The Rich Roll Podcast

Journalist Anand Giridharadas discusses his new book 'Man in the Mirror,' which investigates the 2023 Jordan Neely subway death through a lens of empathy and human connection. He explains how he shifted from being a pundit making moral judgments to returning to ground-level reporting, and argues that radical humanization is the antidote to dehumanization in contemporary American politics.

Malcolm Gladwell and Kenya Barris discuss their friendship, creative philosophies, and the evolving media landscape in a conversation about building empires, protecting creative vision, and adapting to changing industry dynamics. They explore how curiosity, authenticity, and voice are essential for success, while examining how streaming platforms, brand partnerships, and the creator economy are reshaping entertainment.

Colin Kaepernick discusses his new memoir covering his journey from childhood experiences with racism to his 2016 NFL protest, his decade of activism through Know Your Rights Camp and other initiatives, and his ongoing commitment to social justice work while maintaining the hope of returning to professional football.

Bryan Johnson and Kate Tolo discuss their dual diagnoses of incurable diseases (autoimmune gastritis and endometriosis), their $2.6 million quantified health protocol measuring 1,900 biomarkers, and their mission to reframe humanity's relationship with existence and mortality around the principle of saying 'yes to existence' rather than pursuing immortality.

William Goodge discusses his upcoming challenge of running 50 marathons in 50 states in 24 days starting October 9th, a feat requiring unprecedented logistical precision involving private jets, commercial flights, and military-style coordination. He shares his philosophy on overcoming fear, the role of psychedelics and grief in his athletic journey, and his commitment to raising money for Stand Up to Cancer in honor of his late mother.

In this extensive interview, action star Dolph Lundgren discusses his extraordinary life journey from an abused childhood in Sweden to Hollywood stardom, his unexpected transition from chemical engineering to acting, and his recent battle with kidney cancer that fundamentally transformed his understanding of life and self-worth.

Olympic runner Jenny Simpson suffered sudden cardiac arrest during a community mile race in June 2024, collapsing with no pulse but surviving thanks to immediate CPR and an AED. She was diagnosed with ARVC (arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy), a rare inherited heart condition that progressively replaces healthy heart muscle with scar tissue, and now faces the likelihood of never running competitively again while navigating profound identity reconstruction and spiritual reckoning.

Tommy Runs shares his journey from severe alcoholism and street life in Detroit to 9+ years of sobriety, veganism, and becoming an accomplished ultramarathon runner and content creator. He discusses how recovery work in AA formed the foundation for all his subsequent achievements, his mission to increase representation of Black people in running and trail racing, and how endurance sports serve as a spiritual practice for processing trauma and building self-love.

Hunter Biden discusses his lifelong struggle with addiction, recovery journey, and the public exposure that ultimately became a catalyst for genuine healing. He emphasizes that trauma (both from childhood accidents and self-inflicted shame) drives addiction, and that service to others is essential to maintaining sobriety while working to build aftercare systems for those without his privilege.

Hella Sidibe discusses his 3,349-day consecutive running streak, now in his tenth year, reflecting on how daily running transformed his mindset from negative and jealous to grateful and abundant. He emphasizes that his success stems from gratitude, self-talk, community support, and finding joy in the present moment rather than material possessions.

Manoj Dias, a Sri Lankan meditation teacher and founder of the Open App, discusses how mindfulness is fundamentally about being present rather than calm, and how it differs from the Western wellness industry's optimization-focused approach. Rich Roll and Dias explore how meditation and breathwork serve as entry points to deeper self-discovery, and how letting go of rigid identity constructs allows for continuous growth and transformation throughout life.

Lee Sung-jin, creator of Netflix's Beef, discusses his journey from personal mental health struggles to creating acclaimed television that explores identity, spirituality, and generational divides. He shares insights on storytelling structure, the creative process, mentorship, and his upcoming X-Men project while reflecting on themes of samsara, attachment, and the universal patterns that bind human experience.

Johannes Klæbo, the most decorated Winter Olympic athlete, discusses his training regimen, mental strategies, and the evolution of cross-country skiing. He emphasizes the importance of technique, enjoyment in sport, and the balance between physical and mental preparation for competitions.

The episode features a discussion between the host and Ryan Holiday about Christopher Nolan's adaptation of 'The Odyssey.' They explore themes of Stoicism, human nature, and the moral complexities within the story while reflecting on its relevance in contemporary society.

Michelle Khare discusses her journey from corporate jobs to becoming a YouTube creator known for extreme challenge videos, emphasizing how anxiety and immigrant family values shaped her approach to risk-taking, team building, and content creation. She explains her philosophy of being "daring" rather than "reckless," her slow-growth strategy prioritizing quality over quantity, and how she's building a sustainable production company that rivals traditional television in scope and storytelling.

Malcolm Gladwell, Chris Chavez, and Rich Roll discuss how running and track are marketed and presented to audiences, arguing that the sport focuses too heavily on racing performance rather than training and personal stories. They explore how elite athletes like Molly Seidel are transitioning to ultramarathons, debate whether younger athletes are peaking earlier due to shoes and training methods, and examine how other sports like golf and Formula One create compelling narratives that running lacks.

Mark Dowdle, an ultra-endurance athlete who transitioned from college sports to running, discusses his journey from struggling with alcohol and identity issues to winning the BPN Backyard Ultra (306 miles in 73 hours). He emphasizes that his superpower is not physical ability but rather a commitment to discovering his capabilities through mindset work, faith, and maintaining grounded relationships that keep him from becoming ego-driven.

Rich and Julie Piatt celebrate episode 1,000 of the Rich Roll podcast by reflecting on its origins in 2012 during a period of severe financial hardship on a Kauai mango farm. They discuss how the podcast emerged from creative necessity rather than business opportunity, evolved into a vehicle for transformation stories and human connection, and has become a platform that continues to grow and adapt to changing media formats.

Danny McBride discusses his new short story collection "Thrilling Tales of Modern Men," his career trajectory from Eastbound & Down to The Righteous Gemstones, and his exploration of modern masculinity through flawed, disappointed male characters. He reflects on growing up in rural Virginia, attending film school at UNC School of the Arts, building a creative community in Charleston, and the evolution of comedy from film to television.

Dr. Kelly Starrett discusses how the wellness industry has become deranged with expensive gadgets and biohacks that distract from fundamental principles of health: community, movement, joy, and play. He argues that elite athletes don't use these products, that people need to start again and embrace beginner's mindset, and that training should be fun rather than suffer-focused to be sustainable.