Join in our special 100th episode as we unlock the secrets to harnessing our inner power with the inspirational Jesse Israel, founder of The Big Quiet. Together, we unravel how love serves as a catalyst for tapping into our untapped potential and how we can all channel our energy to contribute our greatest gifts to the world. Jesse brings a wealth of experience and insight into cultivating a culture of love, sharing practical tools and practices that enable us to turn up our inner wattage and step into our most authentic selves.

Jesse joins Ruben to tackle the complexities of authenticity, both in the personal journey and in the delicate art of parenting. The conversation explores the importance of peeling back the layers we accumulate over time to rediscover the purity we are born with. We also delve into the power of modeling self-love and respect for our children, demonstrating the profound influence parents have on their child's development and the value of maintaining their innate curiosity and innocence.

Finally, this episode takes you on a transformative journey through personal energy, emotional resilience, and the challenges of modern connectivity. We reflect on the importance of creating space for morning mindfulness, away from the digital world, and how systems and discipline can coexist with instinct to foster growth and self-leadership. So, whether you're seeking to reignite your childhood passions or simply aiming for a more mindful start to your day, tune in for a conversation that's sure to inspire and empower.

How does Jesse live through love? “A life of love is a life of really living in the embodiment of who we are and who we're on this earth to be, and living that not just because it feels good, not just because it is our purpose and who we are, but because living who we are, living a life of love, is the greatest service to the world.”

“Every human being on this planet has an enormous reservoir of power within themselves, but I would say that most of us are accessing just a tiny fraction of that available inner power source." - Jesse Israel

-----

In this episode, you will learn…

• Embrace love and inner power to reveal and amplify your true self and unique gifts
• Parenting with self-love and respect fosters children's authenticity and curiosity
• Revisiting past experiences can help understand and harness personal power and energy
• Starting mornings without technology can enhance mood, creativity, and problem-solving
• Balancing instinct with discipline and systems aids in personal integrity and leadership

-----

“We need to make room for the pain, you know. We need to make room for the dark to access the light.” - Jesse Israel

About the guest: Jesse Israel is a social entrepreneur, meditation leader and former record label executive known for founding the mass meditation movement The Big Quiet. He has signed multi-platinum bands like MGMT, led some of the largest meditations in the world, given keynotes at Fortune 100s and teach meditation to global leaders. He has run corporate meditation sessions for companies like Adidas, Google and Ford, and have spoken at places like Madison Square Garden, Coca Cola HQ and Parsons School of Design. 

Follow Jesse @jesseisrael

-----

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

An Operation Podcast original in collaboration with Live Through Love Media

Could the essence of love be more than heart-shaped boxes and red roses? Let's unravel the commercial facade and discover the profound connections that elevate our daily lives. In this special episode with fan-favorite guest, Rosie Acosta, we take you on a journey through the true meanings of love, from self-love's deeper layers to the resilience found in long-standing relationships. We'll confront societal pressures, debunk myths about the so-called perfect partnership, and celebrate the authentic love that unites our community. Step away from the expected and celebrate Valentine's Day by embracing love in its many forms, including the most important love story of all: the one you have with yourself.

Rosie rejoins Ruben to explain why long-term love isn't always roses and champagne; it's an action that demands 100% of what we can give. Rosie dissects what it means to love over the years, tackling the crucial aspects of communication and conflict resolution. She shares insights on keeping the flames of love alive, even when they flicker, and how mutual effort rather than a 50/50 split can lead to a more fulfilling connection.

In the intricate dance of dating and relationships, anticipation meets reality, and love's checklist gets a rewrite. The episode delves into the comical yet telling tale of a date with a checklist, prompting us to question the rigidity of our own criteria for love. We'll talk about how love languages evolve and the vital art of letting go, seeing love not as a possession but as a journey of shared growth and evolution. 

How does Rosie live through love? “By being compassionate; desiring for the suffering of others to end. If I have a desire for your suffering to end, that's me living in my fullest expression of love.”

“Love is not about possession but about mutual growth and evolution—a concept that love itself is ever-changing and endlessly fascinating.” - Rosie Acosta

-----

In this episode, you will learn…

• True love transcends commercialized expectations, requiring self-acceptance and deep, authentic connections
• Love in long-term relationships is an action, not just an emotion, demanding continuous effort and communication
• Approach dating with clarity and openness, balancing desires with the unpredictability of love's journey
• Love languages evolve; recognizing and adapting to them is crucial for expressing and sustaining love
• Love is about mutual growth and evolution, not possession; embracing change is key to healthy relationships

-----

“It's about embracing the messiness, the ebbs and flows, and the potent mix of tenderness and tenacity that sustains love over time.” - Rosie Acosta

About the guest: Rosie Acosta is the author of You Are Radically Loved: A Healing Journey to Self-Love, has studied yoga and mindfulness for more than 20 years, and taught for over a decade. She hosts a weekly conversational wellness podcast called, The Radically Loved Podcast. She works with a wide range of students, from those in her East Los Angeles community to Olympic athletes, NFL champions, NBA All-Stars and veterans of war. A first-gen Mexican-American, Rosie’s mission is to help others overcome adversity and experience radical love.

Follow Rosie @rosieacosta

-----

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

An Operation Podcast original in collaboration with Live Through Love Media

Ever imagine what it feels like to walk in the shoes of a professional athlete? Special guest Eben Britton, former NFL player, shares his rollercoaster journey through professional sports, right from his days at the University of Arizona to a career-ending injury. This episode is not just a retelling of an athlete’s career, it’s a journey through the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of a true sportsman.

Eben joins Ruben to share what life after a football career really looks like for many. He offers an honest look at the importance of self-love and its role in recovery and growth. Through riveting anecdotes and personal experiences, Eben paints a vivid picture of the struggles athletes face, the journey towards self-love, and the priceless value of being present.

Eben also delves into the role of social media in promoting self-love and community engagement. He dismantles societal stereotypes around love and masculinity, and shares his own experiences with confronting his inner demons. His inspiring journey serves as a reminder that the language we use and the actions we take can greatly influence our journey to self-love and self-respect. Tune in for a no-holds-barred conversation on love, self-care, and the pursuit of a fulfilling life beyond the football field.

How does Eben live through love? “I learned the value of transferring this positive attitude to my family and community. Throughout, I unraveled how self-love doesn't reside in proving how tough you are, but in accepting and valuing yourself as you are.”

"The road was laden with injuries, unpleasant business dealings, and personal struggle, but it also gave birth to an epiphany of self-love and respect."- Eben Britton

-----

In this episode, you will learn…

• Self-love involves accepting oneself, not proving toughness; it is key to navigating through life's challenges and personal struggles.
• Being present is not only crucial for personal well-being but also significantly impacts the lives of those around us.
• Saying 'no' can be a powerful act of self-love and respect, allowing one to avoid confusion and maintain personal boundaries.
• True masculinity is not about physical toughness, but how one shows up in life, their actions, and interactions with others.
• The journey of self-discovery and self-love can be long and difficult, but it is ultimately rewarding and transformative.

-----

"Coming from the intense environment of professional football, I learned that the true strength lies in vulnerability and openness, not in the physical prowess.” - Eben Britton

About the guest: Eben Britton is a former American football offensive tackle who played six seasons in the National Football League. Selected 39th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft, he spent four years with the Jacksonville Jaguars followed by two with the Chicago Bears, last playing football in 2014

Follow Eb @edsbritton

Learn more at EbenBritton.com

-----

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

An Operation Podcast original in collaboration with Live Through Love Media

You’re invited to listen to the brand new Live Through Love Podcast hosted by LA-based artist, designer, speaker, and entrepreneur, Ruben Rojas. In this trailer, Ruben shares his approach to art and life, his mission and inspiration for the Live Through Love Podcast, and what you can expect in future episodes.

“This will be a new way to experience what it is to live through love.” - Ruben Rojas

Live Through Love is a way of life. Living through love is an active choice from the heart. It may be much easier to live in gloom and act from fear, but when you live through love, life is so much more beautiful. 

As an artist, Ruben is inspired by people. People who interact with his work and people who are out there sharing their stories and their gifts with the world. There are so many incredible people on this planet and Ruben wants to showcase them and how they live through love. From chefs and athletes to businesspeople, musicians, and artists of all kinds, you can expect to hear only from people who are embodying love every single day. But that’s not all… Ruben wants YOU to make a statement, too. 

If you’re seeking a change in perspective and want more love in all areas of your life, this is for you. Tune in to join the movement and learn how to LIVE THROUGH LOVE!

Ruben Rojas is a Los Angeles based artist, designer, speaker, and entrepreneur who uses art to inspire others to see through the lens of LOVE. By using the urban landscape as his canvas, Ruben encourages communities to change for the better through optimism and collaboration. Once vacant walls, and now this podcast, are vibrant reminders created to inspire you to dream big, feel beautiful, live in possibility, and to love. Ruben’s murals can be seen in cities across the country and around the world from Paris to New York and Florida to Mississippi. You can also bring love home by buying his art. 

Follow Ruben on Instagram @rubenrojas

Learn more at www.RubenRojas.com 

This is an Operation Podcast production. 

For more information, please contact us at info@operationpodcast.com 

Follow Operation Podcast on Instagram @operationpodcast

Imagine an approach to medicine that places love at the core of healing; where doctors guide you towards your inner healer. Dr. Gladys McGarey, MD joins us today and unravels the impact of love on our health and longevity. We bring to light the inception story of the American Holistic Medical Association and its unique philosophy of loving individuals rather than merely eradicating their diseases.

Gladys joins Ruben to delve into the Five L’s of Love and Life, which encompass love, life, laughter, labor, and listening. With Dr. McGarey, we explore the impact of our actions, emphasizing the power of choice, as we can either radiate love or portray fear. 

The two of them explore the crucial elements of self-love, self-forgiveness, and self-gratitude in achieving our life's purpose and enhancing our longevity. So, join us for this insightful and empowering conversation about love, life, and the remarkable healing power within us all.

How does Gladys live through love? “It's a matter of seeing joy and happiness in actions, not the the dire consequences.” - Dr. Gladys McGarey

"We are almost an impossibility. It’s impossible for you to be me and me to be you. Yet we are. And there will never be another one of us again.” - Dr. Gladys McGarey

-----

In this episode, you will learn…

• Love is at the core of holistic healing and longevity
• Actions reflect either love or fear, the choice is ours
• Self-love, self-forgiveness, and self-gratitude enhance our life purpose
• Experiencing love and death teaches us about life's fragility
• Empowering patients promotes collective responsibility for health and well-being

-----

"Look for the light, not for the darkness, because they're both there, and if you look for the light, you'll find it.” - Dr. Gladys McGarey

About the guest: Over the past sixty years, Dr. Gladys McGarey, MD has pioneered a new way of thinking about disease and health that has transformed the way we imagine health care and self-care around the world. The cofounder of the American Holistic Medical Association, Dr. McGarey has mentored everyone from Dr. Mark Hyman to Dr. Edith Eger and has helped hundreds of patients live happier and healthier lives. 

Follow Gladys @begladmd

-----

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

An Operation Podcast original in collaboration with Live Through Love Media

Have you ever wondered how some people seem to switch gears between love and fear easier than others? What was once perhaps an innate skill is now a trainable skill thanks to advances in neurofeedback technology. Guest Paola Telfer, CEO and founder of Sens.ai, unfolds her inspiring journey of overcoming adversity, battling PTSD, and the role neurofeedback played in her healing process, which eventually led to the creation of an incredible at-home tool anyone can use to boost brain health.

Paola joins Ruben to delve into the power of training the brain for love, emphasizing not just physical fitness but also mental well-being. Paola shares insightful strategies for shifting mental states and enhancing mindfulness, from simple breathing practices to leveraging modeling techniques.

We also explore ways to optimize brain health and performance, discussing different approaches from music to biohacking. Paola underlines the significance of understanding our emotional blocks and how to tap into the frequency of love. By the end of this conversation you will have gained profound insights and a deeper understanding of training your brain for love, enhancing mental health, and overall well-being.

How does Paola live through love? “Love is a profound, persistent feeling of affection.” - Paola Telfer

"Before we can be good in a relationship, we need to be in a good relationship with ourselves, with our emotions." - Paola Telfer

-----

In this episode, you will learn…

• Training the Brain for Emotional Intimacy
• Exploring Controllers and Responding With Love
• Shifting Mental States and Finding Presence
• Optimizing Brain Health and Performance
• Healing, Empowerment, and Marriage Challenges
• Journey of Neurofeedback and Growth Together
• Signature Cranking and Brain Training Performance
• Cognitive Decline and Living Through Love

-----

“Love is an expression within myself and it is really just about me being in touch with my full interiority, really understanding what's going on in that moment"- Paola Telfer

About the guest: Paola is an avid explorer of neuroscience, consciousness development and peak states. She is the CEO and Founder of Sens.ai. To feel their best and live their best life, people need to train their brain and control their state. Sens.ai provides the technology and training that people need to make it happen, faster. Given AI and the future of work, this is more pressing than ever. 

Follow Paola and Sens.ai @sens.ai.inc

-----

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

An Operation Podcast original in collaboration with Live Through Love Media

Have you ever wondered how it feels to connect with the spiritual realm? What if you could hear the voices of those who have passed on? Our guest, Jonathan Mark, a seasoned medium, unveils the enigmatic world of mediums and their extraordinary abilities. Step into an episode filled with captivating revelations from Jonathan's journey of self-discovery, acceptance, and the unique gift of mediumship.

Jonathan joins Ruben to journey through the mysterious spiritual realm and give us insights into how he communicates with spirits, interprets spiritual symbols, and understands energy. We delve into profound topics such as life after death, reincarnation, and the emotional toll of suicide on families. Jonathan opens up about his pre-reading practices, which include meditation and music, and brings to light some dark experiences he's had as a medium. We explore the power of negative energy and how Jonathan identifies when a spirit is present.

Jonathan also discuss the fear surrounding death and the concerning rate of suicide among young people. He shares his perspective on these critical issues and his intention to make a difference through this platform and a book he's planning to write. From challenging love to solving cold cases, Jonathan's journey as a medium is filled with remarkable and insightful lessons. 

How does Jonathan live through love? “Always helping out, even when people aren't looking. That's my thing. You don't need a camera, you don't need to post it. Who cares? Just help out when no one is looking, because that goes a lot longer of a way than a camera in someone's face and you posting it.”

"I'm not here to sell miracles. I am simply a guide who can help you when you are ready to explore the unknown." - Jonathan Mark

-----

In this episode, you will learn…

• Mediums are not sellers of miracles, but guides who can assist you when you are prepared to delve into the unknown.
• During times of difficulty, one should rely on their own strength before seeking spiritual guidance.
• The importance of patience in the healing process, highlighting that answers will come when one is genuinely ready to receive them.
• Mediums are not miracle workers but are there to provide spiritual intervention when one feels they need it in their journey.

-----

“When the going gets tough, it's important to remember to stay grounded and find solace in your human strength first before turning to any spiritual guidance."- Jonathan Mark

About the guest: Jonathan is a highly respected psychic medium that is able to connect his clients with loved ones who have crossed over. His mission is to provide comfort to his clientele through compassionate personal readings that are compelling and touching. Jonathan received confirmation of his gift by another psychic medium when he was 20 years old. Since then he has developed his unique abilities of being able to communicate with loved ones who have crossed over.

Follow Jonathan @jonathanmarkmedium

-----

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

An Operation Podcast original in collaboration with Live Through Love Media

Humble is back in the studio to brainstorm with Ruben about how we can create and amplify a culture of love through the discomfort, fear, and difficulty of life. He shares wisdom on how to stop taking the easy road (because it doesn’t get you anywhere), reverse your limiting beliefs, and get out of a scarcity mindset and into a LOVE mindset. 

Humble joins Ruben to remind you to be aware that chasing convenience and easiness will not lead to growth. Leaning into the discomfort and difficulty of life will unlock your potential, your ability to evolve, and a higher sense of self-respect.

Are you choosing to be held hostage by fears and imaginary situations that may or may not happen? It’s time to commit to your mission, share your talents and gifts, and do what you can to amplify this culture of love we’re creating. This life isn’t a dress rehearsal. There’s no do overs. 

How does Humble live through Love? "Living a life of letting go of all that extra weight, baggage that you are aware of, and then doing the work to discover all the additional thousand pounds of baggage that's not aware of.” - Humble

“This isn’t an infomercial to sell a dream or an idea. It’s reconciling ideas that we might have lost because we live in such a fast-paced, distracting world that does not incentivize this type of living.” –Humble

-----

In this episode, you will learn…

• Embracing Discomfort: One of the key lessons from the episode is the importance of embracing discomfort as an opportunity for growth. Life's conveniences often act as barriers to our personal growth, hence why it's important to challenge societal narratives and traditional ideas that impede our success.
• Adapting to Change: In our fast-paced world, it's essential to navigate change and adapt to shifting trends, whether it's in technology, business, or relationships. This episode highlights the significance of fostering a culture of love, embracing visionary thinking, and living intentionally in a rapidly changing environment.
• Preserving Artistic Integrity: Humble helps us navigate the struggle of maintaining artistic integrity while striving for financial success in a competitive world. The conversation also touched on the idea of viewing success not as a zero-sum game but as a shared win.
• Cultivating Self-awareness and Love: One of the key messages is the significance of self-awareness, vulnerability, and self-love. Humble stresses the importance of ensuring that our cup is full before trying to fill others'.

-----

“When I speak about love, I’m speaking about peace.” – Humble

About the Guest: Humble The Poet (Kanwer Mahl) is a Canadian-born artist, rapper, spoken-word poet, international best-selling author, and former elementary school teacher with a wildly popular blog with over 100,000 monthly readers. He is the author of “Unlearn”, “Things No One Else Can Teach Us”, and most recently, “How to Be Love(d)”. Humble has performed at concerts and festivals, including Lollapalooza and has been featured in major media including The New York Times, BuzzFeed, Vogue, Rolling Stones, and Huffington Post.

Visit Humble’s website

Follow him on Instagram 

Follow him on Twitter

Buy his newest book, How to Be Love(d) by Humble the Poet

Listen to Humble’s first Live Through Love episode 

-----

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

An Operation Podcast original in collaboration with Live Through Love Media

Dr. Benjamin Hardy, PhD joins us for an enlightening conversation about our relationship with the past, present, and future. Together, we explore the concept of 'living from the future' versus 'living in the future', discussing the differences and why it's crucial to clarity and exponential growth. Hardy also shares his personal story of taking a bold risk to bet on himself and his new career, providing an inspirational example of 10x growth and how you can do it, too.

Ben joins Ruben to unpack the power of pursuing 'impossible' goals, and how these audacious ambitions can transform your life. We take a deep look into the differences between mere wishing and purposeful action, as well as how to keep yourself accountable to your dreams. Hardy shares powerful insights on reframing past experiences, surviving trauma, and using these instances as fuel for creating the future you want. 

Finally, don't miss our discussion on psychological flexibility and how this vital trait can empower us to better navigate between past, present, and future. Dr. Hardy explains the paradox of choice and its potential to lead to avoidance or analysis paralysis, stressing the importance of mastering our past and future so that our future can dictate our present. Together, we uncover strategies to increase our psychological flexibility and, ultimately, unmask our future selves. Join us on this journey of self-discovery and growth!

How does Ben live through love? “I never let a goal to be accomplished become more important than a person to be loved.” - Benjamin Hardy 

"Get connected to your future self, the person you want to be, and let your future be the filter for every choice you make right now.” - Benjamin Hardy

-----

In this episode, you will learn…

• Live From the Future: This podcast highlights the importance of operating from the future, not just living in it. Dr. Hardy explains that we need to connect with our future selves and let this image guide our current decisions and actions. This means setting clear goals for the future, and letting these objectives determine what we say yes or no to in the present.
• Pursue Impossible Goals: The episode emphasizes the transformative power of pursuing seemingly impossible goals. Moving from wishing to taking action can lead to significant personal growth and development. This involves being honest with ourselves, confronting our fears, and taking risks.
• Reframe the Past: Dr. Hardy underscores the significance of reframing past experiences, especially traumatic ones. While we can't change the past, we can change how we perceive it and define it.
• Enhance Psychological Flexibility: The podcast also discusses the concept of psychological flexibility, which can help us navigate between our past, present, and future. By mastering our past and future, we can allow our future to dictate our present.

-----

“Recognize that you can learn from your past. You're not defined by it, but also it takes huge flexibility to actually reframe. If you're constantly reframing your relationship to your past, present, and future, then you're going to be very flexible in the present.” - Benjamin Hardy

About the guest: Dr. Benjamin Hardy is an organizational psychologist and is one of the world’s leading experts on the psychology of entrepreneurial leadership and exponential growth. His PhD research focused on entrepreneurial courage and transformational leadership. 

Follow Ben @drbenjaminhardy

-----

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

An Operation Podcast original in collaboration with Live Through Love Media

Joy Taylor takes us on her riveting journey from psychology student to professional muralist, media personality, and sports aficionado. Joy is here to unpack the power of choice in shaping our lives. This episode navigates her highs and lows in the art world, how the creative world has evolved, and why now more than ever there is a necessity for amplifying creatives.

Joy joins Ruben to really do deep dive into the human side of professional athletes; it's more than just the game. We discern the impact of trades, cuts, and off-field adjustments, illuminating the complexities beyond the sports field. The conversation then takes a critical turn as we discuss the cancel culture and its implications. We emphasize the need for mindful communication, as words wield immense power, and the collective responsibility to learn and grow from our wrongdoings.

We conclude with an exploration of self-love, positive feedback, and breaking free from generational trauma. Joy unravels the importance of setting healthy boundaries within family and the liberation it brings. Our discussion on the complex relationship between parents and children, forgiveness, and redemption strikes a resonating chord. This episode is a holistic blend of stimulating dialogues and powerful insights that promise to engage you on various levels. Tune in for a remarkable journey that is as inspiring as it is informative.

How does Joy live through love? “There is an idea of selfishness or ego attached to the idea of loving yourself, but if you are truly operating from a place of love, the person you can and should love the most is you, because if you do that, you will not step into spaces of fear or hate or toxicity so easily.”

"You can't paint without depth. You can't have a piece of art without some darkness in it to amplify the light."- Joy Taylor

-----

In this episode, you will learn…

• The Power of Choice: The episode emphasizes the power of choice in shaping our lives. Every decision, whether consciously made or by default, has an impact on the trajectory of our life. 
• Understanding Professional Athletes: Professional athletes are more than just their performance on the field. Understanding the complexities of their lives, such as the impact of trades, cuts, and off-field adjustments, provides a more humanizing view of these individuals.
• The Implication of Cancel Culture: The podcast explores the concept of cancel culture and its implications. It underscores the importance of mindful communication and being open to listening to those we may have offended or hurt with our words.
• Importance of Self-love and Positive Feedback: Self-love is a crucial element in personal growth and self-development. It leads to freedom, confidence, and can help individuals break free from toxic relationships. Positive feedback, when given from a place of love and respect, can also play a crucial role in personal growth.

-----

"If I wouldn't ask for your opinion, I don't value your criticism." - Joy Taylor

About the guest: Joy Taylor is an American media personality and television host for Fox Sports 1. She is currently the co-host of Speak with LeSean McCoy and Emmanuel Acho. Taylor was the news update anchor on Fox Sports 1's The Herd with Colin Cowherd, and the host of The Joy Taylor Show Saturdays on Fox Sports Radio

Follow Joy @joytaylortalks

-----

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

An Operation Podcast original in collaboration with Live Through Love Media

Listen in as our special guest, Diego Perez, a.k.a. Yung Pueblo, and Ruben explore how to create a culture of love in our everyday lives and how to navigate challenges through internal liberation. We share personal experiences of transformation and discuss how pain can serve as a powerful motivator and teacher. Discover the importance of slowing down, checking in with your emotions, and developing self-awareness through practices like meditation.

Pueblo joins Ruben to dig into the topics of self-acceptance, learning to receive love, how to unearth the obstacles before you to move forward from difficult moments, the importance of patience, and establishing practices to stay connected to yourself. This episode is full of insights on how love allows us to see the world from different perspectives, fostering understanding and acceptance.

Finally, we provide practical tips on incorporating meditation into your daily routine, exploring the power of collaboration, and offering advice for aspiring artists. You will also learn how investing time and energy into personal growth can lead to profound transformation. This episode is a treasure trove of wisdom, practical advice, and profound insights into creating a life rooted in love and acceptance.

How does Yung Pueblo live through love? “With the people that I'm meeting for the first time, I don't know how their day has been, I don't know what you've been up to, I don't even really know what primary emotion you're holding in that moment that we're meeting. So to move forward with gentleness feels like the everyday mission for me.”

"My sadness was a motivator. My pain was my teacher. If you listen closely to your hurt, it will say there is a better way than this and all you have to do is respond. Show me, I'm ready." - Yung Pueblo

-----

In this episode, you will learn…

• Embracing Pain and Emotions: Pain can serve as both a powerful motivator and teacher. Instead of running away from our emotions, we need to learn how to sit with them and process them.
• The Boundless Nature of Love: Love is much more than relationships. It can be a healing force, an act of kindness, and a potent energy that can change the world.
• Importance of Self-Acceptance and Healing: Self-acceptance is critical to personal growth and healing. It's important to learn to trust ourselves, to move forward from difficult moments, and to establish practices that help us stay connected to ourselves.
• Power of Meditation and Collaboration: Meditation is a powerful tool that can lead to profound transformation in every aspect of our lives. The power of collaboration is also emphasized, showing how a supportive network of like-minded individuals can push forward our missions of elevating humanity.

-----

“When we cultivate the mind it will open up, almost like a flower, and you can finally take a good look in there."- Yung Pueblo

About the guest: Diego Perez is a meditator and #1 New York Times bestselling author who is widely known on Instagram and various social media networks through his pen name, Yung Pueblo. Online he has an audience of over 3 million people. His writing focuses on the power of self-healing, creating healthy relationships, and the wisdom that comes when we truly work on knowing ourselves. He has sold over 1 million books worldwide that have been translated into over 25 languages.

Follow Diego @yung_pueblo

-----

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

An Operation Podcast original in collaboration with Live Through Love Media

Ready to be captivated by the art of resilience and power of creativity? Our guest, Jason Mayden, takes us on an journey through the intersection of design and culture. We step into a realm where self-determination fuels the potential of our youth and the power of servitude and its role as an act of altruistic rebellion, and its significance in a culture of love.

Jason joins Ruben to explore the complexities of resilience and self-acceptance, unraveling their role in shaping our relationship with ourselves and others. Drawing lessons from the life of Michael Jordan, Jason dives deep into the power of divine providence in shaping our destiny and what it was like working side-by-side with one of the greatest champions of all time.

Jason offers unique insights into the misunderstandings surrounding design and its potential as an asset class. We take a look at the advantages of the barter system, the importance of self-assessment, and how learning technical language can boost creativity. Lastly, we reflect on the importance of fostering a culture of love and the power of pivoting in the face of challenges.

How does Jason live through love? “Unconditional love requires me to let go and forgive a lot. The way that we're mostly oppressed is through anchoring ourselves or tethering ourselves to the spirit of offense. And once you allow the world to offend you now you get walking around with justifications for your anger and your rage and everything is just like well, yeah, of course. And that just robs you of your ability to contribute to the tapestry of humanity.”

"To pull something from your imagination and to have the audacity to put it into the real world. Repeatedly Like it takes a certain amount of youthfulness, it takes a certain amount of resilience, it takes a certain amount of self-determination, because you constantly have to fight against your insecurities in order to keep producing." - Jason Mayden

-----

In this episode, you will learn…

• The Power of Resilience: Jason explains how resilience and self-determination are key attributes in unlocking potential in our youth and fostering a culture of love.
• Importance of Creativity: The conversation explores the intricate role of design in creativity and education. Jason argues that creativity is not just about skills or talent but about asking the right questions and problem-solving.
• Influence of Sports Figures: Mayden draws inspiration from sports icons like Michael Jordan, emphasizing the importance of dedication, loyalty, and the concept of meritocracy.
• Significance of Love and Restraint: The episode discusses the power of divine providence and how our creative endeavors can shape our destinies, highlighting the importance of delayed gratification, unconditional love, and the strength in exercising restraint.

-----

"Design for me is not the act of creativity, it's the questions we ask. Designers ask the best questions and if you ask the right question you can get an answer that helps the most amount of people.” - Jason Mayden

About the guest: Jason Mayden is MS Designer, Entrepreneur-In-Residence at Accel Partners, CEO + Founder Super Heroic, and Media Design Lecturer at Stanford d.school.  He is a designer, educator, and entrepreneur dedicated to the advancement of diverse creative youth.

Follow Jason @jasonmayden

-----

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

An Operation Podcast original in collaboration with Live Through Love Media

Have you ever found yourself stuck in a cycle of seeking pleasure and avoiding pain? Let's be honest, we all have our vices and, in a sense, we're all addicts. This week, we sit down with Mike Diamond, an interventionist and author who shook things up by challenging us to reframe our perception of addiction. From the search for new highs to the aversion of lows, we uncovered the universal human struggle, reflecting on Buddha's principle of balance as a potential path to love and enlightenment.

Mike joins Ruben to crack open the concept of mastery, taking a hard look at how sitting in silence, acknowledging our weaknesses and committing to daily progress are key to achieving it. We challenged the notion of 'average' and explored the power of unconscious competence - the point when your skill becomes a deeply ingrained habit.

Lastly, we turned our hearts to empathy, compassion, and the art of meeting people where they are - labels, definitions and all. Drawing inspiration from Robert Downey Jr's transformative journey, we dove into the importance of reframing our past experiences to better our present relationships. We even dissected the dangers of toxic positivity, the power of micro-wins, and the impact of our past experiences on our current relationships. So, if you're ready for a conversation full of love, vulnerability, and enlightenment, tune in.

How does Mike live through love? “You can't give love if you don't love yourself. So I always work on myself, first take responsibility for how I choose to think, how I choose to feel and how I choose to act, and then I make sure I come in a critic and I'm kind to myself. And by being kind to myself, and you know being being a good person, then I can put love out into the world.”

"The purpose of this experience is to find out your purpose, to be of value to people that helps them reach their potential… To find peace, love and be better to people." - Mike Diamond

-----

In this episode, you will learn…

• The concept of addiction extends beyond substances: This episode explores how we are all addicts in our pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain, understanding this perspective helps to break the stigma around addiction and allows us to understand it as a universal human experience.
• The importance of self-reflection and mastery: The episode discusses the need to embrace our weaknesses, face discomfort, and invest in self-improvement continuously.
• Reframing trauma can be transformative: The episode explores how we can change our perspective on traumatic experiences, allowing us to heal and move forward.
• Empathy and kindness are vital in overcoming challenges: This episode underscores the significance of empathy and kindness in helping ourselves and others overcome struggles.
• The dangers of toxic positivity: The episode discusses the concept of toxic positivity and how it can impede personal growth and development.

-----

"I believe we're all addicts because we're all searching for pleasure and avoiding pain.” - Mike Diamond

About the guest: Mike Diamond is a TV personality, director, life coach, and author of the book “A Dose of Positivity”.

Follow Mike @themike_diamond

-----

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

An Operation Podcast original in collaboration with Live Through Love Media

Every story weaves a unique thread in the fabric of life, and Bimma Williams, a marketing maestro with a knack for narrative, joins us to unravel the art of genuine storytelling in the realm of marketing and personal branding. We wander through Bimma's own story, from a child enraptured by tales to a strategist assisting creatives in illuminating their authentic selves. Together, we uncover the transformative power of storytelling, which breaks through the commercial chatter to deeply connect with others.

Bimma joins Ruben to get to the heart of creativity: a passion that fuels the grind when the spotlight is off, and authenticity that endures when the crowd fades. Highlighting the often-overlooked dedication reminiscent of legends like Kobe Bryant, we discuss the unwavering commitment needed to forge a successful brand in the creative industry. We underscore the triumphs that bloom from the authentic self, encouraging creators to embrace their natural characteristics and craft their unique journey without succumbing to the conformity often imposed by corporate and social standards.

Bimma also opens up about his nine-year marriage, embracing the imperfections and conscious efforts that nourish love's growth. And as we close our session, we celebrate the idea of living life through love, not just as a personal mantra, but as a practice that empowers a community, shapes the lessons we teach our children, and ultimately, defines the freedom we seek in every facet of our lives. Join us for an intimate exploration of love, authenticity, and the enduring power of one's own story.

How does Bimma live through love? "I would define it as freedom, but not freedom as a one way thing. Freedom in all aspects, how I can have freedom, how I can help others have freedom.”

“And the first part is you got to get caught in the story. But to get caught in the story, you've got to believe in it so much.” - Bimma Williams

-----

In this episode, you will learn…

• Clarity and belief in your story are crucial; they help differentiate you and make your narrative compelling to others
• It's about making a profound impact on even one person, rather than chasing superficial engagement
• The podcast highlights self-discovery and personal fulfillment as essential success indicators, surpassing traditional metrics like money and status
• Building a successful brand in the creative industry requires unwavering commitment, deep-rooted passion, and dedication to the craft
• Love is complex and demands conscious effort, communication, and presence

-----

“If you got one person that is inspired by the work that you do, that's a lot... To have a video with hundreds of thousands of views and then have no clients from it, what's the point, you know?” - Bimma Williams

About the guest: Bimma Williams is a digital creator, podcast host and cofounder of the creative content agency Claima.

Follow Bimma @bimmawilliams

-----

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

An Operation Podcast original in collaboration with Live Through Love Media

This is an Operation Podcast production, connect with us @operationpodcast.

Ever wonder how our life experiences can shape our paths and understanding of love and relationships? Join us as we journey alongside Adam Lane Smith, a renowned attachment specialist, as he uncovers his path from a childhood of abuse and neglect to becoming a beacon of understanding and empathy in the field of attachment therapy. Adam's candid narrative offers a compelling look into the power of conscious choices and the courage necessary to confront our deepest fears.

Adam joins Ruben to dive deep into modern masculinity, societal pressures, and the unique challenges faced by men in our contemporary society. We champion the importance of supporting one another, establishing male communities, and fostering mutual acceptance. Adam's wisdom shines as we explore the transformative power of honest communication, self-reflection, and love, and the incredible changes they can bring about in our lives and relationships.

We then dive deeper into the concept of love as an action and not merely a feeling, and how a balanced relationship with fear can serve as a tool for protection and growth. Adam shares his insights on how individuals can evolve into better versions of themselves by seeking feedback and allowing their partners to express freely. This conversation will leave you reflecting on the importance of setting boundaries in relationships and the significance of consistently checking in with our partners. Join us for this thought-provoking exploration of love, fear, and personal growth!

How does Adam live through love? “It is being honest with yourself in each situation about what your fear is driving you to do and then choosing to ask what is best for each person, including yourself, and DOING IT.”

"There was a time when I, like many, just thought love and attachment were the same thing - a simplistic equation that didn't need dissecting… We are designed to know what love is, even if we don't get it.” - Adam Lane Smith

-----

In this episode, you will learn…

• Love and attachment are complex interplays of emotions and not simply interchangeable terms. The episode emphasizes the importance of understanding these complexities and the power they hold in shaping our relationships and interactions. 
• Building strong support systems and fostering mutual acceptance and understanding, particularly for men, can significantly impact societal pressures that often leave men feeling emasculated and ashamed. 
• Love is an action, not just a feeling. Setting boundaries, allowing partners to express freely, and consistently checking in with our partners are crucial in creating healthier relationships. 
• Fear can be a tool for protection when balanced with love. Recognizing and understanding this balance can be a powerful tool for personal growth and self-discovery. 
• Honest communication and active listening are vital for improving relationships. By setting guidelines and allowing partners to express themselves, relationships can become stronger and more meaningful.

-----

"Find that hero in your story and make yourself that hero.” - Adam Lane Smith

About the guest: Adam Lane Smith is a transformative force in the field of personal development and relationships. Leveraging years of professional experience as a licensed psychotherapist, he has honed his craft as a highly sought-after Attachment Specialist and personal coach.

Follow Adam @attachmentadam

-----

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

This is an Operation Podcast production, connect with us @operationpodcast.

How often do we mold ourselves to fit in? Join us as we unravel the complexities of identity and acceptance with Selema Masekela, a renowned storyteller and artist who's journey of self identity discovery is a testament to the power of self-love. Selema shares his experience of creating a character around his persona to assimilate in places where he was the 'other'. 

Breaking down the barriers of love and self-acceptance, Selema and I indulge in an honest exploration of relationships, the struggles of receiving love, and the essence of taking care of oneself before others. As we navigate through the landscape of fear-based living, we discuss the dangers of demonizing intelligence and highlight the importance of embracing love in our society. 

How does Selema live through love? "Allowing myself to be taught by love the soft lessons, the hard lessons and, as we said before, the ability to learn, how to continuously learn to receive it from all the different directions that it may be coming from, because sometimes that shit feels like an attack.”

-----

In this episode, you will learn…

• Embracing individuality: the importance of self-identity and authenticity, highlighting his journey of self-discovery.

• The importance of self-love: It's crucial to fill our own cup first before we can give to others, emphasizing the importance of self-care and self-appreciation in our relationships.

• Empathy and vulnerability: These two traits play a vital role in today's society. They allow for deeper connections, understanding, and acceptance of others.

• The power of love: Selema shares his understanding of love shaped by past relationships and the control we can take over our narratives, demonstrating the transformative power of love.

• Creating inclusive spaces: Selema highlights the importance of inclusivity and diversity in all aspects of life, from sports to society at large.

-----

About the guest: Selema Masekela is a prominent storyteller and artist, known for his inspiring journey of self-identity discovery and his experiences in the world of outdoor sports. Having made a significant transition from the East Coast to Carlsbad, California, Selema advocates for self-love, empathy, vulnerability, and the importance of owning one's own story, as well as fostering diversity and access in outdoor sports.

Follow Selema @selema

—--

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

This is an Operation Podcast production, connect with us @operationpodcast.

Have you ever stopped to consider the profound impact your family mealtimes have on your overall health and wellbeing? The statistics are certainly a wake-up call: only around 30% of American families regularly dine together, yet, the consequences of neglecting this tradition are far-reaching. Shawn Stevenson, research scientist and nutrition expert, offers intriguing insights into the intricate interplay between our food choices, metabolic health, and mental wellbeing. Together, we unravel the alarming data revealing how children who share family meals at least thrice a week have significantly lower rates of metabolic syndrome, obesity, and disordered eating.

Moving beyond the dining table, we dive into the heart of lifestyle choices and their implications on our health. From the evolutionary advantages of our brain size to the critical role of the hypothalamus in energy absorption, we investigate the profound effects of our environment and culture. Shawn brings to light the concerning links between screen time, device addiction, dopamine hits, and our health. Coupled with the impacts of processed foods, it's clear that we need to pay more attention to what we consume, both physically and mentally.

As we wrap up our conversation, we explore practical solutions and strategies for restoring our health. We delve into the importance of upgrading our ingredients, fostering healthier eating habits, and reviving the endangered practice of family mealtimes. Shawn paints a hopeful vision for a culture of wellness accessible to all, emphasizing the power of personal choice and responsibility in shaping our health outcomes. 

How does Shawn live through love? "Being someone who expresses congruence, being someone who walks and lives their word. When your thoughts, your word and your actions are in alignment."

-----

In this episode, you will learn...

• The Importance of Family Meals: Regular family meals can have a profound impact on your overall health. The act of eating together not only fosters stronger relationships but also influences your food choices, leading to better nutritional outcomes.
• Impact of Food Choices on Mental Health: Shawn emphasizes the correlation between the food we consume and our mental well-being. Making healthier food choices can significantly improve both our physical and mental health. 
• Dangers of Processed Foods: The negative effects of consuming processed foods and why these foods are not only harmful to your physical health but also contribute to various mental health issues.
• The Role of Food in Expressing Love: Shawn explains how your food choices can be an expression of love, by involving family members in meal preparation and choosing healthy foods, we can show our care and consideration for their well-being. 
• The Power of Personal Responsibility: One of the key takeaways from the episode is the importance of taking personal responsibility for your health outcomes. 

-----

About The Guest: Shawn Stevenson is a bestselling author and the creator of The Model Health Show, featured as the #1 health podcast in the U.S. with millions of listener downloads each year. A graduate of The University of Missouri—St. Louis, Shawn studied business, biology, and nutritional science and went on to be the founder of Advanced Integrative Health Alliance, a company that provides wellness services for individuals and organizations worldwide. Shawn has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Muscle & Fitness, ABC News, ESPN, and many other major media outlets. He is also a frequent keynote speaker for numerous organizations, universities, and conferences.

Follow Shawn @shawnmodel

-----

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

This is an Operation Podcast production, connect with us @operationpodcast.

Ever wondered about the power of words and how they can uplift, inspire and transform? Our guest today, Angela Manuel Davis, respected athlete and motivational coach, shares in-depth insights about such profound topics. We explore the transformative potential of self-encouragement, self-love and the significance of surrounding ourselves with motivational individuals and resources. Angela shares a truly fresh perspective on breaking away from cycles of the past and the importance of committing to community and personal growth.

Words can be your liberator or your jailer; your choice. Angela and I explore the art of self-encouragement, the importance of breaking free from the cycle of commiserating in valley situations and the liberating power of climbing towards the peaks. We also discuss the power of self-love and self-compassion in propelling us forward as well as the importance of unfollowing accounts that don't inspire or motivate you and the value of surrounding yourself with those who do. 

How does Angelas live through love? "Living through love doesn't require anything on the front end. I think living through love is you being willing to be the investment, not the fruit from what was already planted, but you choosing to show up."

-----

In this episode, you will learn...

• How to Make a Culture of Love and Empowerment
• The Importance of Self-Encouragement and Surroundings
• The Importance of Encouragement and Purpose
• How to Turn Hardships Into Growth and Resilience
• Why You Need to Commit to Community For Your Personal Growth
• New Parenting Perspectives and Lessons in Gratitude

-----

About The Guest: Angela Manuel Davis is a highly respected athlete and motivational coach who inspires positive change and personal growth through her transformative insights on love, empowerment, and resilience. Her expertise extends from the realm of athletics to effective parenting and self-improvement, making her a sought-after figure in the journey towards self-love, self-compassion, and achieving one's highest potential.

Follow Angela @angelamanueldavis

-----

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

This is an Operation Podcast production, connect with us @operationpodcast.

What if your shoes could speak volumes about your identity? Join us as we sit down with Dominic Ciambrone, also known as The Surgeon, and delve into his fascinating journey from humble shoe designer to a maestro of self-expression. Dominic’s story is an extraordinary narrative of resilience, creativity and the powerful interplay between mental health and self-expression. His candid discussion about struggles with mental health, the harsh reality behind celebrity culture, and his personal journey to self-love are deeply moving and inspiring.

How does The Surgeon live through love? "Living a life through love is just truly loving yourself and working on yourself and learning to love yourself and also being able to be at service to other humans, and understanding fear is always going to be there. It's natural, and there's a purpose for fear. We should never not be completely fearful. If you're not, there's something wrong. It's important to be brave and to look through the fear."

-----

Key Highlights

• Journey to Self-Love and Creativity
• Childhood Creativity Through Fashion and Art
• Finding Power, Creativity, and Love
• Teaching Self-Expression Through Shoe Reconstruction
• Challenges of Balancing Art and Entrepreneurship
• Partnerships and Collaborations
• The Journey of Building a Team
• Exploring Sneaker Culture and Personal Identity

-----

About The Guest: Dominic Ciambrone, affectionately known as "The Surgeon," is an artist, entrepreneur, creative maker, and father, known for his unique journey of self-expression and resilience.

Follow Dominic @thesurgeon

-----

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

This is an Operation Podcast production, connect with us @operationpodcast.

Have you ever been stuck between knowing your potential and realizing it? This intriguing question is at the heart of our conversation with actor Travis Van Winkle. By sharing his personal journey, Travis provides unique insights into life, the inevitability of death, and the art of acting. His career in acting has not only been a platform for him to explore a myriad of emotions and characters, but also a journey of self-discovery and understanding. Travis explores the challenges, joys, and learning opportunities that come along with his craft.

This episode takes us on a roller coaster ride of emotions as Travis shares about his journey to inner acceptance and the lessons he's learned as he turned 40. Using creative techniques to navigate through life's challenges, he shares how he has learned to move through difficult emotions. From taking a cold shower to hugging his dog, Travis shares a variety of strategies that can help anyone navigating the tumultuous waters of life. Additionally, we delve into his experience working with Build On to build schools in disadvantaged communities, examining the impact of education and the joy of giving back.

As we wind down our conversation, we take an exciting detour through Travis's experiences of traveling to various parts of the world. The actor shares his personal insights on how to work through difficult emotions, find empathy, and be a role model to our children. We cap it off with a discussion on his techniques for memorizing scripts, his dream roles, and his future projects in the entertainment industry. If you are fascinated by the world of acting or simply curious about life's profound questions, this episode featuring Travis Van Winkle is not one you'd want to miss.

How does Travis live through love? "I think being kind, being considerate, doing your inner work, being accountable for your mistakes, learning from your mistakes, having fun... appreciating the beauty of your life in and giving back."

-----

Key highlights

• The Art of Acting and Self-Exploration
• Life's Challenges and the Grand Mystery
• Embracing Imperfections at Turning 40
• The Fluidity of Change and Emotions
• Empathy, Acting, and Mentoring Children
• The Challenges and Lessons of Parenthood
• Navigating Social Media and Screen Time
• Education Access & Building Schools
• Finding Inspiration Through Connecting With Cultures
• The Love of Travel and Regret
• Memorizing and Performing Speeches/Scripts Tips
• Upcoming Projects and Dream Roles

-----

About The Guest: Travis Van Winkle is a versatile and dedicated actor known for his unique approach to his craft. Not just limited to the screen, he is also a philanthropist deeply involved with the organization Build On, which is committed to constructing schools in disadvantaged communities. He is widely recognized for his insightful and cerebral conversations on life, art, and self-discovery. Van Winkle is particularly notable for his commitment to his roles and his capacity to deeply immerse himself in his characters, demonstrating a profound understanding of the human condition.

Follow Travis @travisvanwinkle

-----

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

This is an Operation Podcast production, connect with us @operationpodcast.

Theragun Creator and Therabody Founder, Dr. Jason Wersland, is sharing his approach to healing pain, growing a love-first business, and building high quality relationships.

Jason joins Ruben to talk about the origin story and science behind Theragun and how they’ve evolved into Therabody, a leading global tech wellness company. Beyond that, he describes his relationship with fear and competition, as well as his mindset around healing.

How does Jason think about living through love? Love comes from what you put your energy into. Love is the focus, the time, and the energy you put into being of service.

-----

Key Highlights

• Jason shares the story behind Theragun after a car crash injury led to acute pain
• How can Therabody devices be a holistic, realistic addition to everyone’s daily routines? How does Theragun activate the parasympathetic nervous system?
• Navigating business competition with love
• Jason’s 3-step process for building quality, long-lasting relationships
• Is Theragun/Therabody just for athletes? Does it benefit the average person?
• How do you describe fear? Jason shares how a profound experience showed him what fear is
• How consistency leads to growth and greatness

-----

About The Guest: Dr. Jason Wersland is a chiropractor, creator of Theragun, and Founder/Chief Wellness Officer of Therabody, a leading global tech wellness company rooted in science and technology.

Follow Dr. Jason Wersland @drjasonwersland

Visit a Reset By Therabody near you

Love Notes from Dr. Jason Wersland:

Consistency, persistence, and a little bit of delusion got me through a lot of the hard times.

The physical and the spiritual cross over through the parasympathetic nervous system and if you can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, then you’re going to find a more peaceful life.

The learning and the experience in our lives is distilled on us… Getting to a place where you’re not stressed takes practice.

-----

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

This episode is brought to you by Caldera Lab. Save 20% with code RUBEN on your new favorite skincare line with a 60-day guarantee.

This is an Operation Podcast production, connect with us @operationpodcast.

Strong Coffee CEO, Adam Von Rothfelder, is here to share his story of strength, resilience, and success – from growing up around abuse to creating a company that’s stealing customers from Starbucks.

Adam joins Ruben to share insights on how to keep moving forward when life gets hard, the unseen challenges of getting a product into grocery stores, and how to start a successful company from the ground up.

How does Adam live through love? He puts his best forward, for himself and others, for no reason other than that’s why we’re here.

-----

Key Highlights

• Adam gets vulnerable about the abuse he observed as a child and why he left his hometown of Milwaukee, WI
• The secrets behind Strong Coffee’s success + Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs
• Adam details his experience on the NBC reality TV series, Strong, and addresses the backlash he got after it aired
• How do you move forward in business after a massive failure/loss?
• Proving to yourself that you are strong – How to do it and why it’s necessary for success

 -----

About The Guest: Adam Von Rothfelder is the CEO of Strong Coffee Company, a father of two girls, and former mixed martial artist, pro fighter, and trainer.

Follow Adam Von Rothfelder @vonrothfelder

-----

Love Notes from Adam Von Rothfelder:

To get through life, you have to be willing to accept the fact that pain is part it.

If your “why is weak, find a new one.

Corrective actions require creative solutions.

It’s who you have around you that makes you who you are, so choose strong ones.

-----

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

This is an Operation Podcast production, connect with us @operationpodcast.

Dr. Caroline Leaf is a neuroscientist and mental health expert who’s teaching you her science-backed method for managing everyday stress, improving self-regulation, and building resilience.

Caroline joins Ruben to talk through the rough patch he’s been going through, along with practical tips and tactics for managing your mental health. She also shares advice on teaching your kids to manage their emotions and mental health in more conscious ways.

How does Caroline define living through love? She defines it as working on your relationship with yourself so you can activate the love within you and reflect it outwards.

-----

Key Highlights

• Overcoming parent guilt
• What it means to “clean up your mental mess”
• Ruben’s Rough Patch: Balancing parenting, work, & his wife’s major surgery
• The Mind/Heart Connection: How do I get out of my head and into my heart?
• Teaching your kids how to tune into their emotions, be intentional, and express their feelings in healthy ways
• Mind Management (Neurocycling): Caroline demonstrates her science-backed system for managing everyday stress, improving self-regulation, and building resilience
• Tips for de-escalating tantrums in kids and redirecting their energy
• The difference between acute stress and chronic stress on mental and physical health

-----

About The Guest: Dr. Caroline Leaf is a neuroscientist, mental health and mind expert, host of Cleaning Up The Mental Mess podcast, and author of “How to Help Your Child Clean Up Their Mental Mess”.

Follow Dr. Caroline Leaf @drcarolineleaf

Visit her website

Download the Neurocycle app

Love Notes from Dr. Caroline Leaf:

It’s okay to be a mess, everyone’s a mess… everyone’s a bit crazy and no one has a normal brain.

Our driving force of everything in life is mind.

It’s really important that we don’t just name the emotion, but we name the behavior that goes with the emotion and the body sensation and the perspective… Get it all down, then wisdom comes in.

-----

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

This is an Operation Podcast production, connect with us @operationpodcast.

Prepare yourself for a profound journey of love and self-discovery with my guest Perry Farrell. As artists, we explore the transformative power of love and fear and how these emotions shape our world. Together, we step into a new era, one defined by brotherly love and grace. We discuss the Noahide codes, divine rules that hold the potential to unify religions and heal our fracturing world. 

We then traverse the global stage, drawing inspiration from the rich cultures around the world and their deep impact on humanity and how material possessions often serve to fill emotional voids. As we journey further into the realm of creativity, Perry and I delve into the power of artistic collaboration and the importance of ego dissolution. We conclude by exploring the evolution of an artist, striking a balance between staying true to oneself and maintaining creative fluidity.

How does Perry define living a life through love? “When I wake up in the morning, I pray. When I pray, I study and I read about the universe and I read about the different heavens and the different worlds, what's going on in all of them and why we're here. And we are here to definitely spread love.”

So, are you ready to redefine your perspective on love, fear, and art? Let's start this journey together.

-----

Key Highlights

• Perry’s lifelong studies of mysticism and spirituality
• The Noahide Codes and the Angel Gabriel
• Discovering India and synthesizing the animal with the Divine
• Exploring love and overcoming fear
• The importance of ego dissolution 
• Collaboration and love’s transformative power
• Creating Lollapalooza

-----

Follow Perry @perryfarrellofficial

About the guest: Perry Farrell is the lead singer of the iconic American rock bands Jane’s Addiction and Porno for Pyros. He is an actor and composer, known for Twilight, Southland Tales and The Cable Guy. He has been married to Etty Lau since 2002. They have two children.

-----

Love Notes from Perry:

It would serve all of us well to collaborate and bring in more and more people to help… It makes the end product even better.

To know thyself is really to know God.

-----

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

Step into the soulful world of Grace Weber as she unravels her rhythmic journey from a young singing sensation to a Grammy-winning powerhouse. Grace opens up about the shifts in her career, from performing covers to penning heartfelt originals, and the pivotal moments that carved her path in the music industry. Our conversation dances through her inspirations and tribulations, revealing the less glamorous side of the business Yet, through the struggles, Grace's unwavering authenticity and emotional depth shine, offering a beacon of hope and inspiration for fellow artists and music aficionados alike.

Grace joins Ruben to help us imagine an industry where artists like Taylor Swift take back their power, redefining relationships with labels and reshaping their creative destinies. We discuss this seismic shift and its ripple effect on artists' careers, including Grace's own experiences of feeling commoditized by the industry. With anecdotes of building a harmonious team network, we underscore the necessity of collaboration and support in fostering a nurturing creative environment.

This episode isn't just about the mechanics of making music; it's a heartfelt symphony of

personal growth and self-acceptance against the backdrop of an often tumultuous industry. We close on an uplifting chord with Grace's love-infused album "Paper Flowers," a tribute to the transformative power of embracing our dreams with tenderness and persistence. Join us as we celebrate the resonant beauty of life's odyssey and the empowering message that through love and patience, we can all make our own dreams sing.

How does Grace live through love? "Making time for the people you love. I feel, as you live your life, it can be tough sometimes to remember to take time to give love and receive love from the people you love.”

“You can't let the fear of failure stop you from pursuing your passion.” - Grace Weber

-----

In this episode, you will learn…

• Pursue your passion despite challenges, as authentic artistry emerges from perseverance and personal growth
• Artists can empower themselves by taking control of their creative work and industry relationships
• Building a supportive network is crucial for maintaining creative passion and overcoming industry setbacks
• Self-acceptance and resilience are key to navigating the emotional highs and lows of a music career
• Love and patience are foundational in personal relationships and can inspire artistic expression and fulfillment

-----

“But if you really want to be an artist you need to start writing. And if you write for yourself, you're going to not only create your own space in the industry, but you will find the uniqueness that is you through your music.” - Grace Weber

About the guest: A native of Milwaukee, Grace Weber first began singing around age ten, and soon thereafter joined the Central City Youth Gospel Choir of Milwaukee. This experience led to various performance opportunities, including appearances on the television shows Showtime at the Apollo (at age 16) and The Oprah Winfrey Show. Grace is a Grammy-winning American R&B singer, songwriter and producer.

Follow Grace @graceweber 

-----

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

An Operation Podcast original in collaboration with Live Through Love Media

This is an Operation Podcast production, connect with us @operationpodcast.

Ever wondered how stripping down to the bare essentials can streamline your life and reduce the noise of modern living? Join me and my guest Light Watkins, as we navigate through the concept of spiritual minimalism, and discover how a life crammed into a single carry-on can pave the way for a more fulfilling existence. We unravel the myth of finding our purpose in a world overshadowed by social media, crammed with forced grandeur and unrealistic expectations. 

Highlighting the importance of curiosity, Light discusses how this can reignite our lives during even the most mundane moments. He demystifies meditation, as we explore the different ways it can be practiced, from monks to everyday people. No need to strain like an Olympian, simply let your mind roam free and cultivate a relationship with it that doesn't involve thought shaming. Walking, that simple, everyday activity, is also brought into the limelight, as we discuss the art of 'flaneuring'- aimless walking as a form of meditation.

Our conversation takes a deeper turn as we discuss the power of emotional restraint and how responding rather than reacting can be transformative. We underscore the role of personal responsibility in shaping our lives and understanding the power of love and living unconditionally accepting of others. We come full circle back to spiritual minimalism, and how these practices can lead to a more fulfilled life. Light and I invite you to embark on this journey of self-discovery and purposeful living with us. Unpack your life, simplify and find your purpose in this noisy world.

-----

Key Highlights

• Nomadic Existence and Finding Purpose
• Finding Purpose and Cultivating Presence
• Understanding Different Approaches to Meditation
• The Value of Presence and Walking
• Curiosity, Education, and the Human Experience
• Connecting to Intuition and Instincts
• Presence and Emotional Restraint's Power
• The Power of Love and Purpose
• Spiritual Minimalism and Fulfilled Living

-----

Follow Light @lightwatkins

Get his book Travel Light

Love Notes from Light:

Loving is when you are unconditionally accepting of other people.

I packed my entire existence into a carry-on bag and set off on a nomadic journey that transformed my perspective on life.

Doing “normal things” can be very profound if you're present to them, and then that could be the gateway to something more that will happen down the line. But you have to be present to what you're feeling, what you're sensing, what's what's emerging through you.

-----

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

This is an Operation Podcast production, connect with us @operationpodcast.

This episode is brought to you by Caldera Lab. Save 20% with code RUBEN on your new favorite skincare line with a 60-day guarantee.

Rachel Scheer, a Functional Medicine Dietician and CEO, shares her unique take on gut health, how dis-ease manifests in the body, and how you can create greater self-love and abundance in your life.

Listen in to gain a fresh perspective on the abundance mindset, the gut-brain connection, and how to take full ownership of your health and happiness.

How does Rachel define living life through love? Living a life of inspiration – by healing, getting back to your true self, taking charge of your internal purpose, and creating from that place.

Key Highlights

• How bodybuilding helped Rachel overcome insecurity and find confidence, control, and power in herself & How it ultimately made her sick
• Gut health directly impacts mental health. How does this connection impact our self-love?
• How getting to a place of inner peace and worthiness helps us live the life we want
• Abundance = presence + gratitude
• How to know if you’re operating in lack and ego or operating in abundance
• Embodying awareness, ownership, & your values
• How to turn anything into a spiritual practice

Follow Rachel Scheer @rachelscheer

Visit her website

Love Notes from Rachel Scheer:

We may start from a place of insecurity, not feeling good, which is totally okay… but that can’t be what keeps us going. At some point, we do really need to heal that relationship we have with our self, otherwise there will always be a negative byproduct.

Your power comes in when you can be present in your life [and] have full gratitude of everything that surrounds you.

As long as we are identified with our thoughts and with our pain, we can never actually, truly heal from that.

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

This is an Operation Podcast production, connect with us @operationpodcast.

This episode is brought to you by Caldera Lab. Save 20% with code RUBEN on your new favorite skincare line with a 60-day guarantee.

Licensed Therapists Vanessa Bennett and John Kim (aka the Angry Therapist) are changing the narratives around therapy, self-love, personal responsibility, and relationships.

The pair speaks candidly about the tumultuous journey of liking and loving yourself, as well as how expensive and broken the therapy system is, yet how vital it is to our collective wellness. They also uncover the root of cancel culture, how opinions are being weaponized, and what you should look for in a therapist.

How do John and Vanessa define love? Love is a moment-by-moment action that we choose. Love is a living, breathing thing that doesn’t dwell on what was, will be, or could be, but it’s accepting and living in what is now.

Key Highlights

• John and Vanessa detail why they became therapists after being unhappy (and angry) in their careers
• What’s the difference between a coach and a therapist? Can you be a therapist or coach at any age/experience level?
• “Trauma is subjective”
• The Affordability of Therapy: The mental health system in America is broken, but there are ways you can access therapy for less money
• What should you look for in a therapist? When should you break up with your therapist?
• The journey of liking yourself vs. loving yourself and combatting negative self-talk
• Our collective responsibility in making the world a better place & White women’s role in ending gun violence (or any problem)
• How therapy and opinions are being weaponized
• “Cancel culture comes from hiding, not from showing yourself.”

Follow John Kim @theangrytherapist

Follow Vanessa Bennett @vanessasbennett

Buy their book, It’s Not Me, It’s You: Break the Blame Cycle. Relationship Better.

Love Notes from John Kim & Vanessa Bennett:

Loving is a process. Love is active. So, it’s through the process of loving other people that you also learn to love yourself.

Never exchange your truth for membership.

Each of us is one cup of an ocean.

Accountability can still be had without demonizing or cancelling.

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

This is an Operation Podcast production, connect with us @operationpodcast.

This is an Operation Podcast production, connect with us @operationpodcast.

Steve Epting, Chicago Artist, Creative Producer, and Vocal/Performance Coach, is here to share his story of going from choir boy to touring and performing with celebrities like Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and Kanye West.

Steve shares his views on mental health and success, the importance of pouring into yourself before you pour into others, and how to overcome insecurity and self-doubt in any creative pursuit.

How does Steve think about living through love? It’s how you speak to yourself, uplift and communicate to others, and go after what you want.

Follow Steve Epting @needfor_steve

-----

Key Highlights

• Steve’s turning point: “If you don’t enjoy the work getting up to a profession, you won’t enjoy the profession.”
• How do you know you’re on the right path in life?
• What it’s like working with Kanye West
• How to overcome insecurity and self-doubt in your career
• Lessons for creators and entrepreneurs on self-improvement and incorporating love into everything you do
• How a supportive community can help you succeed in new areas of life
• How do you define/measure success for yourself in the music industry? How does that keep you motivated? 

-----

Love Notes from Steve Epting:

You can really have whatever you want in this life, you just really have to be aligned and you really have to see it.

There are no limits. We put limits on our self.

When you’re able to be real with yourself first, then you can be real with other things.

-----

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

This episode is brought to you by Caldera Lab. Save 20% with code RUBEN on your new favorite skincare line with a 60-day guarantee.

Atticus, the anonymous poet, is sending us love from the shadows and speaking his truth about love and fear, art and creativity, mental health, and his anonymity.

Atticus joins Ruben to discuss the intersections between art, our perceptions of gender, and our unique struggles with mental health/illness. He sheds light on his creative process as a poet, whether he’ll ever show his face to the world, and the exciting collaboration he’s been working on with Ruben.

How does Atticus define love? Love at its core is an exchange. You’re giving and giving, then falling in love with what you’ve given to someone else over time. Love is so much more about safety, vulnerability, and showing up than saying “I love you”. 

“There is a beauty in simplicity because people can access it.” - Atticus

-----

Key Highlights

• Atticus describes how he became a poet (spoiler: it was never his intention)
• As men, why do we feel like we need permission to do “feminine things”? Why are men so encouraged not to be vulnerable?
• How art can bust misconceptions of masculinity
• Why Atticus chose to be anonymous & Will he ever show his face?
• How poetry helps people, including Atticus, cope with depression and mental illness
• What inspires Atticus to write from the female and elder perspectives, even though he’s a young man
• Meeting the Dalai Lama
• His creative process for writing, the feelings of fear and love behind his books, & dealing with writer’s block
• A sneak peek into the upcoming Atticus x Ruben collaboration

“You never know what kind of positive effects you’re having on people.” - Atticus

-----

About The Guest: Atticus, the anonymous author of four national bestsellers - Love Her Wild, The Dark Between Stars, The Truth About Magic, and LVOE, has taken the world by storm with his beautiful poetry and powerful, simple themes of love and strength of the human spirit.

Follow Atticus @atticuspoetry

Visit his website

Buy his books

-----

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

This is an Operation Podcast production, connect with us @operationpodcast.

Kute Blackson, a Transformational Teacher and “The Billionaire’s Go-To for Advice”, dives deep into the magic of surrender and why surrendering is the most powerful thing you can do to live through love.

Kute speaks on why surrender is the key to freedom and how to get “unstuck” in life by surrendering to love.

How does Kute live through love? He lives a life that’s in service to a purpose and in service to something bigger than himself.

Key Highlights

• What’s preventing us from getting out of our own way and overcoming our limiting beliefs?
• How societal conditioning keeps us stuck in life and prevents us from being in the flow
• Why is surrendering important? How do I “surrender” without quitting or losing?
• Goal-Setting vs. Soul-Setting
• How to surrender more in life
• “Ego is not the enemy, our relationship with ego is really the key.”
• What to do when you feel stuck in old, unhelpful patterns
• The problem with searching for love outside of yourself
• How Kute overcame the feeling of failing to live up to your own potential

Follow Kute Blackson @kuteblackson

Buy his books, “The Magic of Surrender” & “You Are The One”

Visit his website

Apply to join Boundless Bliss – The Bali Breakthrough Experience

Love Notes from Kute Blackson:

The degree to which we are identified in an ego is the degree to which we are not free.

Resistance is the ego’s mechanism of trying to hold onto its sense of self and that’s why we get in our own way.

Every one of us, we are craving surrender whether we know it or not.

We have to want the truth more than we want what we have. We have to want the truth more than we want what we think that we want. To me, the truth is what sets us free.

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

This is an Operation Podcast production, connect with us @operationpodcast.

Ruben recaps his first few months of 2023, highlighting what’s been challenging him and helping him on his path of living through love.

Join this intimate story time as Ruben shares what he’s doing to live through love, keep fear at bay, and maintain an open mind through his triumphs and failures as an artist and entrepreneur.

If you’re struggling to embody love or you’re not sure if you’re living through love, this episode will offer you helpful (and relatable) insights that will get you back on your path of purpose.

Key Highlights

• Living Through Love: Two major events that reminded Ruben that he’s on the path of purpose.
• Curiosity Mindset: The powerful benefits of having a “we’ll see” attitude.
• Wins and Losses Lessons: A behind-the-scenes look at the projects and collaborations Ruben has been working on in 2023.

Love Notes from Ruben Rojas:

Take a step toward whatever it is that’s going to make you happy.

There’s a lot of wins in between a lot of losses and they’re not really losses, they’re lessons.

There’s too much fear in the world. Let’s keep showing up, let’s keep choosing love, and remember to live through love.

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

This is an Operation Podcast production, connect with us @operationpodcast.

Mando Fresko is a Mexican-American entrepreneur, speaker, and media personality who’s getting candid about why his main priority in life is kindness.

Listen in as he joins Ruben to talk about the beautiful journey that is finding your true self, making a positive impact on your community, and pursuing what you love no matter what society or your family tells you.

What does Mando think about living life through love? It requires risk and sacrifice, but there’s more love in the world than you think - just look, listen, and feel for it.

Key Highlights

• Mando shares what inspired him to go against the grain of his culture and societal norms, enter the entertainment industry, and start his own radio show.
• He describes the work ethic and love ethic he’s developed to find success in life & why he doesn’t work for the money, but rather for happiness.
• Being of service to your community hits harder than you think!
• How do we show up in the world the way we want to be treated? How can we be a vessel for love and kindness, so we can give and receive more easily?
• Mando speaks on how the Latinx community can influence positive change and create a culture of love in America - right alongside the BLM movement.

Follow Mando @mandofresko

Visit Mando’s website

Listen to Mando & Friends

Hubwav Media

Fresko Foundation

Love Notes from Mando Fresko:

If you love something, do it. Do it because you love it, do it because you’re passionate about it, do it because it’s feeding your heart.

Lately, I’m making an extra effort to just be a vessel of kindness because I want that for me. I want people to be kind to me.

My heart has a six pack right now, my heart looks like The Rock… It’s a muscle you have to work out.

Living a life through love, I would say, is a life where you make choices to put your heart into everything that you do.

Love is 365, man.

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

This is an Operation Podcast production, connect with us @operationpodcast.

Chris Dufey is a physique coach, business mentor, speaker, and father of 4 girls who’s here to tell you how to go from a dad bod to a leading father figure and how to best serve the world through authenticity and love.

Chris and Ruben dive deep into their philosophies around fatherhood and business, showing up every day as your authentic self, and training yourself to do what’s best for your mind and body.

How does Chris live through love? By being his authentic self and serving others through his authenticity.

Key Highlights

• How do you stay fit as a busy entrepreneur? Chris shares his journey from being overweight to competing as a fitness model and becoming a world-renowned physique coach, plus his personal struggle with bulimia.
• He explains how to train yourself to do healthy things, then divulges (for the first time) the journaling prompt that’s helped him do it.
• Chris speaks on how emotions can be tied to food/eating and how that informs his role as a father to four girls.
• You know what to do, but do you have the character to do it?
• The key to stop bullshitting yourself is renegotiating with yourself.
• Can you really sell a coaching business? Yes, Chris did it. Listen in to learn the mindset that enabled him to do the seemingly impossible.

Once you finish this episode, answer this prompt & share it by tagging or DMing Ruben and Chris on Instagram!

If I love myself, will I _______?

Follow Chris @christopherdufey

Visit his website

Listen to Ruben on Ep 31 of the Christopher Dufey Podcast

Love Notes from Chris Dufey:

Love – It’s that essence that, when everything gets ripped back, when you drop any story… what’s there? It’s love.

I will achieve what I want because it’s just who I am, it’s just what I do.

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

This is an Operation Podcast production, connect with us @operationpodcast.

Candice Craig is a dancer, entrepreneur, singer, songwriter, model, and actress. She’s also a PCOS advocate whose fight for a cure led her to lobby in front of Congress.

Candice joins Ruben to open up about her struggles with self-love and mental, physical, and emotional health as a woman living with PCOS. She also talks about how she’s navigating the potential of infertility, creating her own stage through social media, and seeking purpose and love through entrepreneurship.

“I’m still me inside of this body no matter what and this is my tool, this is my temple, and I have to still pour into her.” – Candice Craig

Candice says love is forgiveness. Love gives life meaning. Whether it’s with friends, family, followers, your partner, or yourself… love is the through line that brings us together and brings us to our purpose. Living life through love is being able to pour into yourself and others so we can become the best, happiest versions of ourselves.

 “Love is probably one of the only things worth living for.” – Candice Craig

Do you resonate?

SUBSCRIBE to Live Through Love so you never miss an episode & RATE/REVIEW it on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

About the Guest: Candice Craig is a dancer, entrepreneur, singer, songwriter, model, actress, and PCOS advocate. She is the Founder and CEO of 5678 Count Me In, an apparel and beauty company. Throughout her dancing career, she has danced on world tours, in videos and on television for acts such as Nicki Minaj, Britney Spears, Diddy, Ciara, Pharrel Williams, Pitbull, Mark Anthony and more. 

Follow Candice on Instagram 

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

This is an Operation Podcast production, connect with us @operationpodcast.

Embark on an intimate voyage with Karena Dawn, a beacon of resilience, shedding light on how adopting a fitness regime and creating the Tone It Up community have become cornerstones of her mental health advocacy. She navigates the complexities of love and loss, caregiving, and the transformative journey of choosing self-love over fear. This is an uplifting and raw reflection on personal growth, and it's sure to resonate deeply with anyone seeking solace and strength amid life's storms.

Karena joins Ruben in a conversation about both challenge and triumph. Whether you're navigating the nuances of marriage, the pangs of caregiving, or the pursuit of a genuine connection to others, this conversation promises a heartfelt exploration of what it means to live authentically.

Mental well-being is a journey, not a destination, and this episode serves as your compass, pointing you towards the resources and techniques that can steady you in tumultuous times. Tune in and find solace in the shared experiences that unite us in our quest for peace and happiness.

How does Karena live through love? "Being a good person, loving yourself first and then being able to love someone else. The more that we can have that loving energy, we can heal this world.”

“I was ashamed of my past in the beginning and didn't talk about it. I was silenced for too long.” - Karena Dawn

-----

In this episode, you will learn…

• Confronting addiction and mental health struggles opens the door to self-discovery and empowerment through community support and personal wellness practices
• Embracing vulnerability and sharing personal challenges can foster genuine connections and encourage others to seek help and advocate for mental health
• Personal decisions, such as choosing not to have children, require authenticity and strength, especially when navigating societal expectations and public scrutiny
• Accessible mental health resources and practical coping techniques like breathing exercises and body scans are essential for managing anxiety and staying grounded
• Recognizing early signs of mental distress in young people and normalizing discussions about mental health can help prevent isolation and provide timely support

-----

“Choosing to live in fear can sometimes feel easier. But choosing love for yourself so that you can give love to other people is one of the hardest things.” - Karena Dawn

About the guest: Karena Dawn is a mental health advocate, podcast host, wellness entrepreneur, New York Times best-selling author, wife, daughter, and co-founder of the Tone It Up online fitness community and brand as well as the founder of The Big Silence mental health foundation.

Follow Karena @karenadawn 

-----

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

An Operation Podcast original in collaboration with Live Through Love Media

Logan Gelbrich is an entrepreneur, author, speaker, and athlete who’s getting philosophical about all things entrepreneurship, leadership, and personal (and collective) growth. 

Join the discussion to hear Logan’s thoughts on how we can maximize our potential for growth and fulfillment and be the leader of our own life.

What does Logan think about living life through love? Love transcends everything. 

Key Highlights

• Logan shares the deeper meaning behind their motto at DEUCE Gym: “Hold the Standard”. 
• Complacency is the killer of fulfillment. Why do we tend to throw in the hat when things get hard?
• “There’s a human condition that I think is at the core of what makes life tricky for us…”
• Logan describes his growth-oriented approach to entrepreneurship and navigating competition.
• Are you a spectator in the game of your life or are you a champion? It all comes down to personal agency.
• “My lack of awareness almost killed me.” Logan speaks on how he’s navigating mental health and depression with a growth mindset.
• Logan is brought to tears telling the story of his most recent visit to a prison, with his non-profit, DEUCE Community, which shines light on the importance of giving children the love they need. 

Follow Logan @functionalcoach

Buy his book, “Going Right: A Logical Justification for Pursuing Your Dreams”

DEUCE

DEUCE Community

Love Notes from Logan Gelbrich:

We wouldn’t rule the world if we didn’t have the courage to venture beyond that which is safe.

Whether it’s made explicit or not, we all need and are looking for connectivity, connection with other people.

You can’t be happy and be a victim at the same time.

Do you want to grow when something horrible happens in life? Cause life will do that… Or do you want to take the torch and grow on purpose?

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

This is an Operation Podcast production, connect with us @operationpodcast.

Ashleigh Renard is the author of “Swing”, creator of the viral video series, “How to Keep Monogamy Hot”, and host of Keeping It Hot, a podcast that helps you improve your communication in and out of the bedroom.

Ashleigh joins Ruben for an insightful discussion about how to foster communication and cooperation in your marriage and family. She talks about how spicing up your marriage is taboo, but not in the way you’d think, and the lessons she’s learned about love from failing at the swinger lifestyle.

 “We weren’t really looking to open up our marriage, what we were looking for was just a break from the mundane.” –Ashleigh Renard

According to Ashleigh, the grass is greener where you water it. Marriage doesn’t have to be a power play, it can be a ‘win-win’. 

Everyone comes into marriage with their own story and agenda. We’re going to see each other’s ugly sides, brilliant sides, and everything in between… and we have to embrace all of it. No matter how messy your marriage gets or how many mistakes you’ve made, you can come back from anything – as an individual and as a couple.

Shine light on your partner’s strengths, as well as your children’s strengths, and see what grows from that light. This is what love is made of.

 “That’s the thing I’m telling married people every day is, our job in marriage is to help your partner be and feel their very best.” –Ashleigh Renard

SUBSCRIBE to Live Through Love so you never miss an episode & RATE/REVIEW it on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

About the Guest: Ashleigh Renard, author of “Swing” and creator of the viral video series, “How to Keep Monogamy Hot”, is the Carrie Bradshaw for married people. She’s also the host of Keeping It Hot, a podcast created to improve your communication in and out of the bedroom. After sharing her own story of rehabbing and shabby marriage in “Swing”, she now answers hundreds of requests each day about how to improve relationships. As a synchronized skating coach and choreographer, it was her job to teach teamwork to teenage girls. You and your spouse have an advantage of elite athletes. You actually chose to be teammates. Part coach, part storyteller, part Cooperation Whisperer, Ashleigh has inspired millions of couples to radically reimagine the connection and joy available to them in their marriages.

Visit Ashleigh’s website

Buy her book, Swing: A Memoir of Doing it All

Follow her on Instagram 

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

This is an Operation Podcast production, connect with us @operationpodcast.

Yogi Roth is a sports broadcaster, best-selling author, podcaster, filmmaker, speaker, and storyteller whose goal in life is to seek and uncover the humanity in sports and around the world.

Yogi joins Ruben to talk about how sports and fatherhood have influenced his life, catalyzed his passions, and helped him build unshakable resilience and self-love. He then shares a few tips and tools for finding your purpose, diving into what you love, and raising (or coaching) resilient kids. 

“Putting energy into ‘I’ll prove you wrong’ is not nearly as healthy as saying ‘I’m going to go prove myself right’.” –Yogi Roth

Yogi emphasizes the power of affirming your children’s talents, skills, and interests, and teaching them to fly on their own. He believes the core of optimism is resilience. So, in order to find fulfillment and happiness in your life, you need to focus on what you love, tap into your innate resilience, and share your love and knowledge with as many people as you can along the way.

 “Our only job is to give everything we’ve got away, but to give it away, you’ve got to gain it.” –Yogi Roth

SUBSCRIBE to Live Through Love so you never miss an episode & RATE/REVIEW it on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

About the Guest:  Yogi Roth has been driven by the power of sports and story for over 20 years, as an on-air college football analyst, Elite 11 coach, Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, and New York Times and Amazon best-selling author. A former Pitt wide receiver and USC coach, Yogi is also a motivational speaker, TV and event host, and world traveler.

Visit Yogi’s website

Follow him on Instagram 

Follow him on Twitter

Tatiana DeMaria is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, and entrepreneur in cryptocurrency, NFTs, and Web3.

Tatiana joins Ruben to talk about dealing with self-doubt and fear as a creator, the important role artists have in this world, and how to find balance and flow in your creative process, even when you feel stuck.

She shines light on how making music brought healing into her life, what it’s like to have synesthesia as a musician, and the power of mindfulness in the creative process.

“Everyone who’s ever made anything and thought about it too hard has reached a point where they go, fuck, it was better two hours ago… Learning your let go point, I think, is important for all people creating anything.” – Tatiana DeMaria

Tatiana believes that it’s vital to have a vision for your life and really choose your life instead of accepting your circumstances. We need to be the leader of our life, act on our ideas, and continuously put ourselves and our talents out into the world.

 “Anything you want to do in life, you put it out there and get the data points. See how it’s being received and iterate… If you don’t put it out, you don’t get the progress, you don’t get the momentum.” – Tatiana DeMaria

Being vulnerable is one of the strongest positions you can be in. Consistently pushing your vulnerability and creativity will push you to make your biggest dreams coming true.

Remember, love is kindness in the company of courage.

SUBSCRIBE to Live Through Love so you never miss an episode & RATE/REVIEW it on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

About the Guest: Tatiana DeMaria is a songwriter, singer, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, and entrepreneur. DeMaria gained global recognition as the founder and front-woman for English rock/punk band TAT, playing over 1000 live shows, and writing and releasing two UK charting singles by age 18. 

In addition to her music career, she is also a cryptocurrency, NFT, and Web3 innovator and entrepreneur, whose accomplishments include selling the first-ever guitar solo NFT.

Visit Tatiana’s website

Follow her on Instagram 

Follow her on TikTok

Subscribe to her YouTube channel

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

This is an Operation Podcast production, connect with us @operationpodcast.

Army veteran, health coach, wellness entrepreneur, and top-ranked podcaster Chase Chewning talks about his journey to living a life through love and finding his calling in life. Despite the challenges he faced before identifying the role he wanted to play in the world, he embraces his traumatic past as part of who he is today.

Following the death of his father, Chase stopped loving himself and became avoidant of life. He enlisted in the US Army at only age 17 but after multiple injuries was medically retired at age 24. Chase then decided to enroll in school for exercise science and health promotion and then went on to become a clinical health coach working in concierge medicine. Though he loved health and fitness, he enjoyed the human interactions most about coaching. Eventually, he built a coaching business online, started podcasting, and realized that he really loved learning and connecting with people then sharing those interactions with others.

Chase is an advocate for emotional intelligence, self awareness, and gratitude. He believes that things happen for you and not to you. Through learning to quiet his mind, and address his physical and emotional self in a healthy way, Chase built a life that worked for him.

“My hope for everybody is just to have these moments of awareness in the suck.” - Chase Chewning

According to Chase, his success and ability to live a life through love now are a result of his mindset shift, actively confronting his fears, as well as the encouragement he receives from his wife.

“Love is not a noun. Love is not a singular action. Love is not an arrival point. Love is the realization of the rest of your life’s work with yourself, and if you’re fortunate enough to have a person to share that life with, to love and have them love you back, then that’s the next step and that’s the best part, but it’s not the answer. It’s not a finish line.” - Chase Chewning

SUBSCRIBE to Live Through Love so you never miss an episode & RATE/REVIEW it on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

About the Guest: Chase Chewning was a Staff Sergeant in the US Army having served six years of active duty service, is an ACE Certified Health Coach, and host of the popular podcast Ever Forward Radio with over 3 million downloads where he has conversations with industry leaders in health, wellness, personal development, entrepreneurship, emotional intelligence, and the creative life. Chase also holds a BS in Exercise Science and MS in Health Promotion.

Visit Chase’s Website

Follow Chase on Instagram

Follow Chase on Twitter

Listen to Ever Forward Radio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or watch on YouTube 

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

This is an Operation Podcast production, connect with us @operationpodcast.

Ruben is joined by professional wrestler and motivational speaker Zion Clark. Zion explains his mindset for success and how he lives his life so he can have fun, stay healthy, keep evolving, and pass on his gifts to others.

There are some people who believe Zion's success comes from having an upper hand, but Zion worked hard and stayed disciplined to succeed. It took a lot of losses and the drive to keep going until wins started rolling in for Zion.

“I lost over 200 times in wrestling for I won one match and then I won like 20 consecutive wins after that … It just took one time for me to figure it out. So as I figured it out, everybody lost.” - Zion Clark 

Zion says his purpose was to keep getting better at his athletics and he felt that the sky was the limit for him, regardless of the struggles he’d been through in life. While he has a no-nonsense approach to life and business, he is optimistic and prioritizes having fun and being present.

“I’m having fun. Guess that’s my emphasis on a lot of the things I do. If I’m not enjoying myself when I’m doing something, I’m probably not going to put my whole heart in it.” - Zion Clark

Zion believes that the best way to achieve your goals is to show up despite fear or anxiety. To him, everything boils down to having good habits and holding yourself accountable for keeping them. 

“I've learned how to use that angst, that anxiety, that fear.” - Zion Clark

SUBSCRIBE to Live Through Love so you never miss an episode & RATE/REVIEW it on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

About the Guest: Zion Clark is a professional wrestler and mixed martial artist, wheelchair racer, and motivational speaker. Netflix's short documentary "Zion" shows Zion overcoming physical disabilities and growing up in foster care to win in competitive high school wrestling. Zion’s memoir titled Work with What You Got is set to release in April 2023.

Website: https://www.zionclark.com/

Follow Zion on Instagram @bigz97

TikTok @bigznoexcuses

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

This is an Operation Podcast production, connect with us @operationpodcast.

Ruben sits down with mechanic and restoration specialist Constance Nunes of Netflix’s “Rust to Riches.” With her fascination for taking things apart and reassembling them, she applied this passion to what she was around her whole life, cars. Her goal was to create cars that were accessible to those who were unable to get the car they dreamed of. 

“I’m trying to build dreams for other people and that way they can experience everything that I’ve experienced with Baby Stang.” - Constance Nunes

Constance talks about what it is like to work in a male dominated field of building cars and how we can apply cars to life. She felt the pressure of being one of the only women in her field doing what she wanted to do, but then she realized that she could do whatever she wanted whether there was representation of it already or not.

“I think what changed for me with that was just realizing there’s not really a reason that I can’t be just as good as the guys are at it. Like there’s nothing that’s stopping me from turning a wrench the same way. And once that started clicking in my mind of like, it’s not different.” - Constance Nunes

Constance feels like more people are realizing we don’t have to conform to norms, but she still experiences some challenges with people not thinking she “looks” like a mechanic. Regardless, she continues to show up in male dominated spaces and does not let the pressure to define her overrule her strengths and abilities.

Constant encourages people to realize that achieving their goals requires work and our goals taking time is not an indication of failure. This pressure young people feel today to appear perfect and successful overnight is incredibly discouraging to them, says Constance. 

“Just do it. Just do it for yourself. If no one sees it, nobody sees it. That’s fine. Did you do what you wanted to do and it made you happy? It made the people around you happy. Great. So that matters.” - Constance Nunes

Constance feels it’s important we all realize there are many ways to get to the same destination, and sometimes what you wanted might not be what you expected, and that's okay.

SUBSCRIBE to Live Through Love so you never miss an episode & RATE/REVIEW it on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

About the Guest: Constance is founder of CARS By Constance, a shop dedicated to building dream cars for clients. She aims to create more opportunities, awareness, and diversity within the automotive community. Constance became the first female ever to be featured in an Edelbrock national commercial, has raced in several high profile races as a professional driver, and has worked directly with multiple Fortune 500 companies. Constance stars as the lead mechanic on the Netflix series “Car Master: Rust to Riches” 

Website: https://www.carsbyconstance.com/

Follow her on Instagram @constance_nunes

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

This is an Operation Podcast production, connect with us @operationpodcast.

Lewis Howes is a NYT best-selling author, keynote speaker, entrepreneur, former pro athlete, and host of The School of Greatness Podcast.

Lewis joins Ruben to talk about how to stop fear, insecurity, shame, and self-doubt from killing your dreams. He shares powerful insights from his new book, “The Greatness Mindset: Unlock the Power of Your Mind and Live Your Best Life Today” that will help you find and BE your greatness.

Lewis provides a helpful strategy you can use to stop the compare-despair cycle and finally follow your own dreams. Then, he speaks on the mask of masculinity and the true connection between fear, confidence, and greatness.

“When we get to the root of why we doubt ourselves, that’s when we can start to overcome it.” – Lewis Howes

Lewis is a big fan of creating a Fear List with all your biggest insecurities and fears at each stage and season of life. When you look at your fears in this way and then go all in on facing them, you’ll realize that’s when life really begins. It gives you a belief in yourself that’s truly authentic.

Greatness is inside of us all. We just have to be willing to take action to overcome the things that hold us back from expressing our greatness. You’ll never be at someone else’s level of greatness, but you’ll always be at your level. So, appreciate your level. Appreciate the vision you have. Appreciate everything you’ve done up until this point and the space you have to grow and do even more.

“Once you master the fear, it’s like you can take on anything and it becomes so much more powerful to have that skill of overcoming the fear than just hiding from it.” – Lewis Howes

SUBSCRIBE to Live Through Love so you never miss an episode & RATE/REVIEW it on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

About the Guest:

Lewis Howes is a New York Times best-selling author, keynote speaker, and industry-leading show host. Howes is a two-sport All-American athlete, former professional football player, and member of the U.S.A. Men’s National Handball Team. His show The School of Greatness is one of the top podcasts in the world with over 500 million downloads. He was recognized by the White House and President Obama as one of the top 100 entrepreneurs in the country under 30.

Lewis’ new book, The Greatness Mindset is now available for purchase at https://lewishowes.com/gmbook and wherever books are sold. Follow Lewis on Instagram and subscribe to his podcasts “The School of Greatness” and “The Daily Motivation Show”.

Podcast links: 

The School of Greatness - https://lewishowes.com/podcast/# 

The Daily Motivation - https://greatness.com/daily-motivation/

Social links:

• Website: www.lewishowes.com

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lewis

• Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/lewishowes

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lewishowes

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lewishowes

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lewishowes

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

This is an Operation Podcast production, connect with us @operationpodcast.

In this episode of Live Through Love Podcast, Ruben sits down with holistic wellness expert Kimberly Snyder about enoughness, emotional and physical wellbeing, relationships, intuition, introspection, and spirituality.

Although we all inherently are enough, our society struggles with a lack of self-worth, driven primarily by fear. Whenever we become hyper-aware of media messages implying that we aren't attractive, fit, or manly enough, or continue to consume content that drives us to compare ourselves with others, not only do we jeopardize our self-worth, we also keep trying to buy new things or achieve more to increase our worth, which does not work.

“The reason we're so susceptible to the marketing and we think we're not enough is because we over identify with what the Yogis call the ego, the show. Like you were saying, Ruben, what we look like, how much money we have, what we've achieved. And when we do that, we're never off the hamster wheel. There's never enough.” - Kimberly Snyder

Having mixed heritage, Kimberly felt like she did not fit in from birth, causing her to embark on a journey of self-discovery with the goal of becoming comfortable with herself.

Although we live in these constructs of some people being inferior to others, Kimberly believes that in reality we are all equal yet unique, and that's a good thing. 

“Not only are we enough, but we're all unique.” - Kimberly Snyder

Kimberly aims to remind people that despite the fact that we can always improve ourselves, our self-worth does not depend on what we do, how we look, or what we achieve, and we already possess such a special gift in being uniquely ourselves.

Kimberly recognizes that in the personal development space, finding information is easy, but putting it into practice is more difficult. Her goal is to make incorporating the practices that she has discovered to help in life simple for people to do. 

SUBSCRIBE to Live Through Love so you never miss an episode & RATE/REVIEW it on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

About the Guest: Kimberly Snyder is a NYT Best-selling author, spiritual guide, meditation teacher, nutritionist and holistic wellness expert. She has written six books on nutrition, lifestyle, and spirituality, including a book she wrote with Deepak Chopra, Radical Beauty, and her new book about modern Yogic teachings and connecting to the true self, You Are More Than You Think You Are: Practical Enlightenment for Everyday Life.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimberlySnyderCN 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_kimberlysnyder 

Book: https://mysolluna.com/youaremore 

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

This is an Operation Podcast production, connect with us @operationpodcast.

It's a new year and many of us are looking to make changes for the better. There are times though when motivation and stamina last only a short time before people lose interest or become unable to maintain their goals. Mentor and coach Sherry Fernandez believes people are generally sincere in wanting to change despite setbacks sometimes, and she has made a career out of helping people reach their potential.

In Sherry's opinion, people often fail to maintain the changes they want to make in their lives because they overwhelm themselves with too many changes at once. According to Sherry, goals aren't as important as the systems and habits we establish. Sherry believes it takes planning to master one’s life, but it is worth it and can change your life.

“If you don’t want your life to just happen to you, you have to be a planner.” - Sherry Fernandez

In this conversation, Sherry talks to Ruben about some tips for those who wouldn't consider themselves planners, New Year's resolutions, her experience taking control of her own life alongside her husband, and the tools she has developed to help others do the same.

Additionally, Sherry will discuss how she defines love, how she has stayed in love with her husband of 45 years, the different love languages, and how to stay connected in relationships.

“You don’t get to choose how somebody loves you, they do it their way. But what’s cool is if you can learn to let it in, it solves a lot of problems.” - Sherry Fernandez

SUBSCRIBE to Live Through Love so you never miss an episode & RATE/REVIEW it on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

About the Guest: Sherry Fernandez mentors clients in the principles of Life Mastery and is the author of the bestselling book Life Mastery: Personal Progression Toward an Infinite Potential, which chronicles her journey to achieving wealth. Sherry teaches the same principles that allowed her to achieve success and happiness. 

Visit Sherry’s Website
Find Sherry on Facebook

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

This is an Operation Podcast production, connect with us @operationpodcast.

Could your sense of self-worth survive the relentless gaze of social media? Join us with Ashley Everett, celebrated dancer and Beyoncé's right-hand woman, as we unravel the tangled web of online validation and real-life confidence. Together, we dissect the profound impact of social media across all echelons of fame, from the everyday individual to the glitz and glamor of celebrity life. Ashley brings her unique perspective on never settling for less and the intense pressures of meeting public expectations while navigating her own career path.

Ashley joins Ruben to describe how the artist's journey is fraught with an inner battle between ego and evolution. She shares her own metamorphosis from a background performer to a mentor and leader, wrestling with self-doubt and the courage to accept larger responsibilities. The conversation takes a turn toward compassion as we consider the effects of our online actions and the power in choosing kindness in response to negativity. 

Finally, we circle back to the core of our being—how we love ourselves while pursuing our dreams. We confront the challenging act of self-love, debunking myths that label it as selfishness, especially for those wearing the mantle of parenthood. Don't miss this transformative episode that promises to uplift, enlighten, and inspire you on your own journey towards self-empowerment and love.

How does Ashley live through love? "Living a life through love is choosing to add love into my daily lifestyle in the best and positive way possible." 

"I think love is a lifestyle. You have to live it, be it and speak it. Sometimes it has to be you, an embodiment." - Ashley Everett

-----

In this episode, you will learn…

• Prioritize personal truth over external expectations to maintain self-worth in the face of social media pressures
• Continuous personal growth and evolution are crucial, even when achieving success; never settle or become complacent
• Supportive relationships and self-care are essential for mental health and resilience amidst life's challenges and toxic influences
• Balance ambition with self-care to maximize efficiency and presence in work and personal life without succumbing to burnout
• Embrace self-love as a positive form of selfishness, essential for personal fulfillment and the ability to serve others effectively

-----

"There is no comfortable, there is no complacency. It's always growth, it's always evolve, it's always you know outdoing your last greatness."- Ashley Everett

About the guest: Ashley Everett is an American dancer and actress. She is best known as lead backup dancer and dance captain for Beyoncé, and has worked with such artists as Usher, Jennifer Lopez, Ne-Yo, Tina Turner, Ciara, Sean Paul and Anitta.

Follow Ashley @ashleycmeverett

-----

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

An Operation Podcast original in collaboration with Live Through Love Media

Elec Simon is a motivational percussion entertainer, event emcee, ultimate hype man, and former cast member of “Stomp”. Elec is here to talk about the true strength of treating people with love and kindness and the deep secrets he’s been hiding under that electric smile.

Elec speaks about why you need to stop being a follower and start leading with your own ideas, talents, and authenticity. He talks candidly about how he handles the ups and downs of life as an entertainer, how he’s dealing with mental illness, and how he overcame a destructive gambling addiction and thoughts of suicide.

“Love is how you treat people even when you’re having a bad day.” – Elec Simon

Elec believes that love is action more than anything. If we say we treat people with kindness and love but we don’t show it to one another, what are we doing? 

When we stay focused on sharing our gifts with the world, love will always come back to us.

“Love has no color, love has no destination.” – Elec Simon

SUBSCRIBE to Live Through Love so you never miss an episode & RATE/REVIEW it on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

About the Guest: Elec Simon is an Emcee/Host, Bucket Drummer, and Percussionist who performed in both the NYC and touring production of “Stomp.” He also tours as a percussionist with the jazz group, Pieces of a Dream and performs with the 216 Stix for the Cleveland Cavaliers Entertainment team.

Visit Elec’s website

Follow him on Instagram 

Follow him on TikTok

Connect with him on Facebook

Listen to “Learn How to Love” by Elec Simon on Spotify

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

This is an Operation Podcast production, connect with us @operationpodcast.

Christopher Rivas sits down with Ruben to talk about the importance of showing yourself enough love so that you can take up space in this world, walk towards your dreams unapologetically, and live a life outside of the boxes society tries to put us in.

He discusses how he became the successful author, podcaster, actor and storyteller he is today. It took Christopher some time to overcome the challenges he faced with his identity, and there were times that he molded himself into what others thought he should be.

“At the end of the day i think we need to choose anything we’re doing or someone’s going to choose it for us.” - Christopher Rivas

Christopher believes that choosing love does not mean always living in a fairytale. Despite doubts and challenges, Christopher never lets comparison to others or fear stop him from doing something, and he’s open to changing every day. While he acknowledges that not everything he wants will come to him, he believes in staying resilient by keeping his heart open and remembering that he is enough as he is now.

“You still have to learn to love yourself. No one can really teach you how to do it. You learn by seeing other people loving themselves. That’s one of the things I’m doing with my son now. I cannot teach Remy how to love himself. I can show him how I love myself.” - Christopher Rivas

Christopher reminds us that experiences, voices, and actions of all cultures matter. After several jobs like working as a personal trainer in Miami, studying theater in California, teaching hip-hop theater workshops overseas and returning to acting in Hollywood, he finally started disconnecting from the masks he was putting on to fit into the box Hollywood tried to put him in and embark on his own creative endeavors.

In his debut book, Brown Enough, Christopher discusses more about what it means to occupy space in this world within a brown body. Despite society's binary construct, Christopher aims to normalize loving ourselves and believing we are always enough.

SUBSCRIBE to Live Through Love so you never miss an episode & RATE/REVIEW it on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

About the Guest: 

Christopher Rivas is a Dominican Colombian storyteller, actor, essayist, social commentator, filmmaker, author, podcast host, and speaker. Remy likes to make art that disrupts traditionally white spaces. He has been featured in The New York Times, Deadline, The Boston Globe, and Pop Culturalist. He is the host of two podcasts, Brown Enough and Rubirosa with Christopher Rivas. He is also the author of his debut book Brown Enough.

Website: https://www.christopherrivas.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christopher__rivas

Book: https://www.christopherrivas.com/brownenough

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

This is an Operation Podcast production, connect with us @operationpodcast.

Ruben is joined by actress and social media personality Tabitha Brown, Tabitha talks about loving yourself, living with intention, healing, how she defines love and how she lives her life through love.

It was 2016 when Tabitha became ill, suffering from headaches, fatigue, and blurred vision for over a year. The doctors weren't able to diagnose the cause of her illness and all her tests were normal. She took whatever was prescribed to her to alleviate symptoms.

After watching a Netflix documentary, Tabitha decided to challenge herself to go vegan for one month. Despite the intention of the diet only lasting 30 days, she felt better and more like herself again, so she has never looked back. She started making vegan versions of all her favorite foods and sharing them on social media became a passion for her. 

“Sometimes we gotta get broken again just so that we can heal properly. We gotta be alright with doing that. Some people are afraid of being broken just to heal, but I'm not. I don't have any fear anymore.”

Tabitha shares her recipes and experiences with love and free of judgment. As a result, she has inspired thousands, if not millions, to try veganism.

“I’m never ever going to judge people. I’m always going to lead in love. Give it a little bit of humor. Just make it relatable, make it fun where people are curious, but I’m never going to tell people ‘You need to go vegan.’ I’m never going to tell somebody their life is wrong. I’m just going to simply share my life and this good food that I’m eating.” - Tabitha Brown

Tabitha is passionate enough about her vegan lifestyle that she now has her own vegan food products sold at Target. She's also launched lines of kitchen appliances, hair products, and office furniture at Target. She does a lot, but she says no a lot more than she says yes. While she acknowledges that sometimes we need to step outside of our comfort zones and that our visions may not always pan out the way we envisioned, she will never go into business unless she feels deeply connected to it.

“I always encourage people to understand: your blessings don’t always come looking the way that you envision them. Sometimes they gotta take you on a detour, but the detour be having a beautiful sight … Because you submit to it, and that’s what I did, and it opened doors for me. Just being myself.” - Tabitha Brown

SUBSCRIBE to Live Through Love so you never miss an episode & RATE/REVIEW it on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

About the Guest: Tabitha Bonita Brown is an actress, a social media personality, a television host, and an author. Her online videos combine veganism, humor, and motivational speaking. Tabitha Brown has garnered over 5 million followers on Tik Tok and over 4 million followers on Instagram. A number of Tabitha's products are available at Target, including vegan food, kitchen essentials, clothing, and haircare. Tabitha has also released her own children's show, Tab Time.

Visit Tabitha’s website
Follow Tabitha on Instagram
Follow Tabitha on TikTok

Follow Ruben on Instagram

Watch and subscribe to Live Through Love on YouTube

This is an Operation Podcast production, connect with us @operationpodcast.