In this episode, Teju Owoye talks to the founder of The ARK, a cutting-edge regenerative village redefining how we live, work, and connect. From the science behind communal living to the practicality of building in the forest, they explore the psychology of community, living close to nature, internet wellness trends vs real-world sustainability and whether regenerative villages are idealistic or inevitable Through this episode, Teju attempts to find out if this a utopian experiment or the blueprint for the future? This episode taps into: - Digital burnout audience - The nomad lifestyle and expat crowds - Wellness seekers - Anti-hustle culture - Sustainability & climate-aware audience - “Leaving the system” thinkers

In this episode, Teju Owoye sits down with Jennifer Payeur for a wide-ranging conversation on stem cell research, regenerative science, and holistic healing. Jennifer shares insights from her research, her documentary work, and her broader perspective on health that bridges science, consciousness, and the human experience. Together, they explore how modern research and holistic thinking can coexist- and what the future of healing may look like.

• (00:00:00) - Jennifer Pear on Plant Stem Cells
• (00:02:26) - How My Early Life Changed My Career
• (00:05:34) - In the Flow: reconnecting with nature
• (00:07:32) - How I Learned to Listen to My Body's Messages
• (00:12:31) - What Drives You to Make the Right Move?
• (00:14:37) - Jennifer Jones on her journey to plant stem cells
• (00:18:19) - In the Light of the Body
• (00:19:48) - Immunity through plant stem cells
• (00:22:12) - Chemical Signals of Detoxing
• (00:24:00) - What are some of the differences between plant stem cells and human stem
• (00:27:05) - Teaching plant stem cells to cancer patients
• (00:31:11) - How to Rest Your Nervous System
• (00:34:22) - What brings you joy in your life?
• (00:38:14) - How to Heal Your Body with Plant Stems
• (00:44:26) - Signs of a Toxin-laden Body
• (00:46:57) - Walking Through The Journey Of Truth
• (00:50:24) - True or False
• (00:50:40) - 7 plant remedies that work
• (00:52:29) - How to Detox Your Body in a Week
• (00:54:00) - The Most Overrated Habit
• (00:56:20) - A plant to help you look younger
• (01:01:44) - "I feel like I'm 30 years old"
• (01:02:46) - What's The Biggest Myth About Gemotherapy?
• (01:03:46) - TikTok Wild Trend: Plant Stem Cell Shampoos
• (01:06:23) - Can We Use Plant Stem Cells to Treat Stroke?
• (01:07:41) - Pregnancy Is Safe With Cactus Stem Cell
• (01:09:04) - What's the Current State of Scientific Studies on Spagyrics?
• (01:10:18) - Is Essential Oils a Scam?
• (01:11:53) - What's in My Bag?
• (01:13:54) - A message from the Wellness Sherpa

Ever wondered what really keeps employees energized, sane, and thriving at work? From rapid-fire truths about burnout, underrated wellness perks, and the wildest workplace trends, to raw Reddit confessions about stress, mental health, and the elusive four-day workweek- this episode spills it all. Mandy and Teju break down what actually works (and what’s just hype), share their personal rituals for stress-busting and focus, and reveal the surprising essentials they carry to stay sharp every day. Real talk, real strategies, and a few laughs along the way—this is the ultimate insider guide to surviving and thriving at work.

• (00:00:00) - Wellness in the Workplace with Mandy Le
• (00:01:14) - What Do You Think Move the needle in Workplace Wellbeing?
• (00:04:15) - What's the Wellbeing Program at Work?
• (00:08:47) - Fitbit versus Apple Watch: The Future of Wearable Technology
• (00:12:27) - What is one change in workplace wellness that's driving health outcomes?
• (00:14:35) - Wellness and Assessment of Workers
• (00:17:50) - How to Build a Multi-Generational Wellness Program
• (00:24:13) - What Drives People In The Workplace?
• (00:25:46) - Have we reached a tipping point in the battle against burnout?
• (00:31:25) - Mental health as a part of preventive care coverage
• (00:35:53) - Wellness Strategy: Coaching
• (00:38:23) - Breathing Work in the Workplace
• (00:41:51) - What Are the Wellness Programs at Companies?
• (00:48:11) - Wellness Programs and Employee Engagement
• (00:50:03) - On the Future of Teenagers
• (00:52:37) - Top Executives on Wellbeing
• (00:57:19) - Wellness Programs Fail Because They're Designed for Employees, Not Employees
• (00:58:05) - Remote Work: Improved Physical Health, Damaged Mental Health
• (00:59:02) - Leadership Burnout Is More Spreading Than Any Virus
• (01:04:16) - 7 Tips for Preventing Burnout
• (01:06:45) - What Is The First Sign An Employee Is On The Brink of
• (01:07:21) - The Most Overrated Wellbeing Perks
• (01:09:17) - What's the Best Word to Use in a Presentation?
• (01:09:51) - The People Who Did The Plank
• (01:10:37) - How to Boost Employee Well-Being
• (01:12:53) - Wild Trending: AI Therapy
• (01:13:58) - 4 Day Workweek Trial
• (01:16:35) - GAMIFIED Well-Being Apps
• (01:17:09) - Are Jobs Made to Be Stressful?
• (01:21:35) - What's Stopping Us From Going To A 4-Day Work
• (01:23:54) - I Had Burnout For The First Time At 31
• (01:28:35) - What's in Your Bag?
• (01:30:32) - Aries on Working With Mandy

What does it really mean to live a fulfilled life in a world obsessed with hustle, consumption, and constant stimulation? In this powerful episode of The Wellzest Podcast with Teju Owoye, we sit down with Madhu, a former monk turned holistic health and business coach, to debunk some of the biggest wellness and success myths of our time.

Madhu shares his journey of becoming a monk at just 18 years old, what monastic life actually looks like (and what movies get wrong), and how ancient wisdom can be applied to modern careers, entrepreneurship, and mental health. In this episode, we explore:
– Why happiness is not the same as contentment
– The truth about hustle culture and burnout
– How service—not accumulation—leads to fulfillment
– Whether stress can actually be a tool for growth
– Why monks often excel in business and leadership
– How to build focus, discipline, and abundance in the modern world

If you’re navigating wellness trends, questioning hustle culture, or seeking a more grounded, intentional life—this episode is for you.

• (00:00:00) - Maru On Why He Became A Monk At 18
• (00:05:52) - A monk's life in the monastery
• (00:07:46) - What Is A Monk?
• (00:10:07) - Service and its relation to happiness
• (00:12:07) - How to Find More Contentment and Happiness
• (00:18:46) - Having a mentor is key
• (00:19:33) - What has entrepreneurship taught you about self-actualization?
• (00:22:15) - What are the Big Things to Focus On in Order to Achieve Success
• (00:27:32) - What is the Hustle Culture?
• (00:31:54) - Financial Independence and Abundance
• (00:36:13) - Is Stress Real or a Tool for Growth?
• (00:38:27) - Does Digital Life Make Inner Peace Impossible?
• (00:39:49) - Bob Marley: Wealth is not only about money
• (00:42:13) - What is one ancient ritual that will explode in popularity next?
• (00:44:29) - How to Get Out of the Dark
• (00:46:18) - The 1111 Phenomenon
• (00:47:58) - Dopamine Detox
• (00:50:36) - Using AI for Guided Meditation
• (00:51:46) - What's in My Bag?
• (00:54:51) - A message for Madhu Life

In this powerful conversation, therapist, educator, and author Dr. Chad Scott joins Teju to explore the unexpected healing found in humanity’s darkest places. Drawing from his book Beyond the Darkness and his own journey through illness, grief, and profound transformation, Dr. Scott shares how visiting sites like Auschwitz, Hiroshima, and the Whitney Plantation can ignite empathy, perspective, and emotional breakthroughs that traditional therapy alone can’t unlock.

Together, they discuss why “dark tourism” isn’t about sensationalizing tragedy—it's about honoring memory, confronting generational trauma, and discovering pieces of ourselves in places marked by suffering. From cemeteries in LA to sacred ground around the world, Dr. Scott explains how travel becomes a form of pilgrimage, reflection, and inner repair. This episode is a moving look at how stepping into the shadows can illuminate healing, deepen humanity, and reshape the way we walk through life.

• (00:00:00) - Dark Tourism
• (00:02:09) - Dark Tourism Star Visits the Hollywood Forever Cemetery
• (00:07:00) - The Doors on Their Childhood
• (00:09:00) - What was your most transformative trip as a child?
• (00:10:39) - What's Travel Been Like for You?
• (00:17:47) - The Trauma of Our Ancestors
• (00:21:04) - How to Define Dark Tourism
• (00:22:31) - Dark Tourism: Exploring the Unknown
• (00:29:26) - Dark Tourism: Auschwitz
• (00:33:52) - Exploring Your Comfort Zone Through Travel
• (00:35:29) - The Light of Your Life After Having a Liver Transplant
• (00:41:52) - How anxiety affected me after my liver transplant
• (00:42:26) - Dark Places of Hell
• (00:47:06) - Are Dark Tourism Places Safe for People?
• (00:49:25) - Dark Tourism and How It Affects Your Life
• (00:52:10) - True or False: Statements on Truth
• (00:52:39) - "Dark Tourism Can Bring Hope..."
• (00:56:56) - Judaism in Jerusalem
• (01:01:36) - How Travel Re-wires Your Brain
• (01:02:35) - "Most People Don't Know How To Grieve..."
• (01:04:10) - Is Dark Tourism Bad?
• (01:05:54) - How Movement Can Help With Trauma
• (01:08:16) - Travel Helped Me Gain a Broader Sense of Humanity
• (01:12:49) - TRAVEL Rituals
• (01:16:45) - "I love to travel"
• (01:17:29) - ChatGPT: Lonely Planet travel videos
• (01:20:10) - What's the Most Understood Emotion? Anger
• (01:21:31) - "One place you'll never go back to..."
• (01:23:55) - Does Anyone Get Lonely On Solo Trips?
• (01:25:37) - China vs France: The Most Surprising Moment
• (01:29:23) - Grief Tourism
• (01:31:06) - Travel Confessions: Influencers Lead Transformation Trips
• (01:33:11) - What Kind of Cultural Theory Lies Behind Dark Tourism?
• (01:37:07) - Is War Tourism Educational or Unethical?
• (01:40:27) - What's In My Bag?
• (01:44:37) - Flying With A Minimalist Bag
• (01:46:02) - Where Can You Find Dr. Chad Scott?

What does it really take to build a successful business in the world of wellness? In this episode of the WellZest Podcast, we sit down with Josh Carr, CEO of Echo Water, to explore the intersection of science, entrepreneurship, and health innovation. From breaking down the science of hydrogen water to sharing the lessons he’s learned as a wellness entrepreneur, Josh reveals what it takes to grow a brand with integrity, transparency, and impact. We dig into topics like wellness entrepreneurship, business mindset, the challenges of building in a crowded market, and why hydrogen-based health solutions may be the future of clean wellness. If you’ve ever wondered how to start a wellness business, what makes health innovation stick, or how to navigate the world of wellness entrepreneurship, this episode is for you.

• (00:00:00) - In the Elevator With Echo Water's CEO
• (00:01:54) - Echo Wellness Podcast: Walk us Through Where Everything Starts
• (00:07:55) - Paul Echogo drinks hydrogen water to help his health
• (00:10:40) - Hydrogen Water
• (00:12:30) - Hydrogen Water
• (00:13:41) - Intermittent Fast
• (00:16:05) - Did You Do A Longer Fast?
• (00:21:13) - Larry H. Miller on His Longevity
• (00:24:39) - Other benefits of Hydrogen Water
• (00:27:12) - misconceptions about Hydrogen Water
• (00:32:22) - Oxygen Bottles On Fire
• (00:33:00) - Exploring Hydrogen Water
• (00:36:45) - What Do You Expect From the Hydrogen Product Space?
• (00:42:07) - Is Hydrogen Good For You?
• (00:45:19) - How to Know When a Product is Science Based vs. Hoax
• (00:49:52) - Experiencing Hydrogen Water For The First Time
• (00:52:28) - Haz Hydrogen Water
• (00:57:09) - Three Facts That Are False About Hydrogen Therapy
• (00:58:51) - How Hydrogen Water Affects Your Gut
• (01:00:22) - How Hydrogen Water can help reduce oxidative stress
• (01:01:32) - Wellness Trends Often Move Faster Than Science
• (01:02:18) - My Favorite Wellness Routine for Energy
• (01:05:10) - What is your one daily health habit?
• (01:08:51) - Back to Farming in America
• (01:12:14) - Brian Johnson on His Wellness Goals
• (01:15:32) - How to Get to Sleep With an ADD Brain
• (01:16:56) - Khalal Water vs Hydrogen Water
• (01:18:51) - DIY Ozone Therapy and HYPERBATHIC OZ
• (01:21:54) - Is Hydrogen Infused Skin Care Real?
• (01:23:39) - Is Big Wellness the New Big Pharma?
• (01:27:35) - Are Supplements Just Another Form of Wellness Consumerism?
• (01:31:30) - What's In My Bag?
• (01:35:36) - Reveal: Building a Website With Replit

From industrial farming to food deserts, our food system is broken — but it doesn’t have to stay that way. In this powerful conversation, sustainability expert and OnlyKale founder Charlie Szoradi shares how we can transform the way we eat, grow, and think about food. With over three decades in clean energy, sustainable design, and indoor agriculture, Charlie reveals how innovative farming methods, community training, and nutrient-dense superfoods can improve both human health and planetary health. If you care about wellness, climate, or what ends up on your plate, this episode will change the way you look at your next meal.

• (00:00:04) - Meet Charlie Cerrotti
• (00:01:17) - Charlie Spector's Secret to Lighting
• (00:08:45) - How to grow a Superfood with LED Lights
• (00:14:10) - Veterans' access to food
• (00:15:58) - What Can a Consumer Do to Shift Their Habits?
• (00:19:37) - How to Get Back in Shape at 40 with a Vegan Diet
• (00:21:49) - Are These Superfoods Even Real?
• (00:28:19) - What Do You Think Food Sustainability Looks Like in 2030?
• (00:34:20) - Working with the Military on Nutrition
• (00:36:29) - What Corporate America Is Getting Wrong About Health
• (00:42:21) - Trump on Food and the Environment
• (00:48:18) - The True or False Test
• (00:48:53) - Six principles of sustainable food production
• (00:50:56) - Does Convenience and Clean Eating Matter?
• (00:51:46) - Is the Wellness Industry More Performative Than Practical?
• (00:55:53) - 7 Daily Wellness Habits That You Can Change
• (00:57:58) - Kale
• (00:58:35) - What's the Greenwashing of Food?
• (00:59:40) - Bottled Water Is Bad For You
• (01:01:43) - Health Myth No More
• (01:05:34) - Vapor Pens With Vitamins
• (01:06:52) - AI Optimized Solar Farm
• (01:11:47) - Learn From Looking: A Book Review
• (01:13:06) - Reddit's Sustainability Questions
• (01:15:49) - Are Superfoods Full of Pesticides?
• (01:18:52) - The Secret to Success: A Sustainable Business
• (01:23:06) - What's in My Bag?
• (01:25:16) - GNC Kids' Bag
• (01:28:10) - Charlie on Only Kale

What if the story you’ve been telling yourself… isn’t the whole truth? In this episode of the WellZest podcast, Teju sits down with psychotherapist Lindsey Carnick, a psychotherapist with over 15 years of experience who’s worked with everyone from incarcerated youth to CEOs—and helped them all untangle the stories they carry. Lindsey opens up about the invisible narratives that shape us: how we label ourselves, dismiss our pain, and sometimes over-intellectualize trauma in the name of “healing.” We talk about family roles like the golden child or black sheep, the shadow side of therapy culture, and why true healing isn’t about fixing ourselves—it’s about changing the script entirely. If you’ve ever wondered why therapy feels like it’s almost helping but not quite, or why you keep returning to the same emotional loops, this episode is a must-listen. Lindsey shares grounded insights with warmth, wit, and just the right amount of tough love.