The Urban Monk podcast with Dr. Pedram Shojai

From Sun Fear to Sun Healing: Reclaiming Our Natural Relationship with Light

When conventional wisdom tells us the sun is our enemy, Nadine Artemis stands as a beacon of truth, challenging decades of fear-based programming about sun exposure. Broadcasting from her stunning lakeside property in Ontario, Canada, Nadine dismantles the modern myth that sunlight is dangerous and reveals how our ancestors understood something we've forgotten: the sun is essential medicine for optimal health. From the Nobel Prize-winning heliotherapy practices of 1902 to modern understanding of vitamin D receptors and mitochondrial function, this eye-opening conversation with Dr. Pedram Shojai explores how proper sun exposure can transform your health, mood, and vitality. Nadine shares practical protocols for safely building up your sun tolerance, the critical importance of circadian light exposure, and why those expensive chemical sunscreens and fake tans might be doing more harm than good than we ever imagined.

Your Health Coach Will See You Now

In this compelling conversation, Dr. Sandi Scheinbaum, founder of the Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach Institute, joins Pedram to discuss the transformative power of health coaching in our broken healthcare system. With over 50 years in the field and 5,000+ coaches trained worldwide, Dr. Sandi shares her journey from special education teacher to clinical psychologist to pioneering health coach educator. The discussion explores how health coaching addresses the critical gaps in modern healthcare—from the loss of bedside manner to the rush of 7-minute appointments—by empowering individuals to take charge of their own health journey. Dr. Sandi reveals innovative approaches including whole-systems thinking, group coaching models, and the art of asking the right questions rather than prescribing one-size-fits-all solutions.

Breaking Free from Toxic Overload

Dr. Aly Cohen, integrative rheumatologist and author of "Detoxify," reveals the shocking truth about modern toxic exposure: we're surrounded by over 95,000 synthetic chemicals that didn't exist 75 years ago, yet medical schools don't teach doctors about their health impacts. From air fresheners and personal care products to canned foods and cleaning supplies, these everyday items are contributing to autoimmune diseases, hormone disruption, chronic fatigue, and even early puberty in children. Rather than preaching doom and gloom, Dr. Cohen offers her practical "Four A's" framework for navigating environmental health without perfectionism or judgment. She shares real patient success stories, addresses the social challenges of living "clean" in a toxic world, and provides actionable strategies for high-impact changes that won't break the bank. This conversation is essential for anyone wondering why they don't feel well despite doing "all the right things" - the answer might be hiding in plain sight in your daily routine.

Beyond the Scope: Gut Health, Polyphenols, and the Real Medicine of Lifestyle

Dr. Ken Brown, a practicing gastroenterologist and researcher, joins host Pedram Shojai for an in-depth conversation about the evolution of gut health medicine. From his groundbreaking work with Dr. Mark Pimentel on SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) to his discovery of polyphenols that reduce methane-producing bacteria, Dr. Brown shares insights from 25 years of clinical practice. The discussion covers the limitations of traditional scopes, the challenges of medical research funding, and why sleep, stress management, and whole foods form the foundation of gut health—before any supplements enter the picture.

From Toxic Babies to Clean Homes: How One Dad's Chemical Crisis Sparked a Non-Toxic Revolution

When Stephen Ezell's newborn son broke out in a horrific rash from toxic laundry detergent, it set him on an 18-year mission that would transform him from a restaurant owner into one of America's leading non-toxic product manufacturers. In this eye-opening conversation with Dr. Pedram Shojai, Ezell reveals the shocking truth about household chemicals lurking in our homes - from the 200+ toxic compounds found in newborn umbilical cord blood to the disturbing reality that 82% of consumers equate "clean" with artificial scent rather than actual cleanliness. Ezell shares the wild journey of building Truly Free from three people mixing soap with a concrete mixer to serving over 500,000 families, while exposing the unregulated chemical industry that prioritizes profits over public health. He breaks down the most dangerous household products (hint: it's not what you think), debunks greenwashing tactics, and explains why the EU bans over 12,000 chemicals while the US only bans 14. This conversation is a wake-up call for parents and anyone concerned about the toxic burden in their homes, offering practical solutions and hope for a cleaner, healthier future.