Mighty Pursuit Podcast

Episode 42: Famous sex therapist (& her husband) debunk sex myths

Vanessa Marin one of the most influential sex therapists on the internet, helping millions of people better understand themselves and cultivate deeper, more fulfilling relationships. In her personal practice, she has worked with thousands of clients, gaining firsthand insight into the challenges couples face behind closed doors.
 
Alongside her husband Xander, the duo has built a movement rooted in honesty, humor, and practical advice—making conversations about sex more approachable than ever. In Vanessa's personal practice, she’s worked with thousands of clients. In 2024, they released Sex Talks, which became an instant New York Times bestseller. Their work has even earned praise from Dr. John Gottman, widely regarded as the foremost expert on relationships over the last 40 years.
 
In this episode, we’re diving headfirst into the topics that so many people struggle with but rarely talk about. We tackle the biggest sex myths that hold couples back, the truth about mismatched sex drives, and how to navigate those all-too-common dry spells. We break down the art of initiating sex, explore the psychology of sexual fantasies, and unpack why communication is the key to a satisfying sex life.
 
This is a raw, insightful, and fun conversation that will leave you with a new perspective on intimacy and connection. Whether you're with your partner for the long-term or just looking to understand yourself better, there’s something here for everyone.
 
Timestamps:0:00 - Intro1:23 - Starting a sex therapy business together10:31 - The fairy tales we believe about sex21:24 - How kids get in the way of sex32:33 - 93% of couples have dry spells44:06 - How sex drives actually work48:44 - The physical-emotional conundrum54:25 - Should men initiate sex?58:06 - Worst initiation techniques1:02:09 - The Six Initiation Styles1:08:14 - Understanding your partner’s body1:14:22 - Faking orgasms1:17:02 - Women don’t orgasm during sex?1:25:17 - Sexual fantasies
 
Follow Vanessa & Xander on social media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanessaandxander/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vanessaandxander
 
Mighty Pursuit Links:Website: https://www.mightypursuit.comInstagram:  https://www.instagram.com/mightypursuit/TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@mightypursuit/X: https://x.com/MightyPursuit
 
Related Episodes:Dr. Ian Kerner: https://youtu.be/EkCzHTEkSWk?si=Aknq0P1_Bms-8Re3
 
Visit our Sex Hub:https://mightypursuit.com/sex
 
For business inquiries: hello@mightypursuit.com

Episode 41: "The Office" star Rainn Wilson on mental health, addiction & spirituality

Rainn Wilson is best known for his role as Dwight Schrute on The Office—one of the most iconic characters in television history. The Office consistently ranks among the greatest TV shows of all time and has remained one of the most watched shows on streaming services in the last five years.
 
But there’s so much more to Rainn than his acting career. As the co-founder of SoulPancake, he has spent years exploring life’s biggest questions and is one of Hollywood’s most outspoken voices on spirituality. He’s also a bestselling author, with The Bassoon King (2015) and SoulBoom (2023), the latter making an instant splash on The New York Times bestseller list.
 
In this episode, Rainn opens up about his personal journey—his battles with addiction, anxiety, and an existential crisis, and how he found healing through therapy and spirituality. We also dive into his Hollywood breakthrough, the myth that success leads to happiness, and why he believes the Western world is in desperate need of a spiritual revolution.
 
From consciousness and religion to human suffering and mental health, this is Rainn at his most raw, insightful, and thought-provoking.
 
Timestamps:0:00 - Intro2:43 - Sponsor: N-2 Water3:42 - Getting rejected at Juilliard12:22 - Rainn’s drug addiction15:25 - Going to therapy for first time17:58 - Why Rainn had a mental health crisis 21:41 - Constant panic attacks26:57 - Generational trauma & Rainn’s childhood34:18 - Becoming an atheist38:08 - Considering spirituality42:34 - Answered prayer or coincidence? 46:10 - Investigating the truth54:11 - Moving to Hollywood56:20 - Landing The Office role1:02:55 - Becoming famous1:04:47 - The Rocker1:10:44 - The insatiable desire for more1:17:53 - My Last Days1:22:13 - The need for a spiritual revolution1:32:54 - Psychedelics1:39:07 - Consciousness1:49:48 - Religion1:56:54 - Morality2:07:19 - Suffering, pain & struggles2:15:45 - Are all religions the same?2:29:08 - Biggest takeaways
 
Get 20% off your first order of N-2 Water with code EARLYSIPS at checkout:https://www.n-2water.com/mightypursuit
 
Buy SoulBoom:https://amzn.to/41N1qEc
 
Related Episodes:https://youtu.be/m-9o5aFAqrIhttps://youtu.be/f5mzNrdactw
 
Rainn Wilson Links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rainnwilson/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rainnwilson
 
Mighty Pursuit Links:Website: https://www.mightypursuit.comInstagram:  https://www.instagram.com/mightypursuit/TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@mightypursuit/X: https://x.com/MightyPursuit
 
For business inquiries: hello@mightypursuit.com

Episode 40: Harvard psychiatrist Dr. Uma Naidoo on food, mood & anxiety pills

Dr. Uma Naidoo is widely recognized as Harvard’s leading expert on the connection between mood and food. She has been called the world’s first “triple threat” in the fields of nutrition and medicine. Not only is she a psychiatrist but also a trained nutritionist and professional chef, uniquely blending these disciplines to pioneer the field of nutritional psychiatry.
 
As the Director of Nutritional and Lifestyle Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital—one of the top hospitals in the world—Dr. Naidoo has been at the forefront of research on how food impacts mental health. 
 
Her influence has grown significantly, fueled by the success of her New York Times bestseller This Is Your Brain on Food and her follow-up book, Calm Your Mind with Food, which explores the link between diet and anxiety. 
 
On the Mighty Pursuit Podcast, we've explored both mental health and nutrition in depth. Today, we bring those themes together as Dr. Naidoo unpacks the latest science behind how what we eat shapes our mental well-being. In this episode, we talk about the brain-gut connection, the impact that chronic stress has on the body and whether chemical imbalances are truly the cause of mental health issues. 
 
We then dive into treatment options, discussing the effectiveness of pharmaceutical interventions like antidepressants, as opposed to using food to improve your mood. If you’re anything like us, you probably find the link between food and mood to be surprising. But ultimately what you’ll discover is that understanding this link will go a long way towards improving both your physical and mental health.
 
Timestamps:0:00 - Intro1:20 - Sponsor: N-2 Water3:28 - The science behind mood & food8:39 - How mental health affects the gut10:26 - How food affects your mental health13:50 - The important of treating both simultaneously18:04 - The shocking truth about “chemical imbalances”25:09 - The medical system is set up to prescribe pills37:08 - Doctors don’t know why SSRIs work42:21 - The primary causes of mental health issues50:51 - Schizophrenia & gut bacteria55:29 - Metabolism, immune system & mental health1:03:06 - Can food treat serious mental health issues?1:08:34 - Sugar puts you at risk of greater depression1:17:47 - The Western diet is terrible for mental health1:20:23 - Gluten & mental health1:23:26 - A food protocol to become less anxious1:30:41 - Food as medicine for OCD, bipolar & schizophrenia
 
Get 20% off your first order of N-2 Water with code EARLYSIPS at checkout:https://www.n-2water.com/mightypursuit
 
Related Episodes:Dr. William Li on cancer: https://youtu.be/4uOoilQOVAc?si=VjpjJ5dA3sR23t_qDr. Casey Means on the medical system: https://youtu.be/ahDzqXS0-jU?si=PIiIJ_U60TAZd93P
 
Uma Naidoo Links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drumanaidoo/This Is Your Brain On Food: https://amzn.to/3XZp3a9Calm Your Mind With Food: https://amzn.to/3Ril9FE
 
Mighty Pursuit Links:Website: https://www.mightypursuit.comInstagram:  https://www.instagram.com/mightypursuit/TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@mightypursuit/X: https://x.com/MightyPursuit
 
Nutrition Hub:https://www.mightypursuit.com/nutrition
 
For business inquiries: hello@mightypursuit.com

Episode 39: Wealth expert Sahil Bloom on money, happiness & financial freedom

Sahil Bloom is an investor and entrepreneur who started his career managing $3.5 billion in assets at a private equity firm. Since then, he’s become one of the most respected voices in business, with a combined audience of 3 million across LinkedIn, Instagram, X, and his newsletter.
He counts Apple CEO Tim Cook among his mentors. Most recently, he published his first book, The Five Types of Wealth, which became an instant New York Times bestseller.
In this episode, we tackle the big questions on money and wealth-building—does money truly lead to happiness? What do we sacrifice in the pursuit of money? And how do we define what “enough” is in our lives?
Taking this a step further, we break down the rising cost of living, practical strategies for generating income, managing expenses, and growing your investments. 
Finally, we expand the concept of wealth, exploring what it truly means to live a holistic, integrated life. Sahil breaks down the essential roles of time, purpose, and relationships in building true wealth—bringing it all together in what was nothing short of a masterclass.
Chapters0:00 - Intro1:02 - “Money isn’t nothing”3:57 - The science on money & happiness14:55 - Defining what enough looks like20:24 - Struggling to pay the bills25:44 - What’s the purpose of money?36:35 - Using money to serve something greater39:24 - Winning the battle, but losing the war48:29 - Buying things to impress other people56:52 - Be realistic about wealth-building59:54 - Building pathways for income1:04:15 - The meta skills for income generation1:12:58 - Managing your expenses effectively1:16:55 - Investments & financial freedom1:18:06 - The question no one is asking1:24:24 - Sacrificing relationships for money & success1:26:13 - The three types of friends1:27:53 - Making friends & conversation starters1:34:06 - The worst question in the world1:36:32 - Finding your purpose
Buy the Five Types of Wealth:https://rb.gy/oiuuuo
Sahil's Links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sahilbloom/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sahilbloom/X: https://x.com/SahilBloomNewsletter: https://www.sahilbloom.com/newsletter
Mighty Pursuit Links:Website: https://www.mightypursuit.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mightypursuit/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mightypursuit/X: https://x.com/MightyPursuit
For business inquiries: hello@mightypursuit.com

Episode 38: A pastor & divorce lawyer debate marriage

Every month the subject of marriage generates tens of millions of search queries across Google, YouTube, and ChatGPT. 
For years, the 50% divorce rate has been widely publicized, leaving many terrified of entering a marriage that might fail. As a result, the number of people choosing to stay single has skyrocketed—and for those who do get married, prenups are becoming the norm.
So to really do this topic justice, we are exploring it through the ultimate contrast: a pastor and a divorce lawyer. 
Over the last couple years, James Sexton has become the most famous divorce lawyer in the world. Even though he barely uses social media, his social following has gone up 600% since the beginning of 2024. He’s been featured on nearly every major podcast, and many of those conversations regularly get millions of views. Much of the general population loves him because he tells it as it is, with blunt and no-nonsense insights.
On the other side, we have Carl Lentz, who pastored Hillsong NYC for ten years. At its height, nearly 10,000 people attended Hillsong’s Sunday gatherings on a weekly basis, which made it the largest church in New York City. Due to its success, Carl became a fixture in the mainstream media and for a time, generated more publicity than any pastor in the world.
After a highly public downfall in 2020 and facing the brink of divorce himself, he rebuilt his marriage from the ground up. Now, alongside his wife Laura, he shares hard-earned insights on relationships through their podcast, which topped the documentary charts on Apple in 2024.
In this conversation, we tackle all the burning questions on your mind. 
CHAPTERS:0:00 - Trailer + Intro4:11 - Sponsor: N-2 Water8:12 - James’s background19:20 - Carl’s background22:04 - Spiritual vs. legal marriage36:37 - What’s the point of marriage?53:04 - The human condition59:07 - Why do people cheat?1:06:58 - Why faith-based marriages fail at same rate1:09:30 - Getting married too young1:13:11 - No sex before marriage1:19:00 - Is polygyny the ideal for men?1:25:10 - Does James believe in monogamy?1:35:03 - Gaining control over your sex drive1:42:56 - The sex recession amongst Gen Z1:45:21 - Communicating about sex2:00:49 - Are we just picking the wrong people?2:10:10 - The primary reasons marriage fails2:17:31 - Elon Musk & the issue of priorities2:34:16 - The importance of getting multiple perspectives
Get 20% off your first order of N-2 Water with code EARLYSIPS at checkout: https://www.n-2water.com/mightypursuit
Carl Lentz Links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carllentz/Lights On Podcast: https://shorturl.at/jn28W
James Sexton Links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nycdivorcelawyer/X: https://x.com/nycdivorcelaw
Mighty Pursuit Links:Website: https://www.mightypursuit.comInstagram:  https://www.instagram.com/mightypursuit/TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@mightypursuit/X: https://x.com/MightyPursuit
For business inquiries: hello@mightypursuit.com

Episode 37: Tori Hope Petersen on trauma, generational patterns & beating the odds

Tori Hope Petersen is an author and speaker who has been featured on TEDx, ABC News and Good Morning America.
Originally conceived through s*xual abuse, Tori’s chances of succeeding in life were slim to none. She grew up in a household marked by prostitution and drug abuse, was physically and s*xually abused, she was placed in foster care at 4 years old, and then again from 12 to 18 years old. 
She has lived in far too many homes to count, and also spent time in juvenile detention. And yet she stands here to talk about it. Against all odds, Tori not only graduated from college but also authored two books, including her latest release, Breaking the Patterns That Break You. 
So in this conversation, we dive deep into that experience. We discuss the circumstances surrounding her birth, growing up in an abusive household, and the gross injustices she faced while inside the foster care system. Discussing themes like trauma and spirituality, we discover how and why she succeeded, despite every obstacle standing in her way.
Chapters:0:00 - Intro1:07 - The story behind Tori’s birth5:28 - When S.W.A.T. broke down her door18:16 - Going into foster care at age 423:00 - Schizophrenia, bipolar & psych ward visits37:41 - Being placed in juvenile detention43:29 - Living in 12 different foster homes57:08 - The feces, urine & bathtub incident1:13:55 - “I hated God”1:22:20 - How Tori beat the odds1:26:01 - Wrestling with her trauma1:40:58 - Does time heal all wounds?1:45:27 - Forgiveness & closure1:54:22 - The power of sharing your story
Grab a copy of Tori's books:Breaking the Patterns That Break You: https://shorturl.at/pmg0MFostered: https://shorturl.at/lF9kt
Follow Tori on social media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/torihopepetersenTikTok: https://www.instagram.com/torihopepetersen
Mighty Pursuit Links:Website: https://www.mightypursuit.comInstagram:  https://www.instagram.com/mightypursuit/TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@mightypursuit/X: https://x.com/MightyPursuit
Visit our Mental Health Hubhttps://mightypursuit.com/mental-health
For business inquiries: hello@mightypursuit.com

Episode 36: 4x Grammy winner Lecrae on trauma, abuse & the road to healing

Lecrae is a 4x Grammy-winning rapper, entrepreneur, and thought leader, widely celebrated for his groundbreaking impact in both music and culture.
 
He’s also a New York Times bestselling author of two books that offer an unfiltered look into his life story and the journey of healing. Lecrae has been featured by CNN, Forbes, The New York Times, and NPR—not just for his music but for his leadership in addressing mental health.
 
In this episode, we dive deep into Lecrae’s powerful story—from a childhood marked by emotional, sexual, and physical abuse to hitting rock bottom in his early 20s. He opens up about the long road to healing from trauma, the role of spirituality and therapy in his journey, and the courage it takes to embrace true vulnerability.
 
Lecrae also shares how he continues to find purpose and strength in the process of restoration and how his experiences have shaped his mission to inspire others to heal and thrive.
 
Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to his story, we believe this conversation will leave you with a greater understanding of resilience, redemption, and what it means to truly heal.
 
Chapters:0:00 - Intro1:01 - Sponsor: N-2 Water3:08 - Ending up in a psych ward11:12 - Growing up without a father24:06 - Learning what it means to be a man30:11 - Getting physically abused37:58 - Getting sexually abused48:57 - The impact of trauma on his life57:57 - Turning to music as an outlet1:02:08 - Having a psychotic break1:07:25 - What life was like inside the psych ward1:15:50 - Going on a spiritual journey1:20:53 - Drinking binges1:27:15 - Confronting his trauma1:50:31 - Becoming an integrated human being
 
Get 20% off your first order of N-2 Water with code EARLYSIPS at checkout:https://www.n-2water.com/mightypursuit
 
Lecrae Links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lecraeTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@_lecrae
 
Mighty Pursuit Links:Website: https://www.mightypursuit.comInstagram:  https://www.instagram.com/mightypursuit/TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@mightypursuit/X: https://x.com/MightyPursuit
 
Visit our Mental Health Hubhttps://mightypursuit.com/mental-health
 
For business inquiries: hello@mightypursuit.com

Episode 35: Dr. William Li on rising cancer rates, treatment & prevention

Dr. William Li is a renowned cancer researcher, physician and scientist, who is also the author of two New York Times bestselling books – Eat to Beat Disease & Eat To Beat Your Diet.
Dr. Li initially rose to fame in 2010 for his TED Talk,  “Can We Eat to Starve Cancer?”, which has racked up over 11 million views. His groundbreaking research has led to the development of more than 40 new medical treatments that impact care for more than 70 diseases.
The relevance of his work cannot be understated, given that cancer rates are up 79% amongst young people.
So in this conversation, we review the latest data, how cancer works, and the defense systems in the body that protect us against cancer. We then get into how we can actually prevent cancer from manifesting in our body through food and other lifestyle interventions. 
Timestamps:0:00 - Intro1:33 - Sponsor: N-2 Water3:50 - We need an integrative lens for cancer10:39 - Steve Jobs’ cancer case20:03 - Why are young people getting cancer?32:32 - Are turbo cancers actually a thing?37:05 - The five health defense systems in the body1:09:19 - Discussing prevention 1:15:59 - Does alcohol cause cancer?1:25:43 - Hot dogs are as bad as cigarettes?1:33:43 - Sugar and cancer1:39:37 - Eat these foods to prevent cancer1:46:31 - Best screenings for cancer detection1:54:15 - Breakthrough treatments for cancer
Get 20% off your first order of N-2 Water with code EARLYSIPS at checkout:https://www.n-2water.com/collections/all
Links for Dr. William Li:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drwilliamli/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/drwilliamliBooks: https://shorturl.at/Xlbo3
Related Episodes:Dr. Marion Nestle on food industry corruption: https://youtu.be/_Av0gpjTCwY?si=eg2eYINpzTAIk_sjDr. Robert Lustig on chronic disease: https://youtu.be/B3tUyS9i3dc?si=Iu4FzqLL8ESVPDWEDr. Casey Means on medical system: https://youtu.be/ahDzqXS0-jU
Mighty Pursuit Links:Website: https://www.mightypursuit.comInstagram:  https://www.instagram.com/mightypursuit/TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@mightypursuit/X: https://x.com/MightyPursuit
Visit our Nutrition Hub:https://mightypursuit.com/nutrition
For business inquiries: hello@mightypursuit.com

Episode 34: Relationship expert Jillian Turecki on dating, breakups & divorce

Jillian Turecki is one of the world’s leading relationship experts. As the host of the popular podcast Jillian on Love, and the author of It Begins With You, Jillian has a following of 2.5 million people on Instagram. 
In this episode, we dive deep into the complexities of relationships, examining why so many relationships fail and uncover the root causes behind a staggering 50% divorce rate in modern society.
Timestamps:0:00 - Intro1:05 - The day Jillian’s world changed10:23 - Ignoring red flags17:31 - Why do 50% of marriages fail?23:18 - Have people given up on finding love?29:26 - The danger in putting too much weight on feelings33:34 - Lust vs. love40:14 - What’s a healthy level of chemistry?45:34 - Why do people settle?56:30 - The higher self vs. lower self1:02:29 - What should we tolerate in relationships?1:07:00 - Dealing with your past1:20:18 - Attachment styles1:22:49 - Dating apps1:25:52 - Learning to deal with rejection1:27:57 - Defining the relationship1:30:52 - Going through a breakup
Buy Jillian's new book:It Begins With You: https://shorturl.at/7i7hj
Mighty Pursuit Links:Website: https://www.mightypursuit.comInstagram:  https://www.instagram.com/mightypursuit/TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@mightypursuit/X: https://x.com/MightyPursuit
For business inquiries: hello@mightypursuit.com

Episode 33: One Tree Hill star Bethany Joy Lenz on joining a Hollywood cult

Bethany Joy Lenz rose to fame as one of the main stars of the hit TV series "One Tree Hill," a show that became an iconic part of television history.
In addition to her role as Haley James Scott on "One Tree Hill," Joy has also been featured in a bunch of other popular shows. This includes "Dexter," "CSI," and "Grey’s Anatomy," in addition to "Agents of SHIELD”, which is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Shockingly, what many fans did not know is that during her entire tenure on "One Tree Hill," Joy was secretly involved in a cult. A few months ago, she went public with this experience in what is now a New York Times bestselling memoir, "Dinner for Vampires."
So in this episode, we dive deep into that experience. We explore the early days of her involvement with the cult, how it gradually took control of every aspect of her life, and why there were so many challenges in breaking free. 
We learn about the cult slowly alienated from her family, coerced her into marrying the cult leader’s son, and eventually stole $2 million dollars from her. Prepare to be shocked, surprised, outraged, saddened and everything else in-between.
Chapters0:00 - Intro1:03 - Defining a cult7:28 - Getting $2 million stolen13:22 - Living into NYC24:43 - Moving to Hollywood28:29 - Getting coerced into a cult40:38 - The desire to belong50:50 - The weaponization of spirituality54:23 - Manipulation tactics1:06:41 - Gender dynamics & rules in the cult1:15:27 - Becoming famous on One Tree Hill1:27:55 - When everything fell apart1:40:58 - Salvaging her spirituality & escaping cult
Buy Dinner for Vampires:https://shorturl.at/9Ztrd
Follow Joy on social media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msbethanyjoylenz/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@msbethanyjoylenz
Mighty Pursuit Links:Website: https://www.mightypursuit.comInstagram:  https://www.instagram.com/mightypursuit/TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@mightypursuit/X: https://x.com/MightyPursuit
For business inquiries: hello@mightypursuit.com