Snake oil or miracle cure? That’s the question hosts Matt Ruby and Rob Kramer tackle. Ruby, a comedian, and Kramer, a longtime meditator, yogi and guru chaser, dive deep into the world of meditation apps, juice cleanses, psychedelic therapy, and more. They give you their no-BS take on health and wellness trends and alternative therapies. Think of them as the Siskel &amp; Ebert of wellness, helping you to separate the healthy hacks from the silly quacks. Along the way, you’ll get insights, laughs, and a much needed antidote to the self-important pretentiousness of Goop juicing Burners.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/2/6/17/6e6fbe6a-34c1-4593-b4ba-04d05b1c3674_021-7-8_2F3cb08ce1-41b6-f93f-83dd-178836f8ca22.mp3

Stoicism may be a philosophy born of ancient times, but it’s recently made a comeback. Designed to make people more resilient, virtuous, and wise, it was once relied on by slaves to help them in dealing with the difficulty in their lives. Now, it’s frequently touted by tech titans and “thought leaders.” Matt and Rob dive into the implications of stoicism in the modern age.
/// Music by <a href="https://ilithios.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow">Ilithios</a> + <a href="https://eljezel.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow">El Jezel</a> /// Produced by <a href="https://www.stereoactivemedia.com/" rel="nofollow">Stereoactive Media</a>
 
OvABZ49LDmIu66v5zgca

Ep 13 // Stoicism

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/2/6/17/e06052de-dd13-4b04-a1d0-f4a402ca07cd_021-4-4_2Fe853fe05-ae13-bef1-abdb-5c4a66a0a262.mp3

Sometimes shame is used to bully, while other times it’s used to teach. Shame has even perhaps worked as a cohesive force on society. In this episode, Matt and Rob discuss the ins and outs of shame and whether it can actually be wielded as a positive force.
/// Music by <a href="https://ilithios.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow">Ilithios</a> + <a href="https://eljezel.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow">El Jezel</a> /// Produced by <a href="https://www.stereoactivemedia.com/" rel="nofollow">Stereoactive Media</a>

Ep 12 // Shame as a Positive Force

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/2/6/17/0889b04a-2316-4d8d-a0dd-d5a65a4e578f_21-3-27_2F735bb3e5-fddd-2e03-deb1-7bcfa265cc45.mp3

Silent meditation retreats are an immersive way to go deeper into one’s meditation practice – and we mean really deep. In this episode, Rob discusses Vipassana retreats that involve ten days of not talking while Matt explains his experience at a three-day retreat guided by Joseph Goldstein and Sharon Salzberg. Is it worth going silent like this? What are the challenges? And just how does one do walking meditation? Tune in to learn all about turning down the volume in your head via Vipassana.

Ep 11 // Silent Meditation Retreats

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/2/6/17/0c70af4f-897b-4724-b663-c1babd5bc727_021-3-6_2F7a2cc707-a406-d591-5359-5a7810535375.mp3

Ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic tea from the Amazon has become a trendy, life-altering brew consumed by hipsters, Silicon Valley, and the yoga crowd. Many say it’s the most significant spiritual experience of their lives. Others claim it’s like “10 years of psychotherapy in one night.” But what is it? How do you take it? And how did drinking a South American psychoactive brew become just as popular as microdosing, CBD, and partying in Tulum? Matt and Rob go deep to discuss the benefits and misconceptions surrounding this traditional spiritual medicine. Buckle up.
 
/// Music by <a href="https://ilithios.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow">Ilithios</a> + <a href="https://eljezel.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow">El Jezel</a> /// Produced by <a href="https://www.stereoactivemedia.com/" rel="nofollow">Stereoactive Media</a>

Ep 10 // Ayahuasca

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/2/6/17/320e7f3f-fdee-400f-b788-1c8e8bf5993e_021-2-2_2Fdfdefbdf-a8be-1759-111b-138dba3fcd53.mp3

Conspiracy theories have gone mainstream. From old standards like Area 51 to relative newcomers like QAnon, people can’t get enough of conspiratorial thinking. Could it be that they’re actually addicted?
In this episode, Matt and Rob examine the concept of conspiracy theory addiction. Along the way, they get into the underlying conditions that may cause conspiracy theories to take root and grab hold of people&#39;s attention and, in extreme cases, impact their mental health.
“You 100% should NOT miss this episode!” -The Elders of Zion
/// Music by <a href="https://ilithios.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow">Ilithios</a> + <a href="https://eljezel.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow">El Jezel</a> /// Produced by <a href="https://www.stereoactivemedia.com/" rel="nofollow">Stereoactive Media</a>

Ep 9 // Conspiracy Theory Addiction

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Matt and Rob go for a deep dive into the work of author Michael Pollan and the impact he’s had on how America eats and views psychedelics. They focus on two of Pollan’s seminal books: ‘The Omnivore’s Dilemma’ and ‘How to Change Your Mind.’
They then debate each other on the efficacy and use of the Headspace guided meditation app. Is it a good way to onboard folks into meditation or does it represent everything that can go wrong when capitalism meets mindfulness?
00:00 - Intro + Disclaimer 
01:59 - Michael Pollan 
21:36 - Headspace 
41:10 - Outro
/// Music by <a href="https://ilithios.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow">Ilithios</a> + <a href="https://eljezel.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow">El Jezel</a> /// Produced by <a href="https://www.stereoactivemedia.com/" rel="nofollow">Stereoactive Media</a>

Ep 8 // Michael Pollan & Headspace

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Feels like everyone is switching between fasting and eating on a regular schedule these days. It’s called intermittent fasting. Is it a good idea? Also, Matt explains his newfound life as a runner and what it’s like to use a leading running app like Runkeeper. And Rob roasts the Marshmallow Test, one of the most famous psychological experiments ever conducted. Does it really measure a child’s ability to delay gratification?
01:56 - Intermittent Fasting 
14:38 - Runkeeper 
24:04 - The Marshmallow Test 
00:00 - Outro
/// Music by <a href="https://ilithios.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow">Ilithios</a> + <a href="https://eljezel.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow">El Jezel</a> /// Produced by <a href="https://www.stereoactivemedia.com/" rel="nofollow">Stereoactive Media</a>

Ep 7 // Intermittent Fasting, Runkeeper, & The Marshmallow Test

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/2/6/17/1f712549-ff14-42cb-80e8-dc6fd1c0331e_0-11-22_2Fc810f0f9-c36d-058f-3e6c-d415fbd38c31.mp3

Seems like everybody commits to New Year’s Resolutions. But are they worth it and is it healthy to make them? How do resolutions stack up to setting everyday, achievable goals? 
And what’s up with Tulum? It’s been a popular wellness destination for people looking to experience everything from massive beach festivals to spiritual awakenings. But why did organizers of a recent multi-day arts fest think it was OK to party unsafely during a global pandemic? And how does Tulum reflect our best or worst behaviors?
01:35 - New Year’s Resolutions 
14:17 - Tulum 
32:42 - Outro
/// Music by <a href="https://ilithios.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow">Ilithios</a> + <a href="https://eljezel.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow">El Jezel</a> /// Produced by <a href="https://www.stereoactivemedia.com/" rel="nofollow">Stereoactive Media</a>

Ep 6 // New Year’s Resolutions & Tulum

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What is nonviolent communication, and could it be violent in the wrong form? Was Dr. Bragg’s championing of apple cider vinegar as a health elixir quackery or visionary? And you’ve likely heard of Marie Kondo’s book, &#39;The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up&#39;–how does tidying up actually relate to personal health and wellness?
01:51 - Nonviolent Communication 
18:05 - Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar 
28:05 - Marie Kondo 
39:10 - Outro
/// Music by <a href="https://ilithios.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow">Ilithios</a> + <a href="https://eljezel.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow">El Jezel</a> /// Produced by <a href="https://www.stereoactivemedia.com/" rel="nofollow">Stereoactive Media</a>

Ep 5 // Nonviolent Communication, Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar, & Marie Kondo

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At the intersection of belief in conspiracy theories and the search for spiritual meaning exists the hybrid known as “conspirituality.” In our fourth episode, hosts Matt Ruby and Rob Kramer discuss how these two groups manage to come together across political divides to form an interesting, if troubling, new group.
/// Music by <a href="https://ilithios.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow">Ilithios</a> + <a href="https://eljezel.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow">El Jezel</a> /// Produced by <a href="https://www.stereoactivemedia.com/" rel="nofollow">Stereoactive Media</a>

Ep 4 // Conspirituality

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Is microdosing worth it? What exactly is spiritual bypassing and who&#39;s doing it? And who is Shaman Durek and what&#39;s he selling? It&#39;s the third episode of &#39;Hell &amp; Wellness,&#39; and hosts Matt Ruby and Rob Kramer are back to review health and wellness trends and traditions.
/// Music by <a href="https://anchor.fm/dashboard/episode/el15ik/metadata/edit" rel="nofollow">Ilithios</a> + <a href="https://eljezel.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow">El Jezel</a> /// Produced by <a href="https://www.stereoactivemedia.com/" rel="nofollow">Stereoactive Media</a>

Ep 3 // Microdosing, Spiritual Bypassing, & Shaman Durek, Spiritual Advisor to the Stars

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/2/6/17/96d26c80-6d47-4e1d-8b42-7fcd90ea74fe_F2020-11-05_2F1790eb78e5b5ebf13909374d814bdcb0.m4a

How do Impossible Burgers measure up to meat-based burgers–or just straight up vegetables for that matter? Is Buddhist meditation worth the time and effort? And is Netflix&#39;s &#39;Unwell&#39; series a good look at health and wellness trends? It&#39;s the second episode of &#39;Hell &amp; Wellness,&#39; and hosts Matt Ruby and Rob Kramer are back to review health and wellness trends and traditions. 
/// Music by <a href="https://anchor.fm/dashboard/episode/el15ik/metadata/edit" rel="nofollow">Ilithios</a> + <a href="https://eljezel.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow">El Jezel</a> /// Produced by <a href="https://www.stereoactivemedia.com/" rel="nofollow">Stereoactive Media</a>

Ep 2 // Impossible Burgers, Buddhist Meditation, & 'Unwell' on Netflix

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/2/6/17/70eef539-4a83-46e8-a249-95bc76054d8d_20-8-21_2F66fcd6ab-e75a-f463-22b2-84d5906dfcee.mp3

Welcome to the first episode of our new podcast, &#39;Hell &amp; Wellness,&#39; hosted by Matt Ruby and Rob Kramer. Think of them as Siskel and Ebert for health and wellness trends and traditions. Will juice fasting get rated as &#34;hell?&#34; Will standing desks be deemed &#34;well?&#34; And what is up with this dude on &#39;Real Housewives of Wherever the Hell’ and his claimed ability to heal people–and what was that he said about cancer?? 
/// Music by Ilithios + <a href="https://eljezel.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow">El Jezel</a> /// Produced by <a href="https://www.stereoactivemedia.com/" rel="nofollow">Stereoactive Media</a>

Ep 1 // Juice Fasts, Standing Desks, & Frequency Healing

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/2/6/17/fbee0501-ef9c-4686-af53-3064802c49e1__2F2020-8-20_2F109671389-44100-2-65d4226e793bf.m4a

&#39;Hell &amp; Wellness&#39; is a new podcast hosted by Matt Ruby and Rob Kramer. Subscribe now to get the 1st episode in your feed on Tuesday, Sep. 29th!
Matt Ruby is a comedian and dabbler in the health and wellness space. And Rob Kramer is a longtime meditator, yogi, and wellness neurotic who gave up guru chasing years ago. The hosts seek ways to improve their lives and enhance their overall wellness. But neither of them have much patience for the pretensions, BS, or quackery that run rampant in the wellness space. Think of them as the Siskel &amp; Ebert for wellness as they discuss and review everything from traditions to trends. Along the way, they’ll separate the useful from the useless. The pure from the poison. And the hacks from the quacks.
/// Music by <a href="https://www.ilithios.com/" rel="nofollow">Ilithios</a> /// Produced by <a href="https://www.stereoactivemedia.com/" rel="nofollow">Stereoactive Media</a>

Primer: About the Podcast

Snake oil or miracle cure? That’s the question hosts Matt Ruby and Rob Kramer tackle. Ruby, a comedian, and Kramer, a longtime meditator, yogi and guru chaser, dive deep into the world of meditation apps, juice cleanses, psychedelic therapy, and more. They give you their no-BS take on health and wellness trends and alternative therapies. Think of them as the Siskel &amp; Ebert of wellness, helping you to separate the healthy hacks from the silly quacks. Along the way, you’ll get insights, laughs, and a much needed antidote to the self-important pretentiousness of Goop juicing Burners.