Habits and Hustle
Episode 582: How Constant Health Optimization Makes Us Less Happy and Healthy
What if all this optimizing is actually making us less happy? Sleep scores, step counts, glucose monitors, supplements, peptides, wearables, and endless wellness protocols have turned health into something we constantly track, measure, and try to perfect. But when every meal, workout, night of sleep, and social plan becomes another data point, the pursuit of better health can start creating more stress than clarity. You may look disciplined and optimized on the outside while feeling anxious, restricted, and disconnected from the life you are trying to improve. Technology has also changed the way we trust our own bodies. We wake up feeling fine, check a low sleep score, and suddenly decide we are exhausted. We skip dinners, birthday cake, travel, drinks, and time with friends because we are afraid of disrupting a routine or hurting a metric. The tools designed to support our health can begin controlling our choices, until we are protecting the routine more than we are enjoying the results. The real question is not always "How can I optimize this?" Sometimes it is "Is this actually improving my life?" Health should give you more energy, freedom, connection, and joy. It should not make you afraid of food, obsessed with numbers, or unwilling to be spontaneous. Every protocol, product, and intervention comes with a tradeoff, and more optimization does not automatically mean better physical or mental health. In this episode of Habits and Hustle, I talk about when healthy habits cross the line into obsession, why sleep trackers and wellness scores may create more anxiety than clarity, how people are sacrificing dinners, birthdays, relationships, and spontaneity to protect their routines, and why looking optimized on the outside does not always mean you are healthy on the inside. What's Discussed: (01:25) Whether constant optimization is making us less happy. (03:11) When tracking and hacking every part of life becomes an obsession. (04:41) Where healthy optimization ends and extreme wellness behavior begins. (05:48) Why checking your sleep score can create more stress than clarity. (06:46) Why looking thin or optimized does not necessarily mean you are healthy. (07:45) How the wellness industry profits by selling fear and endless solutions. (08:17) Why people are optimizing their lives without actually enjoying them. (09:22) How protecting your routine can cost you dinners, birthdays, and relationships. (09:50) Why sleep tracker data can change how tired you believe you feel. (10:33) How technology and constant tracking have weakened human connection. (11:35) Why a phone call can be more efficient than endless texts and meetings. (16:37) Why chasing money, fitness, beauty, and longevity can leave you with fewer memories. Thank You to Our Sponsors! Magic Mind: Head over to magicmind.com/jen and use code JEN at checkout. Momentous: Ready to try supplements that actually do what they claim? Head to livemomentous.com and use code JEN for 35% off your first subscription. Therasage: Visit therasage.com and use code JEN to get 15% off your order. Your skin Prolon: Prolon is offering listeners 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift. Kion: Visit getkion.com/habits for 20% off. Tru Niagen®: For supplements that are rigorously tested, third-party verified, and actually deliver what's on the label, head to truniagen.com Find more from Jen Cohen: Website: jennifercohen.com Instagram: @therealjencohen Books: jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagements
Episode 581: Dr. Joey Munoz: Nutrition Myths, Muscle Loss, and Sustainable Fat Loss
Are your health habits helping you live better, or are they quietly making your life more complicated? We are surrounded by nutrition rules, supplement stacks, protein targets, fasting windows, wearables, weight-loss drugs, and viral claims about foods we have been eating for decades. A banana in your smoothie is suddenly a problem. Every snack needs added protein. Everyone thinks they need electrolytes. People lose weight quickly without thinking about the muscle they may be losing with it. And in the process of trying to become healthier, many people become afraid to eat, travel, miss a workout, or enjoy their lives. This matters because better health rarely comes from obsessing over every minor detail. It comes from building muscle, eating enough whole foods, understanding your own habits, and creating a routine you can return to after an imperfect week. Strength training can improve your metabolism, mobility, confidence, and discipline. Nutrition should support your life. Data should help you make decisions. And a healthy routine should give you more freedom, not turn you into a prisoner of your own wellness protocol. Dr. Joey Munoz is a nutrition expert, coach, and the founder of Stronger Standard. He has a PhD in nutrition and focuses on evidence-based fat loss, muscle building, sustainable habits, and helping people cut through nutrition misinformation. His work combines nutrition science, strength training, behavioral psychology, and practical coaching to help people improve their health without relying on extreme diets or constantly chasing the latest trend. What's Discussed: (02:47) Why viral nutrition claims about bananas and smoothies create unnecessary fear and confusion. (08:31) When healthy eating, perfect routines, and longevity protocols begin damaging your quality of life. (13:13) How rapid weight loss on GLP-1 medications can increase muscle loss without strength training and adequate nutrition. (22:22) Why intermittent fasting is overrated as a unique fat-loss or autophagy strategy. (28:07) The simple foundations of a healthy diet and why eliminating entire food groups is usually unnecessary. (34:08) Why protein has become overmarketed and how much you may actually need. (38:48) How to return to your routine after travel or overeating without punishment, restriction, or giving up. (50:13) Why the carnivore diet and fear of "plant toxins" ignore dose, context, and how the body adapts to stress. (53:40) Which popular supplements may be wasting your money, including greens powders, hydration products, BCAAs, and expensive forms of creatine. (01:05:09) How muscle supports blood sugar regulation, cardiovascular health, body composition, and long-term independence. (01:07:46) Why proper strength training can improve mobility when you prioritize control and range of motion over heavier weight. (01:11:16) How strength training builds discipline, confidence, consistency, and skills that transfer into every part of life. Thank You to Our Sponsors! Magic Mind: Head over to magicmind.com/jen and use code JEN at checkout. Momentous: Ready to try supplements that actually do what they claim? Head to livemomentous.com and use code JEN for 35% off your first subscription. Therasage: Visit therasage.com and use code JEN to get 15% off your order. Your skin Prolon: Prolon is offering listeners 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift. Kion: Visit getkion.com/habits for 20% off. Tru Niagen®: For supplements that are rigorously tested, third-party verified, and actually deliver what's on the label, head to truniagen.com Find more from Jen Cohen: Website: jennifercohen.com Instagram: @therealjencohen Books: jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagements Find more from Dr. Joey Munoz Website: strongstandard.com Instagram: @dr.joeymunoz Facebook: Dr. Joey Munoz YouTube: @dr.joeymunoz LinkedIn: Joseph Munoz
Episode 580: Plastic Surgery, Comparison, and the Hidden Cost of Chasing Perfection
What if changing your face has nothing to do with how you feel about yourself? Plastic surgery has become more normalized, more accessible, and more visible than ever. We watch people document facelifts, nose jobs, injectables, and cosmetic procedures in real time, which can make major medical decisions feel as casual as booking a facial. But the polished before-and-after photo rarely shows the full story. Social media, filters, Zoom, and constantly seeing ourselves in photos and on video have changed the way we evaluate our appearance. We notice every angle, compare our real faces to edited ones, and start believing that changing one feature will finally make us feel more confident. But a procedure can alter your appearance without changing the way you see yourself. If the insecurity underneath it is never addressed, you may simply find something new to criticize. The real question is not always "What should I change?" Sometimes it is "Why do I believe changing this will make me feel better?" Cosmetic procedures are personal decisions, but they should never be treated casually. Understanding the risks, researching the doctor, asking specific questions about recovery, and being honest about your expectations matter far more than following a trend or choosing the surgeon with the biggest social media following. In this episode of Habits and Hustle, I share how social media and filters are changing the way we see ourselves, why plastic surgery may not fix the insecurity underneath it, what people rarely tell you about complications and recovery, and why online popularity does not necessarily make someone the best surgeon for the job. What's Discussed: (02:15) Why plastic surgery has become more normalized, accessible, and visible than ever. (03:55) How a nose job led to breathing problems, complications, and multiple corrective procedures. (05:41) Why the polished before-and-after rarely shows the full risks of cosmetic surgery. (07:03) Why researching a surgeon's aesthetic style and medical expertise matters. (08:42) Why cosmetic procedures are far more invasive than social media makes them appear. (10:36) How confidence and the way you carry yourself can shape how attractive you feel. (12:00) Why constantly seeing ourselves on cameras, Zoom, and social media may damage self-image. (13:11) How filters and edited photos are changing what people ask surgeons to create. (14:05) Why natural-looking plastic surgery has become the newest status symbol. (17:28) Why a surgeon's social media popularity does not necessarily reflect their skill. (20:29) Why fixing one insecurity may only give you something else to criticize. Thank You to Our Sponsors! Magic Mind: Head over to magicmind.com/jen and use code JEN at checkout. Momentous: Ready to try supplements that actually do what they claim? Head to livemomentous.com and use code JEN for 35% off your first subscription. Therasage: Visit therasage.com and use code JEN to get 15% off your order. Your skin Prolon: Prolon is offering listeners 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift. Kion: Visit getkion.com/habits for 20% off. Tru Niagen®: For supplements that are rigorously tested, third-party verified, and actually deliver what's on the label, head to truniagen.com Find more from Jen Cohen: Website: jennifercohen.com Instagram: @therealjencohen Books: jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagements
Episode 579: Dr. Masud Husain: Motivation, Memory, and the Truth About Aging Brains
Is a lack of motivation a personality flaw, or a signal from your brain that something needs attention? We tend to think brain decline begins with memory loss, but changes in motivation, behavior, attention, and decision-making can show up much earlier. Apathy can look like laziness. Poor sleep can feel like memory loss. Doom scrolling gets blamed on dopamine, even though the science does not support many of the claims people repeat online. And the habits we rely on for brain health are often based more on trends than evidence. This matters because your brain is constantly deciding whether a reward is worth the effort. When that calculation becomes harder, doing even simple things can feel overwhelming. Understanding how motivation works can help you reduce friction, take action before you feel ready, build routines that support your brain, and pay closer attention to changes in yourself or someone you love. Purpose matters. Curiosity matters. Relationships matter. And movement may be one of the most effective tools we have for protecting cognitive health. Dr. Masud Husain is one of the world's leading neurologists studying memory, motivation, attention, and cognitive decline. He is a professor of neurology at Oxford University, co-leads Dementia Research at Oxford University, and serves as editor-in-chief of Brain, one of the most respected journals in neurology. He is also the author of Our Brains, Ourselves, which explores how the brain shapes our behavior, identity, relationships, and sense of self. What's Discussed: (06:01) Why losing motivation can appear before memory problems and signal early cognitive decline. (08:07) How apathy differs from depression, even when the behavior looks almost identical. (12:14) What two tiny strokes revealed about the brain circuit responsible for motivation. (20:55) How purpose, curiosity, and strong relationships help protect the aging brain. (22:23) Why unmotivated people may use more brain energy deciding whether something is worth the effort. (24:54) What dopamine actually does and why it is not the brain's pleasure chemical. (26:31) Why the idea that social media gives you constant dopamine hits is not supported by evidence. (34:50) Whether Alzheimer's can be reversed and what current treatments can realistically accomplish. (45:17) How breaking tasks into smaller steps, starting before you feel ready, and building routines can create motivation. (57:12) Whether relying on AI is making our brains lazier and changing how we think. (01:01:36) How loneliness and isolation affect cognitive performance and long-term brain health. (01:07:22) How poor sleep, anxiety, and low mood can create memory problems that feel like dementia. Thank You to Our Sponsors! Magic Mind: Head over to magicmind.com/jen and use code JEN at checkout. Momentous: Ready to try supplements that actually do what they claim? Head to livemomentous.com and use code JEN for 35% off your first subscription. Therasage: Visit therasage.com and use code JEN to get 15% off your order. Your skin Prolon: Prolon is offering listeners 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift. Kion: Visit getkion.com/habits for 20% off. Tru Niagen®: For supplements that are rigorously tested, third-party verified, and actually deliver what's on the label, head to truniagen.com Find more from Jen Cohen: Website: jennifercohen.com Instagram: @therealjencohen Books: jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagements Find more from Dr. Masud Husain: Website: masudhusain.org X: @MasudHusain Instagram: @masudhusainoxford Book: Our Brains, Our Selves LinkedIn: Masud Husain
Episode 578: Attention, Comparison, and the Hidden Cost of Reality TV
Can being obsessed with other people's lives distract you from living your own? Reality TV can feel like harmless entertainment. You watch the drama, follow the relationships, and debate who was right or wrong. But when people become deeply invested in edited storylines, compare themselves to strangers, or attack contestants online, it reveals something bigger about where we are putting our attention. The more time we spend watching other people live, the less energy we may have for building a life of our own. Entertainment can be a way to unwind, but your attention is still one of your most valuable resources. Reality shows are designed to manipulate emotions, create villains, and keep audiences coming back. We rarely see the full story, yet people make sweeping judgments based on a few edited moments. The better question may be: Is this helping me recharge, or is it pulling me further into comparison, distraction, and negativity? In this episode of Habits and Hustle, I break down why Love Island has become such a cultural phenomenon, what reality TV reveals about modern dating and self-respect, how edited storylines influence the way we judge people, why online audiences have become so cruel, and why we need to spend less time watching other people live and more time investing in our own lives. What's Discussed: (02:12) Why "I do not have time" often means something is not a real priority. (04:51) Why women are often held to a higher standard and expected to answer for men's behavior. (07:12) Why Love Island's constant stream of new episodes keeps audiences deeply invested. (10:42) How reality TV became a launchpad for fame, brand deals, and influencer careers. (11:43) Why audiences are easily manipulated by edited storylines and manufactured drama. (13:21) What Love Island reveals about self-respect, dating standards, and knowing when to walk away. (15:25) Why reality dating shows mirror the confusion and unhealthy patterns of modern dating. (16:38) Why people are drawn to honesty when so much media and social content feels performative. (18:04) How producers turn nonstop footage into emotional storylines designed to provoke viewers. (19:45) How comparison and consuming other people's lives can distract you from building your own. Thank You to Our Sponsors! Magic Mind: Head over to magicmind.com/jen and use code JEN at checkout. Momentous: Ready to try supplements that actually do what they claim? Head to livemomentous.com and use code JEN for 35% off your first subscription. Therasage: Visit therasage.com and use code JEN to get 15% off your order. Your skin Prolon: Prolon is offering listeners 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift. Kion: Visit getkion.com/habits for 20% off. Tru Niagen®: For supplements that are rigorously tested, third-party verified, and actually deliver what's on the label, head to truniagen.com Find more from Jen Cohen: Website: jennifercohen.com Instagram: @therealjencohen Books: jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagements
Episode 577: Jon Gordon: The Psychology of Optimism, Better Habits, and Stronger Leadership
Are your thoughts helping you move forward, or are they quietly running your life? We talk a lot about positivity, discipline, leadership, and good habits, but very few people understand how those things actually work together. Negative thoughts can feel true simply because they show up fast. Bad habits can undo years of progress. Leaders can have a great vision and still lose their team because they do not communicate, connect, or create trust. And being hardworking is not always enough if people do not want to follow you. This matters because success is shaped by what you believe, what you repeat, and how you show up around other people. Real confidence comes from learning how to challenge your own thinking, remove friction before a habit begins, communicate with clarity, and become the kind of person who strengthens the environment instead of being controlled by it. Positivity is a skill. Likability is a skill. Leadership is a skill. And all of them can be practiced. Jon Gordon is one of the most influential leadership authors and speakers in the world. He has worked with CEOs, professional athletes, championship teams, coaches, and major organizations across business, sports, and education. He is the author of 32 books, including The Energy Bus, The Power of Positive Leadership, The Coffee Bean, and his latest book, The Power of Positive Habits. His work focuses on helping people build stronger mindsets, better habits, healthier cultures, and teams that perform at a higher level. What's Discussed: (03:05) How The Energy Bus went from 30 publisher rejections to selling more than three million copies. (09:05) Why positivity is a skill you develop, especially when negativity comes naturally. (14:43) How connection and disconnection affect anxiety, clarity, focus, and performance. (18:39) Why physical habits like lifting weights can build discipline, confidence, and mental strength. (24:40) How choosing one word for the year can create more focus than setting another resolution. (33:16) Why becoming a better leader starts with addressing your own wounds, habits, and mindset. (36:21) How communication gaps create negativity and confusion inside teams. (37:46) The culture-building question every leader should ask before hiring someone. (43:16) How the "habit before the habit" removes friction and makes consistency easier. (45:43) Why one destructive habit can undermine all the positive habits you are trying to build. (01:03:37) Why you should talk to yourself instead of automatically listening to every negative thought. (01:05:15) Why optimism may matter even more than discipline. (01:06:39) How likability helps leaders challenge people, build trust, and demand more from their teams. Thank You to Our Sponsors! Magic Mind: Head over to magicmind.com/jen and use code JEN at checkout. Momentous: Ready to try supplements that actually do what they claim? Head to livemomentous.com and use code JEN for 35% off your first subscription. Therasage: Visit therasage.com and use code JEN to get 15% off your order. Your skin Prolon: Prolon is offering listeners 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift. Kion: Visit getkion.com/habits for 20% off. TruNiagen: For supplements that are rigorously tested, third-party verified, and actually deliver what's on the label, head to truniagen.com Find more from Jen Cohen: Website: jennifercohen.com Instagram: @therealjencohen Books: jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagements Find more from Jon Gordon: Website: jongordon.com Instagram: @jongordon11 Books: jongordon.com/books Facebook: Jon gordon YouTube: @jongordon11 LinkedIn: Jon Gordon
Episode 576: Can You Really Manifest Your Way To Success?
What if manifestation is keeping you focused on the life you want while distracting you from the work required to build it? Manifestation has become one of the biggest trends in personal development. Visualize the outcome, believe it is coming, raise your vibration, and trust the universe to deliver. There can be value in believing in yourself and getting clear on what you want, but belief without action quickly becomes wishful thinking. Your thoughts can influence your focus, confidence, and behavior, but they cannot control every external outcome. Health challenges, financial circumstances, psychological struggles, timing, and access all play a role. When manifestation culture ignores those realities, people can end up blaming themselves for circumstances they were never fully able to control. It also creates an opportunity for self-help coaches to sell false hope, expensive programs, and promises they cannot realistically guarantee. In this episode of Habits and Hustle, I break down what manifestation gets right, where it becomes harmful, why mindset must be paired with a real plan, and the warning signs to look for when someone is selling you a fantasy instead of practical guidance. Because believing in yourself matters, but nothing replaces action, effort, and good old-fashioned hard work. What's Discussed: (00:39) Why manifestation has become one of the biggest and most controversial trends in self-help. (01:19) How belief, confidence, and positive self-talk can support the pursuit of a goal. (02:25) Why visualizing an outcome means very little without effort, action, and struggle. (03:50) How manifestation can make people overestimate their ability to control external circumstances. (05:18) Why the useful ideas behind manifestation cannot stand on their own without real work. (07:32) How social media and online coaches have distorted manifestation into a larger self-help subculture. (08:36) Why parts of the coaching industry prey on people's insecurities and vulnerable moments. (09:24) How misguided hope can become dangerous when it replaces practical tools and realistic guidance. (09:54) Why manifestation needs a clear plan and how it can lead to self-blame when outcomes do not go as expected. (11:23) How to identify coaching red flags, including constant upselling, expensive retreats, flashy lifestyles, and promises of material success. Thank You to Our Sponsors! Magic Mind: Head over to magicmind.com/jen and use code JEN at checkout. Pique: Go to piquelife.com/jenniferrsd to get 20% off for life plus free gifts Momentous: Ready to try supplements that actually do what they claim? Head to livemomentous.com and use code JEN for 35% off your first subscription. Therasage: Visit therasage.com and use code JEN to get 15% off your order. Your skin Prolon: Prolon is offering listeners 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift. Find more from Jen Cohen: Website: jennifercohen.com Instagram: @therealjencohen Books: jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagements
Episode 575: Dr. Jonathan Schoeff: Peptides and the Marketing Behind Modern Longevity - Part 2
Are you chasing longevity hacks while missing the habits that actually change your health? Everyone wants the shortcut. The GLP-1. The fasting protocol. The supplement. The perfect biomarker. The next thing that promises better energy, better body composition, and a longer life. But the real issue is that most people are drowning in information and still missing what actually moves the needle. Your body is not random. Muscle affects insulin sensitivity. Movement changes how glucose gets used. Sleep impacts recovery. Fasting can be powerful when it is done strategically. And the right biomarkers can show you risks that "normal" lab work may completely miss. Once you understand the why behind the habit, you stop guessing and start making smarter decisions. In this episode of Habits and Hustle, I sit down with Dr. Jonathan Schoeff, surgeon, longevity expert, and co-founder of The Longevity Lab, to break down the real science behind GLP-1s, muscle loss, fasting, testosterone, grip strength, key biomarkers, movement, sleep, and what actually supports long-term health. What's Discussed: (1:26:03) Why GLP-1s are more nuanced than the muscle loss headlines suggest. (1:30:31) How strategic fasting can support fat loss without sacrificing muscle. (1:33:09) Why fasting activates repair pathways and metabolic flexibility. (1:39:26) What fasting actually does to insulin, ketosis, and fat burning. (1:42:29) Why random five-day fasts may not work the way people think. (1:55:24) How to structure a pre-fast, fast, and post-fast day. (1:57:02) Why walking after your last meal can change glucose and insulin response. (2:09:31) How metabolic dysfunction can drive low testosterone in men. (2:23:29) What biomarkers most doctors miss, including fasting insulin and lipoprotein(a). (2:31:23) Why grip strength is an overhyped longevity metric and what matters more. Thank You to Our Sponsors! Magic Mind: Head over to magicmind.com/jen and use code JEN at checkout. Pique: Go to piquelife.com/jenniferrsd to get 20% off for life plus free gifts Momentous: Ready to try supplements that actually do what they claim? Head to livemomentous.com and use code JEN for 35% off your first subscription. Therasage: Visit therasage.com and use code JEN to get 15% off your order. Your skin Prolon: Prolon is offering listeners 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift. Find more from Jen Cohen: Website: jennifercohen.com Instagram: @therealjencohen Books: jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagements Find more from Dr. Jonathan Schoeff Website: longevitylabwellness.com Instagram: @jonschoeff Facebook: Dr. Jon Schoeff YouTube: @drjonschoeff
Episode 574: Why Passion Won't Lead to Success
What if "follow your passion" is actually bad advice? We hear it all the time: do what you love and the money will follow. It sounds inspiring, but it is not always realistic. Loving something does not automatically make it a career, a business, or a strategy. Sometimes the better move is to follow your effort, because wherever you consistently put in reps is usually where you build skill, confidence, and real opportunity. Your passion can stay your passion. You can love fitness, cooking, fishing, music, or watching documentaries without needing to turn it into your full-time job. In fact, sometimes turning your hobby into your career is exactly what makes you lose the joy of it. The real question is not always "What do I love most?" Sometimes it is "Where am I already putting in the work, getting better, and creating value?" In this episode of Habits and Hustle, I share why "follow your passion" can create a false sense of reality, why effort is often a better indicator of success, how boring businesses can build extraordinary lives, and why leaning into what you are good at may be the fastest way to get more of what you actually want. What's Discussed: 00:10 - The truth about following your passion. 01:06 - Why is it crucial to concentrate on your strengths. 02:34 - Why following what you love may not be enough. 05:18 - Why turning your passion into your career isn't always a good idea. 07:34 - Do what you're good at. Thank You to Our Sponsors! Magic Mind: Head over to magicmind.com/jen and use code JEN at checkout. Pique: Go to piquelife.com/jenniferrsd to get 20% off for life plus free gifts Momentous: Ready to try supplements that actually do what they claim? Head to livemomentous.com and use code JEN for 35% off your first subscription. Therasage: Visit therasage.com and use code JEN to get 15% off your order. Your skin Prolon: Prolon is offering listeners 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift. Find more from Jen Cohen: Website: jennifercohen.com Instagram: @therealjencohen Books: jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagements
Episode 573: Dr. Jonathan Schoeff: Peptides and the Marketing Behind Modern Longevity - Part 1
Are you actually making healthier choices, or are you just buying whatever wellness trend sounds the most convincing? The wellness world has gotten very good at selling certainty. Peptides, longevity stacks, skin hacks, GLP-1s, miracle supplements, and "expert" advice are everywhere. The problem is that confidence online does not always mean credibility. A lot of people are spending serious money on things that sound scientific, but are backed by weak evidence, half-truths, or marketing dressed up as medicine. This matters because your health decisions should not be based on who has the best abs, the biggest platform, or the loudest opinion. Real performance comes from understanding what actually moves the needle: muscle, metabolic health, insulin sensitivity, smart recovery, and knowing how to question what you are being sold. The basics may not be sexy, but they work. And in a world full of shortcuts, doing the boring proven things is often the boldest move. Dr. Jonathan Schoeff is a surgeon, longevity expert and co-founder of The Longevity Lab who brings more than two decades of medical experience to the conversation around health, performance, and aging. He works with clients through a science-forward, evidence-based lens, helping them cut through wellness noise and focus on what actually supports long-term health, from metabolic function and muscle to peptides, GLP-1s, and skin longevity. What's Discussed: (01:27) Why real medical credibility matters in a world full of online health experts. (04:00) How social media pushed Dr. Jonathan Schoeff into the longevity conversation. (08:13) Why insurance companies have so much control over patient care. (20:09) How influencers can turn weak science into massive wellness trends. (22:09) What mechanistic data really means and why it does not equal human evidence. (28:30) How GLP-1s work beyond the weight loss conversation. (34:31) Why peptide claims can become dangerous when evidence is overstated. (52:13) Why the Wolverine Stack is one of the biggest red flags in peptide marketing. (01:01:47) How muscle drives metabolic health, insulin sensitivity, and long-term longevity. Thank You to Our Sponsors! Magic Mind: Head over to magicmind.com/jen and use code JEN at checkout. Pique: Go to piquelife.com/jenniferrsd to get 20% off for life plus free gifts Momentous: Ready to try supplements that actually do what they claim? Head to livemomentous.com and use code JEN for 35% off your first subscription. Therasage: Visit therasage.com and use code JEN to get 15% off your order. Your skin Prolon: Prolon is offering listeners 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift. Find more from Jen Cohen: Website: jennifercohen.com Instagram: @therealjencohen Books: jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagements Find more from Dr. Jonathan Schoeff Website: longevitylabwellness.com Instagram: @jonschoeff Facebook: Dr. Jon Schoeff YouTube: @drjonschoeff
Episode 572: Behind The Science of Therapeutic Laughter
What if laughing every day is less of a personality trait and more of a health strategy? We spend so much time chasing the perfect wellness routine. The supplements, the trackers, the saunas, the cold plunges, the red light, the protocols. And yet one of the simplest tools for changing your brain, your mood, your stress, and your body is something most of us are not doing enough: laughing. Laughter releases endorphins, helps lower stress hormones like cortisol, supports immune function, and can shift your emotional state fast. A real laugh can pull you out of a bad mood, break tension, make you feel more connected to people, and remind your nervous system that everything is not as serious as your brain is making it. In this episode of Habits and Hustle, I share the science of laughter, why humor may be one of the most underrated health tools we have, how laughing affects stress and immunity, and why five minutes of comedy might be one of the easiest daily habits to add to your life. What's Discussed: (00:41) Why laughter affects the brain, mood, and overall physical and mental health. (01:18) How research connects laughter to neuroplasticity, emotional wellbeing, and laughter-based therapies. (02:08) Why five minutes of comedy can shift a bad mood fast. (02:40) How laughing yoga works and why forced laughter can become real laughter. (03:29) How laughter releases endorphins and helps reduce stress hormones like cortisol. (03:49) Why laughter may support immune function, antibodies, and natural killer cell activity. (05:58) Why laughter is a universal language and one of the fastest ways to bond with people. (06:45) Why laughter may be one of the most underrated free health tools. (07:49) Why walking and laughter are two of the simplest ways to improve your mood and health. (08:15) How humor can become a powerful coping mechanism during hard seasons. (15:05) Why finding five minutes to laugh every day can support your physical and mental health. Thank You to Our Sponsors! Magic Mind: Head over to magicmind.com/jen and use code JEN at checkout. Pique: Go to piquelife.com/jenniferrsd to get 20% off for life plus free gifts Momentous: Ready to try supplements that actually do what they claim? Head to livemomentous.com and use code JEN for 35% off your first subscription. Therasage: Visit therasage.com and use code JEN to get 15% off your order. Your skin Prolon: Prolon is offering listeners 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift. Find more from Jen Cohen: Website: jennifercohen.com Instagram: @therealjencohen Books: jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagements
Episode 571: Ronnen Harary: The Bite-Sized Decisions That Built a Billion-Dollar Company From Nothing
What if waiting until you feel ready is the reason you keep missing the opportunity? A lot of people have ideas, ambition, and opinions, but very few are willing to move before they have the perfect plan. Ronnen Harary built Spin Master by doing the thing so many people avoid: making the first small decision, trusting his gut, asking who could help, and moving fast enough to catch the opportunity while everyone else was still thinking about it. He did not start with decades of experience, unlimited resources, or a perfect roadmap. He started with curiosity, speed, persistence, and a willingness to figure it out in real time. This matters because opportunity rarely looks polished when it first shows up. Sometimes it looks like a weird grass toy, a product everyone else passed on, or a preschool show created after two brutal years of company losses. Ronnen's story is a reminder that success is built through motion, not overthinking. The people who win are the ones who create momentum, learn fast, build the right partnerships, and keep going long enough for the next big thing to appear. Ronnen Harary is the co-founder and former CEO of Spin Master, one of the world's largest children's entertainment companies, behind brands including Paw Patrol, Bakugan, Air Hogs, Rubik's Cube, Melissa & Doug, and Toca Boca. He is also the author of No Experience Necessary. In this episode, he breaks down entrepreneurship, instinct, failure, culture, partnerships, decision-making, and why not knowing too much can sometimes be the advantage that gets you moving. What's discussed: (02:11) Why Ronnen wrote No Experience Necessary after building one of the biggest toy companies in the world. (05:48) Why a learning disability does not mean a lack of intelligence. (13:27) How Spin Master started with two college friends, fertilizer sales, and the decision to go into business for themselves. (20:46) How one bold Kmart meeting turned into an order for 48,000 pieces and the possibility of half a million more. (27:02) Why bite-sized decisions, momentum, and asking for help matter more than having the full plan. (30:11) Why speed to market and fast scaling helped Earth Buddies beat the competition. (36:56) How Air Hogs became the product everyone passed on before it took Spin Master from $7 million to $35 million in sales. (48:57) How Paw Patrol was created during Spin Master's lowest point after losses, layoffs, and failed shows. (01:02:43) Why the ability to say sorry, debate well, and remove ego is critical in business partnerships. (01:21:17) How overthinking led him to turn down a $100 million Universal movie deal. Thank You to Our Sponsors! Magic Mind: Head over to magicmind.com/jen and use code JEN at checkout. Pique: Go to piquelife.com/jenniferrsd to get 20% off for life plus free gifts Momentous: Ready to try supplements that actually do what they claim? Head to livemomentous.com and use code JEN for 35% off your first subscription. Therasage: Visit therasage.com and use code JEN to get 15% off your order. Your skin Prolon: Prolon is offering listeners 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift. Find more from Jen Cohen: Website: jennifercohen.com Instagram: @therealjencohen Books: jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagements Find more from Ronnen Harary: Website: ronnenharary.com Book: No Experience Necessary Foundation: Robert Harary Foundation Initiative: The Toy Movement
Episode 570: 3 Reasons Why You Aren't Sleeping Properly
Are you trying so hard to sleep better that you're actually making your sleep worse? We're spending more money than ever on sleep trackers, apps, gadgets, supplements, and nighttime routines, yet so many people are still exhausted. The more pressure you put on getting perfect sleep, the more alert your brain can become, which is why something as simple as "counting sheep" can actually backfire. Sleep is also affecting way more than your energy. One bad night can throw off your cravings, weaken your willpower, make discipline harder, and push you toward the exact choices you were trying to avoid. And if you're relying on motivation to make good decisions after a terrible night of sleep, good luck. Your brain is already running on fumes. In this episode of Habits and Hustle, I share why obsessing over sleep may be part of the problem, how sleep quality impacts cravings and discipline, and why exercise, food, and your daytime habits may matter more than another sleep gadget. What's Discussed: (00:53) Why sleep has become the top health trend and why people are still sleeping worse. (01:18) How obsessing over sleep can actually make it harder to fall asleep. (02:22) Why counting sheep may be one of the worst things to do when you can't sleep. (03:09) How processed foods can affect sleep quality, even if you sleep the same number of hours. (04:07) Why sleep trackers, apps, and gadgets may create more stress than better sleep. (05:50) What to do when you wake up in the middle of the night and can't fall back asleep. (06:34) How one bad night of sleep can lead to more cravings and poor food choices. (08:13) Why willpower and discipline get weaker when your brain is exhausted. (09:41) Why women may need more sleep than men and why that conversation matters. (13:49) How exercise can dramatically improve sleep quality. Thank You to Our Sponsors! Magic Mind: Head over to magicmind.com/jen and use code JEN at checkout. Pique: Go to piquelife.com/jenniferrsd to get 20% off for life plus free gifts Momentous: Ready to try supplements that actually do what they claim? Head to livemomentous.com and use code JEN for 35% off your first subscription. Therasage: Visit therasage.com and use code JEN to get 15% off your order. Your skin Prolon: Prolon is offering listeners 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift. Find more from Jen Cohen: Website: jennifercohen.com Instagram: @therealjencohen Books: jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagements
Episode 569: Richard Baker: Entrepreneurship Lessons From Billion Dollar Deals and Bold Risks
Are you actually creating opportunity, or are you waiting for someone to hand it to you? A lot of people talk about being entrepreneurs, but very few are willing to do the unsexy part: get on the plane, sit in the waiting room, build the relationship, ask the better question, and stay in the deal long enough to find the angle everyone else missed. Richard Baker built his career by doing exactly that. He did not rely on perfect timing, endless capital, or permission from people at the top. He used structure, relationships, leverage, and speed to turn overlooked opportunities into billion-dollar deals. This matters because the future of work is changing fast. AI is reshaping business, companies are cutting jobs, and more people are going to have to learn how to create value on their own. Richard's philosophy is simple: stop chasing safety, start thinking like an owner, and learn how to manufacture your own luck. The people who win are the ones who know where the ball is going before everyone else starts running after it. Richard Baker is a real estate entrepreneur, dealmaker, founder of Baker House 1921, and longtime educator through Cornell's Baker Program in Real Estate. He has built one of the largest privately owned shopping center portfolios in the country, developed 50 Walmart-anchored shopping centers, bought iconic retail brands including Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue, Hudson's Bay, and Neiman Marcus, and structured some of the most fascinating retail and real estate deals of the last two decades. In this episode, he breaks down negotiation, risk, AI, entrepreneurship, decision-making, and why the biggest opportunities often come from seeing what everyone else is too busy to notice. What's Discussed: (01:27) How Richard Baker built one of the largest privately owned shopping center portfolios in the country. (07:37) The family philosophy that taught him how to make money with no money. (11:13) What intellectual leverage means and why he uses brains, relationships, and structure instead of cash. (12:15) Why real opportunity comes from getting off your ass and showing up in person. (19:23) How the power of yes helped him buy Lord & Taylor for $1.2 billion. (23:34) Why big companies miss details and how that creates openings for entrepreneurs. (29:21) Why speed, risk tolerance, and fast decision-making matter in business. (39:17) How he turned the Zellers deal into a bidding war between Walmart and Target. (52:40) The difference between a zoo bear and a jungle bear in entrepreneurship. (01:02:39) Why luck is something you manufacture through preparation, strategy, and timing. (01:07:21) How Richard uses AI every morning to think, plan, and increase productivity. (01:31:38) Why courage, pulling the trigger, and structuring risk are essential for entrepreneurs. Thank You to Our Sponsors! Magic Mind: Head over to magicmind.com/jen and use code JEN at checkout. Pique: Go to piquelife.com/jenniferrsd to get 20% off for life plus free gifts Momentous: Ready to try supplements that actually do what they claim? Head to livemomentous.com and use code JEN for 35% off your first subscription. Therasage: Visit therasage.com and use code JEN to get 15% off your order. Your skin Prolon: Prolon is offering listeners 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift. Find more from Jen Cohen: Website: jennifercohen.com Instagram: @therealjencohen Books: jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagements Find more from Richard Baker & Baker House: Website: bakerhouse1921.com Instagram: @baker_house1921
Episode 568: Who Should You Really Be Taking Advice From?
Are you taking advice from people who only sound like they know what they're talking about? Social media has made everyone look like an expert, but a confident voice, a polished clip, or a big following does not automatically mean someone is qualified to guide your life, business, health, or decisions. The problem is that bad advice often sounds convincing, especially when it comes from someone who knows how to perform authority online. Real discernment means asking better questions before you listen. Has this person actually done what they are talking about? Did they do it recently enough for the advice to still apply? Are they giving you perspective from experience, or are they selling you a version of success that looks good on camera? In this episode of Habits and Hustle, I break down why advice has an expiration date, why followers do not equal credibility, and how to be more careful about who you let influence your decisions. What's Discussed: (00:34) Why everyone on social media suddenly sounds like an expert. (01:09) How the rise of online advice has made discernment more important than ever. (02:40) Why you should only take advice from people who have actually done what they are talking about. (03:54) Why advice has an expiration date and can become outdated. (04:10) How business, career, and life advice changes when the world changes. (06:33) Why calling yourself an "expert" can become part of the problem. (08:16) Why even good advice may not be right for your life or your path. (09:57) How social media makes people sound authoritative, even when they are not. (12:43) Why followers and visibility do not automatically equal credibility. (15:16) Why health and mental health advice on social media can become dangerous. Thank You to Our Sponsors! Magic Mind: Head over to magicmind.com/jen and use code JEN at checkout. Pique: Go to piquelife.com/jenniferrsd to get 20% off for life plus free gifts Momentous: Ready to try supplements that actually do what they claim? Head to livemomentous.com and use code JEN for 35% off your first subscription. Therasage: Visit therasage.com and use code JEN to get 15% off your order. Your skin Prolon: Prolon is offering listeners 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift. Find more from Jen Cohen: Website: jennifercohen.com Instagram: @therealjencohen Books: jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagements
REAL AF with Andy Frisella
Proven Podcast
Young and Profiting (YAP) with Hala Taha: Entrepreneurship and Self-Improvement Podcast
Coffeez with Joe Shalaby
The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex