This is a repeat episode with the rock star, neuroscientist Ken Mogi as I felt it was so good, I’m playing it again! We discuss the concept of Ikigai, which translates to 'a reason to live.' Ken explains how Ikigai encompasses more than just work, emphasising the importance of starting small, releasing oneself to achieve flow, and finding joy in little things. Ken outlines the five pillars of Ikigai, which include harmony and sustainability, and the significance of being present in the moment. He encourages listeners to reconnect with their inner child to discover their Ikigai and live a fulfilling life.

Timestamps:

04:00 Understanding Ikigai: More Than Just Work

07:56 The Five Pillars of Ikigai: Starting Small

14:52 Releasing Yourself: The Flow State Connection

28:05 Harmony and Sustainability in Life

34:59 The Joy of Little Things

40:48 Being in the Here and Now

53:00 Final Thoughts on Finding Your Ikigai

Resources

Connected with Ken Mogi

Books

Think Like a Stoic

The Little Book of Ikigai

https://www.instagram.com/qualiaken/?hl=en

https://x.com/kenmogi?lang=en

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We all have regrets — moments we wish we could redo, words we wish we could take back, choices that cost us something.

In this week’s Mojo Monday, Carly explores how regret can either keep us stuck in self-criticism or become a powerful teacher. Drawing on Stoic wisdom and the framework of Hardiness, she shares how looking back with awareness can help us grow forward with intention.

If there’s something you’ve been holding onto, this episode offers a new lens — one that turns regret into growth.

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In this episode I chat with Dr. Stephanie Rimka who shares her extensive knowledge on mental health, emphasising the importance of understanding the brain's role in mental wellness. She discusses her journey from traditional medicine to functional approaches, highlighting the significance of nutrition, particularly zinc, in brain function. Dr. Rimka explores the impact of modern diets, technology, and chronic stress on mental health, advocating for neurofeedback as a powerful tool for treatment. She also emphasises the need for a holistic approach that includes play, movement, and proper nutrition to rebalance the nervous system and promote overall well-being.

Key Takeaways:

• Mental health issues are fundamentally brain issues.
• Zinc deficiency is prevalent and can significantly affect behaviour.
• Neurofeedback can be a powerful tool for mental health treatment.
• The modern diet often lacks essential nutrients for brain health.
• Understanding the interplay of zinc and copper is crucial for mental wellness.
• Anxiety can often be misdiagnosed and is linked to biological factors.
• Chronic stress leads to dysregulation of the nervous system.
• Relaxation is not the same as recovery; true recovery requires active engagement.
• The impact of technology and media on mental health is profound.
• Nutrition, particularly animal-based foods, is vital for brain health.

Resources

Dr Stephanie Rimka’s new book: The Dance of Feminine Power

Connected with Dr Stephanie Rimka

drimka.com

https://drrimka.com/connect@drrimka.com

https://www.instagram.com/dr_rimka/

https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.rimka/

https://www.youtube.com/c/drrimka

https://www.tiktok.com/@rimkatalks

01:10 Early Career and Experiences in Mental Health

02:37 Transitioning from Traditional Medicine to Functional Approaches

04:00 Understanding the Brain and Mental Health

06:10 The Role of Zinc in Brain Function

07:23 Dopamine, Zinc, and Mental Health

12:02 The Impact of Modern Lifestyle on Mental Health

16:03 The Importance of Nutrition and Diet

20:35 The Connection Between Physical Health and Mental Well-being

25:28 Neuroplasticity and Interventions for Mental Health

25:56 Understanding Nervous System Dynamics

32:48 The Impact of Modern Life on Stress Responses

38:14 Tools for Rebalancing the Nervous System

44:44 Neurofeedback and Empowering Change

52:28 The Importance of Play in Movement

55:12 Nutrition as the Foundation of Health

57:06 The Role of Animal-Based Foods in Mental Health

01:00:11 Circadian Biology and Its Impact on Well-Being

01:03:00 The Power of Nature and Imagination

01:08:08 Empowerment Through Understanding and Coaching

Support the Podcast

If you found this conversation valuable, consider subscribing and leaving a review on your preferred podcast platform. Your feedback helps us continue to bring you insightful discussions on important health topics.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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This week on Mojo Monday, Carly explores three powerful lenses we can use to make sense of our emotional suffering — Blame, Brain and Environment — and explains why understanding ourselves through multiple perspectives, rather than a single narrow narrative, can restore agency, clarity and direction.

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In this episode, I chat with Dr Kevin Tracy, a renowned researcher and inventor, about his journey in medicine and the significance of the vagus nerve in health. Kevin shares personal anecdotes, including the impact of his mother's illness on his career path. The discussion delves into the vagus nerve's role in regulating inflammation, heart rate variability, and its potential in treating autoimmune diseases through vagus nerve stimulation. Kevin emphasises the importance of healthy lifestyle choices and the need for further research in this promising field.

Key Takeaways:

• The vagus nerve plays a crucial role in regulating inflammation.
• Heart rate variability is a measure of vagal tone but has limitations.
• Vagus nerve stimulation shows promise in treating autoimmune diseases.
• Clinical trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of vagus nerve stimulation.
• The vagus nerve connects the brain and immune system, influencing health.
• Cold exposure may activate the vagus nerve and reduce inflammation.
• Healthy lifestyle choices are essential for overall well-being.
• Future research may uncover more applications for vagus nerve stimulation.

02:49 Personal Journey into Medicine

08:37 The Vagus Nerve: A Key to Health

14:50 Heart Rate Variability and Vagal Tone

31:28 The Inflammatory Reflex and Vagus Nerve

45:46 Clinical Applications of Vagus Nerve Stimulation

51:11 Future Directions in Vagus Nerve Research

Resources

Connected with Dr Kevin Tracey

Kevin's latest book:

The Great Nerve: The New Science of the Vagus Nerve and How to Harness Its Healing Reflexes

https://feinstein.northwell.edu/institutes-researchers/our-researchers/kevin-j-tracey-md

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinjtraceymd/

X https://x.com/KevinJTraceyMD

Support the Podcast

If you found this conversation valuable, consider subscribing and leaving a review on your preferred podcast platform. Your feedback helps us continue to bring you insightful discussions on important health topics.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.