The Criterion Collection is an ever-growing roster of movies deemed internationally significant on an artistic level. Each new film added to the collection is given a Spine Number, making any film NOT in the collection: SPINELESS. Join Nick and Brennan (your very-favorite SPINELESS BOYS) as they cover the classic and contemporary films they feel are most deserving of the Criterion treatment.
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Where there is darkness, there is an immense opportunity for light. The Big Silence aims to normalize conversations around mental health and empower people to turn their challenges into triumphs. Hosted by Karena Dawn – mental health advocate, wellness entrepreneur, co-founder of Tone It Up, and New York Times bestselling author – The Big Silence is creating a safe space to share our story, and for you to share yours. Like so many, Karena has experienced profound grief and trauma. Growing up ...
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142. The Truth About Kids’ Health: Vaccines, Toxins & What Parents Need to Know with Dr. Joel “Gator” Warsh
40:36
40:36
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40:36We’re breaking the silence on vaccines—one of the most polarizing and complicated conversations in parenting. I’m joined by Dr. Joel “Gator” Warsh, a Board-Certified Pediatrician specializing in integrative medicine, who believes parents deserve open, judgment-free discussions on vaccines, chronic illness, and raising healthy kids. Known for his po…
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In what is quite literally our sickest episode yet, Nick reveals himself to be one of the most masterful editors in podcasting history as he edits around every cough, hack, and wheeze during our discussion of Barry Jenkins’ IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK (2018). Horrifically snubbed at the Oscars that year, BEALE STREET is a heartrending portrait of a …
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141. The Courage to Reinvent Yourself: Liz Baker Plosser on Leaving Women’s Health, Resilience & Taking Risks
26:06
26:06
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26:06Liz Plosser is back, and she’s stepping into a whole new chapter of life—on her own terms. After two decades in corporate media, including seven years as Women’s Health Editor-in-Chief, she made the bold decision to walk away and embrace the unknown. In this conversation, Liz gets real about navigating career reinvention, overcoming self-doubt, and…
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140. From Caregiver to Self-Healer: Ginni Saraswati on Mental Health & Inner Child Work
49:43
49:43
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49:43I’m joined by the incredible Ginni Saraswati—Founder and CEO of Ginni Media, award-winning journalist, and podcasting powerhouse. As the driving force behind a thriving production company and host of The Ginni Show, Ginni has dedicated her career to amplifying voices and stories that matter—including her own. In this deeply personal conversation, s…
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Stop Making Sense/American Utopia (1984/2020)
1:41:12
1:41:12
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1:41:12Before we go any further Brennan would like to hold space for the fact that he has partied with Jesse Eisenberg on multiple occasions. Put on your tap shoes! It’s time for Spineless’ first ALL-SINGING, ALL-DANCING musical extravaganza! Just kidding there’s only one song but it goes on for like two uninterrupted minutes. In their first ever double-h…
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139. Good Stress: Jeff Krasno’s Blueprint for Health, Resilience & Harmony
1:05:15
1:05:15
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1:05:15Here to share how “good stress” can fuel growth and how to combat the chronic stress that drives disease is Jeff Krasno, co-founder and CEO of Commune and author of Good Stress. In this episode, Jeff takes us through his journey—from founding the global festival movement Wanderlust to facing health and identity challenges after leaving the company.…
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138. You’re Perfect As You Are: Embracing the New Year with Self-Compassion & Harmony with Karena & Deseray
32:12
32:12
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32:12Welcome to 2025: New you, old you, but always improving! I’m kicking off the year with my right-hand woman, Deseray Cummings, from the stunning shores of Punta de Mita, Mexico. Together, we share our takes on New Year pressure —breaking down why resolutions can sometimes backfire and how to shift the focus to sustainable habits that truly nourish y…
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Aftersun (2022) with Adelina Marinello
1:36:51
1:36:51
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1:36:51BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOOOMMMM! In Spineless’ first ever guest episode, The Spineless Boys are joined by Adelina Marinello: actor, playwright, and partner to one Nicholas Kinney, to discuss Charlotte Wells’ melancholy masterpiece AFTERSUN. There’s trouble in paradise though, as Adelina and The Boys discuss Hall Passes (and Nick’s lack thereof), …
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137. Revolutionizing Teen Dating: Elle Kristine on Navigating Modern Relationships, Mental Health & Social Media Pressures
47:03
47:03
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47:03At just 16, Elle Kristine is revolutionizing teen dating and addressing mental health challenges with a passion fueled by her own experiences. Recognizing the growing need for guidance, Elle created AskElle, an AI-powered app designed to help teens build social skills, navigate relationships, and access expert-vetted advice. In this episode, Elle h…
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HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! For the very first Spineless episode of 2025, Brennan and Nick do a deep dive on Quentin Tarantino's most underrated film: Jackie Brown. A stacked cast, including Rochester native Robert Forster! An expertly orchestrated heist-esque sequence! Countless throwbacks to 70s Blaxploitation films, including Jackie Brown herself, THE Pa…
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136. Get Out of Your Head & Into Your Heart for Whole Body Harmony with Kimberly Snyder
52:28
52:28
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52:28Discover the transformative power of your heart brain for whole body harmony with Kimberly Snyder, wellness expert and author of The Hidden Power of the Five Hearts. Kimberly reveals how heart coherence—aligning your heart, brain, and nervous system—can boost your health, emotional intelligence, and clarity. Drawing on groundbreaking research, she …
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135. How To End Burnout In Our Workplaces & For Ourselves with Daisy Auger-Domínguez
53:14
53:14
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53:14Daisy Auger-Domínguez, a workplace strategist and author of Inclusion Revolution and Burnt Out to Lit Up, has dedicated her career to creating healthier, more inclusive workplaces. Drawing from her leadership roles at companies like Google, Disney, and Vice Media, Daisy shares her personal journey through burnout, how it impacted her mind, body, an…
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134. How to Use Positive Psychology to Navigate Your Darkest Days with Niyc Pidgeon
40:09
40:09
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40:09Trigger Warning: While the topic of suicide prevention is heavy, this conversation reminds us that even in the darkest times, there is a path forward. My guest, Niyc Pidgeon, is a positive psychologist and author of One More Day. After facing her own mental health battles and losing three close friends to suicide, her understanding of trauma and co…
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Christmas Eve. A supernatural force. A shot at redemption. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. This week, the Spineless Boys discuss the timeless classic RED ONE (2024). Just kidding, we’re actually talking about Frank Capra’s 1946 masterpiece IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, the best film ever made about an uncle named Billy (among other things). Can Brennan and Nic…
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133. The Dark Reality of Our Food System & How to Make Empowered Choices with Courtney Swan
1:09:04
1:09:04
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1:09:04As an Integrative Nutritionist, passionate food activist, and host of the popular Realfoodology podcast, Courtney Swan is on a mission to fix America’s broken food system and empower us with the knowledge we need to make healthier choices. In this episode, Courtney shares eye-opening insights about harmful ingredients and food practices most of us …
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132. Treat Yourself as Well as You Treat Others: Breaking Free from High Functioning Codependency with Terri Cole
58:11
58:11
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58:11Have you ever felt the need to “fix” everyone else’s problems or put others’ needs ahead of your own? I’m proud to welcome back psychotherapist and relationship expert Terri Cole, who shares insights from her book, Too Much: A Guide to Breaking the Cycle of High-Functioning Codependency. Terri reveals what high-functioning codependency (HFC) looks …
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Does anybody have any idea what's going on? Please help...we're CLUELESS!!!!!!!!!!!!! In their most chaotic episode yet, Nick and Brennan discuss Amy Heckerling’s bright and bubbly teen comedy CLUELESS while facing the existential threat of an Election Day. Does Cher have a better policy on immigration than Trump? Yes. Does Breckin Meyer look distr…
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131. Case Kenny on Redefining Mindfulness & Embracing Vulnerability
48:08
48:08
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48:08Case Kenny, creator of The New Mindset Journal and host of New Mindset, Who Dis?, redefines mindfulness by combining journaling, breathwork, and music into a lively, accessible practice. His unique “golden retriever style”—warm, curious, and open—makes self-growth relatable for millions. In this episode, Case delves into the power of vulnerability,…
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130. You Are Enough: Teaching Kids Self-Love & Resilience with The Kindness Campaign CEO Andra Leimandt
56:20
56:20
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56:20Andra Liemandt, founder and CEO of The Kindness Campaign®, is transforming kids' lives by teaching self-love and emotional health from an early age. Sparked by a tragedy in her friend's family, Andra’s mission is to empower kids with tools for emotional resilience and kindness. Through art, music, and programs like the “magic mirror,” The Kindness …
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Watch your step, there's Shattered Glass all over the place! Just kidding folks, we’re having a good time here. There’s no shattered glass like shards anywhere it’s actually just a movie called Shattered Glass. On this week’s episode, The Spineless Boys dive in to one of the most underrated indies of the early-2000s. No lie here: The Boys talk abou…
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129. Living Authentically Child-Free: Facing Societal Pressure & Breaking Stigmas w/ Ruby Warrington
1:00:28
1:00:28
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1:00:28If you’ve ever faced the unsolicited question, “When are you having kids?” or the comment, “But you’d be such a great mother,” this episode is here to offer support and perspective. Karena sits down with Ruby Warrington, author, podcast host, and creator of the Sober Curious movement, whose new book and podcast, Women Without Kids, is reframing wha…
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128. Getting to the Core of Codependency & Finding Liberated Love with Mark Groves
1:09:51
1:09:51
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1:09:51Mark Groves is here to discuss finding liberated love by understanding attachment styles, uncovering blind spots that prevent healthy relationships, and breaking free from codependency. If you’re not familiar with his work, Mark is a Human Connection Specialist, founder of Create the Love, and host of the Mark Groves Podcast. His work bridges the a…
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Good eeeeeevvveeening! On the final episode of their SPINE-chilling month of horror, Brennan gives Nick permission to enter and discuss George Romero’s spookily-underrated vampire classic. The Spineless Boys talk about Romero’s love of Pittsburgh and his love of amateur actors, his enduring legacy as horror raconteur, and the fact that Martin looks…
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127.Why Anxiety Isn’t Your Fault: Tools to Reduce Stress & Heal Trauma with Dr. John Delony
1:09:26
1:09:26
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1:09:26If you have anxiety, Dr. John Delony wants you to know it’s not your fault. We live in a world that constantly threatens our nervous system, and in this episode we unpack how we can start healing. Dr. Delony is a two-time #1 national bestselling author and the host of The Dr. John Delony Show. With two PhDs and over 20 years of experience in counse…
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126. Feel Good About Your Hair: Helen Reavey’s Expert Tips for Scalp & Hair Health
39:08
39:08
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39:08In this episode, I sit down with Helen Reavey, founder of Act + Acre, celebrity hairstylist, and trichologist. After years of working with top names in the industry, Helen created Act + Acre, the world’s first Cold Processed® hair wellness brand focused on scalp health. Visit Act + Acre and take the quiz on their website to see what hair & scalp sy…
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On this second spooky episode of Spineless’ Spine-Chilling Month of Horror, Nick and Brennan discuss Zach Cregger’s 2022 film Barbarian, making special note of its wicked smart script, unique marketing campaign, and freaked-up sense of humor. Would this film be better if it starred Alvin and his Chipmunks? Is it the best horror film of the decade s…
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125. Hormones, Health & Healing Trauma: What Every Woman Needs to Know About Perimenopause with Esther Blum
1:04:17
1:04:17
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1:04:17By 2030, 1.2 billion of us will be in menopause, yet many still feel lost navigating this transition. That’s where today’s guest, Esther Blum, comes in. A Registered Dietitian, menopause expert and bestselling author, Esther has spent 27 years helping women thrive through menopause. Esther empowers women with the tools they need to master menopause…
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124. Trading Attention for Authenticity & Tools for Becoming the Best Version of You with Fitness Icon Hannah Eden
51:40
51:40
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51:40Hannah Eden is an absolute superstar in the fitness world who has inspired so many of us with her raw honesty and fierce drive. Hannah started as a CrossFit athlete in 2013, but her journey has taken her far beyond that. From founding PumpFit Club to creating the HEF Training App and launching her own apparel line, FYR, she’s built a global fitness…
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*breathy ghost child voice* Father… My movie podcast hosted by two white guys… To kick off the month of October, Nick and Brennan bring you their SCARIEST EPISODE YET! as they discuss the slow-burn horror classic THE CHANGELING (1980), a movie which stars George C. Scott as Maestro. Take a trip to the The Changeling House (not to be confused with t…
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123. How Ketones Can Protect Your Mental Health & Boost Productivity with Dr. Latt Mansor
47:54
47:54
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47:54Dr. Latt Mansor, Research Lead at Ketone-IQ and consultant to the world’s top performers, joins me to dive into the science of ketones and how we can leverage them for productivity and mental clarity. With his PhD from Oxford and years in healthcare, Dr. Latt explains how ketones fuel the brain, regulate appetite, and even help with sleep apnea. Pl…
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Brennan, one-half of Your Very Favorite Spineless Boys™️, is here on his week off to introduce you to the all-new Spineless Substack! Featuring bonus essays and articles, the Substack will serve as auxiliary content on the weeks off, and elaborate on certain themes and ideas introduced in each episode. They’ll also tease what we’ll be covering on t…
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122. Coping with Nursing Burnout: Tools for Healing from PTSD, OCD & Anxiety with Tay Lautner & Shannon McPeek
47:11
47:11
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47:11In this episode, I’m sitting down with Tay Lautner and Shannon McPeek, two incredible women making waves in healthcare mental health advocacy. Tay shares her journey of battling PTSD, triggered by the pandemic, and how she transitioned from nursing into advocacy with The Lemons Foundation and her podcast, The Squeeze. Shannon, founder of Operation …
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We love each other so much. On this week’s episode of SPINELESS, Nick and Brennan relive fond memories (for Nick, at least) of seeing the film together at IFC, discuss how Baby Annette is just a baby after all, and debate the merits of Diana: The Musical. Nick brings up the film MAESTRO for the first time in the history of the podcast, but it certa…
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121. Life Lately with Karena & Deseray: Lessons We Learned in Therapy, Navigating Grief, Manifesting Connections, & Funny Dating Stories
48:26
48:26
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48:26Today we’re catching up on life lately with my dear friend and social media manager, Deseray Cummings. From funny dating stories (yes, there’s a wild one about a celebrity on Raya!) to navigating hormone changes to the healing journey Deseray started through therapy – we’re diving deep and keeping it fun the way true friendships do! Plus, I’ll shar…
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120. Mastering Menopause: Sleep, Sex & Stress Relief with Dr. Anna Cabeca
1:03:04
1:03:04
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1:03:04Dr. Anna Cabeca is a triple-board-certified OB-GYN, author, podcast host and pioneering voice in women’s health. Dr. Anna’s unique perspective on health stems from her own battle with premature menopause, a challenge she faced head-on and reversed, leading to the natural conception of her daughter at the age of 41. Throughout the episode, Dr. Anna …
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What do you call a really good film that’s not Criterion yet? On the inaugural episode of SPINELESS, your fearless hosts Nick and Brennan venture into the sweaty, sweaty jungle to discuss William Friedkin’s 1977 film SORCERER! Pack up your dynamite and drive reeeeaaalllll slow as we discuss the career of the late Mr. Friedkin, the troubled producti…
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119.”My Best Friend’s A Serial Killer:” Moving Forward After Deception & Betrayal with Amy Loughren
1:10:22
1:10:22
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1:10:22Twenty years ago, ICU nurse Amy Loughren unknowingly befriended one of America's most notorious serial killers, a story depicted in Netflix’s “The Good Nurse” and the documentary “Capturing the Killer Nurse.” In this episode, Amy shares how childhood abuse shaped her path, from becoming a nurse to uncovering the horrifying truth about her friend. W…
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118. Menstrual Cycles & Mental Health? How Hormones Shape Our Existence with Josie Santi of The Everygirl
46:46
46:46
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46:46Josie Santi is living her best life, and she’s here to tell you that you can too! Wellness editor and podcast host at the beloved online women’s community, The Everygirl, Josie has dedicated her professional life to imparting her gained wisdom on the women and girls who need it most. This conversation takes us from embarrassing adolescent moments i…
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117. Breaking the Food Addiction Stigma, Navigating Grief & Embracing The Strength Within You with Tamara Walcott
40:42
40:42
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40:42Step into the empowering world of Tamara Walcott, plus size fitness queen and two-time world champion powerlifter. Hailing from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Tamara has defied the odds to become a record-breaking athlete, resilient mompreneur, and beacon of inspiration. Her story is one of triumph over food addiction and obesity, where she embraced ment…
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116. Breaking Infertility Stigmas & Supporting Loved Ones Through Loss with Ali Prato
48:50
48:50
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48:50Ali Prato is the host of Infertile AF, the number one infertility podcast, an IVF mom and a secondary infertility warrior. Ali’s mission is to create a space she wished existed during her own journey and to ensure that others grappling with similar issues, or simply seeking to understand them, are not alone. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding a…
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115. Find Food Freedom! Identifying Emotional Wounds & Embracing Self-Love with Erin Treloar
50:25
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50:25Today I’m chatting with Erin Treloar about how to lean into intuitive eating, find food freedom, and embrace self-love! Erin is a mom of two, health coach, meditation teacher, and host of the Raw Beauty Talks podcast. Her practice, rooted in intuitive eating, mindfulness, and self-love, is dedicated to forging a new paradigm of wellness. Erin also …
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114. Experiential Therapy: A Path To Freedom, Acceptance & Self-Love with Marc Pimsler
50:57
50:57
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50:57Today’s story is about turning trauma into teachings. (Triggering content warning) I am thrilled to introduce Marc Pimsler, an experiential counselor and the co-founder and executive director of the International Society for Experiential Professionals. As the owner of MVP Consulting, Marc has dedicated his career to helping families and individuals…
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113. Overcoming Trauma with EFT Tapping, Finding Love & Practicing Radical Self-Acceptance with Gala Darling
40:07
40:07
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40:07The Big Silence is proud to welcome the fabulous Gala Darling to the show. She's the bestselling author of Radical Self-Love, Radical Radiance, and Hologram Heart, and she's all about helping women love themselves and live their dreams. Gala's been on a mission to bring EFT tapping into the modern zeitgeist, inspired by her own journey of healing f…
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112. Nikkiey Stott on The Dark Side of Bodybuilding, How to Build Muscle & Hacks for Gym Discipline
45:54
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45:54Nikkiey Stott, the dynamic founder of WarriorBabe, Certified Personal Trainer, BSN and host of The Macro Hour podcast is here to share her journey from bodybuilder to online fitness coach on a mission to empower women to transform their lives both mentally and physically. Nikkiey’s journey into the fitness industry began in 2015, leading her to bec…
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111. Let Go of Old Wounds & Awaken Your Highest Self with Danny Morel
54:39
54:39
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54:39I’m super honored and grateful to have connected with today’s brilliant guest, Danny Morel. Danny is a life coach and spiritual leader who has helped millions of people awaken, heal, and transform their lives. His podcast, The Higher Self with Danny Morel, became the number one spirituality podcast within six months – how amazing is that? His event…
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110. Catch Up with Karena! Choosing Peace while Traveling, The New Way to Do Girl Time & Baddie Biohacker Routine
29:11
29:11
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29:11Tune in for a special catch-up episode with Karena! In today’s episode, we hear all about the inspirations behind The Big Silence Foundation and how you can be involved in our many programs for mental health support. Then, Karena dives into an update on her summer so far – flying around the country for biohacking and mental health conferences and s…
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109. Secrets to Growing Glutes, Protein Intake & Supporting Your Body Through Menopause with Elite Trainer Sandy Brockman
51:15
51:15
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51:15I’m so thrilled to welcome my friend, my trainer, the Glute Goddess herself, Sandy Brockman to the show! Today, we’re talking all about the number one workout Sandy recommends for women: strength training. Sandy shares how she first fell in love with weights, getting strong through strength training early on in her fitness journey, and details why …
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108. The Power of Clean Water: Vitaclean’s Impact on Skin & Hair Health with Sara Douglas & Kristina Velkova
52:48
52:48
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52:48I am thrilled to have the founders of Vitaclean, Sara Douglas and Kristina Velkova, joining us LIVE in The Big Silence studio. Many people don’t realize the impact that unfiltered shower water can have on their skin and hair, causing complicated issues like acne, eczema, and dry scalp. Vitaclean, a female-founded and led business, was born from thi…
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107. Understanding Attachment Styles, Breaking Free from Unhealthy Relationships & Processing Grief with Dr. Morgan Anderson
56:57
56:57
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56:57Today, we welcome the inspiring and relatable Dr. Morgan Anderson to the show – a distinguished clinical psychologist, relationship coach, leading attachment theory expert, and author of the relationship self-help book, Love Magnet. Dr. Morgan has dedicated her career to unraveling the intricacies of love and connection, bringing over a decade of p…
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106. What Does it Mean to HEAL? Exploring the Mind-Body Connection with Kelly Gores
51:55
51:55
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51:55Kelly Gores is an entrepreneur, writer, director, and the producer of the award-winning Documentary, HEAL, which explores the power of the mind-body connection and the body’s natural healing capabilities. With a book and a growing brand sharing the film’s title, she’s one of the world’s leading voices in whole-body healing, natural remedies, and al…
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