Shows
The Alpha Renaissance#21 Why You're Busy All Day and Get Nothing DoneWhat if your biggest productivity problem isn't how you manage your time — but how you manage your attention?In this episode of the Alpha Renaissance, Taq sits down with Maura Nevel Thomas — ranked in the Top 10 Time Management Professionals in the World and one of the leading voices on attention management — for a conversation that will completely reframe how you think about focus, distraction, and what it means to actually live your life.Maura breaks down why the phrase "time management" is outdated, why trillions of dollars are being spent to steal...
2026-03-151h 06The Alpha Renaissance#20 From Detroit to Geneva: How Watch Culture Is Quietly Solving the Male Loneliness EpidemicWhat if the thing keeping men connected wasn't therapy, social media, or a self-help book — but a watch? In this episode of The Alpha Renaissance, Taq sits down with Carlos Williams — watch enthusiast, tech bro, and one of the most thoughtful voices on how men build community in a world that's making it harder every day. Carlos grew up watching his grandfather wear a Movado on his wrist every single day. That watch — still in Carlos's possession, original receipt and all — became more than a family heirloom. It became an anchor. A reminder of who he is, where he came fro...
2026-03-081h 17The Alpha Renaissance#19 The Catholic Ritual That Rewires Your Brain, Body & SoulWhat if the ancient practice that could transform your discipline, mental clarity, and character has been hiding in plain sight for 2,000 years? In this episode of the Alpha Renaissance, I sit down with Matthew Plese — Catholic educator, marathon runner, and author of The Definitive Guide to Catholic Fasting and Abstinence — to explore the forgotten tradition of Catholic fasting. We go deep on why fasting is far more than a health hack, tracing its roots from the Jewish tradition through early Christianity and into the modern day. Matthew breaks down how voluntary sacrifice builds real mental toughness, why one third of t...
2026-03-011h 03The Alpha Renaissance#22 Still Broke? This Is What You're Doing Wrong (Why Most Entrepreneurs Fail)Most people say they want to win — but they're making the same mistakes that keep them stuck. Jeff Osuji didn't come from money, didn't have a technical background, and still built three million dollar businesses. In this episode, he gets brutally honest about what separates the entrepreneurs who make it from the ones who don't — from building before talking to your customer, to hiring the wrong people, to expecting your network to carry you. If you've been grinding with nothing to show for it, this conversation will tell you exactly why.We get into AI's takeover of the...
2026-02-221h 31The Alpha Renaissance#18 Why Ortho Surgeons Love the OR (And How They Decide to Operate)What does “wear and tear” actually mean—and why do so many people misunderstand it? When is surgery truly the right move… and when is it not necessary at all?Dr. Brian Nwannunu (orthopedic surgeon) joins The Alpha Renaissance to talk about:Why surgery is rarely “absolutely necessary” (and what that really means)The hidden daily habits that slowly destroy jointsInactivity as the biggest driver of preventable injuriesTraining culture: ego lifting, deadlifts/Olympic lifts, and injury patternsPickleball as the new wave of overuse injuriesThe simplest explanation of osteoporosis you’ll ever hear (styrofoam cup vs bamboo)How surgeons m...
2026-02-221h 03The Alpha Renaissance#17 How to Lose 100 Pounds Without Ozempic (and Become a Marathoner)In this episode of The Alpha Renaissance, I sit down with Kassoum Doumbia, who lost over 100 pounds without the drugs and went on to compete in the world’s most demanding marathons, including Boston, Chicago, New York, and Berlin. We explore how Kassoum rebuilt his health through disciplined nutrition, endurance training, and mental resilience—why he runs without music as a form of meditation, how pacing and strategy determine success when the marathon truly begins at mile 20, what it takes to train and race while fasting during Ramadan, and the mindset that keeps him moving forward when quitting would be e...
2026-02-081h 12The Alpha Renaissance#16 Confidence Isn’t Cosmetic | A Plastic Surgeon on Taking Control of Your LifeIn Episode #16, plastic surgeon Dr. Luis Rios explains why real confidence comes from discipline, agency, and taking control of your life — not surface-level change.About Dr. Luis Rios Dr. Luis Rios is a board-certified plastic surgeon, visionary entrepreneur, and performance-driven leader who blends medicine, mindset, and mastery. Through decades of surgical experience and a relentless pursuit of personal growth, he has built one of the Rio Grande Valley’s most respected aesthetic practices. His leadership philosophy is rooted in personal development, daily discipline, and the belief that true transformation is as much...
2026-02-011h 13The Alpha Renaissance#15 Art Is the Last Form of Human Agency (Why AI Can’t Replace It)In this episode of The Alpha Renaissance, host Taq Freeman sits down with Charles Philippe Jean-Pierre, a professor of Fine Arts at Howard University whose work explores identity, belonging, culture, and legacy through disciplined craft.We go deep on:How discipline (not inspiration) separates real creators from the crowdThe hidden truth about code switching—and why it’s actually a form of intelligenceThe real risks of AI art, NFT scams, and how creators get exploited digitallyWhy mastery can’...
2026-01-251h 13The Alpha Renaissance#14 ChatGPT’s Most Dangerous Side Effect That No one is Talking About | Amos Ladouceur, MDIs ChatGPT affecting the human mind in ways we don’t fully understand?In this episode of The Alpha Renaissance, Dr. Amos Ladouceur breaks down the most dangerous side effect of AI — from cognitive offloading and declining attention to AI-induced psychosis, loneliness, and silent brain deterioration.We explore AI psychosis, cognitive decline, brain health, digital distraction, early onset cancer, VO2 MAX and how we are losing mental sharpness without realizing it, why cognitive decline is often mistaken for aging, and what it takes to protect your brain, recl...
2026-01-181h 26The Alpha Renaissance#13 Why Justin Bieber, Usher & Chance the Rapper Trust this PhotographerIn this episode of The Alpha Renaissance, I sit down with Nick Onken, the creative mind trusted by Justin Bieber, Usher, Chance the Rapper, Ian Somerhalder, Lewis Howes, Quincy Jones, and Jessica Alba. We explore why trust matters more than talent, how creative flow is engineered rather than waited for, and how focus, energy, and identity shape meaningful work. Nick breaks down the rituals, systems, and mindset behind consistent creative mastery, offering insight into how great creators build clarity in a world of...
2026-01-1158 minThe Alpha Renaissance#12 NAD, Ozempic, and Testosterone: The Truth About Modern Performance MedicineIn this episode, I sit down with Oscar Leyva — advanced practice nurse and co-founder of Smooth Aesthetics performance and wellness clinic for an honest conversation about peak performance, aging, and staying healthy in today’s fast-moving world. We break down what NAD actually is (and what it feels like), how IV therapy really works, the reality of GLP-1s like Ozempic, and why testosterone optimization is not only about vanity, but feeling better.YouTube: @thealpharenaissance ▶️ https://youtube.com/@thealpharenaissance?si=4_a44tAuhTk3t0n8Apple Podcast ▶...
2026-01-041h 06The Alpha Renaissance#11 How to Build Your Own Lane in an Industry Full of GatekeepersIn this episode of The Alpha Renaissance, filmmaker Addison Henderson breaks down how to build your own lane in an industry that isn’t a meritocracy. From Buffalo’s East Side to independent film sets and Hollywood collaborations, Addison shares how discipline, ownership, relationships, and vision matter more than talent alone. We talk about why waiting for permission is a losing strategy, how to navigate gatekeepers, build momentum without validation, and create work that forces recognition. This conversation is for creatives, entrepreneurs, and builders who want control over their path, mastery over their craft, and long-term success in i...
2025-12-281h 15The Alpha Renaissance#10 Running Every Street in Chicago: The Mission to Unite a Divided CityIn this episode of The Alpha Renaissance, Taq sits down with Joabe Bayer Barbosa, the urban explorer on a mission to run every single street in Chicago. What began as physical recovery after a near-fatal mountain accident became something far bigger: a living experiment in courage, discipline, and human connection.Joabe runs through neighborhoods most people are taught to fear, not for spectacle, but to challenge narratives, meet people where they actually live, and prove that a divided city is still made of shared humanity. Together, they explore purpose, masculinity, loneliness...
2025-12-2156 minThe Alpha Renaissance#9 Why Modern Men Are Losing Faith (And What Ancient Wisdom Still Gets Right)Many men today feel spiritually empty — disconnected, distracted, and unsure of what to believe. Digital culture has replaced elders, institutions, and tradition as the primary source of meaning, and the results are showing up everywhere: rising anxiety, collapsing relationships, and a growing crisis of faith.In this episode of The Alpha Renaissance, Taq sits down with Ubaydullah Evans — a faith-based public intellectual and classical scholar — to explore why modern life is failing men, and what ancient spiritual wisdom still gets right.This is not a debate about religion.It’s a seri...
2025-12-141h 42The Alpha Renaissance#8 Five Days to Live - How Axel Schura Beat DeathIn this episode of Alpha Renaissance, Taq sits down with Axel Shura to explore the power of identity, resilience, and radical ownership. Axel shares his journey from a life-altering cancer diagnosis to mastering his mindset and rebuilding his life, offering insights on overcoming adversity, the importance of relationships, and the value of embracing challenges. This heartfelt conversation is filled with practical wisdom and inspiration for anyone seeking to take control of their story and live with purpose.Out wherever else you listen to podcasts 🎙️Apple Podcast ▶️ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-alpha...
2025-12-071h 14The Alpha Renaissance#7 Why Women Feel Alone in Childbirth — And How Men Can Fix ItHow can men show up for women during the childbirth experience and throughout her healthcare journey?Dr. Vanessa Archil is a board-certified OB/GYN who blends science-based maternity care with a human, deeply empathetic approach to women’s health. She’s devoted her career to improving maternal outcomes, empowering families, and teaching partners how to show up with presence, awareness, and real support during childbirth.0:00 – Why men don’t know how to protect women in childbirth1:10 – The maternal mortality crisis (and why Black women suffer most)3:00 – My family’s story: losing a brother at f...
2025-11-3047 minThe Alpha Renaissance#6 How a Hall of Fame Football Coach Changed The GameCoach Albert Lee Cruse II is a State of Illinois Hall of Fame High School football coach, a mentor, and man who's dedicated decades to shaping boys into men through discipline, structure, and service. In neighborhoods and environments that often break young men, Coach Cruse has been pulling them out of the fire --- Quietly & Consistently. 00:00 Introduction & Personal Story00:49 Meet Coach Cruz01:21 Coach Cruz’s Early Life02:44 Discovering Football’s Impact05:05 Coaching Journey06:35 Coaching in Tough Neighborhoods09:00 Inglewood’s Untapped Talent12:00 Community Challenges & Gang Influence16:00 Building a Team & Family
2025-11-221h 28The Alpha Renaissance#5 Capturing Passion in a Distracted World | Knox KronenbergKnox Kronenberg is a Texas-born fine art photographer who wields the power of large-scale black-and-white imagery to tell bold, unforgettable stories, bridging the past and present, the wild and the refined, the familiar and the extraordinary. His work isn’t only about capturing a moment; it’s about pulling the viewer into an immersive world, where history, culture, and raw emotion collide. At the core of Knox’s work is a singular mission: to inspire passion on a massive scale. His work can be viewed in the online gallery at knoxkronenberg.com.In this episode, we dis...
2025-11-161h 27The Alpha Renaissance#4 Loneliness, Suicide, AI & the Masculinity Crisis | Niyc Pidgeon⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode discusses suicide, mental health, and loss. If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text 988 in the U.S. (or visit findahelpline.com for international hotlines)Positive Psychologist & award-winning author of “One More Day,” Niyc Pidgeon is a global thought leader in suicide prevention and positive psychology. She’s spoken on TED stages, coached thousands worldwide, and turned personal tragedy into a mission to help people build resilience, find hope, and choose life - one more day at a time.#mensmentalhealthmatters #SuicidePrevention #MaleLoneliness #MentalHealthAwareness #OneMoreDay00:00 - Introduct...
2025-11-091h 02The Alpha Renaissance#3 Can AI Replace Teachers? A Conversation on the Classroom of Tomorrow | Gaston GriffinGaston Griffin is an educator and AI application enthusiast dedicated to transforming modern education. With experience educating in Chicago Public Schools and an AI-powered school, Gaston focuses on human-centered learning, personalized pathways, and the importance of motivation and mentorship. As a father of four and developer of the Pulse Check app, he’s passionate about using technology to empower both students and educators while keeping the human element at the core of learning.YouTube:https://youtube.com/@thealpharenaissance?si=4_a44tAuhTk3t0n8Apple Po...
2025-11-021h 16The Alpha Renaissance#2 What Happens After You’ve Achieved Everything? | Keren EldadThere’s a kind of success that doesn’t feel like success.You hit every goal — the degrees, the business, the dream life — and suddenly, you feel… nothing.That’s where I was.And that’s when I met Coach Keren Eldad — a world-class executive coach helping Olympic athletes and Fortune 500 leaders break free from the relentless pursuit of more.In this conversation, we talk about reframing ambition, rediscovering authenticity, and finding meaning beyond the next achievement...
2025-10-2656 minThe Alpha Renaissance#1 How a Dentist Built a Business Empire | Dr. MiladIn this episode of The Alpha Renaissance, we sit down with Dr. Milad — a dentist, entrepreneur, and visionary reshaping how clinicians think about ownership. The son of immigrant parents, Dr. Milad built a business empire from the ground up, merging precision in medicine with mastery in business.They discuss the mindset shifts required to move from practitioner to leader, how to build trust and culture within a growing organization, and why purpose must guide profit.For clinicians, creators, and anyone seeking to turn discipline into destiny — this episode is a blueprint for trans...
2025-10-191h 22The Alpha RenaissanceWelcome to the RenaissanceIn a world moving faster than ever, this is a call to slow down — to remember who you are. The Alpha Renaissance is a movement for thinkers, builders, and dreamers reclaiming clarity, purpose, and power in the age of machines.In this opening manifesto, Taq Freeman lays the foundation for what’s to come — a journey through identity, mastery, and meaning. Through the lens of health, art, and adventure, he explores what it means to rise above distraction and rediscover the discipline of being human.From failure to fulfillment — this is where...
2025-10-1900 min
Skylight Books Podcast SeriesSasha LaPointe, ”RED PAINT”Sasha taqʷšəblu LaPointe has always longed for a sense of home. When she was a child, her family moved around frequently, often staying in barely habitable church attics and trailers, dangerous places for young Sasha.
With little more to guide her than a passion for the thriving punk scene of the Pacific Northwest and a desire to live up to the responsibility of being the namesake of her beloved great-grandmother—a linguist who helped preserve her Indigenous language of Lushootseed—Sasha throws herself headlong into the world, determined to build a better future for herself and her people...
2022-03-1447 min