us — the memories, wounds, and traumas stored deep within our bodies and minds. In this cinematic special, he revisits some of the most powerful guests from past SuperLife episodes — Lori Woodley, Kyle Nicolaides, Dr. Aimee Apigian, Jules Schroeder, Maya Raichoora, Dr. Max Butterfield, Dr. Jess Stavale, Dani Fontaine, and Josh Macin — weaving together a spellbinding journey through emotional alchemy, mind-body science, and spiritual restoration. From the fascia to the endocannabinoid system, from visualization to detoxification, Darin explores how healing trauma is not about running from darkness but transmuting it into light. This episode is a hauntingly beautiful reminder that acknowledging our pain can become the path to our deepest purpose.     What You'll Learn in This Episode [00:00] Welcome to SuperLife — igniting possibilities for a better, sovereign world [00:00:32] Sponsor: EnergyBits — the most concentrated whole-food nutrition on Earth [00:01:51] Happy Halloween — Darin introduces the real "ghosts" we carry within us [00:02:11] What trauma really is and why it's stored in the body, not just the mind [00:03:29] The science behind stored trauma — how fascia, endocannabinoids, and cells hold the score [00:04:14] Why facing trauma is the path to freedom — transmuting pain into purpose [00:04:50] Revisiting powerful past guests with new insight and wisdom [00:05:09] The integration principle — why real healing must unite mind, body, and biology [00:05:36] Practical techniques you can use today: breathwork, somatic release, visualization [00:05:58] How art and creativity can release stored trauma and regulate emotions [00:06:35] Facing our ghosts: turning pain into our most heroic journey [00:07:04] Guest highlight – Lori Woodley: "Crossing Backwards" and breaking free from autopilot [00:08:24] The exercise that reveals how easily we live on autopilot — and how to disrupt it [00:09:30] Two steps forward: how small, conscious actions shift your entire life [00:11:29] Learning to ask for what you truly need — the root of emotional intelligence [00:12:51] Guest highlight – Kyle Nicolaides: Finding purpose through depression [00:13:12] Depression as initiation — the "dead decade" that led to divine reconnection [00:16:01] Realizing depression isn't the enemy — it's a sacred messenger [00:17:05] The power of reframing suffering as wisdom waiting to be revealed [00:17:30] Guest highlight – Dr. Aimee Apigian: Trauma, biology, and building inner safety [00:18:10] The three layers of trauma repair: mind, body, and biology [00:19:30] Taking responsibility for your healing — no one can regulate you but you [00:20:21] Trauma bonds and projections — how unhealed pain shapes relationships [00:21:15] Guest highlight – Jules Schroeder: Start with the breath [00:21:44] The "Perfect Breath" — 4 seconds in, 6 seconds out through the nose [00:22:27] How 7.5 hours of mindful breathing can reprogram your nervous system [00:23:36] Removing stress before adding more — foundational calm before growth [00:24:07] Sponsor: Our Place Cookware — eliminating toxins from your kitchen [00:27:00] Guest highlight – Maya Raichoora: Visualization as a rewiring tool for trauma [00:27:54] Five visualization techniques: outcome, process, creative, negative, explorative [00:29:18] The neuroscience of imagery — how your body reacts to imagined experience [00:31:38] Lemon exercise — proving your mind and body are one [00:33:13] Using visualization for emotional resilience, performance, and healing [00:34:33] Explorative visualization — channeling creativity like Einstein or Disney [00:35:41] Guest highlight – Dr. Max Butterfield: Emotional regulation and relationships [00:36:10] The Gottman principles — why contempt destroys relationships [00:37:15] Why emotional regulation matters more than compatibility [00:38:02] The modern self-regulation crisis — how disconnection fuels chaos [00:39:01] Guest highlight – Dr. Jess Stavale: Fascia — the body's emotional network [00:39:55] How fascia stores trauma and connects all bodily systems [00:40:45] The fascia as a quantum interface between body and emotion [00:41:33] How to integrate physical and emotional therapy for release [00:43:12] Patreon segment — building sovereignty and community through conscious living [00:44:21] Guest highlight – Dani Fontaine: The endocannabinoid system explained [00:44:45] The ECS as the body's "master balance system" — how it keeps all others aligned [00:45:31] Understanding energy, vibration, and homeostasis [00:46:43] Why overstimulation blocks healing and how to recalibrate [00:47:25] Sound, light, and frequency as inputs for cellular communication [00:48:16] Guest highlight – Josh Macin: Parasites, detox, and terrain theory [00:49:00] The biological link between toxicity, trauma, and emotion [00:50:12] How acidity and chemicals create disease and disconnect [00:52:17] Parasites and the metaphysical mirror — cleansing darkness from within [00:54:27] Annual detox protocols — why cleansing is essential for clarity [00:55:36] Closing reflections — integrating body, mind, and spirit for full release [00:57:20] Darin's final message: healing is sacred, not spooky — the path back to your SuperLife     Thank You to Our Sponsors: Our Place: Toxic-free, durable cookware that supports healthy cooking. Use code DARIN for 10% off at fromourplace.com. EnergyBits: Get 20% off your entire order by going to https://energybits.com/ and using code DARIN at checkout.   SuperLife Patreon Join the SuperLife Patreon: deeper conversations, extended interviews, wellness challenges, and community connection. https://patreon.com/darinolien/     Connect with Darin Olien: Website: darinolien.com Instagram: @darinolien Book: Fatal Conveniences Platform & Products: superlife.com     Key Takeaway "Acknowledging the ghosts within isn't a horror story — it's a homecoming. Trauma isn't here to punish you, it's here to teach you. When you meet it with breath, awareness, and compassion, you stop running from the dark and begin to walk in your light."

In this follow-up to his deep dive on protein, Darin exposes the other side of the protein story: where your food comes from, what's really in it, and how the system itself affects your health, the planet, and the animals. From factory farm contamination to antibiotic resistance, industry lobbying, and why plants still win on every level — Darin breaks down the research, ethics, and environmental data so you can make conscious choices that fuel a truly SuperLife.     What You'll Learn [00:00] Welcome + sponsor message: plastic waste, conscious products, and Bite Toothpaste [02:47] Introduction — the real protein conversation continues [03:00] The source of your food matters more than macros [03:10] Contamination, ethics, and the reality of factory farming [03:30] Stewardship vs. dominion — a call for responsibility [04:01] EPA data: confined animal operations and environmental chaos [05:00] Foodborne illness: salmonella, E. coli, and what contamination really means [05:57] Antibiotics, resistance, and hormones in animal agriculture [06:42] Persistent pollutants (PFOAs) showing up in food and milk [07:10] How animal feed (soy and corn) drives ecological damage [07:57] USDA marketing boards + industry lobbying against plant alternatives [08:38] Darin's 17 years vegan — data and lived experience [09:00] The numbers: amino acids, LDL, fat swaps, and longevity [09:47] Common plant-based protein myths answered [12:59] Patreon message — upgrade your operating system and join the tribe [14:03] The cancer connection: processed and red meat research [14:47] Iron, B12, and what vegans actually need to know [15:37] Soy, testosterone, and thyroid myths debunked [16:08] Protein quality: why mixing plant foods covers all bases [16:31] Feeling better on moderate meat? Understanding the trade-offs [17:18] Substitution data: even small swaps improve health outcomes [17:57] Processed vs. ultra-processed: why Beyond Meat isn't the enemy [18:09] Environmental impact: why beef's footprint dwarfs plant protein [19:05] Food miles myth — what you eat matters more than distance [19:29] Cost and accessibility: the cheapest protein sources are plants [20:08] Contamination and antibiotic resistance rising annually [21:03] Anti-nutrients and the myth of plant dangers [21:47] Real-world evidence: fiber, polyphenols, and legume-based longevity [22:00] Final recap — all essential amino acids come from plants [22:17] Strongest evidence: plant protein wins ethically, environmentally, and scientifically     Thank You to Our Sponsors: SuperLife Patreon: Go towww.patreon.com/DarinOlien and sign up to start changing your life today Bite Toothpaste: Go to trybite.com/DARIN20 or use code DARIN20 for 20% off your first order.     Connect with Darin Olien: Website: darinolien.com Instagram: @darinolien Book: Fatal Conveniences Platform & Products: superlife.com     Key Takeaway "All plants contain all essential amino acids. The more you swap red meat for plants, the longer, stronger, and cleaner your life becomes."