Aaron Houghton is a tech founder, mental performance researcher, and creator of the Optimal Pace Protocol.

A system designed to turn overwhelmed founders and leaders into what he calls “Superhuman Mental Athletes.”

Aaron built and sold his company for over $100M before age 30. But the price of success wasn’t freedom, it was panic attacks, burnout, and two battles with life-threatening cancer.

Check out Aarons work - https://www.instagram.com/thrivewithdory/

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My guest today is Dave Hoyme, one of my childhood best friends.We grew up mowing lawns, playing state tennis, and riding bikes around the south suburbs of Chicago.Dave went on to become a missionary in Africa, earned his MBA at MIT, worked in high-level finance, and recently moved back to Africa to build new ventures.Check out our Sponsor for the easiest way to sneak nutrient dense and detoxifying vegetables into any meal with a 15% discount. Use code STEVE15 at https://bemicro.farm/Connect with Dave on Linkedin -   / david-hoyme-a3191810  

Sound isn’t just something we hear, it’s something that shapes us. In this episode, sound-healing pioneer Jonathan Goldman joins us to explore how vibration and intention can restore balance in the body and mind.We discuss how sound affects us on both a physical and energetic level, why “frequency plus intent equals healing,” and how noise pollution disrupts our natural resonance. Jonathan also reflects on the rise of AI and the importance of maintaining heart-brain coherence and conscious awareness in a noisy world.This conversation dives into the deep relationship between sound, consciousness, and the human spirit, and how tuning in might just be the key to healing.Learn more about Jonathan and his work at: https://www.healingsounds.com/‪@JonathanGoldmanOfficial‬ -Check out our Sponsor for the easiest way to sneak nutrient dense and detoxifying vegetables into any meal with a 15% discount. Use code STEVE15 at https://bemicro.farm/Transcript

Dr. Kevin McSweeney is a former dairy-industry veterinarian who walked away from industrial farming to create a more ethical, small-scale model where calves stay with their mothers. In this episode, he exposes how profit often outweighs welfare, and what it really means to give cows a life worth living.Learn more about Kevin and his work - https://www.fivefreedomsdairy.com/-Check out our Sponsor for the easiest way to sneak nutrient dense and detoxifying vegetables into any meal with a 15% discount. Use code STEVE15 at https://bemicro.farm/

In this episode, I sit down with Graham “The Cosmobiologist” Lau — astrobiologist, science communicator, and Director of Communications at the Blue Marble Space Institute of Science. Graham has spent his career exploring some of humanity’s biggest questions:- How did life begin on Earth?- Could life exist on Mars, Europa, or distant exoplanets?- What would it mean to discover alien intelligence? - And what are our moral responsibilities as we develop AI and explore space?We cover everything from the Fermi Paradox and the search for biosignatures on exoplanets, to ancient civilizations, UFOs, psychedelics, and the meaning of human purpose in the cosmos.Graham also hosts NASA’s “Ask an Astrobiologist” show and is a passionate advocate for long-term thinking, storytelling, and connecting humanity’s future to the stars.If you’ve ever wondered “Are we alone?” or what role humans might play in protecting and spreading life in the universe, this conversation will expand your mind.-Get a 15% discount on Freeze-Dried Microgreens from BeMicro with code STEVE15 at https://bemicro.farm/-Get in touch in the comments below 👇🏼

From experimental art to regenerative farming, Hearty Provisions CEO Roberto Meza’s journey is as unconventional as it is inspiring.

In this conversation, we explore how health challenges led him to microgreens, biodynamic farming, and ultimately to building food hubs that tackle systemic inequities.

Roberto shares insights on the health benefits of whole foods, the lessons he learned from the Amish, and the entrepreneurial challenges of growing a mission-driven business.

We dive into food security, community care, and advocacy for equitable school meals, while also reflecting on the balance between well-being and meaningful work.

This episode is about more than farming, it’s about reimagining our food systems for health, justice, and resilience. 
Check out Roberto's work at https://heartyprovisions.com/-Get a 15% discount on the best supplements from BeMicro with code STEVE15 at https://bemicro.farm/

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Can freeze drying help solve some of the biggest challenges in food and nutrition? In this episode, David Leaman, freeze-drying content creator and strategic partner, takes us inside the science, business, and real-world applications of freeze drying — a preservation method that retains up to 97% of nutrients while dramatically cutting down on food waste. We look at how freeze-dried powders can make kids’ meals more nutrient-dense, how farmers and grocery stores can save unsold produce, and why entrepreneurs are experimenting with everything from candy and chia pudding to pet treats and survival food. David also shares the growing need for industry advocacy — from educating lawmakers to building food safety standards — to ensure freeze drying plays a bigger role in tackling waste and improving access to healthy food. This conversation connects preservation technology with global food security, showing how innovation at the kitchen counter can ripple out to farms, businesses, and even public policy.-Get a 15% discount on the best supplements from BeMicro with code STEVE15 at https://bemicro.farm/-Get in touch in the comments below 👇🏼

In this episode, we speak with Niko Skievaski — co-founder and CEO of Althea, a company building systems to make psychedelic therapy safe, accessible, and fully integrated into mental health care.Niko shares how mushrooms influenced both personal healing and major life choices — including the decision to step away from entrepreneurial success in pursuit of deeper meaning. Together, we explore the role of psilocybin in easing grief, breaking thought patterns, and expanding consciousness.We also dive into the broader picture: the intersection of psychedelics, spirituality, and science, from the “stoned ape theory” and ancient traditions to today’s FDA trials and state-level healing centers. Most importantly, Niko explains why preparation and integration are just as vital as the psychedelic journey itself when it comes to lasting transformation.Follow Niko on LinkedIn where he's active:   / skievaski  Connect with his work: https://withalthea.com/-Get a 15% discount on the best supplements from BeMicro with code STEVE15 at https://bemicro.farm/-Get in touch in the comments below 👇🏼

In this episode of Plant Frequencies, I sit down with Charles Johnson, a long-time friend and medicine facilitator, for a wide-ranging conversation on the intersection of technology, psychedelics, and addiction.

Charles shares his journey from struggling with heroin in his 20s to finding profound healing through Ibogaine, an experience that led him to dedicate his life to supporting others in their recovery. Today, he and his partner are building an “Addiction Academy” in Florianópolis, Brazil, combining psychedelic therapy, practical health education, and community to help people re-learn how to live vibrant lives. Visit their website - https://www.nekawa.com/

We dive into:

-Why the U.S. is the “addiction center of the world”

-How abstinence-only models miss the mark — and why replacement + ritual matter

-The promise and pitfalls of AI: convenience, creativity, and the risk of mental health decline

-The role of psychedelics as both medicine and teacher

-What true education for addiction recovery looks like: exercise, study, spirituality, and nature

This is a rich, honest conversation about breaking cycles, reclaiming human potential, and imagining a future where healing is both ancient and innovative. Enjoy and let us know what you think.

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With over 35 years as a Health and Wellness Coach, Massage Therapist, Yoga Teacher, and founder of multiple wellness ventures, Grace Ventura has dedicated her life to guiding others through transition with compassion, creativity, and embodied practice.

In this conversation, Grace shares her journey from raising six children to launching an organic food brand, and now leading Gracious Pathways, where she helps people reclaim wellness through somatic practices, daily self-care rituals, and soul-centered coaching.

We explore the power of ceremony, nature, and movement, as well as teachings from Don Miguel Ruiz and the Four Agreements, Native traditions, and her own Soul Imprint art process.

Grace’s story is a reminder that resilience, alignment, and integrity don’t come from pushing harder, they come from listening deeply, trusting life, and practicing grace every day.

- Check out Grace's 12 week coaching program -

- and Soul Imprint process

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What does it mean to lead with heart in the age of AI? In this powerful conversation with Carlotta Mast, industry leader, board member, and champion of conscious business, we explore the intersection of people, purpose, and technology.Carlotta shares insights on:-How to use AI as a tool without losing human creativity and agency.-Building businesses rooted in service, connection, and abundance.-The future of regenerative organic practices (ROC) and why they matter.-Bridging the gap between nonprofits and for-profits through true partnership.-Conscious leadership, burnout culture, and self-care as a path to sustainable impact.We also dive into Carla’s personal journey, from navigating tough decisions as a leader, to rethinking our relationship with nature, to her vision of a flourishing future where people and planet thrive together.Whether you’re an entrepreneur, leader, or simply curious about conscious business and wellness, this episode will inspire you to think bigger, act with intention, and lead with care.Follow Carlotta on Linkedin where she's active - https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlottamast/Connect with her work - https://www.thefifthfield.co/-Get a 15% discount on the best supplements from BeMicro with code STEVE15 at https://bemicro.farm/-Get in touch in the comments below 👇🏼

In episode 17 of Plant Frequencies, I sit down with Zev Paiss. A hemp pioneer, sustainable futurist, and protopian thinker, to explore how we can build a more resilient and hopeful future.With decades of experience in community development, industrial hemp advocacy, and systems thinking, Zev shares insights on:- The rise, challenges, and promise of the hemp movement- What a protopian future looks like, and why it matters- Practical steps to create communities that thrive over the long term- How collaboration and context drive lasting changeThis conversation blends big-picture vision with grounded, actionable wisdom — perfect for anyone curious about sustainability, regenerative solutions, and what it takes to turn ideas into reality.-Get a 15% discount on the best supplements from BeMicro with code STEVE15 at https://bemicro.farm/-Get in touch in the comments below 👇🏼 Or email us at plantfreqs@gmail.com

What happens when a Wall Street advisor walks away from the world of finance to build something more meaningful?In this episode, we sit down with Paul Lussow, the CEO of Giving Place and Tiffingive (https://tifin.com/product/give//) to explore how and why philanthropy needs to evolve. We talk about the deeply personal nature of giving, the myths surrounding nonprofit "efficiency," and the tools that are making it easier, and more impactful, for people to give generously across generations.But this conversation goes beyond business and into the spiritual. We talk about nature as a teacher, building habits that stick, and what it means to lead a life guided by intuition, faith, and reciprocity. From donor-advised funds to talking to plants, this episode is a reminder that generosity isn’t just about money, it’s about presence, courage, and connection.

If you've ever wondered how to align your work, wealth, and well-being with a deeper sense of purpose, this episode is for you.

-Get a 15% discount on the best supplements from BeMicro with code STEVE15 at https://bemicro.farm/-Get in touch in the comments below 👇🏼 Or email us at plantfreqs@gmail.com

Burnout isn’t just about doing too much, it’s about doing the wrong things for the wrong reasons.In this episode, executive coach and spiritual practitioner Robert MacNaughton shares 12 powerful practices for leading with integrity, clarity, and stamina. From checking your calendar for energetic alignment to switching from hustle mode to intuition-led action, this conversation dives deep into what it means to lead from presence, not pressure.We explore the nervous system’s role in leadership, the spiritual roots of burnout, and how founders, creatives, and change-makers can stay in their lane without losing themselves in the process.-Get a 15% discount on the best supplements from BeMicro with code STEVE15 at https://bemicro.farm/-Get in touch in the comments below 👇🏼 Or email us at plantfreqs@gmail.com

Mackenzie Sehlke, Executive Director of the Boulder County Farmers Markets and a Tufts‑trained expert in food policy and nutrition, joins Stephen for a deep dive into the future of farming and local food systems. They discuss the challenges small growers face with USDA guidance, the trade‑offs in keeping microgreens clean and nutrient‑dense, and how federal and local policies shape the path forward. Mackenzie shares her vision for innovation in Colorado agriculture, the role of farmers markets as community hubs, and the vibrant food culture growing in Boulder.-Get a 15% discount on the best supplements from BeMicro with code STEVE15 at https://bemicro.farm/-Get in touch in the comments below 👇🏼 Or email us at plantfreqs@gmail.com

In this deep and wide‑ranging conversation, ceremonial guide and licensed psychotherapist Andres Zambrano opens his medicine bag and his heart. Together we explore the sacred tools of ceremony—mambé, ambil, hape, feathers, smudging, and prayer—and how they awaken intuition, cleanse energy, and invite clarity.Andres speaks on the subtle art of working with plant medicines, how to move beyond spiritual bypassing, and why real transformation requires integration in daily life.

He shares how visions shift depending on our focus, how prayer becomes powerful through emotion and intent, and how spirit often answers only when we truly knock.

We also dive into the complement between sacred ceremony and somatic therapy, unpacking deep wounds instead of hovering over them, and why lasting change is hard but possible with accountability, courage, and grace.

We close with rapid‑fire reflections on plants and medicines—tobacco, cannabis, psilocybin, cedar, ayahuasca, peyote, microgreens—and a beautiful prayer for everyone who might stumble upon this conversation.

Connect with Andres:📧 andresz@protonmail.com

Get a 15% discount on the best supplements from BeMicro with code STEVE15 at https://bemicro.farm/

-Get in touch in the comments below 👇🏼 Or email us at plantfreqs@gmail.com

In this episode, herbalist and formulator Jessica Baker explores the deep, often overlooked relationship between humans and the plant world.

From the evolutionary wisdom of cannabis to the everyday stress relief of a walk among street trees, we unpack how plants shape our health, history, and consciousness.

Jessica shares grounded ways for urban dwellers to reconnect with nature — even in concrete jungles — and offers insights into cannabis cultivation, responsible use, and its many medicinal and industrial applications. We also touch on the surprising science behind microgreens and the vast potential of hemp beyond CBD.

Tune in for a conversation that will shift how you see plants — not just as remedies, but as teachers, partners, and elders in the web of life.-Follow Jessica: website: https://bakerbotanica.comInstagram: @jessicabaker_herbalistYoutube: ‪@jessicabakerherbalist‬ -Get a 15% discount on the best supplements from BeMicro with code STEVE15 at https://bemicro.farm/-Get in touch in the comments below 👇🏼 Or email us at plantfreqs@gmail.com

Ryan Lynch is a plant scientist and genomics researcher at the Salk Institute whose work focuses on root architecture, fatty acid biosynthesis, and building climate-resilient crops.Food systems are collapsing under the weight of climate change, degraded soils, and nutrient-poor crops. But what if the answers aren’t above ground—in the leaves, stems, or fruit—but underneath, in the roots?Ryan believes the overlooked and underground world of root systems is the key to the future of agriculture. By decoding plant genetics and optimizing how roots interact with soil, scientists can breed crops that are more nutritious, more resilient, and more sustainable.In this conversation, we dive into how plants adapt to stress, why modern crops are weaker than their ancestors, how fatty acids link to human health, and what it actually takes to redesign a food system from the soil up.Expect to learn why modern farming broke the plant-human relationship, what the Salk Institute is doing to fix it, how genomics can fight climate change, what most people get wrong about "natural food," the surprising ways roots communicate, and much more...00:00 Intro – Who is Ryan Lynch?05:52 Why Roots Matter More Than You Think14:15 The Hidden Power of Plant Genomics23:44 What We've Lost in Modern Farming33:01 Why Soil Health is Human Health45:19 Can Genetics Fix Agriculture?54:20 Root Systems and Climate Change1:06:15 How Plants Talk to Soil1:14:42 The Future of Crop Breeding1:25:39 How to Grow Food for a Warmer World1:32:06 What Science Still Doesn’t Know About Plants1:42:10 Ryan’s Advice for Future Innovators-Get a 15% discount on the best supplements from BeMicro with code STEVE15 at https://bemicro.farm/-Get in touch in the comments below or head to...Instagram: / plant.frequencies.podcastEmail: plantfreqs@gmail.com

High-tech farming is failing. What now?In this episode, I sit down with my good friend, JC Chidiac, horticultural engineer and founder of Culty Bio, to talk about why so many modern farms are collapsing — and what it actually takes to grow healthy food in a changing climate.We cover:🌱 Why vertical farms and hydroponics keep flopping💡 The difference between controlling nature vs working with it🌍 What regenerative farming actually means🍓 Why most grocery store produce is nearly nutrientless🔥 How JC is rebuilding food systems in Brazil with simple greenhouses, real soil, and local inputsIf you care about food, climate, or the future of agriculture, this episode is for you.🎧 Brought to you by BeMicro — USDA Organic & Regenerative freeze-dried microgreens. Use code Steve15 to save.🔗 Connect with JC:@FenixReggae on social#farming #regenerativeagriculture #greenhousefarming #microgreens #climatefuture #soilhealth #hydroponics

In this episode community herbalist, forager, menstrual cycle educator, and doula Jay Schwarz shares insights on herbalism, women’s health, and reconnecting with nature.

We explore the many uses of herbs—from teas to skincare—along with sustainable foraging, the healing power of plants like motherwort, and the link between physical and emotional well-being.

Tune in for a thoughtful conversation on listening to your body, understanding hormonal cycles, and reclaiming traditional wisdom for modern wellness.

-Get a 15% discount on the best supplements from BeMicro with code STEVE15 at https://bemicro.farm/

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