My guest today is Michael Easter, a leading voice on how humans can integrate modern science and evolutionary wisdom for improved health, meaning, and performance. He travels the globe to embed himself with brilliant thinkers and people living at the extremes. He's the author of the bestselling book, The Comfort Crisis, and a professor of journalism at UNLV.We spend this one unpacking the comfort crisis and the complex experiences that seeded this concept in Michael’s mind as something more than an observation of his own life. He covers his nutrition journey, why learning how much he was eating was the key to understanding his own metabolic equilibrium, highlights a few fascinating teachers and researchers that have inspired him along the way, and applies his crisis lens to another, more surprising, neurological gem under siege – creativity in kids.His application of learned lessons is a breath of fresh air. Backed in research, but avoidant of the weeds – his POV is heart-filled and psychological, but not out of reach. Big thanks to Michael for sharing his deep wisdom with us today.We also cover… 00:01:24 — Unraveling The Comfort CrisisInspiration for The Comfort CrisisStruggling with drinking and getting soberLearning the reward of walking through discomfortWorking with Donnie VincentHow an extreme excursion outlined his bookNutrition work with Trevor KasheyWhy you eat vs. what you eat with Trevor KasheyPitfalls of enforcing rigid eating rules 00:21:55 — Doing the Work: Lifestyle ChangesChoosing foods that are ingredients > foods that have ingredients Positive effects of spending time in nature The Nature Pyramid by Rachel Hopman Working with our  hands vs. our heads00:36:54 — Growth Through ChallengeWhat exactly is a misogi challenge?Commenting on the sports science work of Marcus Elliot Inventing a challenge to push past limiting beliefsThe developmental significance of rites of passage Hard things are the ultimate teacher00:48:27 — Creativity & Happiness Across CulturesRemembering the research of Ellis Paul TorranceIQ vs. creativity testing with regard to life outcomes The commercialization of ideas and the creativity crisis among kidsHappiness research in Buton (not a single stoplight)Life is impermanent: Find joy in experiences over material thingsAmerica’s false happiness checklist Get out there and do hard things!Resources:Read: The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter Shop: The Comfort Crisis by Micheal EasterWebsite: eastermichael.comInstagram: