Scott Raymond and Warren Gendel sit down with internationally renowned mindfulness teacher and author Mark Coleman for a wide-ranging conversation about meditation, mental fitness, and our deep relationship with nature.

Mark shares his unlikely journey from anarchist punk rocker in London to Buddhist meditator, nature-based retreat leader, and one of Spirit Rock Meditation Center’s most sought-after teachers. They explore how mindfulness helps us work with the inner critic, manage stress, and return to a grounded, present state—especially in the middle of busy, modern lives.

You’ll also hear how nature itself can be our greatest meditation teacher, why looking at the bay or sitting by the ocean “counts” as real practice, and how micro-practices between meetings can restore focus and energy throughout the day.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

* How Mark discovered meditation while squatting in London and realized his own mind—not the outside world—was the main source of his suffering

* Why mindfulness is less about “getting somewhere” and more about seeing clearly what’s happening inside us

* The difference between mindfulness and meditation—and how you can be mindful without sitting on a cushion

* How nature supports awareness through “soft fascination” and why time outdoors calms the nervous system

* Simple, practical ways to weave mindfulness into everyday life: driving, working out, walking, working, or standing in line

* A powerful 3-breath protocol to downshift stress in traffic, before meetings, or anytime anxiety spikes

* Why our attention is a limited resource—and how short “nature breaks” are more restorative than scrolling on our phones

* The science behind forest bathing, attention restoration, and why views of nature improve healing and wellbeing

* How open awareness (taking in a whole landscape) differs from narrow focus—and why both are key parts of a balanced practice

* How Mark begins and ends his day, including a nightly gratitude ritual with his partner that you can easily adopt

About our guest:

Mark Coleman is a mindfulness teacher, meditation instructor, and author of multiple books, including A Field Guide to Nature Meditation. He is a senior teacher at Spirit Rock Meditation Center, founder of the Mindfulness Training Institute, and creator of Awaken the Wild, an organization dedicated to reconnecting people with nature through retreats and trainings around the world. Mark leads meditation and nature retreats on several continents, trains mindfulness teachers, and integrates science, contemplative practice, and ecology in his work.

About The Evexia Exchange:

A podcast by Club Evexia—a wellness community in Southern Marin focused on fitness, longevity, and belonging. Founders Scott Raymond & Warren Gendel interview practitioners, members, and thinkers on living well together—from strength and recovery to relationships, purpose, and community. Produced by Resonate Studio, LLC.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scott Raymond and Warren Gendel sit down with licensed psychotherapist, mindfulness teacher and longtime Evexia member Lori Schwanbeck to explore why connection itself is a vital sign for health, happiness, and longevity. From a near-death cycling accident that reshaped her purpose, to the neuroscience of social bonds, Lori shares how real relationships change our biology—and why community is the antidote to our device-driven, AI-saturated world.

We talk about the origin of Evexia’s Connection Lab, what it means to “stretch, tone, and build” your connection muscles, and why even tiny micro-moments—eye contact at the coffee bar, a quick hello in the locker room—can literally change your mitochondria and your mood.

Lori also introduces Vital Signs, her new framework for tracking how alive you actually feel (not just what your wearables say), and offers a three-step daily “connection challenge” you can start today.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why social connection is a stronger longevity predictor than many classic risk factors

How Lori’s near-death bike accident ignited a radical sense of gratitude and purpose

What interpersonal neurobiology is—and how other people’s nervous systems shape ours

The PEARL framework for better conversations (Presence, Empathy, Attention, Reciprocity, Letting go of judgment)

The difference between stretch, tone, and build in your connection “workouts”

Why loose ties (the barista, the front-desk team, fellow members) matter as much as deep friendships

How to navigate introversion, old stories, and fear of rejection when you want more connection

Lori’s 3-part daily challenge: 3 stretches, toning with regular touchpoints, and one deeper “build” outreach

About our guest:

Lori Schwanbeck is a licensed psychotherapist based in San Francisco and Marin with expertise in somatic and integrative approaches (including Hakomi, mindfulness, and interpersonal neurobiology). She is a certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher, trained by Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach through the Greater Good Science Center. At Club Evexia, Lori facilitates the Connection Lab, men’s and women’s groups, and co-ed retreats that help members build real, durable community.

About The Evexia Exchange:

A podcast by Club Evexia—a wellness community in Southern Marin focused on fitness, longevity, and belonging. Founders Scott Raymond & Warren Gendel interview practitioners, members, and thinkers on living well together—from strength and recovery to relationships, purpose, and community. Produced by Resonate Studio, LLC.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#3: Scott Raymond and Warren Gendel sit down with Dr. Gregory Tranah (PhD, epidemiologist) to cut through the noise on healthy aging—what the science actually supports, what’s hype, and how to translate data into daily habits. We talk why strength becomes non-negotiable with age, the big three biomarkers (walking speed, grip strength, VO₂ max), how to read studies like a scientist, and why community belongs alongside exercise, nutrition, and sleep as a pillar of real longevity.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why “healthspan” trumps “lifespan,” and how to measure progress you can feel

The best predictors of healthy aging (walking speed, grip strength, VO₂ max) and how to improve them

Why strength training matters more as you age (mitochondria, neuromuscular function, muscle quality)

Sleep & recovery basics (the 3–2–1 rule, slow-wave vs. REM, cortisol as a tool—not an enemy)

How to spot good science: human vs. mouse studies, correlation vs. causation, and meta-analyses

Tech & wearables: what new data can (and can’t) tell you about your health

Community as a longevity multiplier—and why Evexia feels like a “Blue Zone” in practice

About our guest

Dr. Gregory Tranah is an epidemiologist who studies human aging—from genetics and sleep/circadian rhythms to muscle and metabolic health. Known for making complex research useful, he leads member workshops at Club Evexia that turn cutting-edge evidence into practical training, recovery, and lifestyle strategies.

About The Evexia Exchange

A podcast by Club Evexia—a wellness community in Southern Marin focused on fitness, longevity, and belonging. Founders Scott Raymond & Warren Gendel interview practitioners, members, and thinkers on living well together. Produced by Resonate Studio, LLC.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.