Election season got you down? Yeah me too! Everywhere I look, there’s gloom and doom news of new cabinet members to be elected soon, hard to find reports from Standing Rock, and Aleppo refuge updates. It’s all consuming and defeating, ugh, what can I do to help? I’ve donated to Standing Rock and to a recount in the swing states. Something came to mind on the train recently, Tim Ferris saying he doesn’t listen to the news because, “Most information is time-consuming, negative, irrelevant to your goals, and outside of your influence. I challenge you to look at whatever you read or watched today and tell me that it wasn’t at least two of the four.” Light bulb went off.

I decided to take a break. Inspired by my girl Lacee Lazoff for years, and Mark Fisher and Michael Keeler of Mark Fisher Fitness more recently, I started listening to a podcast a day on the F train to and from work. Hundreds of hours later, I’ve found the following podcasts consistently inspiring:

Inside Quest with the founder of Quest Nutrition, those scrumptious protein bars that have 1g of sugar. Described as “what would happen if TED talks, Tony Robbins, and Oprah had a baby that read a lot.” This is on my ultimate bucket list to one day be on his show as a guest.  His carefully crafted guest introductions are epic and the cadence of his dialogue flows like butta’. Update: Tom B is no longer with Quest nutrition and can be found here Impact Theory on Youtube. I still listen to old episodes on the podcast just because they are fantastic.

The Tony Robbins Podcast Listening to Tony conjures up three thoughts, 1. How do I have the same number of hours in the day as this man? 2. Family Guy’s “Tony Robbins hungry!” His gruff voice is an acquired taste but now I’m addicted.  3. A reminiscing fondness meets nervous teenage sweats as the show is hosted by my dearest childhood friend Ana Yoerg. Also on the bucket list to attend Tony’s live events Date with Destiny and Business Mastery. Future office field trip for some bonding?

“what would happen if TED talks, Tony Robbins, and Oprah had a baby that read a lot?”

The School of Greatness with Lewis Howes Five minute fridays anyone? Also the master of the epic introduction, Lewis was a pro athlete turned life stlye entrepreneur and now holds inspiring Summit of Greatness events in Columbus Ohio with cutting edge speakers. Another bucketlist goal to attend the Summit and be a guest one day on his podcast. One of my all time favorite podcasts was with Marianne Williamson on finding peace.

The Tim Ferris Show This guy is a machine at re-inventing the wheel of life and churning out podcasts. I first picked up his book 4 hour work week when I was starting my own business in 2007, and my mind was blown. Sometimes the interviews I love the most are the ones I least expect like the one with Jason Nemer, the founder of acroyoga,  so authentic and real.

The Rich Roll Podcast Ultramarathoner who turned his life around at 40 years old after being fed up with being 50 pounds overweight, he went on to complete the Epic5, 5 ironman-distance triathlons on 5 islands of Hawaii in under a week. All this with plant power. While I’m no longer vegan, I do love his chill interview style and some of my favorites are with NYC’s own Robin Arzon.

The Model Health Show I came across Shawn Stevenson while dealing with insomnia and dove head first into his book Sleep Smarter. His podcasts are basic, easy to follow, and have great intro information on nutrition, working out, and sleep. Sometimes I listen just to help calm the nerves as his voice is like honey. Damn sexy!

But ahem where all the ladies at?!?! I started to hunt them down, and really enjoying:
Found My Fitness with Rhonda Patrick. This women is near and dear to my heart, she is a nutrition nerd as I am a movement obsessed nerd. She loves science, research, and is so f*ing intelligent. Bucket list to meet her one day.

Girlboss Radio with Sophia Amoruso the founder of Nasty Gal. I enjoy her being interviewed and hearing her rebel self made millionaire story more than her interviewing, but heck, she has some amazing guests on the show.

Others that I listen to spice things up about once a month: