The Rich Roll Podcast

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.

Rich Roll and Simon Hill discuss the rise and fall of the plant-based movement, identifying three main factors: misleading health messaging around processed plant-based products, counterproductive communication strategies within the vegan community, and cultural/political shifts that have weaponized plant-based eating as a symbol of 'wokeness' opposed to masculinity.

Ed O'Brien of Radiohead discusses his journey through depression and mental health crisis, framing it as a transformative hero's journey that led to creating his solo album Blue Morpho and developing a deeper connection to his authentic self and creative expression. He explores how childhood trauma, perfectionism, lack of self-worth, and the pressure of success contributed to his depression, and how meditation, acupuncture, therapy, lifestyle changes, and reconnection with nature and spirituality enabled his healing.

Rich Roll argues that modern society's obsession with self-optimization and digital consumption is fueling loneliness and despair, while true fulfillment comes from selfless action, meaningful relationships, and embracing discomfort. He introduces the concept of 'fulfillment maxing' as the antidote to surface-level 'looks maxing' and self-obsession. The path forward, he contends, begins with small contrary actions taken daily that compound into genuine purpose and self-mastery.

Rachel Entrekin, a physical therapist and ultrarunner, discusses her historic outright win at the 2025 Cocodona 250-mile race, where she beat all competitors including men's champion Killian Korth. She shares how shifting from outcome-focused to process-focused racing, prioritizing joy and gratitude, and solving her nutrition strategy transformed her performance across three consecutive wins. The conversation also covers her recovery from anorexia, the spiritual dimensions of ultrarunning, and how attitude functions as a performance variable.

Andrew Yang joins Rich Roll to discuss smartphone addiction, AI's cognitive toll, and Yang's new venture Noble Mobile, which incentivizes users to reduce phone usage by offering cash rebates on cellular bills. They explore the psychological mechanisms of phone addiction, its measurable harms to mental health and relationships, and practical strategies for reclaiming attention and time.

Adam and Rich Roll discuss the inaugural Enhanced Games held in Las Vegas, analyzing the athletic performances, the business model of selling performance-enhancing drugs through sport spectacle, and the broader cultural implications of normalized PED use and self-optimization culture.

Paul Rosolie, conservationist and founder of Jungle Keepers, discusses his mission to protect a critical section of the Amazon rainforest, his encounters with uncontacted indigenous tribes (the Nomole), the threats from loggers, narco-traffickers, and gold miners, and how his organization is working to create a national park by protecting 300,000+ acres.

Rich Roll interviews executive coach Joe Hudson, founder of Art of Accomplishment, who argues that stress and self-sabotage stem primarily from emotional repression and negative self-talk rather than external circumstances. Hudson presents a framework where emotional fluidity, self-understanding over self-improvement, and welcoming difficult emotions are the foundations of lasting transformation. The conversation weaves between coaching philosophy, personal disclosures from both men, and practical tools for emotional intelligence.

Rich Roll and his wife Julie Piatt discuss Rich's 72-hour iboga ceremony experience conducted in the Bwiti tradition, exploring how the grueling psychedelic journey differed from his prior psilocybin/MDMA experience and what personal transformations emerged in the weeks following. Julie shares her perspective as his partner of 25 years, noting specific behavioral shifts she observed. Both emphasize the importance of integration, the role of feminine healing energy, and caution listeners against pursuing this without serious deliberation.

Andy Glaze shares his inspiring journey from addiction to becoming a successful ultra-endurance athlete, emphasizing the healing power of movement and the importance of positivity. He discusses personal growth, the value of failure, and how transformation is achievable for everyone over time.

Psychiatrist Dr. Paul Conti discusses his framework for understanding mental health through the structure and function of self, arguing that compassionate curiosity and self-inquiry are more effective than symptom-focused treatment. He introduces the concept of three human drives—assertion, pleasure, and generative—and argues that optimal mental health comes from balancing these drives with the generative drive leading. The conversation covers self-sabotage, trauma, defense mechanisms, boundary-setting, and practical steps toward empowerment and agency.

Rich Roll explains his 4 AM workout routine and daily gym photography habit as tools for accountability and creativity, arguing that small consistent actions compounded over decades are the foundation of meaningful transformation. He introduces the 'tortoise mindset' as an antidote to reactive, distraction-driven modern living, emphasizing patience and long-term thinking over short-term results. The episode weaves together themes of intentional living, mood following action, and the power of constraints to drive creativity.

David Epstein, author of 'Range' and his new book 'Inside the Box,' discusses how constraints drive creativity and productivity, why total freedom undermines creative output, and how scientific research is frequently misinterpreted or fabricated. The conversation spans topics from the replication crisis in science to the psychological benefits of self-imposed limits, satisficing versus maximizing, and the erosion of social norms and institutions.

Rich Roll and Adam Skolnick record an outdoor 'Roll On' episode discussing the pitfalls of the self-optimization culture, recent cultural experiences including South by Southwest and the Artemis II mission, and a wide-ranging media diet covering music, documentaries, and film. The conversation centers on a shared desire to move away from constant self-improvement toward genuine presence, authentic connection, and collecting meaningful life moments.

Tech journalist Nick Bilton discusses his reporting on Silicon Valley elites, their mastery of storytelling and myth-making, and his concerns about AI potentially ending humanity. He explores how billionaire tech leaders craft narratives around themselves and their companies, while sharing insights on storytelling, writing, and the future of AI in creative industries.

The speaker shares his year-long recovery journey from spinal fusion surgery at age 59, detailing how he transformed what seemed like a setback into an opportunity for physical and emotional rebuilding. He describes losing 35 pounds in 100 days and completely reframing his approach to fitness from self-punishment to self-love and joy.

Max Jolliffe shares his journey from heroin addiction and homelessness to becoming an elite ultrarunner, winning the Moab 240 after only a few years of running. He discusses how his recovery through Alcoholics Anonymous provided tools that transfer to ultra endurance racing.

Rich Roll analyzes Tiger Woods' recent DUI arrest through the lens of addiction and childhood trauma. He argues that Tiger's behavior reflects the irrational nature of addiction and potential unconscious self-sabotage driven by unhealed emotional wounds from a demanding childhood.

Arthur Brooks discusses the crisis of meaning affecting young people and strivers, arguing it stems from our over-reliance on technology which favors left-brain activity over right-brain mystery and meaning-making. He presents meaning as consisting of three components: coherence (understanding why things happen), purpose (direction and goals), and significance (why your life matters).