Play on.

—L

Upcoming highlights:

* It’s not to late to join us for our REWILD campout dance party this weekend… a 2-part extravaganza of dopeness. Deets here.

* We’re rallying in the Swell for our signature Swellness Rally— end of April. Pull up.

* I’m hosting: CONNECTION, PLAY & NOURISHMENT: A pickleball wellness retreat next fall with Lifestyle Medicine Physician, Dr. Niki Davis. Niki is a beam of light, a certified bad ass, and an expert in all things nutrition. If you’re ready to elevate your picky game while learning about lifestyle medicine and chillaxing in the luxury of a baller-ass Airbnb in red rocks of Southern Utah… then look no further.

PS. Listen to Dr. Niki and I’s podcast epi from last year.

Listen here on Spotify

Listen here on Apple Podcasts

***

Julian saw a way to help and, instead of just talking about it, decided to actually act. He’s a board member of Sweet Streets— a organization that advocates for people first spaces and urban design to help people fluorish here in Salt Lake City— and can be found most frequently at neighborhood council meetings and up at the Utah State Capital telling car-addicted senators that their legislation is narrow minded, outdated, and car-centric. T’was a fun little convo, hope you enjoy.

As always, play on players.

—L

BTDubs… We have a couple spots left for our 2-part extravaganza at the end of March… REWILD!

Wanna learn more? Read here.

Or snag your tix here.

***

Listen here on Spotify

Listen here on Apple Podcasts

***

Former pro-skier, Wim Hof breath work facilitator, yoga teacher, fellow Westminster Alumni, and founder of BreatheMoveRelate… please meet Andre Hamm.

We ran into one another at a co-working space last fall, got jamming, he ran me through some breathwork, the juices were flowing, so I busted out my iPhone and recorded a little convo.

You’ll hear him share his experience recovering after a ski crash and TBI led him down a path to OCD. Andre shares how he dances with his compulsive thoughts and shines light on what it’s like living with OCD. Hint hint: meditation, breathwork, and ERT (exposure and response prevention therapy) are powerful tools for humans to be with their intrusive thoughts.

Hope y’all can sniff the parallels. As always, play on players.

—L

Listen here on Spotify

Listen here on Apple Podcasts

***

We’re all imposters at one point or another. After all, none of us were born able to walk. And if we want to grow we must embrace imposter-ness, not hide from it. Today’s episode is a riff on a mindset for how to embrace imposter syndrome: LARP it ‘til you become it.

A spin off on the old adage, fake it ‘til you make it.

In this episode you’ll hear me talk about strategies for growth, dancing with imposter syndrome, mindset, and the common desire for more connection in this world.

To the core, regardless of our work, whether we know it or not, we’re all facilitators of connection. Let ‘er buck.

—L

Listen here on Spotify

Listen here on Apple Podcasts

***

[Recorded April 2nd, 2025]

An alley cat race is a scrappy, DIY, anti-polished urban bike race (think scavenger hunt) based upon the job of bike messengers in big cities. Davey throws them on the reg these days. Why? Because he loves it.

Aside from having the sexiest name around town and being a stand-up dude, Davey is a stay at home dad and runs the SLC Bike Trader insta page. He’s also the former ED of the Salt Lake Bicycle Collective and former story teller and documentarian… We’ve bumped shoulders a couple times so figured it’d be fun to sit down and record a convo.

We end up chatting about god, the erosion of community, what it’s like being a stay at home dad, bikes as pathway to anti-consumerism, and why Alley Cat Races are so damn cool. All of this recorded last April (just now getting around to it, lol) but still super relevant.

Nothing crazy here, just two peeps getting to know each other. Davey is a real one which I know shines through in his words. Hope you enjoy. And please, play on players.

-L

Listen here on Spotify

Listen here on Apple Podcasts

***

Inflammation and stress are the two commonalities underlying most chronic illnesses. If we can beat these two party poopers to the punch… what happens to our long term health?

In this mini rant I propose two public health solutions to start treating chronic inflammation and stress. Unsurprisingly, my proposals are incredibly simple, obvious and ancient.

The punch line: human connection plus moving our body in our environment (bikes) are a more effective medicine than any drug on the market. #Lifestylemedicine

Thanks for listening along. Excited to hear any of y’alls thoughts on the matter.

Keep the fire burnin’ peeps.

Listen here on Spotify

Listen here on Apple Podcasts

***

This summer, whilst sitting atop a mountain, 4 of us friends (Tanner, Marshall, Morgan, & Lucas) decided to record a candid conversation about “what advice you would give a kid today in order to help them live a good life.”

None of us proclaim to have any expertise, just riffing around a fun question. We end up jamming on AI, progress & technology, capitalism, education, what the world will look like in 15 years, human biology, and the skills necessary to navigate our world.

Play on players.

***

Upcoming community happs:

* Community Potluck: Sept 11th, 7 - 9pm @ Wasatch Commons Cohousing Community, come connnect, all welcome.

* Mountain bike skills clinic - 3 Tuesday’s this fall, 6 - 7:30pm at the University of Utah medical center parking garage (next to the BST bike trail). $25/session, limited to 16 participants, reply if interested.

* Desert Disco - Sept 13th - 14th, West Desert (within 1.5hrs of SLC), $65

* Monday Morning Coffee Rave @ Loki Coffee - Start date TBD, 7 - 7:45am, come grove your way into the work week

* Just 5 spots left for our Oct 15 - 19 Swellness Leadership Adventure - 4 connecting days, 3 proper workshops, 75 rugged miles, 1 lasting transformation. All meals provided plus we carry your gear.

In two weeks I’m launching a “FREE 7-DAY EMAIL COURSE” on tips, tricks, & tools to facilitate human connection. It’s the playbook I’ve developed over the course of a Masters Degree in Education, 7 years teaching, 16 years coaching, 17 years throwing parties, 2 years of community building, and a lifetime of facilitation.

Why am I launching the course? Because community is the #1 indicator of wellbeing and connection is the most potent anti-depressant known to humankind.

Who is it for? People looking to sharpen their relational, group facilitation, and community building skills.

How you can help: agree to listen to the beta phase of the email course. Provide feedback and offer your perspective on how to improve the resource. That’s it.

**NOTE: you do not need to be an “expert” in this field. I’m seeking feedback from peeps across all spectrums so any voice is a good voice as far as I see it.

What you get in return for helping me: early access to all resources, a behind the scenes glance at my process, and 17 gold stars.

If you’re interested in helping just reply “I’m in” to this email. Please say what up or share something that is alive as well!

The first 20 to reply will be the feedback squad. Listen to the sample above to see if it tickles your fancy.

If you’re not interested in giving feedback but are stoked to check out the resource, well, stay tuned. I'mma drop it on the 28th of July.

As always, play on players.

Listen here on Spotify

Listen here on Apple Podcasts

***

Fewer than ⅓ of U.S. adults meet the weekly guideline of 150 minutes of moderate exercise.

Approximately 25% of adults sit for over 8 hours each day.

Average daily sitting time has climbed steadily—from 5.5 h in 2007 to 6.4 h in 2016, and now in 2025 at 9.5 h/day.

One of the most simple, most profound tools we have for wellbeing, free of charge, is physical activity. Movement. Exercise.

We all know this. But— despite the fitness industry being at it’s largest (and rates of mental health disorder at their highest)— us Americans are at our most sedentary in history.

In this epi I explore the nature of human biology, the origins of exercise, exercise culture in the U.S., entertain ideas as to why we are so inactive, and end with a assertion to inspire us to MAKE EXERCISE FUN AGAIN.

It was fun riffing this one out, hope you enjoy, and as always… play on players.

Listen here on Spotify

Listen here on Apple Podcasts

***

“The greatest medicine of all is teaching people how not to need it.” —Hippocrates

In this episode I sit down in Sugarhouse Park with Dr Niki Davis. Niki is a rocket scientist turned board certified medical doctor who specializes in plant-based nutrition and lifestyle medicine. Her passion is to educate others on how to prevent and reverse chronic disease through a whole food plant based diet and healthy lifestyle.

This was a light-hearted, fun, free-flowing convo that we could have kept rolling for hours. We discuss the 6 foundational pillars of lifestyle medicine, Ikigai, “exercise”, community, purpose, the role of play in health, and… pickleball.

Enjoy. And don’t forget… play on players.

***

Niki is a ray of sunshine. She hosts a monthly plant-based potluck and discussion, she’s accepting clients, and is an expert in her field. Wanna learn more? Go scope her work: www.drnikidavis.com

***

Speaking of lifestyle medicine… we have a 2-part extravaganza coming up. It’s called “THE RETURN”. Part 1 is a 4-day, 90-mile bike adventure through the rolling forest of Salmon, ID. It’s going to be epic. Part 2 is a 1-night campout dance party right on the river, near downtown, in Salmon, ID. Also epic in it’s own way. Deets here. JOIN US.

We are Unplugged. We believe that screens are eroding our social fabric. Yet I am more plugged-in than ever before.

In this episode I riff on effective altruism, change making, culture, the voice as a vessel to transmit frequency, making things better, and compare mainstream society to a river to help us conceptualize cultural change. I had fun with this one. I’m finding my flow.

It leaves me with a question: if we care for things to be better… then what?

As always, thanks for listening. Play on players.

Listen here on Spotify

Listen here on Apple Podcasts

***

If you’re seeing this, listening to this, then you already know that the bike has magical powers. And you already know that we appreciate you being here with Unplugged from the early days. Thank you. You’re important. And you matter to us. We couldn’t do it without you.

This episode is exactly that— a simple thank you for caring enough to show up for us. To care enough to ride your bike. Consider this a nudge to JUST KEEP RIDING. It matters.

Hope you enjoy. Let’s keep getting more butts on bikes.

As always, play on players.

Listen here on Spotify

Listen here on Apple Podcasts

***

In this episode, I sit down with Ben Wood — former writer for Entertainment Weekly, Deseret News, and The Salt Lake Tribune, now news editor for City Weekly and Sweet Streets Board member— to jam on urbanism, localism, change-making, low-hanging fruit, and car-centrism.

Throughout the convo, parallels emerge between urbanism and evolutionary anthropology. It seems to me that the most forward-thinking urbanist ideals— as Ben explains them— draw upon the most ancient of wisdom set forth thousands of generations ago by our primordial ancestors. An answer, perhaps, involves a re-membering of the ways of homo sapiens.

In our overwhelming uncertain times right now, this episode is a no non-sense, boots on the ground introduction to urbanism as a solution for our future. Including a game plan for where one can begin to start exercising their voice now. The answer, Ben highlights, is local.

“The easiest, most impactful thing one can do? Show up to your neighborhood council meeting.” —Ben

Listen here on Spotify

Listen here on Apple Podcasts

***

With social media and algorithmically optimized news feeds, we inhabit our own personalized corner of the internet. Which means we consume our own personalized version of reality, shaping our own personalized story about the world.

When these stories on “reality” diverge from those of our neighbors, it becomes increasingly difficult to get along. We are seeing this unfold at the national level, ya know, with tribal (in-group/out-group) politics and what not.

With the decline of organized religion, we are lacking a common story. One that unites us. In this episode I riff on the power of story, how humans are story telling creatures, the placebo effect as a story, and self-talk.

Not only do stories matter. But they’re also fun. As always, play on playas.

***

P.S. I recorded this 7 months ago, last summer, so excuse the 2024 references.

***

Listen here on Spotify

Listen here on Apple Podcasts

***

In this episode I chat with Angela H. Brown, the executive director of SLUG Magazine and Craft Lake City. Our conversation got cut short and we ended up taking a 20 minute side tangent about religion, spiritual practice, and community. I found it appropriate as there is a growing shift in our culture away from organized religion and towards individual spirituality. And this shift is having an effect on the strength of our communities.

The conversation ends by asking you, the listener, where do you get your community? Where do you make meaning? Where do you derive your sense of purpose?

The hope is that in hearing Angela’s story, it gives you a chance to reflect upon yours.

Play on playas.

Listen here on Spotify

Listen here on Apple Podcasts

Listen here on Overcast

***

3 years ago, Kelly left her marriage and faith behind to embark on a new chapter: boudoir photography, jewelry, community building, and spirituality. Kelly has an infectious zest for life that shines upon everyone she crosses.

In this playful episode we jam on Kelly’s path towards becoming “unhinged”, her journey to becoming an artist, her career as a boudoir photographer, her process with boudoir photography, the beauty standard, body image, and what it takes to live the life you want.

Kelly is an artist based out of Salt Lake City and will be doing a professional boudoir photo shoot for Unplugged Adventurers on Apr. 30 - May 4th down in the San Rafael Swell. There are 4 spots left for any who are interested, deets here.

Kelly’s work can be found here.

Heads up: this was a recording from earlier this summer that we sent out via the newsletter. We’re re-uploading it here to house our podcast episodes all in one spot. We’ll be releasing podcast episodes and audio recordings bi-weekly for your listening pleasure. Enjoy.

Thanks to the ridiculous talent of Tanner Fruit, this 22 minute track took us exactly 22 minutes to make. Off the top, no plan, first take, 100% improvised.

It ain’t perfect and it’s not supposed to be.

We hope you enjoy the first, and possibly only, track within the up-and-coming genre of Improvisational Deep House Meditation.

***

If you want more fuego like this, go check out Fruit’s other work here.

I hope you enjoy.

—

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, if you prefer.

—

ABOUT THE NAME: Modern Hominid

Modern: now, today, 2022.

Hominid: our taxonomy. One step larger than our genus and species; our family— great apes, chimpanzees, bonobos, and us; hominids.

I think I may be the only person in history to be fart-chived with the Library of Congress, how neat is that?!?

Anyways, in this episode Morgan and I discuss what we owe each other as humans, we reflect on the desire to help others, what drives us to help others, and discuss teaching and how it impacts our sense of identity.

Enjoy.

—

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, if you prefer.

—

ABOUT THE NAME: Modern Hominid

Modern: now, today, 2022.

Hominid: our taxonomy. One step larger than our genus and species; our family— great apes, chimpanzees, bonobos, and us; hominids.

We had no plan to make this, no vision for it, it just emerged. Both of our current passions synched up and this is what was birthed.

If you like the ambient track send Morgan a shout out. She just started playing with Garage Band and is already lacing fuego like this.

More to come.

We hope you enjoy.

—

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, if you prefer.

—

ABOUT THE NAME: Modern Hominid

Modern: now, today, 2022.

Hominid: our taxonomy. One step larger than our genus and species; our family— great apes, chimpanzees, bonobos, and us; hominids.

Enjoy.

—

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, if you prefer.

—

ABOUT THE NAME: Modern Hominid

Modern: now, today, 2022.

Hominid: our taxonomy. One step larger than our genus and species; our family— great apes, chimpanzees, bonobos, and us; hominids.

Enjoy.

—

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, if you prefer.

—

ABOUT THE NAME: Modern Hominid

Modern: now, today, 2022.

Hominid: our taxonomy. One step larger than our genus and species; our family— great apes, chimpanzees, bonobos, and us; hominids.

Enjoy.

—

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, if you prefer.

—

ABOUT THE NAME: Modern Hominid

Modern: now, today, 2022.

Hominid: our taxonomy. One step larger than our genus and species; our family— great apes, chimpanzees, bonobos, and us; hominids.

Enjoy.

—

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, if you prefer.

—

ABOUT THE NAME: Modern Hominid

Modern: now, today, 2022.

Hominid: our taxonomy. One step larger than our genus and species; our family— great apes, chimpanzees, bonobos, and us; hominids.

If my rant resonates, I hope you’ll continue the conversation by sharing with any others who might be interested.

Enjoy.

—

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, if you prefer.

—

ABOUT THE NAME: Modern Hominid

Modern: now, today, 2022.

Hominid: our taxonomy. One step larger than our genus and species; our family— great apes, chimpanzees, bonobos, and us; hominids.

He’s got some upcoming stand-up shows he desperately wants you to come to this fall. This guy is the real deal y’all, I hope you can show up and support.

Oct 5 Pocatello, ID; Click here for tix. 

Oct 6 Billings, MT; Click here for tix.

Oct 7 Bozeman, MT; Click here for tix.

Oct 8 Missoula, MT; Click here for tix.

Oct 9 Helena, MT; Click here for tix.

Nov 7 Salt Lake City, UT (free @ Blue Genes)

—

SOCIALS

Facebook: @aaronwoodallcomedy

Insta: @theaaronspacemuzeum

Tiktok: @aaronwoodallcomedy

Twitter: @aaronwoodall14

—

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, if you prefer.

In this episode we talk about staying in touch with the inner child, his idealistic leadership style, what it means to be a leader, politics in education, standardized testing, the power of light-heartedness, how urban cruising helps him cope with stress, and what school is for.

You will hear the cicada’s from his back yard whistling in the background, I hope you find them soothing and I hope you enjoy.

—

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, if you prefer.

—

ABOUT THE NAME: Modern Hominid

Modern: now, today, 2022.

Hominid: our taxonomy. One step larger than our genus and species; our family— great apes, chimpanzees, bonobos, and us; hominids.

I hope you enjoy.

—

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, if you prefer.

—

ABOUT THE NAME: Modern Hominid

Modern: now, today, 2022.

Hominid: our taxonomy. One step larger than our genus and species; our family— great apes, chimpanzees, bonobos, and us; hominids.

We share our beliefs on where society may be heading, we compare society to the Titanic, we talk about Nick Farr’s idea of The Long Disaster, the Meta Crisis, and share our vision for Urban Cruise.

We hope you enjoy.

—

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, if you prefer.

—

ABOUT THE NAME: Modern Hominid

Modern: now, today, 2022.

Hominid: our taxonomy. One step larger than our genus and species; our family— great apes, chimpanzees, bonobos, and us; hominids.

We dive into the cultural role of comedians, comedians as trolls, what it means to be funny, the hyper-sensitivity of our current culture (in good and bad ways), free speech, privilege, gender roles in comedy, lightness, and Game B.

Enjoy.

—

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, if you prefer.

—

ABOUT THE NAME: Modern Hominid

Modern: now, today, 2022.

Hominid: our taxonomy. One step larger than our genus and species; our family— great apes, chimpanzees, bonobos, and us; hominids.

—

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, if you prefer.

—

ABOUT THE NAME: Modern Hominid

Modern: now, today, 2022.

Hominid: our taxonomy. One step larger than our genus and species; our family— great apes, chimpanzees, bonobos, and us; hominids.

—

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, if you prefer.

—

ABOUT THE NAME: Modern Hominid

Modern: now, today, 2022.

Hominid: our taxonomy. One step larger than our genus and species; our family— great apes, chimpanzees, bonobos, and us; hominids.

—

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, if you prefer.

—

ABOUT THE NAME: Modern Hominid

Modern: now, today, 2022.

Hominid: our taxonomy. One step larger than our genus and species; our family— great apes, chimpanzees, bonobos, and us; hominids.

—

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, if you prefer.

—

ABOUT THE NAME: Modern Hominid

Modern: now, today, 2022.

Hominid: our taxonomy. One step larger than our genus and species; our family— great apes, chimpanzees, bonobos, and us; hominids.

—

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, if you prefer.

—

ABOUT THE NAME: Modern Hominid

Modern: now, today, 2022.

Hominid: our taxonomy. One step larger than our genus and species; our family— great apes, chimpanzees, bonobos, and us; hominids.

—

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, if you prefer.

—

ABOUT THE NAME: Modern Hominid

Modern: now, today, 2022.

Hominid: our taxonomy. One step larger than our genus and species; our family— great apes, chimpanzees, bonobos, and us; hominids.

—

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, if you prefer.

—

ABOUT THE NAME: Modern Hominid

Modern: now, today, 2022.

Hominid: our taxonomy. One step larger than our genus and species; our family— great apes, chimpanzees, bonobos, and us; hominids.

In English we have just one word for love. As such, the cultural confusion around “what is love?” comes at no surprise. In this episode I take a stab at answering that question.

I discern love versus in-love and share my thoughts surrounding dating, the difficulties of communication in romantic relationships, attachment theory, and how selecting a partner seems to be the crux decision of the modern hominid’s life.

—

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, if you prefer.

—

ABOUT THE NAME: Modern Hominid

Modern: now, today, 2022.

Hominid: our taxonomy. One step larger than our genus and species; our family— great apes, chimpanzees, bonobos, and us; hominids.

At the beginning of the episode I reference a dear friend and fellow teacher, Sam Dixon, who helped bring the idea of balance to light for me… and yes, he has a beautiful mustache.

__

If you missed the previous riff you can catch up here on Spotify or Apple Podcasts:

__

ABOUT THE NAME: Modern Hominid

Modern: now, today, 2022.

Hominid: our taxonomy. One step larger than our genus and species; our family— great apes, chimpanzees, bonobos, and us; hominids.

__

ABOUT THE NAME

Modern: now, today, 2022.

Hominid: our taxonomy. One step larger than our genus and species; our family— great apes, chimpanzees, bonobos, and us; hominids.

__

This podcast can now be found on Spotify and Apple Podcasts if you prefer to listen there.

A sustainable pace for me will be releasing one episode per week, Wednesday’s at 7am.

But right now, on summer break, honoring my creative juices, and in efforts to get the ball rolling, I will be releasing (roughly) 1 fifteen minute episode every other day for the next month.

If that is too much for you, I understand, but I hope you will prioritize time to follow along from the beginning. And share with any who you think my art might also resonate with.

It will be worth it.

—

In this episode I speak to my venture of swerving off the “traditional path”, living intentionally, and my noticings from the inside of the education system.

For those confused, in this episode I reference “601” which was a communal house, and a community, that I lived at for 4 years along with my friends Sam and Shorty, who are also referenced in this episode.

Thanks for tuning in.

And I will continue to do so.

But I am changing, and so is Here I Am.

While walking through the forest last week in Oaxaca, Mexico a new seed of inspiration started to germinate.

“F**k it, I’m gonna start a podcast.”

So here we go, telling my story. No script, just speaking to what is alive, while walking and talking, into the voice memo app on my trusty ole iPhone 6.

I hope you’ll join me on my journey of growth. A new project.

With gratitude, and a little bit of fear, I’m proud to say: Here I Am.