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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Saturn Returns, Body Shame & Burnout: A Raw Conversation with Almost 30’s Krista & Lindsey
51:54
51:54
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51:54What if your anxiety is actually your soul speaking to you? In this episode of The Big Silence, Karena reunites with longtime friends and Almost 30 podcast co-founders Krista Williams and Lindsey Simcik to talk about life transitions, healing burnout, and the emotional power of their first book. From learning to listen to your intuition to rewritin…
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“We Didn’t Know It Was Hormones”: Katy & Josh on Miscarriage, Sex Drive & Starting Over
39:57
39:57
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39:57What if your symptoms weren’t “just in your head”? On this heartfelt and hilarious episode of The Big Silence, Karena sits down with Katy and Josh, the powerhouse couple behind the wellness brands Joi and Blokes (now unified under Relon). From four miscarriages and lost sex drives to unexpected weight gain and hormone havoc, they candidly share how…
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Doesn’t matter. Just keep telling the story. In the most symmetrical episode of Spineless yet, Nick and Brennan discuss Wes Anderson’s 2023 film Asteroid City, one of his few films not already in the Criterion Collection. They talk about the star-studded cast, the compelling but not-dramaturgically-sound use of metanarrative, and how Anderson’s Isl…
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Healing Through Faith, Food & Hormones: Cara Clark’s Anti-Diet Approach to Real Wellness
53:48
53:48
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53:48What if the path to true health wasn’t found in counting macros or cutting carbs—but in listening to your body, regulating your nervous system, and redefining your worth? Karena welcomes integrative nutritionist and mom of four, Cara Clark. From growing up in a chaotic home as one of eight kids to building a health empire rooted in faith and intuit…
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From Stage Dreams to Silent Battles: Lindsey Ray on Letting Go of the “Perfect Career” for a True Life
44:47
44:47
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44:47On this episode of The Big Silence, Karena Dawn sits down with singer-songwriter Lindsey Ray — a powerhouse behind the scenes of the music industry with credits including Mariah Carey, Demi Lovato, and Tiësto. But beyond the accolades lies a story of self-reinvention, mental health awakening, and the hard decision to walk away from “success” in sea…
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Not my tempo. Film is all about asking questions, and the central question of this week’s film is: Imagine If You Liked Drum? To help answer that question, the Spineless Boys recruit percussionist (and Nick's brother) Daniel Kinney to discuss Damien Chazelle’s breakthrough Whiplash (2014), with surprisingly minimal discussion of Maestro and Red One…
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From Bathroom Acoustics to Billboard: Avery Anna’s Healing Journey Through “Let Go Letters”
44:16
44:16
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44:16What if your pain could become someone else’s healing? On this episode of The Big Silence, Karena sits down with rising country star Avery Anna on the eve of her 10th Grand Ole Opry performance. From humble beginnings recording in her mom’s bathtub to signing with Warner Music Nashville, Avery’s journey is anything but typical. But it’s her vulnera…
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148. EcoBabe Unplugged: Monica Richards on Sustainable Living, Inner Healing & Finding Joy in the Chaos
52:57
52:57
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52:57What does it truly mean to live with intention—from the food we eat, to the candles we burn, to how we heal our inner child? This week on The Big Silence, Karena sits down with sustainable living expert and “EcoBabe” Monica Richards for an eye-opening, heart-filling conversation about how sustainability is more than composting—it's a lifestyle of r…
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An obsessed fan will do anything to get what he wants--including....crime??? In a Martin Scorsese picture?!? On this episode of Spineless, Nick and Brennan break down Marty's undersung masterpiece The King of Comedy and the king himself Rupert Pupkin (Robert De Niro), asking questions such as: Why wasn't Jerry Lewis nominated for an Oscar for this …
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147. From Trauma to Trust: Britt Piper on Somatic Healing, Survival, and Finding Love Again
54:01
54:01
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54:01What happens when the pain you’ve been running from becomes the very thing that sets you free? In this moving episode of The Big Silence, Karena sits down with somatic therapist and author Britt Piper to explore the transformative journey from trauma to healing. Britt shares her deeply personal story—of childhood abandonment, sexual assault, addict…
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146. Mona Sharma on Why the Healing Starts at Home: Detoxing Stress, Food, and Your Schedule
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55:35
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55:35What if your anxiety, gut issues, or chronic fatigue aren’t just “mental”—but messages from your body asking you to slow down, clean up, and tune in? In this powerful episode of The Big Silence, Mona Sharma—a former luxury beauty exec turned celebrity wellness expert—shares her personal journey from corporate burnout and heart surgeries to building…
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If Roger Rabbit asks you to come down into his basement, DO NOT LISTEN!! It just might be the Zodiac speaking. This week on Spineless, Brennan and Nick discuss David Fincher's 2007 crime masterpiece Zodiac, a film which fourteen-year-old Brennan called “extremely terrifying” and also wrote a song about. Brennan and Nick discuss how Fincher subverts…
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Mushroom omelette, anyone? The title may deceive you--there are no phantoms in this movie. Just a very ornery dressmaker. Join Nick and Brennan as they discuss Paul Thomas Anderson’s haute couture character study Phantom Thread, a film that makes the Spineless Boys pose questions such as: Do Vicky Krieps and Daniel Day-Lewis be f***ing? Is this fil…
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We have one question for you: Daddy would you like some sausage? In one of their most delirious episodes yet, Brennan and Nick come to you in-person from the Windy City to discuss 2001’s FREDDY GOT FINGERED, a harbinger of things to come. It’s late at night and they got jewels, sausages, and a truly locked-in performance from Rip Torn on the brain,…
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I Saw the TV Glow (2024) with Robin Borden
2:06:16
2:06:16
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2:06:16Get out your luna juice and get ready to take on Mr. Melancholy: we're going to the Pink Opaque. In this Very Special Episode of Spineless, Nick and Brennan are joined by friend and comedian Robin Borden to discuss Jane Schoenbrun’s 2024 film I Saw The TV Glow, the recipient of a record-setting number of Golden Spine Awards. It’s a real lovefest he…
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145. The Hidden Toxins Disrupting Your Mental Health & How to Detoxify with Dr. Aly Cohen
54:40
54:40
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54:40What if the chemicals in our food, water, and everyday products were silently impacting our mental health? This week on The Big Silence, I sit down with Dr. Aly Cohen, a board-certified rheumatologist, integrative medicine specialist, and environmental health expert, to explore the hidden connection between toxins and brain health. From the rise of…
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144. From Olympic Pressure to Mental Freedom: Jordyn Wieber Brooks on Redefining Resilience & Success
36:30
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36:30Olympic gold medalist Jordyn Wieber Brooks knows the immense pressure of elite gymnastics—where fear-based coaching, emotional suppression, and relentless expectations shape young athletes. In this episode, she opens up about the resilience it took to unlearn those survival tactics and how retiring at just 18 forced her to redefine her identity bey…
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The 1st Annual Golden Spine Awards with Andy Germuga
2:34:42
2:34:42
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2:34:42It's Oscars weekend, and we wanted to get in on the fun...introducing the Golden Spine Awards, Spineless' own awards show celebrating excellence in 2024 cinema. We are joined by Andy Germuga (Cannes I Kick It? podcast) to pick our personal nominees and winners in 8 major categories: Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, Supporting (x2), and Screenplay…
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143. You Are Your Own Healer: Breaking the Silence on Cancer, Death & True Healing with Darlene Cordero
45:52
45:52
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45:52What if facing death was the key to truly living? I’m sitting down with my dear friend, Darlene Cordero—founder of Wellness Culture, author of The Healer’s Playbook, and a true force of nature when it comes to uplifting others. After years of success in corporate finance and media, she walked away to pursue a deeper calling—but it wasn’t until a li…
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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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You might need tissues for this one folks. On this episode of Spineless, Nick and Brennan muse on love, loss, and adaptation in their discussion of Barry Jenkins’ If Beale Street Could Talk. Horrifically snubbed at the Oscars for 2018, Beale Street is a heartrending portrait of a love torn apart by the societal ills of its time, gorgeously adapted …
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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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1:41:12Two movies. One episode. Several Talking Heads. In their first ever double-feature episode, Nick and Brennan discuss Jonathan Demme’s STOP MAKING SENSE (1984) and Spike Lee’s AMERICAN UTOPIA (2020), two of the greatest concert films of all time and certainly some great purveyors of unhinged David Byrne antics. Nick and Brennan talk about their favo…
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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
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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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1:36:51In 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. Adelina thirsts over Paul Mescal and explains her deep connection to the film, Nick shares tidbits from Charlotte Wells' commentary, and Brenn…
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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! On this week’s episode, The Spineless Boys dive in to one of the most underrated films of the early-2000s. No lie here: Nick and Brennan talk about Hayden Christensen’s transformative performance as Stephen Glass, a serial manipulator and one of the first “fake news” cases on the internet…
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129. Living Authentically Child-Free: Facing Societal Pressure & Breaking Stigmas w/ Ruby Warrington
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… 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 the Changeling House) and …
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123. How Ketones Can Protect Your Mental Health & Boost Productivity with Dr. Latt Mansor
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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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