Best Hack Er Podcasts (2026)

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Ep 254: Hacks for 3 Serious Winter Weight Gain Challenges 46:57

20m ago46:57

46:57

Winter has a way of showing us the challenges we managed to avoid during the summer. January rolls in with colder temperatures, darker mornings, comfort-food cravings, and routines that suddenly feel much harder to maintain. If you've noticed your motivation dip or your consistency feel shaky, I want you to hear this clearly: It's not that you're f…

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The Road to Headlining with CAIN 49:02

1d ago49:02

49:02

Dallas comedian CAIN, fresh off winning the 2025 Pervis Wilson Funniest Stand-Up in Dallas Competition, returns to the FMP to discuss the mysterious and lightly regulated sport of comedy competitions. In this episode, CAIN walks us through his third year in comedy, including the high-stakes strategic dilemma faced by every comic in a competition: D…

1
Ep 253: Your Long-Term Weight Mastery Mindset for 2026 59:31

7d ago59:31

59:31

The beginning of a new year often brings pressure. Pressure to reset. Pressure to undo the holidays. Pressure to "get serious" about weight—fast. But before you jump into another plan, rule, or reset, today's episode invites you to slow down and look at what actually determines long-term success. Because lasting weight mastery doesn't start with fo…

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Ep 252: Holiday Wishes and Healthy Imprints Meditation 26:16

14d ago26:16

26:16

Happy holidays, my friend! As this year comes to a close, I wanted to offer you something different in today's podcast episode—not advice, not a to-do list, and definitely not another promise you don't actually want to keep. This episode is a gentle, guided meditation designed to help you close out the year with gratitude and step into the new one …

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Ep 251: Avoid Emotional Eating this Holiday Season 46:57

21d ago46:57

46:57

Emotional eating during the holidays… anyone else feeling it already? If the season brings up stress, pressure, nostalgia, or that familiar pull toward food for comfort—you're not alone. And you don't have to white-knuckle your way through it either. In this latest podcast episode, I'm sharing my best practices and mindset shifts for moving through…

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What Comics can Borrow from Improv with Brittany Taylor 1:05:43

1M ago1:05:43

1:05:43

Brittany Taylor---Improv Guru and Instructor---- joins Mike and Chris to yes-and their brains into shape with a crash course in all things improv: the formulas, the frameworks, and the wonderfully weird archetypes (pirates vs. ninjas). Brittany breaks down what happens when people try improv for the first time—those classic beginner pitfalls like f…

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Ep 250: PTSD Effects on Weight Issues with Joanne Williams 1:00:15

1M ago1:00:15

1:00:15

Have you ever noticed that when your stress is high, everything feels off? Your hunger cues, your digestion, your energy… even the way you talk to yourself? There's a reason for that — and it's not because you're doing anything wrong. In this week's Thin Thinking Podcast episode, I sat down with PTSD expert Joanne Williams for a powerful conversati…

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Ep 249: Our Annual ZERO Regret Holiday Baking Episode 25:19

1M ago25:19

25:19

It's here! There is something so magical about baking during the holidays. Even if we barely touch an oven the rest of the year, somehow December arrives and suddenly we're whipping up cookies, breads, pies, and all the nostalgic treats that make the season feel whole. For many of us, baking is connection—time with friends, time with family, or sim…

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Ep 248: 3 Decisions Thanksgiving Meditation (Thanks TR!) 43:47

1M ago43:47

43:47

Happy Thanksgiving! Let's be honest for a moment… This weekend is basically the Olympics of old family patterns, emotional eating triggers, and conversations you definitely did not sign up for—sprinkled, of course, with a little gratitude. So I thought: What better time to share something powerful I brought home from Tony Robbins' Unleash the Power…

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Moving the Pen with Sean O’Brien 1:16:16

2M ago1:16:16

1:16:16

We sit down with St. Louis comic Sean O’Brien who has opened for legends like Bill Burr, Norm Macdonald, and Nikki Glaser. Sean got his start bartending at the St. Louis Funny Bone, where he met Mike Lukas — and, in true full-circle fashion, Mike’s show ended up becoming Sean’s very first paid gig. In this episode, Sean breaks down his writing proc…

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Ep 247: Managing Social Anxiety with Brad Robinson 59:30

2M ago59:30

59:30

So many people in our Thin Thinking community aren't just navigating weight, food, and mindset… they're also carrying quiet anxiety under the surface. And as the holidays approach—with the social events, family expectations, food everywhere, and the pressure to be "on"—that anxiety can really kick into high gear. That's why I am so excited about th…

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EP 246: Thin Thinking Reads: Wild Things: A Geography of Grief 1:03:31

2M ago1:03:31

1:03:31

Some conversations invite us to slow down. To breathe differently. To step out of the rush of our lives and into the quieter places we often avoid — the ones where grief, memory, and healing wait patiently for us to catch up. Today's episode is one of those conversations. My guest, Barbara Wansbrough, didn't set out to write a book about grief. She…

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Crowd Work with Michael Halcomb 1:00:52

2M ago1:00:52

1:00:52

This pod’s guest is Michael Halcomb — a professor, pastor, comedian, and podcaster from North Carolina, proving once and for all that the best way to handle hecklers is with a sermon, a syllabus, and a punchline. Chris asks Michael and Mike about their jointly-authored article “10 Ways to Upgrade Your Crowd Work” — covering how to turn audience cha…

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Ep 245: How Hypnosis Helped an ER Doctor Stop the Start-Over Cycle 55:15

2M ago55:15

55:15

Have you ever put off a dream because of your weight? That was Dr. Marie Strenger's reality as well. As an emergency room physician, she spent years caring for everyone else while her own needs kept getting pushed aside. Between exhausting shifts, stress, and that familiar "I'll start again tomorrow," she felt stuck—until she discovered a different…

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Two Hours of Funny, Every. Single. Day. With Pete Schwaba 44:36

2M ago44:36

44:36

In this episode of The Funny Muscle Podcast, we welcome Pete Schwaba — veteran comedian, screenwriter, actor, and radio host — to prove that comedy isn’t just about punchlines; it’s about endurance, caffeine, and creative chaos. Pete shares war stories from the road, how writing a two-hour daily radio show feels like prepping a stand-up set that ne…

1
Ep 244: Breaking the Sugar Spell: Halloween Episode 35:23

2M ago35:23

35:23

Halloween may be all about ghosts, witches, and things that go bump in the night—but let's be honest, the real haunt this season isn't hiding under your bed. It's that little voice in your head whispering, "Go ahead… just one fun-sized bar." And before you know it—11 wrappers later—you're left wondering, "What kind of sugar spell just possessed me?…

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How Comics Think While You Laugh (Inside the Comic's Brain) 31:29

3M ago31:29

31:29

Ever wonder what a stand-up is really doing onstage while you’re laughing? This episode breaks down the invisible gears turning inside a comic’s brain — the quick rewrites, subtle pauses, and instinctive callbacks that make a joke feel alive in the room. Mike and Chris explore how great comics read an audience in real time and adjust every beat to …

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Ep 243: Permission to be Thin and 9 other Self Permissions for Long-Term Weight Success 1:00:49

3M ago1:00:49

1:00:49

Remember those permission slips we needed as kids — the ones that let us go on a field trip or try something new? Or the approvals we had to wait for at work before we could move a project forward? Here's the thing… many of us are still waiting for that green light — only now, it's coming from inside our own minds. If you've been stuck in the start…

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Ep 242: How Self-Compassion Helped a Nutritional Expert Lose 48 pounds 1:18:51

3M ago1:18:51

1:18:51

Have you ever known exactly what to do to eat healthy — but still couldn't make it happen? You're not alone. My guest this week, Michelle Wolfson, knows that feeling all too well. As a chef and nutritional manager, she was an expert at helping others manage their diets for all kinds of medical conditions. But behind the scenes, she was struggling —…

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EP 241: Breaking the Diet Cycle: How Kerrie Lost 30 Pounds and Kept It Off with Mindset 46:21

3M ago46:21

46:21

Have you ever looked back at your younger self and felt a deep ache for all the years spent struggling with food, weight, and self-worth? In this week's Thin Thinking episode, I sit down with Kerrie—a lifelong Texan, former corporate leader, and consulting hypnotist—who knows that feeling all too well. After decades of "diet stacking" and chasing…

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Ep 240: Hilary's Journey to Weight Maintenance, Body Image, and Food Freedom 49:27

3M ago49:27

49:27

In this week's Thin Thinking episode, I sit down with Hillary—a Shift Process graduate and personal chef—whose story around weight, food, and self-image is both unique and deeply relatable. Growing up in New York with a father who was a fashion photographer in the 1970s, Hillary was surrounded by the glossy, airbrushed world of ultra-thin models. E…

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Ep 239: The 5 Hungers That Sabotage Weight Loss (and How to Master Them 57:48

4M ago57:48

57:48

When you feel hungry… is it always about an empty stomach? The truth is, hunger isn't just one thing—it's a chorus of signals. And most of them have nothing to do with actual physical need. In my latest podcast episode, I'm breaking down the five types of hunger: ✅ Physical hunger ✅ Emotional hunger ✅ Environmental hunger ✅ Hedonic (pleasure-driven…

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What Makes an ‘Unlikely Scenario’ Funny? (And Why Comics Love It) 44:49

4M ago44:49

44:49

“You never see…” — it’s one of comedy’s favorite springboards into the ridiculous. In this episode of The Funny Muscle Podcast, Mike and Chris grab the metaphorical coach’s playbook and diagram how pros turn that setup into laugh-out-loud gold. Along the way, they break down three humor heightening devices — Uncommon Worlds, Unlikely Scenarios, and…

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Ep 238: The Inner Game of Long-Term Weight Loss Part 2 54:18

4M ago54:18

54:18

Last week on the podcast, I celebrated my birthday by unwrapping the real gift that changed my life—mastering the mental side of weight. Instead of diets and food rules, I shared the inner game principles that helped me step off the cycle of struggle and keep my healthiest weight for over 30 years. If you missed that episode, it's a powerful starti…

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Comic Timing with Tim Alexander 52:04

4M ago52:04

52:04

You’d think comedians would be the ones giving lessons on timing. But this week, we flipped the snare. Our guest is Tim Alexander, the legendary drummer for Blue Man Group and Primus, who joins the Funny Muscle Pod to teach us about timing. Turns out, drummers and comedians share the same secret weapon: the pause. The space between the beats, or be…

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EP 237: The Inner Game of Long-Term Weight Loss Part 1 59:03

4M ago59:03

59:03

It's my birthday episode--and instead of a party with candles and frosting, I thought we'd do something a little different: unwrap the real gift that changed my life—mastering the mental side of weight. For decades, I fought with food, rules, and endless cycles of "starting over tomorrow." What finally broke that cycle wasn't another diet. It was l…

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Ep 236: Joanne's Story: The Vision that Released 60 Pounds 49:27

4M ago49:27

49:27

What happens when you grow up in a family of nine, where mealtimes are a race to grab food before it's gone? For Joanne, it meant eating fast, struggling with portions, and carrying those habits well into adulthood. Add in the challenges of menopause, the stress of caregiving, and the weight gain that followed—and she felt stuck. In this week's epi…

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Hook, Line, and Punchline: The Science of Bait and Switch 37:32

5M ago37:32

37:32

Think you saw the punchline coming? Good comics make sure you don’t. In this Funny Muscle Pod, Mike and Chris break down bait and switch — the move where you’re sure you know the joke’s ending, then wind up face-down in a completely different punchline. We analyze the tape of the Naked Gun’s deadpan reveals, Dave Barry’s elegant sentence swerves, a…

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Ep 235: From Food Fight to Weight Release and 4-Year Maintenance: Andrea's Story 58:36

5M ago58:36

58:36

If you've ever felt trapped in an endless cycle of dieting, food rules, and self-criticism, this week's episode is for you. I sat down with Andrea, a graduate of the Shift Weight Mastery Process, who has not only reached her ideal weight but has maintained it for four years. But the most powerful part of her story isn't the number on the scale—it's…

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Ep 234: 8 Mindset Traps that Keep Your Weight Stuck 59:17

5M ago59:17

59:17

Most weight loss advice sounds the same: Eat better. Move more. Drink water. But in this week's episode of Thin Thinking, we're turning that advice upside down. I'm revealing the hidden habits that might be keeping you stuck—things you're probably doing right now without realizing they're slowing down your progress. No more overwhelming rules. No "…

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Ep 233: The Inner Shift Behind a 100-Pound Weight Loss: Muriel's Journey of Healing 1:16:07

5M ago1:16:07

1:16:07

We've all heard the saying "French women don't get fat." But what happens when a French woman does struggle with her weight—and has never learned how to truly care for herself? In this week's episode, you'll meet Muriel, a courageous woman who shattered that myth and released over 100 pounds along the way. Her journey is about far more than the num…

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Hacking a Small Crowd 27:20

5M ago27:20

27:20

Not every room will be packed—sometimes you’re on stage for fewer people than your car’s backseat can handle. In the latest episode of the Funny Muscle Pod, Mike shares battle-tested tips for how to turn a modest crowd into a memorable performance, like boost your pace and go local. We also learn how to say what they’re thinking—lightly. If your au…

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Ep 232: Weight Loss After 70: Sylvia's Journey with Ozempic and Hypnosis 44:51

5M ago44:51

44:51

If you've been curious about weight loss medications like Ozempic—or maybe you're already using them—this week's episode is one you don't want to miss. Meet Sylvia from Louisiana. She's 79 years young and living proof that transformation is possible at any age. When she started Ozempic, she lost 50 pounds. But with decades of yo-yo dieting behind h…

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The "Excellent Choice" Effect: Stand-up Techniques for Public Speaking 36:16

5M ago36:16

36:16

Why do we feel so good when a waiter says “excellent choice” after we order the salmon instead of the flank steak? Mike and Chris break down the psychology behind that little dopamine hit and show you how to use the same principle to level up your comedy, corporate communication, public speaking, and even your skills as a great emcee. They also dig…

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Ep 231: Self-Compassion Secrets to Sustainable Weight Loss 49:53

6M ago49:53

49:53

Be honest—how many times have you decided to lose weight after a harsh look in the mirror or a moment of self-judgment? You're not alone. But here's the truth: sustainable weight loss doesn't come from a place of self-loathing or punishment. It comes from partnership—with your mind, your body, and most importantly, yourself. In this week's powerful…

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Episode 230: Healing Fibromyalgia with expert Tami Stacklehouse 44:57

6M ago44:57

44:57

If you or someone you love lives with chronic pain, fatigue, or brain fog — and has been told "It's all in your head" — this week's episode is for you. I'm honored to be joined by Tammy Stackelhouse, a powerhouse in fibromyalgia advocacy, support, and healing. Tammy is an award-winning author, founder of the International Fibromyalgia Coaching Inst…

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Ep 229: Steps to Break the Cycle of Weight Self-Shame and Abuse 54:29

6M ago54:29

54:29

Have you ever caught yourself thinking things about your weight that you'd never say to someone else? For many of us, the weight struggle becomes less about food—and more about the toxic relationship we've formed with ourselves. That inner critic? The shame spiral? The relentless "I'm not enough" thoughts? They wear us down, day after day. In this …

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Ep 228: 5 Mind Shifts to Avoid a Binge 58:49

6M ago58:49

58:49

Ever find yourself saying, "I won't do it again," after a binge—only to fall back into the same cycle the next night or week? You're not alone. And more importantly... You're not a failure. In this week's powerful podcast episode, we're diving into the REAL reasons behind binge eating—and how you can begin to break the cycle with five deep mindset …

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Ep 227: Advocating for Hormonal Health During and After Menopause with Dr. Marcia Harris 1:02:13

6M ago1:02:13

1:02:13

Have you ever walked into a doctor's office with symptoms like hot flashes, sleep issues, anxiety, or brain fog—only to be told, "That's just aging"? Or worse—handed an antidepressant without a real conversation? If so, this week's podcast episode is for you. I'm joined by the incredible Dr. Marcia Harris, a board-certified surgeon and fierce advoc…

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Ep 226: Overcoming the Mental Resistance to Exercise 53:39

7M ago53:39

53:39

Picture this: your alarm goes off early in the morning, and you're lying in bed, debating—should I hit snooze or get up and exercise? Just as you're about to decide, your brain flashes a big red STOP sign. Suddenly, that cozy bed wins again. Sound familiar? In this week's episode of Thin Thinking, we're tackling that exact internal struggle—aka men…

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Ep 225: What Supplements Should I Be Taking? With Expert Zoe Karli 1:17:12

7M ago1:17:12

1:17:12

Forget the supplement overwhelm—what if you could narrow it down to just five game-changing supplements that actually move the needle on your health? Instead of drowning in endless online studies and conflicting advice, maybe it's time we got real about what our bodies actually need. How about we call them health insurance pills? Or better yet, lon…

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Feel Something, Say Something: Turning Topics Into Premises Using Emotions 43:44

7M ago43:44

43:44

On this episode of Funny Muscle, the team tackles one of the most important — and often overlooked by new comics — steps in joke creation: assigning an emotion to a topic. Because “air travel” isn’t funny. But your deep personal betrayal by a TSA muffin confiscation? That’s a premise. They look at how pros use an emotional POV to instantly transfor…

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Ep 224: Prevent Stress Eating with this One Easy Hack 46:31

7M ago46:31

46:31

Eating to calm ourselves down has practically become a national pastime. So much so that maybe it's time we renamed our go-to snacks. Instead of "chips," how about emotion food? "Cookies"? Maybe anxiety relief bites? In this week's Thin Thinking Podcast, I'm diving into this very real and very common behavior—and giving you a simple yet powerful ha…

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Ep 223: Losing Weight While Traveling: Mary's 47 Pound Journey 54:27

7M ago54:27

54:27

Let's be honest—travel can throw a major wrench into any weight mastery journey. New time zones, jam-packed schedules, tempting foods at every turn. It's easy to feel like progress has to hit pause. But what if it didn't? In this week's episode of The Thin Thinking Podcast, I sit down with Mary, who released an incredible 47 pounds over the course …

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Ep 222: What is my Ideal Weight? Exploring All the Answers 1:00:26

8M ago1:00:26

1:00:26

"What is my ideal weight?" It's a question so many of us ask ourselves—but often, it's not just about the number on the scale. Underneath it can live deeper emotions, self-judgment, and the quiet (but persistent) question: Am I enough? In this week's powerful new episode of the Thin Thinking Podcast, I'm joined by Rhona, who has released 25 pounds …

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Ep 221: Traveling "Lite" Part 2: My Thin Thinking Trip to Catalonia, Spain 39:05

8M ago39:05

39:05

Ready to keep the travel vibes going? Part two of our Traveling Lite series just dropped — and it's packed with real-world tips straight from my recent adventure through Spain's stunning Costa Brava and vibrant Valencia. Last week in Part One, we focused on preparing for healthy travel — from mindset to packing smart. (If you missed it, make sure t…

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Ep 220: Traveling "Lite" Part 1: My Thin Thinking Trip to Catalonia, Spain 38:18

8M ago38:18

38:18

Do you love to travel but find it hard to stay on track with your health goals while you're away? In this week's brand-new episode of the Thin Thinking Podcast, I'm kicking off a special two-part travel series—and I'm taking you behind the scenes of my recent adventure to Catalonia, Spain! Part one is all about what happens before you ever step on …

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Hour A Day to Write Comedy? 12 Comics' Advice (part 2) 26:30

8M ago26:30

26:30

In this episode, we cornered a dozen comedians—some voluntarily—and asked: “If you had one hour a day to train your comedy off-stage, what would you do?” There’s a wide range of answers. One practices in front of a mirror. One writes down everything that irritates them until they become punchlines. One looks up 20 facts about a topic. And yes—sever…

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Ep 219: Hacks to Hair Health and Longevity with Dr. Bauman 55:53

8M ago55:53

55:53

If you've been noticing a receding hairline, thinning patches, or more strands in the shower than usual, you're not alone. Hair loss is something many of us start facing as we age—and it can really impact how we feel about ourselves. The good news? There are more effective, science-backed solutions than ever before. In this week's podcast episode, …

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Ep 218: What I Did Differently to FINALLY Lose the Weight 59:33

9M ago59:33

59:33

This week on the Thin Thinking Podcast, I'm opening up like never before. I'm sharing the raw, honest truth about what really changed when I finally released the weight for good—and kept it off for over 30 years. Spoiler alert: it wasn't the perfect diet. And it definitely wasn't about willpower. This episode is about the deep internal shifts I m…

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