The Johnjay Van Es Podcast

Chris Tuff went from rock bottom to a life built on better questions, saved asks, and everyday courage.

We get into fun, practical tips for actually connecting—why “saving your asks” beats the LinkedIn spam, how a quick video message packs more punch than email, and how to turn small talk into something real.

Chris also shares his daily habits that keep him grounded and family routines that help teens survive the chaos. Packed with w...

What if half the “food” in your pantry is actually just keeping you tired and craving more? Let's unpack that.

From leaving pop radio to starting Culture Apothecary, we share the real-life health wake-up that changed everything, plus the easy swaps that make a difference fast: raw milk, sourdough, beef tallow, and salt that actually has minerals in it.

We talk red light, travel hacks, and why not every wellness trend ...

What if hiring your next CEO started with a real conversation instead of a job post? 

Max Hansen, co-founder of Y Scouts, shares how he turned recruiting into a purpose-driven adventure, matching leaders to roles that actually fit who they are, not just what’s on their resume.

We get into covert searches, culture fits, and why great leaders don’t need a script. Plus, Max opens up about his own routines, from hiking Camelbac...

The Foundry: Hot Yoga, Sweat, and Community

A tiny hot studio, a stubborn dream, and a community forged in 105 degree. This is how Nicole built The Foundry, a yoga network where people come to sweat, heal, and start over. We dive into first classes that feel impossible, the discipline of the 26 and 2, and the calm that comes when you stay in the room.

Nicole shares what keeps students coming back, shorter classes for busy schedules, ...

What do you get when a 21-year-old skips college, gets married young, and starts building a life from pure purpose? 

A story that’s equal parts guts, growth, and gratitude. We talk about how a move to Molokai shaped everything, how Lifebook turned self-discovery into structure, and how new tools like Lumen help turn big visions into daily habits that stick.

It’s a mix of real talk, reflection, and a few laughs about figuring out life...

Joe Polish: Recovery, Marketing & the Business of Being Human

What if the same principles that heal trauma could also build great businesses? Entrepreneur and recovery advocate Joe Polish shares how connection, not competition, drives both healing and success.

He opens up about addiction, shame, and authenticity, then breaks down how ethical marketing works: educate, don’t manipulate. Joe’s ELF filter easy, lucrative, fun, shows ...

Restaurateur Craig DeMarco (Postino, Le Grande Orange) has logged 4,600+ hikes up Camelback Mountain, not for fitness, but as a daily meditation that shaped his approach to parenting, partnership, and community.

In this episode, Craig shares the rituals that endure slow hikes, mindful practices, optimized sleep, and prevention-focused health, along with insights on marriage, parenting, and creating neighborhood hubs like Air Guitar....

What if your immune system already knows how to fight cancer, if only it could see it? 

In this episode, immunotherapy pioneers Dr. Matt Halpert, Dr. Dan Rubin, and Dr. Rafael Gonzalez explain how their breakthrough at Immunoscene “removes the blindfold” from your body’s natural defenses using your own immune cells.

They share powerful patient stories, the science behind dendritic cell therapy, and why preserving tumor tiss...

Elvia Van Es Oliva didn’t just “break into” reality TV; she built a whole career out of it. From her very first job as a temp on Rescue 911 to interviewing Steven Spielberg and eventually running shows for Gordon Ramsay’s studio, her story is packed with crazy behind-the-scenes moments and hard-won lessons.

Oh, and there’s a love story too; she met her husband while producing a million-dollar reality competition (he lost the prize b...

What if you’re being zombified right now, by your phone, your gut microbes, or even your dog? 

Dr. Athena Aktipis, the “Zombie Professor,” breaks down how unseen forces influence our thoughts and behaviors in ways we don’t realize. From smartphone addiction hacks to the surprising science of pets, microbes, and even cancer cells, she shows how playful ideas can unlock serious insights about being human.

👉 Hit play and subs...

Family takes the spotlight as JohnJay rings in his birthday with wife Blake and oldest son Jake in a crossover conversation that’s equal parts heartfelt, funny, and real.

From marriage communication (including why John admits he goes to bed angry) to health experiments like stem cell treatments in Mexico, the trio opens up with surprising honesty. They share insights on parenting, navigating the empty nest phase, and even the little...

What happens when an engineer and a nurse discover their true calling as marriage coaches?

Meet Aaron and Jocelyn Freeman, the couple behind a relationship coaching movement that’s helped thousands of partners shift from surviving to thriving.

From almost breaking up after a gym date to building a coaching brand with nearly a million followers, their story is full of real-life lessons. They share how their own clashing con...

What if all the scattered thoughts, half-finished projects, and “doom piles” weren’t flaws but part of how your brain is uniquely wired? 

ADHD expert and author Meredith gets real about her late diagnosis and how finally understanding her brain turned years of frustration into self-acceptance.

She breaks down why ADHD minds think in “spider webs” instead of straight lines, how that can be a struggle in structured settings b...

What do you get when a radio show spinoff turns into a no-filter family chat?

JohnJay Van Es and his wife Blake sit down with their son Kemp, who takes over the interview chair with listener questions and his own take on growing up as one of three boys.

From hilarious “boy mom” moments and fart-joke confessions to heartfelt reflections on marriage, parenting, and family traditions, this episode is part comedy, part life les...

Modern motherhood, burnout, and building your village—Regina Steele says it’s time to stop doing it alone.

In this honest and empowering episode, Regina opens up about her journey from autoimmune struggles to becoming a nutrition coach and author of Mother Fcked: The Anti-Perfectionist Guide to Surviving and Thriving in the Chaos of Modern Motherhood*.

She shares no-BS health tips (think: real food, fewer ingredients, zero pressure),...

MMA legend Mark Kerr’s true story of addiction, redemption, and resilience is raw and unforgettable.

From underground fights in Brazil to an upcoming biopic by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Mark Kerr’s life is the stuff of legend and pain. Known as “The Smashing Machine,” Kerr dominated early MMA with raw power and chilling instincts, but his greatest fight was outside the cage: battling addiction and finding redemption throu...

What if your body already knows how to heal if you just give it the right tools?

This week, we sit down with the Certified Health Nut, who’s spent 35 years exploring natural healing and transforming his own life—from 340 pounds to a vibrant wellness advocate.

We talk ancient wisdom, controversial biohacks (yes, including sun exposure in very unexpected places), fasting, seed oils, and why most modern illnesses might just c...

What do you do when you’ve made millions, but don’t know what to do with them? Walter Clarke saw this firsthand and set out to fix it, not by selling, but by teaching.

From helping wealthy entrepreneurs understand their finances to writing 401Kid to teach kids about money early, Walter’s mission is clear: empower people before they get taken advantage of.

Oh, and he’s also a 62-year-old Ironman athlete training for a 100-m...

He begged for a job at Foot Locker. Now he runs a sneaker empire!

Ryan Gazinski’s story isn’t about luck, it’s about relentless hustle, real relationships, and doing the work when no one’s watching. From cleaning floors for $6.75/hour to building Guest List, designing for the Suns, and creating a three-story retail concept with Ronnie 2K, Ryan’s built it all without shortcuts.

🔥 If you're into sneakers, startups, or just storie...